Author: Grace Chen
Book: The Beast of Bellevue
Release Date: 01-Dec-2020
Biography
Grace Chen is the author of the upcoming Young Adult title, The Beast of Bellevue. This novel is a modern re-telling of Beauty and the Beast. In it, the gender roles of the traditional fairy tale are reversed. Placed in a modern setting, the story continues to present classic themes, such as romance between physically dissimilar characters, the pressure of social expectations between men and women, the draw of family obligations, and the context of a judging society. In addition, there are elements that have been updated for contemporary audiences, such as placement in a high school setting and dealing with serious topics, such as the challenges of bullying and online dating. The e-book addition is currently available for pre-order today on Amazon, Barnes & Nobles, as well as Kobo.
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
I always felt like writing was a fun creative outlet. Becoming a writer was something that sprung from a hobby into a passion. I ended up drafting The Beast of Bellevue over the course of several years. Taking inspiration from things I read and life experiences, I tried to incorporate a lot of my thoughts about life into the book. Hopefully, this resulted in something that will be a positive message for readers and will resonate with others.
What is your work schedule like when you're writing?
I think we find time for things we love. If we love something, we make room for it. Although my workday and other life activities can be pretty hectic, I still try to find time to develop my writing skill. I find it interesting to learn about storytelling techniques and appreciate the literature that I have read. I hold in admiration a lot of writers that I have encountered. Sometimes, I try to emulate them. I think imitation is the greatest form of flattery.
What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
At one point, I got really addicted to classes on Master Class on writing. They have some incredible teachers there. You can learn from Margaret Atwood, Dan Brown, James Patterson, etc. on their philosophies about what makes a great story. I like to learn from others on how they write and watch videos on their process and try different things. I think my writing quirk is I enjoy experimentation as I discover my own voice and style.
Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?
Inspiration can come from anywhere! I sometimes get ideas from experiences I have had. Most of the time I try to write about things that are philosophical. My goal in writing is to create something that can be enjoyed by others, but also be useful to them. Hopefully, my writing will leave a positive impression and make people think good things. I believe the things we think translate into the things we do. So, surrounding yourself with good thoughts is paramount.