I know it has been a while since you had last heard from me. To keep the
story short, I won the battle against spywares after 11 days. I warn
you, be careful not to get elitebar—it is the worst one you can get,
along with coolwebsearch. Make sure you install programs that will
protect your PC from being infected in the first place. I recommend
Spyware Doctor...the download is free, so is the protection. You need to
pay $29.95 to get rid of spywares, though. Spywares harm your privacy:
some steal your credit card numbers, record everything you do online,
etc.. Anyway, this newsletter isn't about spywares...
Please excuse the formatting of this issue...
I received a couple of great reviews for my book Dance with Your Heart.
Below is one of them.
Genre: Inspiration/Fantasy/Poetry
DANCE WITH YOUR HEART
Author: Shirley Cheng
"Tales of fantasy, inspiration and joy are presented in the short
stories and poetry of Shirley Cheng, simply written, easily assimilated
yet thought provoking.
Each story provides a life lesson, from living without prejudice to
cooperation; every page enriches the reader’s soul. The book will travel
through the
house from coffee table to child’s room providing daily inspiration for
the weary and delightful bedtime tales for the young.
Author Shirley Cheng has experienced much pain and suffering in her
young life. Diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis at eleven
months, she struggled
through the next eleven years until she attended her first day of
school. She quickly achieved grade levels in only 180 days, telling the
world that this
was an extraordinary young lady. At age seventeen she lost her eyesight
but after eye surgery hopes to earn a science doctorate from Harvard. A
small book
for the whole family that will fulfill its promise and make you dance
with your heart."
Lead BookAdz Interviewer, Sheree Bartlett (BA), talking to Shirley Cheng
(SC) .
BookAdz (BA): Thank you very much for taking the time to talk to us. I
have to ask, have your medical issues coloured your work, making it more
hopeful
and light-hearted?
Shirley Cheng (SC): In a way, my medical experiences have made my work
more hopeful and light-hearted. But I believe that it also depends on
each individual:
how they feel as a person in whole, what their outlook on life is, and
how they deal with situations, good or bad. I think even without having
to go through
what I have gone through, my work will still reflect my light-hearted
and free-spirited self. I was born with a happy disposition.
BA: Does the inspiration for your work come from inside of you, or the
world around you?
SC: The inspiration from my work comes from my inner self and the world
around me—or actually, from how I view the world. Two people can view
the same
situation very differently, just as with glass half-full or half-empty.
The world is a beautiful place if we would not let difficulties get in
our way.
I am passionate about science and nature, so that has strengthened my
love of life.
BA: I would like to move to more specific questions concerning your
books. With "Daring Quests of Mystics" these stories are a collection
involving the
continued adventures of Princess Sophia. Would you consider these short
pieces the right size and mood for bedtime stories for youngsters?
SC: Each of the eight tales contained in "Daring Quests of Mystics" is
at least 3,400 words long, and the longest piece, I believe, has over
6,000 words.
The longer pieces might be too long to be read to youngsters before
bedtime. As for their content, they might be perfect to be read that
time; they may
fill children's dreams with beautiful princesses in mystical lands. But
perhaps, some parts may get children too excited to go to sleep. The
vocabulary
level for "Daring Quests of Mystics" may be a bit on the hard side for
young readers, but learning new words at a young age is a wonderful
activity for
parents, teachers, and children to be involved in.
BA: They strike me also as nice light reading for adults with a love for
fantasy. Was this intentional?
SC: I have been told that although the content may be for children, the
language and themes are suitable for thoughtful adults. When I write, I
never label
my works to designate to which age group it is intended. I wish a wide
audience could enjoy my writings, young and old alike.
BA: I'm going to move on to "The Revelation of a Star's Endless Shine".
Were there painful moments while writing this autobiography? There were
intimate
revelations in there, as well as moments of pathos. It occurs to me it
may have been difficult to approach some of what you reveal?
SC: Actually, for the most part, the autobiography had not been too
painful for me to write. My mom and I always reminisced the past,
talking about both
the happy moments and terrifying events, so I am so used to them. After
all, writing the past cannot even come close with the real feelings as
experiencing
it firsthand. If people are horrified with what they read in the book,
can they imagine what I have been going through? The most horrifying
moments in
the book are the two custody cases when I was two and seven, which is
mentioned on the back cover as the "1990 international news of mother's
victory over
injustice in her custody case". I still remember the one happened when I
was seven. Back then, I both felt trapped like a caged animal and
hopeful that
my mom would win, and winning she did, with flying colors. So, when I
wrote that section, I felt victorious.
BA: There also must have been joyous moments of resolutions of past
issues?
SC: Definitely. Writing the joyous moments always brought me back to
that time—it is the same with sad parts. I get to relive the past as I
wrote the book,
but the sensations I felt were only a fraction of the real thing. There
are many happy portions in my book that are both uplifting and
inspiring. My own
book inspires even me!
BA: I understand your mother was one of the driving forces behind this
work. Did she encourage you with this book, and in your writing career
in whole?
