This month’s featured author is Vivien Chien.
Vivien Chien is the author of the Noodle Shop Mysteries. I have seen these books with beautiful covers all over, and I knew that I wanted to read them. So, I went out and bought the first five books in paperback because, yes, those covers. So, you don’t think it’s all about the covers, I did read the summaries, and this just made me want to read these books more. I haven’t read any that revolve around an Asian Market or noodle shop, and I am so intrigued.
Imagine my surprise when I find out that the sleuth and I are the same age. That is freaking amazing. Be sure to look for my reviews of the Noodle Shop Mysteries this week and next week for the newly releasing Killer Kung Pao.
Anyway, this is about the author Vivie Chien. Let’s dive into the interview and get to know Vivien Chien.
Personal
Tell us a little about yourself? Perhaps something not many people know?
Hm, well, I’m a Taiwanese-American from Cleveland, OH, and I’ve loved reading since I could pick up a book. I live on coffee and get over-enthused about doughnuts, noodles, and hamburgers. Forget long walks on the beach, I’ll take a long walk through the bookstore. I love crafting, video games, and dogs with floppy ears. I collect postcards. And the one thing most people don’t know about me is that I have a serious fear of being eaten by wildlife…specifically by an alligator.
What made you want to become a writer?
The catalyst, I feel was truly Anne Rice, which I talk about in the question that follows. But I think I’ve always had a propensity for writing. When I was in 2nd or 3rd grade, we had “show and tell” every Friday. I didn’t really have anything “cool” to bring so I created little stories about my classmates and adventures we went on, like going to the zoo or to get ice cream. Everyone got such a kick out of hearing their name in the stories, it ended up being a big hit. And I loved that feeling of creating something that entertained people. I think that was my first nudge in the writer direction.
What book that you have read most influenced your life?
Hands down, it was Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice. I have loved reading and the power of stories since I was really young, but once I read that book and actually felt like I’d been to New Orleans, that I knew the characters and could sit down with them as real people, I knew that’s what I wanted to do with my life. What an incredible gift to take someone away from reality, even if it’s just for a few minutes a day.
Who is your favorite author?
That is a super hard question because I have quite a few that compete for that spot as “favorite.” Definitely Anne Rice, Sue Grafton, Carolyn Haines, Ellery Adams, Diane Kelly, and Janet Evanovich.
You have a couple of mine and my mom’s favorites on your list.
What is the first book that made you cry?
I don’t remember the title of it, but it was a young adult book that I read in my early teens about a girl who has leukemia and spends her summers at Martha’s Vineyard. She falls in love with a boy, and the next time she’s supposed to come back, he’s going to propose to her (or give her a promise ring, I can’t quite remember.) But, she never comes back. Meaning, you know what. So sad! After that, I stuck to light-hearted books and read Sweet Valley High. In general, I tend to stay away from sad books if I can.
Oh, happy memories. I loved Sweet Valley High.
What do you want your tombstone to say?
I have no idea honestly. I try not to think about death and am still convinced I will find a way to live forever. Ha! Whatever it ends up saying, I hope it’s snappy.
If you had a superpower, what would it be?
I think I’d like to fly.
Where is one place you want to visit that you haven’t been before (real or imaginary)?
There are so many places I’ve yet to go, but I’d really love to go to Easter Island and see the Moai monoliths.
Do you have a bucket list? What is the last item on it?
I used to have a bucket list in my late 20s, but then I realized half of what I used to want to do was no longer important, and then I felt bad for not wanting to complete those things anymore. So I’ve banned the bucket list mentality and just tell myself, do whatever makes you happy and interests you at that time in your life.
I like that a lot and I didn’t think about how the items on my list would change.
Writing Style
What do you love most about your writing process?
It allows me to be adventurous. I’m what’s considered a “pantser” which means that I write by the seat of my pants. Though I have to turn in a synopsis of the stories that I plan to write, nothing is set in stone aside from the general concept of the story. Usually, what I do is sit down and come up with a good one liner to get the story going, and then anything goes. I get to walk the path of my characters and see what works and what doesn’t, and unlike reality, if something doesn’t come out right, you can hit backspace and try again.
Do you like music or silence?
I prefer writing in silence. If I have music on, I tend to get distracted easier, and if there are catchy lyrics, I end up typing the words to the song.
Do you have goals of certain # of words a week or when inspiration strikes?
More times than not, I’m on a deadline, so I need to hit a set word count by a specific date. I try to write daily after work and hit 2000 words. On Saturdays, I’ll go for at least 5000 or until I can’t type anymore.
