ann y.k. choi
Toronto-based author and educator
Missing Poems
Posted on December 9, 2016
Few people know that my novel started out as a collection of poems that were written in the early ’90s. I wove them into the first draft of Kay’s Lucky Coin Variety. My editor advised me to remove them and avoid mixing poetry with prose. After focusing on novel writing for so long, I find myself wanting to go back and write poems.
Some articles to share:
The Benefits of Poetry for Professionals
How Studying Poetry Makes You a Better Writer
80s songs played at Mary’s Prom
Posted on December 7, 2016
Cyndi Lauper’s “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” was my characters’ favourite song
Listening to Billy Joel’s tunes reminded me of a wonderful blog entry by City Girl Scapes who posted a playlist of the songs that I imagined played at my protagonist’s high school prom. The prom scene from Kay’s Lucky Coin Variety, which takes place in June 1988, consists of mainly 80s hits.
Mary’s Prom Playlist
If you visit City Girl Scapes’ website, you’ll find links to the videos for following songs:
(I’ve Had) the Time of My Life – Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes (1987)
99 Luft Balloons – Nena (1983)
Addicted to Love – Robert Palmer (1985)
Africa – Toto (1982)
Beat It – Michael Jackson (1982)
Billie Jean – Michael Jackson (1982)
Careless Whispers – Wham! (1984)
Celebration – Kool & the Gang (1980)
Crying Over You – Platinum Blonde (1985)
Don’t You Want Me – Human League (1981)
Down Under – Men At Work (1981)
Every Breath You Take – Police (1983)
Everybody Have Fun Tonight – Wang Chung (1986)
Eye of the Tiger – Survivor (1982)
Flashdance … What a Feeling – Irene Cara (1983)
Footloose – Kenny Loggins (1984)
Forever Young – Alphaville (1984)
Girls Just Wanna Have Fun – Cyndi Lauper (1983)
I Love Rock n’ Roll – Joan Jett and the Blackheart (1981)
I Wanna Dance With Somebody – Whitney Houston (1987)
I Wanna Know What Love Is – Foreigner (1984)
Jessie’s Girl – Rick Springfield (1981)
Karma Chameleon – Culture Club (1983)
Keep On Loving You – REO Speedwagon (1980)
Let’s Dance – David Bowie (1983)
Like a Virgin – Madonna (1984)
Mony Mony – Billy Idol (1981)
Nasty – Janet Jackson (1986)
Papa Don’t Preach – Madonna (1986)
Push It – Salt-N-Pepa (1986)
Raspberry Beret – Prince (1985)
Safety Dance – Men Without Hats (1982)
Start Me Up – Rolling Stones (1981)
Sunglass At Night – Corey Hart (1984)
Super Freak – Rick James (1981)
Tainted Love – Soft Cell (1981)
Take My Breath Away – Berlin (1986)
The Power of Love – Huey Lewis & the News (1986)
Thriller – Michael Jackson (1982)
Uptown Girl – Billy Joel (1983)
West End Girls – Pet Shop Boys (1984)
Whip It – Devo (1980)
With Or Without You – U2 (1987)
You Spin Me Round (Like a Record) – Dead or Alive (1984)
You’re the Inspiration – Chicago (1984)
Thanks again City Girl Scapes for the wonderful post and book review!!
“We Don’t Often Talk About Sensitive Issues!”
Posted on December 4, 2016
My interview with Fabricio Correa in The GNU Journal includes questions about the writing process and authors who influenced me. I also share that I am hoping to use my novel, Kay’s Lucky Coin Variety, as a resource to talk about sensitive issues like domestic violence, negative mental health, and racial tension. Click here to read the full interview.
Author Names & Book Titles
Posted on December 2, 2016
Logo designed by Darcy Morgan
One of my challenges after writing my book was deciding on what name to use as an author. It seemed like a simple decision, but in the end it proved to be a lot of work! I wrote an essay about it that was published by Writer’s Digest. You can read it here.
The other question I get asked a lot is about my novel’s title. Kay’s Lucky Coin Variety was not my original choice. I loved Paper Swan, a title that my editor came up with. The Ugly Duckling was my favourite children’s story growing up. I saw Mary, my protagonist, as the duckling that grew up into a swan. Origami swans are a motif in the novel. After much consideration and discussion, Kay’s Lucky Coin Variety was chosen. It reflects the story’s principal setting. As well, each word conjures different connotations that come together to create varied layers of meaning.
It’s December!!
Posted on December 1, 2016
It took nine years from writing the book to publishing it.
Click on the image to make it larger.
There’s been a few changes since I last posted a blog in the spring …
My debut novel, Kay’s Lucky Coin Variety, was released by Simon & Schuster Canada … I finished my MFA studies in Creative Writing … I’m now working on my second novel set in 1924 Korea …
It’s December. I think I’ll take some time to reflect on this past year … it’s been quite eventful!
paper swan logo
Posted on July 10, 2015
Logo by Darcy Morgan
Thanks to Darcy Morgan for creating this awesome logo for me. She embedded my initials (aykc) into parts of the paper swan (e.g., “A” makes up the beak, “Y” the neck).
I chose the paper swan because it captures the spirit of my protagonist, Mary, who is the “ugly duckling” that transforms into a swan. My novel, Kay’s Lucky Coin Variety (formerly entitled Cornered), will be released on May 3, 2016.
ann y.k. choi 