SC: My mom has been the cornerstone in my life, like the water for
plants and oxygen for aerobic organisms. She has been supporting and
loving me since
the first day she learned of her pregnancy. She has encouraged me with
all that I do, including my writing projects. I felt like a reporter
when I was
writing my autobiography; I had asked her so many specific questions
regarding the early years of my life, the parts I could not remember at
all; it is
obvious since the book begins on the day of my birth.
BA: Do you consider this book an unfinished work? Do you think there
will be another volume in later years? This book ends at a very young
age.
SC: My autobiography is absolutely an unfinished work. I do plan to
continue with another volume or two when I am older. This 700-page book
ends when I
was at the age of twenty. When I do write the second volume, I am
certain I will have plenty to share.
BA: "Dance With Your Heart" is a light-hearted, sunny collection of
inspirational stories and prose. Is this book a reflection or yourself
and how you see
the world around you?
SC: Yes, it is a reflection of myself and how I view the world around
me. Plus, it is also how I wish many would see the world. The book
consists of fairy
tales, myths, and fables that are similar with Aesop's, though some are
longer. There are themes in the tales and poems that I hope people will
think deeply
about after they read it.
BA: Are there any dark corners in any of the prose, or do you
continuously shine a light there to keep the darkness away? Is this your
strength?
SC: In life, there are always dark places, the dragons that everyone has
to face and defeat. I do not pretend that darkness in life or in my own
writing
does not exist. Writing is a reflection of life, so writing, I strongly
feel, has to include all the elements that comprise life, both the
pleasant and
the unpleasant. But the dark parts in my writing are not depressing and
discouraging to read. Instead, they tell you to stand up and to be
strong. Live
and learn—that is what life is about; darkness teaches. We are stronger
each time we overcome a difficulty in life. At least, it is the
situation with
me. I am a person who tries to make everything good: bad into good, good
into better, and if I cannot make something better, I will accept it as
is. So,
yes, I do shine light to wash away the darkness. I would not necessarily
call it a strength I have; it is simply how I feel people should live in
order
to live happily.
BA: I find much of the themes suitable for children; they love their
imaginary worlds and you provide that quite beautifully. However, I also
notice the
language does not "talk down" to them in fact I find much of it suitable
for adults, just like your other book. Is this an intentional theme for
most of
your writing?
SC: I never "talk down" to anyone in my books. My intention is to make
my books available to all hands of all ages. Both adults and children
can enjoy my
stories and poems. In actuality, all of my customers, as far as I am
aware, have been adults. Sometimes, I receive comments that the book
will be great
to read before bedtime, and that was what one of my adult friends did. I
have been told my poems and prose is a delight to read, both relaxing
and soothing.
BA: One last question; Do you intend to continue writing, or are you
focusing on another direction or career? If the answer is "yes" to
continuing to write,
what genre do you think will be your main focus?
SC: To tell you the truth, I had never expected to be an author. I
simply got bored after my vision loss, then decided to write more. I
have always been
an expressive person in both art and writing, so since I am blind, I
share my feelings with the world through words. I will continue with
inspirational
and fantasy poetry and short tales. I write whenever the mood strikes. I
cannot guarantee a fourth book, but I can promise that my passion for
writing
will not die. I do plan to earn my science doctorates from Harvard
University after a successful eye surgery. That has been my goal for
many, many years
now. In the future, I might write science non-fiction! Right now, I'm
devoting my time to promoting my books. It is hard for me to get the
word about my
books out since I am both blind and wheelchair-bound. I know I am
missing out on a lot of opportunities, such as attending NY book expo.
BA: Do you have a website someone could visit, and do you accept emails
from fans?
SC: Anyone who would like to learn more about my books can visit my
website at
http://www.shirleycheng.com.
I welcome e-mails, too.
BA: I want to thank you again for your time, and I'm sure your fans look
forward to hearing more from you.
SC: Thank YOU for devoting your time to ask me questions and for your
interest. My fervent wish is to make a difference for the better in the
world we live
in, and I hope my writings can do just that. May you always find peace,
love, and joy in all you do and with all you meet. Thank you again.
BA: You're very welcome!
Shirley Cheng is the author of" Daring Quests of Mystics", written and
published at the age of twenty. Her autobiography, "The Revelation of a
Star's Endless
Shine: A Young Woman's Autobiography of a 20-Year Tale of Trials and
Tribulations", was self-published at age twenty-one. "Dance with Your
Heart: Tales
and Poems That the Heart Tells", an anthology of inspirational and
fantasy short stories and poems was written between the ages of twelve
and twenty-one.
She had been published twice before her writing career. The Poughkeepsie
Journal published one of her short stories, "Mary Miller, the Elusive
Lady", in
1997, and a poem, "The Colors of the Rainbow", was published in
Celebrate! New York Young Poets Speak Out in 1999.
Lead BookAdz Interviewer, Sheree Bartlett, has written several
editorials and freelance items for her local and county newspaper, as
well as satirical essays. Sheree is also a Crimson Dagger Interviewer.
That's the end of the interview.
I updated my site (
http://www.shirleycheng.com)
and added some polls you
can vote in.
That's all the news I have to share with you for now. If you have any
questions, please let me know.
