Gina Tang - Author and real estate business woman
Tell us about yourself and your background:
I was born in Taiwan' and raised in Los Angeles, California since the first grade. My career is in real estate and my passion is in writing. I am a licensed California real estate broker and I hold an MBA degree from Pepperdine University and speak English and Mandarin.
#YOLO, #pioneer, #teamtaurus, #girlpower, #independentwoman
How did you start in writing?
I discovered a passion for writing when I began writing journals feverishly at the age of 7. But my parents are Chinese. It's impossible convincing Chinese tiger-parents a career in writing when they prioritize a well paying white collar profession backed with a college degree. To pursue anything in the arts would bring shame and disappointment to the family. So after achieving a white collar undergraduate and MBA degree in Business and graduating with honors, I enrolled in the UCLA Creative Writer's Program without them knowing. I did it on my own.
It was here that I learned creative writing and explored my ever growing passion for the art. I love to write and it's my nirvana!
Before my UCLA writing program was over, I was hired to write art reviews for LA Artcore www.laartcore.org. - a nonprofit art gallery in downtown Los Angeles. This is where my writing career began. I had my first art review published in an international art magazine at the tender age of 22. When I got my first paycheck, I was hooked!
The Beijing Family book series is a fictional series about a Chinese billionaire and his family living in Beverly Hills. It's light and entertaining reading. Mixed in between lots of drama, suspense, east meets west cultural nuances and personal conflicts, are heart warming stories about a family living their daily lives with life's everyday challenges and the lessons they learn along the way. The book series is spiced with new and old China, modern social trends, the Cultural Revolution, China's ancient history, mythology and folklore. It's a little "The Beverly Hillbillies", "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" a dash of "Fresh off the Boat" with lots of drama and good stuff.
My inspiration to write The Beijing Family book series came from my own personal experiences which is still ongoing. In fact, the main character - Kara Chan is me! Mainly it derived from my helping the influx of Chinese clients purchase real estate in Southern California including Beverly Hills as a real estate broker in Southern California.
What motivated you to write The Beijing Family book series?
What motivated you to write The Beijing Family book series?
There is so much happening in China today involving modern Chinese families that many don't know about! The world only sees China through the news and social media which is often limiting and biased. Present day Chinese families are changing and evolving more rapidly than most developing countries are aware. Many of my stories are inspired by my interactions with real people from mainland China. Almost all of the characters are developed from someone I know in real life. In the process, I hope the world can see the real China from the inside dynamics of a modern family. How long did it take you to write the first book of the series?
In 2012, I began writing The Beijing Family book series as non-fictional due to the vast amount of personal experiences to draw upon and it was so boring! So the Chinese have lots of money and they're buying everything, who cares! It was almost a documentary about excessive one-dimensional mass consumption from the nouveau riche and it was shallow. I then changed it to creative fiction and it came alive! Now it has more meaningful story lines, characters, make believe and more depth and substance. It's more fun, colorful, unpredictable and I love it! I published the first three books in 2013. In 2017, I hired incredibly talented editors and a copy illustrator. I rewrote the first three books and added two new books to the series. Together, my team and I gave the entire series a complete makeover. In 2020, I republished it again in response to the negative racism and hate towards Asians post-Covid worldwide. I strengthened the Chinese characters and their interactions.
How do you feel after writing each book?
A sense of accomplishment and at the same time some sadness and emptiness. I live in this fictional world with the characters I've developed for weeks and then it's over.
What is the easiest part in writing your book series? A sense of accomplishment and at the same time some sadness and emptiness. I live in this fictional world with the characters I've developed for weeks and then it's over.
The easiest part is drawing upon my own personal experiences so the development of story lines and characters is simpler. It's easier to express it when you've personally been through it.
Did you seek assistance in writing this book series?
I hired very good editors to help me improve my content and a very talented copy illustrator to help me with my book covers.
What time of day are you most creative and when do you write?
I am most creative in the mornings and late at night. That's when I get most of my inspirations. I've also had dreams where I get my ideas.
What would you like to say to the readers?
Each book can be read independently. They are light and quick reads - fun and entertaining with lots of people drama with personal conflicts. It's also educational with references to China's current trends and it's rich historical past. In the middle of each book, I insert a chapter of comedic relief right when the drama peaks. I hope to bring some laughter and levity before the drama continues.
What are your hobbies outside of writing?
I love to cook and will try new recipes. I walk daily. I enjoy movies, reading, writing, traveling, art galleries, museums, hiding out at bookstores with a good coffee or tea.
Where can we find you?
Blog/website: www.thebeijingfamily.blogspot.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheBeijingFamily
Amazon author page: http://amazon.com/author/ginatang
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ginatang281
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ginatang28/
Email: gina.tang@yahoo.com
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