Friday, October 11, 2013

5 Questions with Vanni Thach




Vanni will be reading an excerpt from her book I Heard Ma Swimming Through The Mekong. The reading will be held on October 18, 2013 at 7:30pm as part of the NJ Literary Artists Fellowship Showcase.

The reading will take place at The Long Beach Island Foundation of the Arts and Sciences
120 Long Beach Blvd.
Loveladies, NJ 08008
Click here for directions

There is a suggested donation of $10. All tickets will be available at the door on the evening of the readings. No advanced ticket sales.

You were born in Vietnam, raised in NJ, received a BA in Maine and a MA and MFA in Louisiana. Do you find that living in multiple location influences your writing?

Absolutely. Each place has its own story.

We asked you to tell us some of your favorite books and you listed To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee. What is about this book that resonates with you?

The narrator's voice and tone are true to her age and upbringing. The characters, setting, and plot are true to the American history.


You are working on a novel that you hope to have finished by December. What can you tell us about your book?

It’s going through revision.  It’s “To Kill a Mockingbird,” but with different characters, setting, plot, and a genocide.

Where did you get the idea to write I Heard Ma Swimming Through the Mekong?

Awarded the Phillips Fellowship in 2005, I went to do a film documentary in Cambodia entitled, “Cambodia’s Genocide: Finding Myself in the Killing Fields”.  I saw young girls in front of “barber shops” and “massage parlors” and imagined what my life would’ve been like had my parents not immigrated to America.

In the photo that you sent to us, you are wearing a birthday party hat. Was it your birthday or do you often crash parties wearing colorful and pointy hats?
I was at my nephew's birthday party. I'm not much of a party goer or crasher. And I don’t like cake.

To learn more about Vanni, visit our website


You can also find additional information on our website about the Literary Artist Fellowship program.

 

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