Beginnings

As a child, my mother shared stories of running through fields and catching dragonflies. As a teenager, I witnessed my mother adapting as an immigrant--learning a new language and adjusting to cultural changes. 

Although in an unfamiliar country, my mother was aware of the importance of mastering the art of communication through English. She always found time to read a variety of books to me, like Green Eggs and Ham and Where the Wild Things Are. From these moments, I developed a love for reading. Specifically, I had a deep admiration for  Dr. Suess’s illustrations and quick-witted humor--his works sparked my unquenchable thirst for reading and writing. I still recollect going to the local libraries every weekend with my mom and coming out with an arm full of books. My reading gradually expanded. Nowadays, I enjoy reading poets like Chen Chen, who encapsulates ordinary events in his poetry, and Louise Glück, who employs rich, sophisticated diction in her work. 

My love for storytelling was also influenced by my grandmother. During the day, I would sit next to my grandmother twisting pork-filled dumplings, eagerly listening to her stories. In her soothing voice, she told Chinese folktales of slaying dragons and remnants of her past. Throughout my childhood, my grandmother bestowed upon me a deep love and appreciation for my culture, both in the form of Chinese cuisine and rich narratives. In retrospect, my mother’s anecdotes and grandmother’s narratives have significantly impacted my writing: fragments of their stories can be found sprinkled throughout my writing. Looking forward, I hope to write pieces inspired by my parents and grandparents; in that vein, I want to put the pen to paper and share their stories with the world.