Literary Spotlight: Lisa See

Lisa See is the author of the critically-acclaimed international bestseller, Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, a New York Times bestseller. Her first book, On Gold Mountain: The One Hundred Year Odyssey of My Chinese-American Family , was a national bestseller and a New York Times Notable Book. She was the Publishers Weekly West Coast Correspondent for 13 years

Q: How do you view the earmarks of female beauty in western society today, compared to the 19th century Chinese women who endured the pain of foot binding?

A: I didn’t think of a parallel as to society’s standards of beauty when I wrote it. And readers don’t automatically see a parallel, but if you look at the issue of self esteem, you have to examine how mothers of 17-year-olds today are giving breast enhancement surgery as a gift.

Q: Do the characters of Lily and Snow Flower and their incredible bond have any roots in your own personal relationships? How do you think this fictional relationship impacts on the readers’ friendships?

A: I think every woman has been dumped on or dumped on others. My mom and sisters have best friends with people they knew from first grades. I don’t have that connection, that lifelong closeness. In part, what these characters share is the kind of experience I have not had.

Q: What amount of research was required?

A: There are three ways to answer this question. I could say it took two years to decide to do it. Or I could go back seven years when I wrote about the secret writing as I reviewed a book for the L.A. Times and became obsessed with it. I was working on another book in my free time. I found little information on the Internet, so I went to UCLA to do research. I traveled to a remote area of China – where I was told I was only the second foreigner ever to visit – to research the secret writing invented, used, and kept a secret by women for over a thousand years

Q: What message would you hope readers take with them?

A: I find that women readers really connect to the friendship whether it was 1,000 years ago or now. The nature of female friendship is unique. You tell things to your best friend that you wouldn’t tell your husband. It leaves you vulnerable and they reflect on their own friendships. I hope they get that core essence of female friendship and people have told me they have.

Q: How does a writer perfect his craft when starting out?

A: My mom is a writer, and she wrote a book on tips for writers. Write 1,000 words a day, or four pages. If you work or have kids, then make it 500 words a day. On the dreamy side, be true to your own vision; write the story that means the most to you, putting commercial considerations aside. Feel passionate about it because like a marriage, you will be connected to your book for a lifetime.

Carlotta Holton is the author of Salem Pact and Touching The Dead, and is a member of the National Federation of Press Women and an affiliate member of the Horror Writers Association.

Carlotta Holton has just received her second award for Touching the Dead from the National Federation of Press Women Communications Contest. Click here to purchase the book.