I came to know Amy quite by chance. A friend of mine, Kathy Pearce, whom I just finished interviewing, mentioned that she knew Amy and asked if I would like to meet her. Hearing a bit about Amy compelled me to read her book “Snow in Vietnam”. After reading her novel, I knew I had to met her. (THANK YOU Kathy!)
The book Amy has written is based on her mother’s true life story about her survival after the fall of Saigon. The fall of Saigon marked the end of the Vietnam War and the start of a transition period to the formal reunification of Vietnam into the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. For many however, it meant fleeing the only life they knew for a new yet uncertain future. Those that did braved much. The characters in Amy’s book come to life with such realism and historical value it’s hard to put the book down. When you reach the end you hunger for more. I am quite certain anyone reading her book will fall madly in love with this author. I anxiously await book two! Please enjoy this interview with a dynamic, complex, talented and humorous individual. (And Amy, I am sure you mother is extremely pleased with the woman you have become.)
Like many people you opted to leave a solid job in the corporate world to pursue your dream of becoming a writer. It always takes a great deal of strength, planning and faith to make bold moves such as this. What steps did you take to prepare yourself for this shift? What was the most surprising thing you experienced as you made the shift? What was something that you didn’t plan for but proved to be a blessing?
In January 2017, my mom’s cancer disrupted our lives with merciless vengeance and a month later she was gone. I left the corporate world in March because I simply could not function. My heart and mind kited away. There was no way to prepare emotionally or psychologically for this shift. I just knew I needed time to mourn and heal. Surprisingly, I was able to turn the grief into therapy through writing. I wanted to honor my mom and celebrate her life by encapsulating her struggles and triumphs into a book. I didn’t plan on my book receiving the praise that it did. It’s been a blessing to know how this book positively impacted so many Vietnam War veterans and refugees.
Your first book, “Snow in Vietnam” was written to honor your mother and was dedicated to the boat people of Vietnam. What was your mother’s most poignant memory of her flight from Vietnam after the fall of Saigon? What do you think your mother would be most proud of about your life thus far?
Despite all the atrocities, my mom always reminisced about the happy times. Maybe it was because talking about all the bad times brought on too many tears. She always said I was her reason for taking risks, for surviving, for suffering. And she’d smile proudly that she kept us all alive. She would be very proud to know that I am not squandering the second chance she afforded me and am living the life that she wished she had, with an amazing husband, genuine friends, and the basic American dream of freedom.
This book was a finalist in the 2018 Pacific Northwest Writers Association. Many authors go years with little if any recognition. To what do you attribute your success?
Success is formulaic; it takes many components, passion and hunger being two of them. So many times, I’d write and have to stop because I was crying, laughing, or craving food. Timing is another component. There will always be war and refugees seeking asylum so these two things remain recurring themes in our world history. At the heart of my success formula are my love for God and my network of supporters.
You are in the process of writing your second book. Can you share any details with us?
Snow in Vietnam was so well received but the number one complaint I got from readers was that the story ended; they wanted to know what happened next and had a lot of questions. So, I am working on the sequel, titled Snow in Seattle, and I hope to publish it before the end of 2020. It will continue my mom’s journey as an immigrant in the U.S. and will spotlight themes of PTSD and the refugee experience in a foreign land.
How much of a support role does your family play in your success? How did writing this book help you understand further the qualities of love, honor and commitment?
My husband and son are at the epicenter of my success as an author. When I quit my corporate career, we had to really budget and reign in the impulse buys. When I say we, I really mean me. It was hard, but my husband moved us to Oklahoma City from Seattle so we could afford to be on one income. My son gave up five years of private school to give public school a try. Many times I thought about abandoning my writing aspirations and go back to work to help alleviate the financial burdens. However, with every hurdle, my husband and son have been there to remove those barriers. My son would say, “I’ll just wear last year’s Halloween costume, Mama. We don’t need to spend money.” And my husband would say, “I’m totally fine with ramen noodles for dinner, Babe.” If these gestures don’t scream love, honor, and commitment, I don’t know what does.
