Interview with Cindy Pon

Posted by Jen on Wednesday, January 21st, 2009 @ 7:00 am

In continuing this week’s spotlight on upcoming 2009 releases, I’m thrilled to have debut author, Cindy Pon, stop by for an interview today. Her upcoming release, SILVER PHOENIX, BEYOND THE KINGDOM OF XIA hits shelves on April 28th.

Cindy is not only a terrific writer, but she’s been a great friend and cheerleader throughout my own writing journey. I wish her all the best with her debut!

No one wanted Ai Ling. And deep down she is relieved—despite the dishonor she has brought upon her family—to be unbetrothed, free, and not some stranger’s subservient bride banished to the inner quarters.

But now, something is after her. Something terrifying—a force she cannot comprehend. And as the pieces of the puzzle start to fit together, Ai Ling begins to understand that her journey to the Palace of Fragrant Dreams in search of her beloved father—missing these many months—is so much more than that. Bravery, intelligence, the will to fight and fight hard . . . she will need all of these things. Just as she will need the new and mysterious power growing within her. She will also need help.

It is Chen Yong who finds her partly submerged and barely breathing at the edge of a deep lake. There is something of unspeakable evil trying to drag her under. On a quest of his own Chen Yong offers tha help…and perhaps more.

First, congratulations on your upcoming debut and your beautiful cover!

jen, thank you so much! i’m very excited!!

How did you come up with the idea for SILVER PHOENIX?

originally, i only knew that i wanted to write about
a heroine’s journey set in ancient china. i knew it would
be fantasy. my first notes on the subject were only a few
phrases jotted into my journal. it was over a year or two
later before i began to actually write the story!

the story came to me in pieces, and i wrote my
way into it. i didn’t really know what it would be until
it was.

Your novel is a historical fantasy. What kind of research did you do? Do you have any research advice for fellow writers?

it actually wouldn’t be categorized as historical fantasy,
because my novel doesn’t take place in an actual time
in history. i struggled a lot in the beginning with making
the story historically accurate, then realized i wasn’t writing
a historical–my story was fantasy first. my heroine could not
have journeyed on her own if she were in the china of centuries
past. as a daughter of a scholar, her feet would be bound and
she wouldn’t get very far.

having said that, i bought a lot of books to help me get
into the mood and setting of the novel. i call it the kingdom of
xia, but it definitely has a lot based on china! i read books
about the emperor’s court, about clothing and daily rituals,
about the architecture–everything to bring the world to life for me.

to me, that is the greatest part of research, to ignite the
imagination of the writer, so s/he can help immerse the
reader in the world with words.

What has been your favorite part of the whole publishing process so far?

i’m close to my release date–but it’d still have to be getting
my first editorial letter from virginia, and working on revisions
with her to take the novel to another level. i truly love this story
and it was amazing to work to make it better.

You’re working on a sequel and a picture book, as well. What is the hardest thing you’ve encountered during the sophomore novel process?

writing a contracted sequel is a whole other beast.
i think it’s the pressure and general writerly angst that
gets to me. if anything, i’ve learned too much and know a little
more now about the writing process–you suddenly realize just
how rough a rough draft can be. ha!

also, i’m very much thinking about promotion and publicity
for SILVER PHOENIX. you only debut once, and every author
hopes she will debut well. it’s difficult to balance the business
side of writing with the creative side.

You queried a lot of agents when seeking representation for this novel, and I love your don’t-give-up attitude. I know you inspired me in my own search for representation! Do you have any advice for the aspiring writers currently in the query trenches?

QUERY AND CONQUER!

seriously tho, i remember that coaster ride of oh, look, i got
rejected in less than five minutes coupled by a full request
straight after that. it’s emotionally draining, the up and the down,
the yes and the no–it’s like that katy perry song. haha!

feedback can be all over the place. great writing, don’t like the
characters so much. writing needs help, great characters.
just know it is very very subjective. but also realize that if
agents are giving you the same feedback–to definitely take
that into account.

i think with querying, you really have to play by the rules
and jump through the hoops. it’s not personal, tho it feels
it every time someone says NO.
research, query widely, behave professionally, and keep the
hope and dream alive. at this point, you are your novel’s
ONLY advocate.

and rejection is part of every writer’s hazing process.
no writer you have read and love has NOT been rejected
by an agent or editor…

That’s so true.
I’ve heard you mention your critique group on several occasions. How did you find these writers and how has being a part of a critique group helped your writing?

i love my critique groups! i’m in two!
one composed of members who write within
the speculative fiction genre (i met them at a
writing conference) and another group that has
a very eclectic mix of genres (i met this group in
a novel writing class at university extensions).

my novel would not be what it is if it weren’t
for my critique group. there is a little part of each
of them in my story–due to their suggestions or comments.

as a writer, we tend to be very close to our writing
and story, and often carry information in our heads that
we believe we already wrote out on page, or think
is “obvious” when it’s not. we can rush through scenes
to get to the parts we anticipate writing or drag on in
description. critique groups are so good in being the first
readers of your novel, and helping you to shape it into
something better and more readable.

