Isobael Liu

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair...”

Charles Dickens



This month marked the one year anniversary of my romance novel, “Moonlight and Magick” being published. In the past year, I’ve experienced upheavals, stress, the highs of having a long time dream realized, the lows of self doubt and wondering if I can repeat it.

I have stories upon stories, upon stories in my head, all clamoring to get out…

Until I want them to.

I will admit to being highly distracted for the past year, which contributes to my inability to get another novel finished in my set time frame. Distractions, such as loss of job, landlords selling the home we were living in and our having to move, illnesses, the stress of worrying whether or not we’d find a place to live, of how to afford it in this economy, but I am plinking away at the keyboard, putting the words into digital format.

Just when it was looking up, more upheavals that plunged us back into the depths of despair and worry.

Through it all, I’ve always been able to look at my one shining achievement and I smile. I tell myself this is only a minor setback. I’ll get my groove back. I’ll finish these two novels and get them out.

The novel I’m working on now, I hope to have finished by the end of this year. I’d prefer sooner, but we’ll see. I’m envisioning a release some time around Chinese New Year (And yes, I know, I’m being a bit presumptuous as I need to get it shopped and accepted first!), because of the theme and characters of the novel being Chinese. All of this is tying in with my roots, my Chinese/Taiwanese heritage, and honoring my Mother, as well as a planned return trip to Taiwan to visit relatives I’ve not seen in 24 years, some I’ve not yet had the chance to meet!

This planned visit is definitely an incentive for me to get this novel finished! I’d definitely like to go back with something to show!

Plus, I had a dream they made this story into a film and I got to sit on the auditions where I was introduced to and watched Jet Li (*purr*Jet Li*) read for the part of the hero. How’s that for a kick in the butt?!?

This month also marked my 39 birthday. I would love to see my next novel released for the anniversary of my 40 year on this planet.

Ahh, goals. It’s good to have them.

So, what goals do you have and what drives you to have them?


~Isobael Liu