Was there ever a time you were ever at a crossroad in your career? How did you determine which ‘road’ to take? Was the decision well-made or an opportunity for learning?
All the time, I ask, do I take the red pill or the blue pill? I once wrote a poem about crossroads. It went something like:
When the road you take leads you to a “T”,
And you wonder, “What’s to become of me?”
Take the higher road and follow your soul,
Let your heart and mind listen; they will know.
Basically, stay true to you. No opportunity is worth losing yourself and you don’t have to sell your soul to get it. Nelson Mandela said something like “win or learn; there is no lose,” and I know I am paraphrasing, but I believe in his message one hundred percent.
Who has been the most influential person in your career? Tell us about them and how that relationship helped you grow.
Ilene Birkwood, author of The Second Torpedo, has been amazing. Her book is a survivor’s story, written from a child’s point of view, of a U-boat attack in 1940, as Hitler prepares to invade Britain during WWII. You have to read it. She writes cozy mysteries, too, and just wrapped a book on druidry that is going through the editing and publishing process. Ilene invited me into her critique team, mentored me with my writing, encouraged me to join writing groups, and has been the main catalyst of self-confidence in my writing abilities. She’s a great cheerleader.
What change in your life would you make if any given what you know today?
Why, oh why, didn’t I take the blue pill? Haha. The younger “me” would want to change so many things but the current “me” knows those experiences lead me to today. I would not change a thing.
Having mentors who can provide us with guidance and support is important for all of us. Who has been your favorite mentor? What did you learn from them? How will you pay mentoring forward in an intentional manner?
My favorite mentor has always been my mom. She was my moral compass and the hook I could always hang my coat on. She taught me strength comes in many forms, from how you speak to how you assert yourself. She was always soft-spoken and reserved. Some would say she was passive, but she exuded inner strength. When she spoke, I stilled to listen. When she raised her spanking paddle, I swallowed my pride. And when she forgave, I enveloped myself in her love. She was the perfect balance of grit and tenacity with love and patience. I pass this on to my son whom I know will make an amazing father and husband one day.
Some people reading this interview may become interested in pursuing their life passion. What advice do you have for others who may want to pursue in writing?
Be prepared to love ramen noodles and live life in sweatpants! Whether your passion is to write, to travel and do volunteer work, or to open your own car dealership, understand that overnight success takes years and years to achieve. You have to put in the work, hustle every day, face your fears, trust your network, and believe in yourself. Surround yourself with the right people, get rid of the toxic ones, and fully immerse yourself into the world you want to help shape.
What is your writing process from development of a book idea through publication? Where do your ideas come from?
I find inspiration from stories of survival, and when I write, I do so by the seat of my onesie. I tried outlining my plot and using tools like Scrivener, but I’d end up wandering up and down the tangent tree. It’s odd because when I was working my corporate jobs, I was a planner – very detail-oriented, conscientious, and intentional. Now, I write in my Wonder Woman onesie pajamas and let my mind wander. As long as I have a pot of coffee or a bottle of wine beside me, I’m good, but when I do have writer’s block, I read as many books as I can. I am fascinated with history and am inspired by strong men and women. When I meet someone who has gone through an unbelievable journey and came out of it stronger than ever, it inspires me to write about them. In addition to my sequel book, Snow in Seattle, I am also writing a women’s fiction novel called The Copper Phoenix. It is a family drama story about one woman’s resiliency to survive sexual abuse and end the cycle of dysfunction in her life. My fourth book will be about my dad and his violent life.
Are you friends with other authors and if so does that friendship amplify your writing skills?
Yes and absolutely. Only authors understand other authors’ struggles. I love reading other people’s work and I learn so much about writing different genres, developing your character arc, building your setting, giving your characters a voice…And it doesn’t end there because then I have to learn how to query agents and editors, how to pitch my book, how to launch and promote…Everyone is a powerful ally and resource if you’re humble enough to seek for help and learn from them.
