The Shit No One Tells You About Writing cover image

The Shit No One Tells You About Writing

Encouragement from NYT Bestselling Author, Jean Kwok

Nov 9, 2023
Guest Jean Kwok, NYT Bestselling Author, discusses her journey to publication, the importance of choosing the right agent, rejections as doorways, imposter syndrome, preserving integrity, and reverse outlining favorite books.
01:10:03

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Jean Kwok's journey as a writer serves as inspiration for aspiring writers, showcasing the power of passion, perseverance, and self-belief.
  • Jean Kwok emphasizes the importance of not letting fear and criticism deter one from pursuing their passion, as evidenced by her international bestseller 'The Leftover Woman' which initially received rejection from a major agent.

Deep dives

From a Factory to a Writer: Jean Kwok's Inspirational Journey

Jean Kwok's journey as a writer is a testament to resilience and determination. Coming from a working-class immigrant background, she faced numerous challenges, including poverty and societal expectations. However, everything changed when her brother gave her a blank diary, igniting her passion for writing. With that spark, Kwok pursued higher education, ultimately attending Harvard University. It was there that she discovered her talent for writing, leading her to pursue a career as a writer. Along the way, she faced obstacles and had to balance her writing dreams with the need for a day job, even working as a professional ballroom dancer. Despite these challenges, Kwok's dedication to her craft paid off, and she achieved great success with her novels, "Girl in Translation" and "Mambo in Chinatown." Her work has received widespread acclaim and has been published in multiple countries. Kwok's journey serves as an inspiration for aspiring writers, showing that with passion, perseverance, and the belief in oneself, one can achieve their dreams.

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