Fellow Superromance author Mary Sullivan asked me to be a part of this chain blog event entitled THE NEXT BIG THING—a series of questions and answers about what's happening next in my writing life.

Sadly, I couldn’t find anyone to chain after me! So, if you’re an author and would like to take part, email me and I’ll set you up!

1. What is the title of your book? Back to the Good Fortune Diner.

2. How did you come by the idea?

Pulling from my own personal experiences, I wondered how different my life would have been if I’d grown up in a small town instead of a big city.

3. What genre does your book fall under?

Contemporary category romance. (Harlequin Superromance)

4. Which actors would you choose to play your characters if it were a movie?

Ellen Wong (known for her role as Knives Chau in Scott Pilgrim vs. the World) would play Tiffany Cheung.

Chris Hemsworth would play the hero, Chris Jamieson.

 

5. What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

Big-city prodigal daughter returns to her sweet and sour small-town roots and reunites with her old high school crush.

6. Will your book be self-published or traditional?

Traditional—with Harlequin Superromance, in stores and online January 2, 2013.

7. How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?

Four months, plus one month to edit, before I sent it to my editor.

8. What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

Sarah M. Anderson’s A Man of His Word, which is a great Harlequin Desire about a white high-powered executive and a Native American attorney. Anderson deftly handles the racial issues and prejudice the heroine faces without shying away from the real awfulness.

9. Who or what inspired you to write this book?

Being Chinese Canadian myself, I’ve always wanted to write a contemporary Chinese heroine and see more diversity in romance.

10. What else about your book might pique the reader's interest?

The book does deal with issues of racism and interracial relationships, but more broadly, it is about coming to grips with your personal and cultural identity.

 

Hey authors! Wanna continue the chain? Email me at vicki@vickiessex.com and you can be a part of this chain of awesomeness!