Do your characters seem to hijack the story or do you feel like you have the reigns of the story?
My characters definitely hijack the story. I would say especially if there is a scene with Lana and Adam going back and forth with each other. And also, Kimmy Tran, she has a presence that takes over the page, and a lot of times, I have to go back and edit what she says because it’s not “cozy” appropriate.
Kimmy Tran, I could totally see going a bit off the rails.
What is your writing Kryptonite?
I think if I get “too in my head” and worry about what people are going to think, I get all mucked up. There are two camps of writers – one will tell you to write with your reader in mind, and the other will tell you to write for yourself. I am of the belief that you should write for yourself. I think if you are true to your craft and creativity, it shows in your writing. So, I often have to remind myself to entertain me first.
Did you ever consider writing under a pseudonym?
I have a list of fake names should the occasion arise.
How important are character names to you in your books? Do you choose the names based on liking the way it sounds or the meaning?
Occasionally I will pick a name based on the meaning, but generally I go with the way that something sounds. At times, it can be tricky because I have a lot of Asian characters, and their names could get complicated. I try to keep the last names simple so that people don’t get stopped up trying to pronounce it every time it shows up on the page. For first names, I generally go with older generation lists (1920’s-60’s) as that is more common for Asians to use when they pick an American name if they were only given an Asian one. I also try to use names that may be popular to a particular region or country if that person is of that descent.
Book/Series
What is your favorite part of KILLER KUNG PAO?
Well, my favorite part of the story, I can’t tell because that will ruin the whole thing. But, my OTHER favorite part is that I got to explore a little more with secondary characters that you only glimpse briefly in other books.
Is anything in your book based on real-life experiences or purely all imagination?
It is mostly imagination, but I do take “circumstances” from life and twist them, kind of like an alternate reality. For example, in the first book, Death by Dumpling, Lana mentions that she walks out of a job because her boss threw papers in her face. Well, that really happened to me, but I wasn’t able to actually walk out of my job.
Or I’ll meet a random passerby and love their personality (good or bad) and include their mannerisms in my writing. It doesn’t happen often, but it’s there, sprinkled around like little Easter eggs.
What was your favorite book in the series, and why?
Egg Drop Dead. With that story, I was able to introduce a secondary character that I had created a little over ten years ago. Lydia Shepard, a private detective that helps Lana handle the situation in that particular book, is someone who has stayed with me through the past decade and who has her own story that will hopefully be told at some point. On a drive to work, I thought it would be great if the two women met each other, and I was grateful for the opportunity to make that happen.
How did you come up with the titles?
Sadly, I can’t take credit for the titles. I wish that I were as clever as the team at St. Martin’s, but they really put together some great names. Generally, what happens is they’ll give me a small list of names they’ve come up with, then I’ll pick out the titles according to what I plan to write for that book. I did take a stab at making some titles of my own during my second contract, but they weren’t quite as catchy and a little long-winded for a title.
If you could spend time with a character from your books, whom would it be? And what would you do during that day?
Really I’d love to spend the day with all of them – but I think I’d have to pick Lana. We’d have a girls’ day – go shopping, get our hair done, pig out on noodles, and of course, round the day off at Shanghai Donuts.
That sounds like lots of fun. Count me in.
If you could cast your characters in the Hollywood adaptation of your book, who would play your characters?
I never like answering this question because I am always disappointed when I find out who the author of another series imagined as their characters. It’s never the same as what I think, and then I have a skewed image of that character in my head. But I will say this – if Margaret Cho could be involved as one of the primary characters, I’d be the happiest gal in town.
OK. I can see that.
What project are you working on now?
Right now, I’m working on the 8th book in the series, Hot and Sour Suspects, which will be coming out during the second half of 2021. I have a few other things I’m working on as well, but I’m keeping those under my hat for the time being.
I can’t wait!
Do you have any other books coming out this year?
This will be the last to come out until the next in the series which is scheduled for March 2021 and is titled Fatal Fried Rice.
You can follow Vivien here:
Make sure you check out the Noodle Shop Mysteries series.
My reviews are coming out this month.
Giveaway
Prize: Any 3 Noodle Shop Mysteries (Winner’s Choice). (Paperback in the US. or Kindle Edition Internationally)
A big thank you to Vivien Chien for finding the time to answer my questions and being featured on the Baroness’ Book Trove. I hope you all enjoy the Noodle Shop Mysteries as much as I am. Remember to watch for my reviews coming this month.
Until the next time, happy reading!
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