No Secrets Allowed
Kana Wu
March 12, 2021
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Hi Kana,
It’s great connecting with you. Tell us about your books No Romance Allowed and No Secrets Allowed. It’s great to have this opportunity to discuss my books. No Romance Allowed is a story about the life of Rory Arrington, a twenty-four-year-old biracial woman. She is struggling to pay rent once her roommate moves out. She initially finds a new female roommate. However, on moving day, the new roommate drops out, and the woman’s brother, Peter, shows up in her place. |
Photo: courtesy of the artist |
Rory agrees to take him as her roommate with a condition that there is no romantic involvement between them. While they are trying to coexist, Rory discovers something about him and that leads to bigger secrets.
No Secrets Allowed is the story of how Rory and Peter build their relationship with over 3,000 miles between them. Like in real life, there is no such thing as a smooth romantic relationship. In this book, Rory has coworkers who are interested in her, and Peter begins to realize that the harsh realities of leading a family business. The two lovers face harsh truths and discover some secrets that forced them to reconsider their relationship. Some readers already asked for another sequel, but I have not touched it yet because currently, I’m working on a stand-alone book.
What makes a good romance book? How did you decide to try your hand at romance?
What makes a good romance book is the range of emotions. The author has to create scenes and moments the help readers feel sympathetic towards the main characters’ feelings and situations.
Initially, I wanted to write a mystery novel. Then I changed my mind, thinking that writing a romance book is easy. And I was wrong: it is not easy at all. I struggled writing my first book. It was especially hear my editor commenting that my first draft of the story was lacking emotions. From that moment, I read many romance books so I could get a feeling of how to convey emotion. When I wrote the second book, it was smoother.
What series of events inspired these two books?
I got the idea of writing No Romance Allowed in 2017. I was working for a company and I kept running into the same guy all the time. Whether I was in the parking lot or the lunchroom, that's where he was, too. We didn’t even work in the same departments. I didn’t even know his name. Then I thought, ‘hey, why don’t I write a book about a girl meeting a guy who turns out to be the owner’s son.’ I began to craft my idea and really work with it. In the end, my book has a very different storyline.
How have you connected with readers during this past year?
I have connected with readers mainly through social media. Facebook. Instagram. That’s an easy way to do it. I have been thinking of going live on Instagram. But I have not done so, yet.
What is your writing routine? Has it changed because of the pandemic?
I used to like writing in the morning. Since the pandemic, my writing routine changed. I have used my morning time to create marketing material, engage in social media, read books, or clean the house. I start writing after lunch. Usually, I don’t write on Saturday and Sunday. Those days are dedicated to family time.
Readers have loved your work. What was your reaction to that kind of support?
Yes, I was over the moon when I found out. At first did not dare imagine that readers would love my books.
What do you enjoy doing when you are not reading or writing?
I like cycling with my husband on weekends, watching some drama series on Netflix or Amazon Prime, walking with my dogs, or chatting with my friends. I like eating various foods from different countries and I feel thankful that there are many other restaurants around me because I could taste their food without leaving the country.
Where do you turn for new ideas?
I usually get new ideas right when I am ready to sleep, when I am about to shower, or when I am in the car. The ideas never pop up during my regular writing schedule. I tried to train my brain to get ideas in the morning, right on schedule, but it never happened. So, I gave up and I let the ideas popup whenever they feel like it. That’s why my cellphone is always close by so I write down my ideas before I forget.
We have an ongoing campaign titled #BeatTheBlues dealing with ways to prioritize mental health. What do you do to #BeatTheBlues?
Whenever I feel down, I realize that I tend to isolate myself from others. So, the first thing I have to do each time I am feeling down is never be alone. At least, I should try telling someone when I am feeling down. Other things I do to distract myself include listening to soft songs for anxiety as I exercise. I like cycling, aerobics, dance, yoga. I find that gardening keeps my mind calm as well.
Have you been attending any virtual events recently?
Yes, I have attended many seminars on book publishing, book marketing, and also some other events that are not related to books.
What made you smile today?
My tulips are blooming. That made me smile today.
No Secrets Allowed is the story of how Rory and Peter build their relationship with over 3,000 miles between them. Like in real life, there is no such thing as a smooth romantic relationship. In this book, Rory has coworkers who are interested in her, and Peter begins to realize that the harsh realities of leading a family business. The two lovers face harsh truths and discover some secrets that forced them to reconsider their relationship. Some readers already asked for another sequel, but I have not touched it yet because currently, I’m working on a stand-alone book.
What makes a good romance book? How did you decide to try your hand at romance?
What makes a good romance book is the range of emotions. The author has to create scenes and moments the help readers feel sympathetic towards the main characters’ feelings and situations.
Initially, I wanted to write a mystery novel. Then I changed my mind, thinking that writing a romance book is easy. And I was wrong: it is not easy at all. I struggled writing my first book. It was especially hear my editor commenting that my first draft of the story was lacking emotions. From that moment, I read many romance books so I could get a feeling of how to convey emotion. When I wrote the second book, it was smoother.
What series of events inspired these two books?
I got the idea of writing No Romance Allowed in 2017. I was working for a company and I kept running into the same guy all the time. Whether I was in the parking lot or the lunchroom, that's where he was, too. We didn’t even work in the same departments. I didn’t even know his name. Then I thought, ‘hey, why don’t I write a book about a girl meeting a guy who turns out to be the owner’s son.’ I began to craft my idea and really work with it. In the end, my book has a very different storyline.
How have you connected with readers during this past year?
I have connected with readers mainly through social media. Facebook. Instagram. That’s an easy way to do it. I have been thinking of going live on Instagram. But I have not done so, yet.
What is your writing routine? Has it changed because of the pandemic?
I used to like writing in the morning. Since the pandemic, my writing routine changed. I have used my morning time to create marketing material, engage in social media, read books, or clean the house. I start writing after lunch. Usually, I don’t write on Saturday and Sunday. Those days are dedicated to family time.
Readers have loved your work. What was your reaction to that kind of support?
Yes, I was over the moon when I found out. At first did not dare imagine that readers would love my books.
What do you enjoy doing when you are not reading or writing?
I like cycling with my husband on weekends, watching some drama series on Netflix or Amazon Prime, walking with my dogs, or chatting with my friends. I like eating various foods from different countries and I feel thankful that there are many other restaurants around me because I could taste their food without leaving the country.
Where do you turn for new ideas?
I usually get new ideas right when I am ready to sleep, when I am about to shower, or when I am in the car. The ideas never pop up during my regular writing schedule. I tried to train my brain to get ideas in the morning, right on schedule, but it never happened. So, I gave up and I let the ideas popup whenever they feel like it. That’s why my cellphone is always close by so I write down my ideas before I forget.
We have an ongoing campaign titled #BeatTheBlues dealing with ways to prioritize mental health. What do you do to #BeatTheBlues?
Whenever I feel down, I realize that I tend to isolate myself from others. So, the first thing I have to do each time I am feeling down is never be alone. At least, I should try telling someone when I am feeling down. Other things I do to distract myself include listening to soft songs for anxiety as I exercise. I like cycling, aerobics, dance, yoga. I find that gardening keeps my mind calm as well.
Have you been attending any virtual events recently?
Yes, I have attended many seminars on book publishing, book marketing, and also some other events that are not related to books.
What made you smile today?
My tulips are blooming. That made me smile today.