The Video Version of Me

The Long Version of Me

I've always loved reading romances.  No matter how many well-intended teachers tried to interest me in the classics, I poured my allowance into collecting every book with Judith McNaught's name on it.  My first foray into writing for pleasure was Harry Potter fan fiction (remnants of which are still on fanfiction.net, where my teenage alter ego RomanticFool still dwells).

Being an overly sensible youth, I decided picking "published author" as a career goal was a dream with a low probability of success (AP Statistics may have had a hand in this decision).  So I took all the recommended science classes, packed my bags, and went to college. I told everyone I wanted become either a doctor or an engineer (my parents fit the Asian mom and dad stereotype to a comical degree). Gritting my teeth through organic chemistry, multivariate calculus, and the dreaded engineering physics, and graduated with a BA in Biology and International Relations (I like to hedge my bets).

By this time, I'd realized I'm not a science person (self-awareness has never been my strong suit), so I shifted my plans and aimed for law school. I got a job as a patent secretary (yes, we're still called secretaries) and moved up the ranks over the next three years. While I filled multiple notebooks with romance plots, I never took the LSATs.

Then something wonderful happened–my husband got his dream job. There was one thing holding him back. Because his career requires moving to a new country often, sustaining a traditional career as his spouse wouldn't be easy.  He told me he could give up the job if I wasn't comfortable with the lifestyle.

So I batted my eyelids, graciously made the sacrifice, and embraced my dream of becoming a romance writer (although I still have a day job, which I very much enjoy as well).

Some of My Favorite Things

Favorite Dessert: Mango and Sticky Rice (my Thai roots are showing)

Favorite Food: Veggie Dim Sum

Favorite Fruit: Persimmons (it looks like a tomato but is infinitely more delicious)

Favorite Authors: Nalini Singh, Kirsten Ashley, Rina Kent, Kresley Cole, Judith McNaught, Linda Howard, and Julia Quinn (Yes, I know they write very disparate genres of romance)

Favorite Movie: America’s Sweetheart

Favorite Musical: & Juliet

Favorite non-English Musical: Notre Dame de Paris

Favorite TV Show: Castle

Favorite Vacation Spot: Home