Work life balance. Truth or unicorn?
Perspective. Work life balance is all about perspective in my opinion. The world has a way of rebalancing itself. There will be days when it’s all work and you’re go, go, go. And there will be days when you can simply be. If you can understand and accept that you’ll have periods of crazy sprinkled with periods of calm, then work life balance is achievable. It’s like writing a book or movie script…you can’t have all action sequence or horror or suspense without some reprieve here and there. Otherwise you’d go bonkers.
Giving back to the community is an important element to our society. It was a solidifying factor in my own decision to join Microsoft many years ago. How do you and your family integrate giving back to the community? Why do you believe it’s important?
We can’t forget our roots and we need to remember that our actions pave the way for the future generations. We all need help at some point in our life and if it were not for the charities and humanitarian organizations who gave me a helping hand, I’d be either dead or a burden on society. We donate whenever or wherever we can, whether it is time, money, or goods. It’s our social responsibility. In November, we donated goods and services to the Vietnamese American Community of Oklahoma and in October we walked with Water4 to raise money for this organization that’s working to empower people to eradicate their own water crisis. Whether it’s anti-bullying programs or cures for cancer, my family wants to be a part of the solution, not the problem.
Think back to five years ago. Did you envision this is where you would be?
You mean living in my pajamas and yoga pants 90% of the time? Haha. Five years ago I was traveling to amazing places like Vienna and Cologne, working my tail feathers off for my board of directors and senior leadership team, staying at luxurious hotels and dining at Michelin star restaurants. Life was good then. I’ve since traded in my Louis Vuitton purse for a plastic stadium-approved bag and my couture lipsticks for Burt’s Bees lip balm…and I couldn’t be happier or more fulfilled. There’s something to be said about living with passion and in simplicity. I’m about to embark on the second half of my life’s journey and while I am thankful for all that Microsoft and T-Mobile provided my family and me, I am so much happier without those golden handcuffs.
What are three key pieces of advice do you have for today’s job seekers?
- Ask for help. If people do not know you are looking for a job, they can’t help you and assume everything is good. It’s okay to ask others to keep their eyes and ears open for opportunities for you in a certain discipline. I am wanting my book to get optioned for film, so, just want to throw that out to the universe in case anyone is listening!
- Be authentic. If you misrepresent yourself, your potential employer will see through that façade sooner or later and it will not be pretty. You can only fake it for so long before you find yourself back to where you started from.
- Be hungry. Do you want a hand out or do you want to earn your success? Employers can forgive some of your lack of skills or qualifications but if you show excitement, enthusiasm, and drive, they can’t teach a person that…and that is worth millions.
What are the top 1-5 things that you are looking forward to in 2020?
Launching my own LLC, Quill Hawk Publishing; Publishing my second novel, Snow in Seattle; Spending time with my family, hopefully on a vacation to Singapore.
Last question – if you could be a superhero what special power would your superhero have and why? Cape or no cape?
I want to be a Wonder Woman and Dark Phoenix hybrid. Wonder Woman has superhuman strength and the Phoenix can move elements with psychokinesis. To have both physical and mental strength, I’d be one helluva confident superhero. And no cape. I don’t need one to fly when I can just will my body through air and space.
Please include any sources that people can use to connect with you.
I have a good social media presence but my main platforms are:
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authoramymle/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/amy_m_le
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com › amy_m_le
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amymle
- Website: https://www.amy-m-le.com/
- My book is on Amazon in Kindle ebook, paperback, and hardcover editions. https://www.amazon.com/Amy-M.-Le/e/B07RX858W9
- I would love it if everyone subscribed to my newsletter, Amy’s Monthly Yodel, which comes out the first of every month. You can subscribe here: https://mailchi.mp/a8bd3ead7647/authoramymle