Author Profile: Camy Tang
In the past year my non-reading sis has discovered she loves a good book, after all--as long as it's chick-lit. Enter Camy Tang, a new voice in "lits" with a novel out and another on the way. Camy is loads of fun, describing herself as that "loud Asian chick." At Camy's blog you can always find cool giveaways, including--in the past--some of my stuff. For this stop on Camy's blog tour (the virtual equivalent to a book tour) for her first novel, Sushi for One?, we explore her more serious side:
How did you become a Christian?
I accepted Christ in the summer between 8th and 9th grade, but I didn't start to actually walk with God until I got to college. I met Christians my own age who really, earnestly loved God and showed it in every aspect of their lives, and it completely changed my thinking and attitude about Christ. I rededicated my life to God and my life has never been the same since.
I accepted Christ in the summer between 8th and 9th grade, but I didn't start to actually walk with God until I got to college. I met Christians my own age who really, earnestly loved God and showed it in every aspect of their lives, and it completely changed my thinking and attitude about Christ. I rededicated my life to God and my life has never been the same since.
How did you get involved in Christian publishing?
I've always wanted to be a writer, but I didn't even consider writing Christian fiction until I read Linda Windsor's novel, Hi Honey I'm Home. Up until that point, I thought all Christian fiction books were prairie romances or rather bland contemporary romances--they were entertaining, but not what I wanted to write. Linda Windsor's novel opened my eyes to how real-life Christians can be portrayed in fiction as both entertaining and encouraging. I knew I wanted to write for people like me--very flawed, wanting to read about other Christians who are just as flawed, but who manage to overcome and deepen their relationships with each other and with God. From that moment, I started targeting the CBA.
I've always wanted to be a writer, but I didn't even consider writing Christian fiction until I read Linda Windsor's novel, Hi Honey I'm Home. Up until that point, I thought all Christian fiction books were prairie romances or rather bland contemporary romances--they were entertaining, but not what I wanted to write. Linda Windsor's novel opened my eyes to how real-life Christians can be portrayed in fiction as both entertaining and encouraging. I knew I wanted to write for people like me--very flawed, wanting to read about other Christians who are just as flawed, but who manage to overcome and deepen their relationships with each other and with God. From that moment, I started targeting the CBA.
What for you is the most difficult part of the publishing journey?
I think the most difficult is in trusting God to be in complete control of my publishing career. I keep thinking I have to keep doing things to make things happen, that I have to worry and keep on top of things, that I have to toughen my skin and make myself into a certain type of personality to make it in this business. In reality, it's all in God's hands. The rejections, the bad reviews, the marketing things I do, my success or failure as a novelist--it's all in His control. I have to trust that it's all in His
control, and to stop worrying and ranting.
I think the most difficult is in trusting God to be in complete control of my publishing career. I keep thinking I have to keep doing things to make things happen, that I have to worry and keep on top of things, that I have to toughen my skin and make myself into a certain type of personality to make it in this business. In reality, it's all in God's hands. The rejections, the bad reviews, the marketing things I do, my success or failure as a novelist--it's all in His control. I have to trust that it's all in His
control, and to stop worrying and ranting.
Any parting words of advice on writing or anything else?
Any writer needs to keep his/her career in constant prayer. It's too easy to lose your focus on Christ--I do it often enough. I need to keep remembering that my writing--the manuscripts, the marketing, the sales numbers, the reviews--are entirely in God's control, and that if I submit to whatever He wants me to be or do, that it's all good.
To read the first chapter of Camy's book click here.