Peach Blossom Blog Tour: NK chats to Mingmei Yip

Novel Kicks chats to Mingmei Yip.

Mingmei is the author of Skeleton Women and Song of the Silk Road. Originally released in 2008, Peach Blossom Pavilion is due for release on 27th March and we’re happy to be part of Mingmei’s blog tour where we got the opportunity to have a quick chat.

Who are your favourite authors?

I read all of Anchee Min, Lisa See and most of Amy Tan’s books; all these women wrote about Chinese themes but attracted a broad readership. They have been inspirational for me. I like to think that I also have found readers of all sorts of background – my novels have been translated into nine languages so far.

My favourite authors who wrote in Chinese are Eileen Cheung, who lived in China, Hong Kong, and America, and a Taiwanese writer who called herself Echo. I have learned much about writing – and about human nature – from their works.

What is your writing process?

I love to write in my own small room in our New York apartment. The windows face uptown and the East River – giving a perfect balance of yin and yang. Whenever I need to refresh myself after long hours of writing, I just look up from my computer screen and enjoy the view from my window. I am fortune to have read a lot and travelled a lot and so these experiences provide my inspiration. The great Chinese poet, Du Fu (712-770) said, “After you have read 10,000 books and travelled 10,000 miles, your writing will be aided by the gods.” I have more than 10,000 frequent flyer miles, but I am still working on the 10,000 books.

Peach Blossom Pavilion is due for release on 27th March and is being released in Paperback and e book by Avon. The blog tour continues tomorrow where it stops off at Victoria Loves Books.

Mingmei’s website.

by

Laura

I'm Laura. I started Novel Kicks back in 2009 as I wanted a place to discuss books and writing - two loves of my life. As someone who has anxiety, these two things give me, and I am sure countless others, a much needed escape.
There is a monthly book club, writing exercises, prompts, reviews, author interviews, competitions and guest posts. I cover many genres and I hope there is something for everyone.
I grew up by the sea in Dorset and currently live in Poole with my husband, Chris and three cats. I love writing and have a BA (Hons) in Creative Writing from Falmouth University. I am writing my first book. If only I could stop pressing delete. Chris has threatened to stop it from working. Haha.
I have always loved creative writing since I was in first school and would very much like to meet my teacher, Miss Sayers, to say thank you for all the encouragement she gave me then.
When not writing, I love reading, cats, Disney, singing (I can't sing but this doesn't stop me,) and falling into a good TV show or film. If I could step into any fictional world, it would be amongst the characters in ABC's Once Upon a Time.
I love reading many genres and discovering new authors.