And since you’re writing YA, what has been your favorite recent YA novel that you’ve read?

i’ve only recently begun reading more extensively within
the YA genre, and am so excited to explore further.
paper towns by john green really drew me in.

Thanks so much for stopping by, and I can’t wait to see your book on the shelves!

thank you for having me, jen!
this was a fun interview–and i can’t wait for
my books to be on the shelves either! eeee!

Comments

By Sara Raasch on January 21st, 2009 at 9:56 am

I LOVE her cover. The colors are so vibrant and intense they’ll almost force people to pick it up and buy it.

By cindy on January 21st, 2009 at 11:16 am

sara, i hope so! =) i love my cover, too.

and thanks for a fun and great interview, jen! *waves flag*

By Jen on January 21st, 2009 at 11:51 am

Yes, I love the cover, too. I think this is really going to jump out on the shelves.

And hi Cindy!

By Gretchen on January 21st, 2009 at 1:24 pm

Can’t wait to get my hands on a copy! Haven’t been this excited about a book release since HP7.

By Julianne Douglas on January 21st, 2009 at 6:26 pm

Great interview!

A question from a non-Chinese speaker: how do you pronounce “Xia”–”Sha?” Was there any editorial discussion about whether this name would pose problems for reviewers or readers?

Can’t wait to read the book. Congrats and best wishes for a wonderful debut!

By cindy on January 21st, 2009 at 6:40 pm

julianne, great question! i’ve seen the surname spelled hsia. but i think SHEE-YA is the closest we can get for those who don’t speak mandarin.

there was a lot of discussion about this. my editor felt we needed a title that was easy to pronounce but also telling of what the story / genre might be. “Beyond the Kingdom of Xia” is okay as a subtitle, because everyone will mainly just refer to my book as SILVER PHOENIX.

titles are definitely considered with marketing and sales in mind.

By cindy on January 21st, 2009 at 6:40 pm

and thanks jen and gretchen! =D

By Julianne Douglas on January 21st, 2009 at 6:42 pm

Thanks, Cindy! I wanted to know how to pronounce it correctly when I recommend it to people!

By Jen on January 21st, 2009 at 6:44 pm

Thanks, Cindy. I was pronouncing it ZI-A. Whoops!

By Dan on January 21st, 2009 at 6:58 pm

Thanks, Cindy (and Jen), it’s always great hearing from new writers.

I think you’re right about using the historical stuff as flavor rather than actual setting. As you say, in an actual historical context, certain things just wouldn’t be possible.

Also, that really is an amazing cover. I used to work in a bookstore and that cover screams to be displayed.

Good luck, Cindy!

By cappy on January 21st, 2009 at 7:30 pm

Great interview and advice to all of us aspiring writers! I look forward to reading this, it looks wonderful!

By nikki on January 21st, 2009 at 7:44 pm

I really love YA fantasy, and I can’t wait to read this.

By colbymarshall1 on January 21st, 2009 at 8:23 pm

So, I’ve wondered for a long time how the title “Silver Phoenix” was arrived at since that wasn’t your original title…or is that something I have to wait for the book for? Bootay shake- I am so excited about your release!!!

By Jacqui on January 21st, 2009 at 9:11 pm

Great interview — especially the bit about the importance of critique groups.

I. Can’t. Wait!

By Kim Kasch on January 21st, 2009 at 9:27 pm

Cindy was an inspiration to me too. Can’t wait to read Silver Phoenix.

By cindy on January 21st, 2009 at 9:44 pm

colby, when you read the novel, the title will make sense. =)

glad to help, julianne! great question. jen, i think that’s how most people would pronounce it.

and thanks cappi, nikki and jacqui!

kim, i still remember when you were saying on verla’s how a positive attitude is necessary in querying, and within days, you had landed an agent. =D i’m always so happy when i hear i’ve helped a writer some way some how during the tough road to publication…