Happy November! This is my absolute favorite time of the year. With the holidays fast approaching, things are amping up. Since my last post, we sold our house and are now in escrow. My husband and I will be moving to California on November 18th where our daughter is attending college. We’ll be renting for a while until we can buy a home somewhere in the Long Beach area.
Instead of packing and organizing for the move, I’ve spent the majority of my time writing. I mentioned in my last post that I’m working on a book, a memoir. I’m thrilled to announce that the title of my book is Beyond Two Worlds, so named after my website. My editor, Allyson, and I have explored a number of different titles for some weeks now, but decided on Beyond Two Worlds because of the special meaning behind the title. The title is symbolic of the difficulties and joys I’ve experienced in accepting who I am as a Taiwanese American adoptee and speaks to the complexity of navigating two cultures and identities, one of which I tried very hard to forget for many years. The story is of my adoption and search and reunion with my birthfamily in Taiwan, by far one of the most meaningful events of my life. Ironically, the reunion with my birthfamily occurred just around the Lunar New Year (or Chinese New Year) in 2012, and we’re shooting for submitting my manuscript to the publisher around the Lunar New Year next year (end of January 2017). The timing has great significance in more than one way. If everything goes as planned, we hope the book will be out by Summer 2017.
Writing this story has been very special. It began one morning when I was sitting at home, praying. Interestingly, I was feeling like a loser that morning- I had no job, I wasn’t doing anything of much importance, our daughter was off to college, it seemed as though our house would never sell- and I asked God, “what should I be doing?” I was suddenly overtaken with an urgency to start writing, and I haven’t stopped since. The words sprang to life. I believe strongly that this book is inspired by God and by the ties I have with my two sisters in Taiwan. I feel a connection to them that goes deeper than DNA. My sisters have inspired me beyond words. I began writing about five months ago, and I’m currently working on the final chapters.
There is much to do between now and the end of the year. Packing, organizing, moving, and finishing my book. I’ll be posting updates along the way and cannot wait to share my book with you!
Musings of a Taiwanese American Adoptee 
Wow, best of luck with book project. How long do you plan to give yourself to work on it?
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Hi Jean, I have 2 more chapters to write. Manuscript will be completed by end of December. I’ll then begin editing/refining the manuscript based upon editor’s notes. We’ll submit the manuscript at the end of Jan. 2017 and are shooting for book release in Summer 2017. Thanks for stopping by, Jean!
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This is so awesome, I would love to learn more about your process, your editor and all the ins and outs of writing a book and I want to know where and when I can purchase it…with your autograph in it as well, congratulations, you are awesome!
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Thanks, Michelle! I’ve relied upon past blog posts, my journal, numerous emails, photographs, and conversations with others to write my story. I have a close friend who used to work in publishing who referred me to my editor. I didn’t want to write a memoir at first, but when I began writing, the story just kind of unfolded organically. We’re shooting for publication next year in the hopes of submitting my manuscript at the end of January 2017. Depending on the publisher we choose, the publishing process could take anywhere from 3-6 months, so we’re hoping that the book will be out by summer 2017. I could send you my editor’s info privately if you want to send an email. Thanks so much for stopping by to visit and for your interest in my upcoming book!!
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