Questions
Did you enjoy writing when you were young?
Always. In 2nd grade, I tried to sell some large leaves as newspapers. I made up plays in 3rd grade. By 5th grade, I was printing my own newspaper for the neighborhood. The mails were full of the manuscripts I sent to magazines in junior high (and the rejection slips I received). In high school, I worked on the school newspaper.
How does your voice get so big?
I like to play with my voice to make it bigger: sometimes reading the newspaper in funny voices, or saying a phrase in lots of different ways. I’ve taken voice lessons in U.S. and India; they helped as well.
Do you like telling stories a lot?
YES. I feel very lucky that I can support my family by doing something that I love to do and that I think is important, too.
How did you learn stories from other countries?
I am also lucky that I travel a lot and when I do, I write down what I hear. Kind Asian friends and various sponsors have helped me to collect tales to learn, too.
Do you feel you are keeping Asian culture alive?
That’s a big question. Every time I tell an Asian tale, I think of my friends and family in different parts of Asia. They have helped me so much; they are the ones keeping Asian culture alive.
What languages do you speak?
Only one very well — English. I think people who speak two (or more) languages are so lucky. I have told simple stories in Japanese and can get by in Tamil, my husband’s language. I learned to read the Korean alphabet, can use my college French, and some American Sign Language. That’s all.
What is the hardest part of your career?
Being a mother and a storyteller/writer! Luckily, my son and husband often came with me on storytelling trips. And now, with my son in college, it's a little easier (although I sure miss him).
Do you wear blue contact lenses?
No, my eyes are naturally blue.
Where do you get your ideas from?
From memories of growing up, from tales my relatives and friends told me, from books, from my travels, from what I see, from my imagination.
How many schools have you visited to tell stories?
I can’t count them....many, many, many in the U.S., Canada, Japan, Singapore, Korea, and South Asia. And I’ve really enjoyed almost every single one!
What is your favorite Japanese food?
Tempura! And I love Japanese pickles, too.
Do you have pets?
No, but we have deer, raccoons, and birds that share our yard, and our neighbors have llamas, horses, sheep and cows.