Today, Norm Goldman Publisher & Editor of Bookpleasures.com is excited to have as our guest Svetlana (Lana) Kim author of White Pearl and I: A Memoir of a Political Refugee.

Good day Lana and thanks for participating in our interview.

Norm:

How did you overcome your fear when you arrived in America from Russia with one dollar in your pocket, no job prospects and without any knowledge of the English language?

Lana:

I had faith. In addition, when I landed at the JFK Airport clueless as to what to do next, I had the good fortune to encounter a ‘Good Samaritan. I had one dollar in my pocket with no friends, family, or place to stay. Nonetheless, I knew that I would be fine. No doubt, I realized that it would be a daunting task. I think that fear is the most controlling of the emotions. Perhaps fears come in different forms. I had to overcome the fear.

Norm:

Did you ever want to return to Russia to Live?

Lana:

I’ve never met anyone who lived in America and wanted to go back to Russia. I do sometimes experience nostalgia because of my family living in Russia. I am the only one who lives abroad.

The reason I came to America is to pursue my dreams in the same manner my great-grandmother Elena Hvan left Korea had emigrated to Russia in the fall of 1900 to pursue her dreams. Happiness is such an expensive commodity today. I became a US citizen in August 2001 after ten years as a political refugee. I had joined the Junior League of San Francisco in July 2002 to volunteer and serve local non-profit organizations. I nopw have a privilege to give back. I also volunteer at the Calvary Women’s Shelter in Washington and I am actively involved with the League. Also, I mentor young Asian Women and they mentor me on technology. I am fortunate. I am happy.

Norm:

What inspired you to write White Pearl and I: A Memoir of a Political Refugee and did you learn anything from writing your book, if so, what was it?

Lana:

I wrote this book because to put it simply, I simply had to. Life is full of many turns and twists and we have many opportunities given to us. In my case, the odds were against me. But as my loving babushkaWhite Pearl used to say to me, “doing nothing is a risk.” A dramatic statement and tidbit of her wisdom which I’ve come to rely. Her spirit guided me through all my journeys, near and far, and continues to do so.

Also, I wanted to share with American and world readers the new topic of Koryo-saram (Korean in Russia). I wanted to have a voice on behalf of 480,000 former Soviet Koreans. It should be mentioned that I submitted my manuscript to the MWC (Maui Writers Conference) two hours before the deadline. Subsequently, I received an e-mail from the founder John Tullius who wrote to me indicating that it’s a block buster movie. He offered me help in editing my manuscript. I was also fortunate to participate in a writing workshop with Ron Powers, Pulitzer-Prise winning journalist, Bestselling Author of Mark Twain: A Life and who co-wrote the 2000 #1 New York Times Bestseller The Flags of Our Fathers. I learned the power of dialogue. I still write long sentences. The dialogue must be short (it can be one word.) How to write with a minimum sound bites and maximum power? That takes practice, observation, and focus.

Norm:

How has your environment/upbringing colored your writing?

Lana:

I was lucky because my grandmother was a great storyteller. Even about our neighbour’s cat Vasiliy who visited her only when she would bring catfish from the farmers market.

I learned how to read when I was six years old. I truly never ever experienced the same feelings in my entire life as I did with writing. A whole new world opened to me. In addition, I asked Ron Powers to give me one advice on how to be an effective writer. He simply replied, “By reading good books.”

Norm:

What is your secret in keeping the intensity of your memoirs throughout your narrative?

Lana:

One way I was inspired was to use my senses and to to keep writing and to keep drawing upon all my experiences growing up with my Grandmother.

I constantly refrred to sight, smell, sound, taste, touch, and even what I call “connectedness.” Sometimes I would cook Korean food to remind me of the delicious aromas of my childhood. This sent me all over various places looking for unique ingredients found only in Asian supermarkets. Of course, I loved my Grandmother’s cooking and it wasn’t only a reminder.. it was delicious food! 

But sometimes, I would need even more reality to feel truly connected, after having been separated by so much time and distance. I would stargaze. I often wrote at night, when things were peaceful, calm, quiet. I would open up my shades, open up the window just above the desk where I wrote, and I would gaze up at the stars.

From a very early age, my Grandfather and Babushka taught me how to recognize the stars, their patterns, and constellations. I would gaze up at the beautiful black sky, dotted with a million points of bright lights, and I would dream of her. I would dream of us, talking, laughing, learning, and just being together. Gazing up at those stars, those same stars that we would gaze at together, it brought me closer and closer to the time that she was right beside me, pointing up and teaching.

Norm:

What challenges or obstacles did you encounter while writing your book? How did you overcome these challenges?

Lana:

The biggest one was that my Grandmother and my family didn’t want me to write the book. Incidentally, I still continue to write my journal. My grandmother would correct my story as she still has a vivid memory and imagination. She remembers many things in details. Another challenge was to find the time to write every single day. I took two years off to finish the manuscript. I was writing twelve hours a day and seventy hours a week. I had originally seventy chapters because I had seventy stories. I narrowed down to fifteen chapters.

Norm:

Whom do you believe will benefit from your book and why? What are your hopes for this book?
 

Lana:

I was originally marketing to women however I also received incredible e-mails from men. My story is a story of hope, love, dreams, and happiness. My passion is to encourage my readers to confront their own greatness. It’s White Pearl’s wisdom that I tap into during life’s most difficult times. I believe that her wisdom will help us navigate choppy waters.

Norm:

Will there be any unique ways you'll be marketing your book that is different from how others authors market their books?

Lana:

We sold 1,300 books by word of mouth. I don’t know if I am doing something anything different. I think the question is “How.” I will be speaking across the country at major National Women Conferences. Also, I approached one organization to be a spokesperson to promote equality among women refugees and immigrants. Social networking is critical. There is a clip posted on YouTube. Marketing a book takes no less time than to write a book because I want to share the story of White Pearl with the world.

Norm:

How can our readers find out more about your and your book?

Lana:

Please visit my WEBSITE. Please visit often as I write weekly blogs. The theme is “The Journey Behind My Book” -why I wrote White Pearl and I. But also how I became inspired to relive all the memories of my beloved Grandmother. As anyone who was ever attempted to write with continuity will know (and those of you who haven’t), at times it is difficult to remain inspired and focused.

Norm:

What is next for Svetlana Kim and is there anything else you wish to add that we have not covered?

Lana:

I am working on my second book “Secrets of White Pearl.” It’s a working title. I will share how I applied my grandmother’s pearls of wisdom in my own life. Stay tuned!

Thanks once again and good luck with all of your future endeavours.

Click Here To Read Norm's Review of White Pearl and I: A Memoir of a Political Refugee


Click Here To Purchase White Pearl and I: A Memoir of a Political Refugee