My Wish to Become a Writer Comes True!

Tuesday, 1 December 2009

My Wish to Become a Writer Comes True!

Book A Copy Early

Reproduced with permission from MPH Quill Oct-Dec 2009 edition
Thirteen-year-old ALICIA LOH has a wish: to become a published writer and be as successful as her favourite author, Jodi Picoult. She has already completed a couple of novellas and a collection of poetry. Her debut novella is The Last Chapter, a story about blossoming and broken relationships.
One of your wishes in life is to become a published author. What do you hope to achieve with your book?
I just hope to explore different styles of writing and be the best writer I can be.
How long did it take for you to complete your manuscript?
Honestly, I don’t know, because, for example, the plot of my first story came to me at least a year before I actually started writing it. But it took me roughly a year to finish that one. For others, I’m not too sure.
What motivates you to write?
Reading a good book is one of the things that motivate me. Also, just the idea of one day becoming a successful author like Jodi Picoult.
Is Jodi Picoult your favourite author? What else do you like to read?
My favourite book is My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult. I know that I do not like sci-fi, except for one author: Chris Wooding. I don’t have a specific favourite genre, but I don’t really like stuff written in the 80’s.
You’ve been travelling around a lot for medical treatments. What are the best and worst parts of this?
The best part is that I absolutely love the US and got to go there for my treatment. I enjoy saying, “I stayed in the US for a while.” Travelling locally is not as much fun. The worst is definitely being separated from my family, especially my dad. Oh, and missing the food here in Malaysia, which I love.
What is the difference between what you were doing this year and last year?
Last year, I didn’t have a story to write at that time, unlike now. I was basically obsessing over David Archuleta 24/7. This year, I’m still obsessing over David, but I’m writing various things as well.
Explain the process of how you pen down your thoughts.
I don’t really write my thoughts down, except occasionally in poems. But recently, I installed an application on my computer called Journler that I absolutely love. So I usually write my thoughts there nowadays. Or, if I think a thought is random enough, I blog.
What do you write on your blog?
I can’t really answer this question because I blog about the most random things. Such as how I think the word randomest should be a word in the dictionary. And, of course, David Archuleta. Or I could blog about how the word “watch” sounds like a sasquatch if you say it 10 times really, really quickly….I blog about food sometimes, too.
If you weren’t doing what you are doing now, what else could you imagine doing?
I have no idea what I’d be doing, at all.

MPH Group of Companies is collaborating with The Children’s Wish Society of Malaysia to grant wishes to children who face life-threatening illnesses. Alicia Loh currently undergoes regular treatment for Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 2, a nerve and muscular disease that is progressive and incurable.
Editor’s Note: Alicia’s book is scheduled to be available for sale in the middle of December. Look out for more updates on www.cwsmalaysia.com. If you wish to be one of the first to grab a copy, email CWS Malaysia at aimee@cwsmalaysia.com.