Heather’s Bookshelf: Author Interview with Ticana Zhu
Book Title: Dynasty of Summer: Part One
Released: 01/17/21
Genre: Historical fiction/romance
Interview by Heather L. Barksdale
What inspired you to write “Dynasty of Summer: Part One”?
Zhu: Oh haha, this might a little funny. It was the music video to the song “Princess of China” by Chris Martin and Rihanna. I wouldn’t exactly say I was offended… more like frustrated, as it went against any concept I had for a Chinese Princess. I’d grown up on a diet of Asian hero dramas, and they were drastically different from what was portrayed in their music video—conceptually and culturally. It wasn’t so much I set out to “set the record straight”; more like I wanted to relive what I loved most about the series I’d grown up watching. Apart from the music video, “Princess of China” is still a good song! I still listen to it.
How did you come up with the names of your main characters?
Zhu: When I started out the story, I meant to write a short story. I put whimsy into the names, and didn’t think much about them. I even tried to be a little silly, without going overboard. Summer had three siblings, so I named each of them after a season. Some names describe attributes of the characters. Hanming means “having brightness”; Yun Kang means “health as fragile as a cloud”. Hutu means “confused”.
Is there anything that you want readers to know about you, your writing process or your book?
Zhu: Some reviewers seem to think I put a lot of research into this story. This surprised me and I slowly realized it indicated the vast cultural gap between East and West. A lot of the myths, locale, and traditions referenced in my story are something I grew up picking up here and there. Honestly, I did little googling in the process of writing this story, lol. It was mostly to confirm or clarify what I’d learned in the past. Sometimes, I’d stumble on an article here and there around topic, and I’d hint at it in the story.
This in particular happened with the dynasty in which I chose to set the story. In my first few drafts, the era remained ambiguous, as I hadn’t decided when to set my tale. I chose the Xia Dynasty—the first dynasty of China. Mostly because it’d remained mythological until around 2011. It allowed me many liberties since so little is known.
I’m also blessed, as I have family in China. When I visited in my youth, they often took me to historical tourist sites. Tour guides’ stories often lit my imagination on fire. Not to mention, it helped with facts. I suppose that’s “accidental research”?
If "Dynasty of Summer” were adapted into a movie, who would you like to see cast to play your lead characters?
Zhu: An all-Asian cast? Lol With some of my other stories, I do have specific people in mind. For this one, I’m not too particular as long as it’s well casted. Perhaps Sean Xiao as Hanming. I can see him playing a yin-energy character quite well.
When you encounter writer’s block, what do you do to break yourself out of it?
Zhu: For me, I don’t force it when I hit a creative block. I’ve learned long ago it just creates garbage I’ll need to spend even more energy fixing later. I put it aside and step away. If I’m on a deadline, I break my routine. I’ll go for a drive someplace new. Maybe explore an indie shop I’ve never been to. Watching something in a genre I don’t typically like helps too. Exercise is another thing, and a good night’s sleep.
Are there any tips that you would like to share with other aspiring authors?
Zhu: Don’t quit. Take hiatuses if you need it, but don’t quit. It took me nine years to wrap up Dynasty of Summer. To be fair, when I started, I never held the intention of publishing it. I worked on it with little pressure.
What is your favorite book, genre, and/or author?
Zhu: I like books that show a transformation with the main character. Complex plots and exploratory subjects are another favorite. Really, anything well-written and doesn’t require too much suspension of disbelief. Leslie Ann Moore wrote the Griffin trilogy in a hackneyed field. Yet, she remains one of my favorite authors because of her beautiful voice.
What are you working on next?
Zhu: Hmm, if you thought nine years for Dynasty of Summer was long! I have a series I’ve been working on since 1999. Shh, you’ll never guess my age! It centers on three mythological beasts: Phoenix, Dragon, and Kirin (Qilin). I chose the Japanese spelling of Kirin because it might be easier for a western audience to pronounce. Also, sometimes giraffes are called qilin in China and I wanted to avoid confusion.
The story starts with the main character, Rosi. She’s taken to a secret space program for kids. But it’s in Mars! Yet, as far as anyone on Earth knows, Mars is lifeless. Rosi maintains a rocky relationship with her kidnapper chaperone, Natasha. Natasha had been close friends with her mom long before Rosi was born.
Natasha makes decisions for Rosi she’s not entirely comfortable with. The girl is soon taken into Division Seventeen—no place for a child. They’re a soldier division. However, Natasha says it’s so she can protect Rosi.
The story starts off as a psychological thriller. As Rosi grows older and inherits the title of Phoenix, it becomes action and adventure. Set in stunning worlds across the Milky Way galaxy, and sometimes beyond, Rosi struggles with a destiny others prescribe for her.
This work will be for an adult audience. It's sci-fi mixed with fantasy, as certain characters develop special abilities.
For a young adult audience, I’m working on Mishika and the Asuri. Mishika is a spirit cat the main character stumbles upon. In the realm of the immortals, there’s unrest. Mishika is a familiar to an Asuri—a female demigod. She needs the main character’s help to find her Asuri. It’s the only way to settle things in the immortal realm.
Learn More About the Author and Dynasty of Summer here:
IG: https://www.instagram.com/ticanazhu/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/ticanazhubooks
website: space-tigers.com
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