"I believe there’s a real, important space for uplifting literature and art. And I want to be really clear here, “uplifting” doesn’t mean that pieces can’t be nuanced or complicated. I’m actually drawn to the complex pieces that tip-toe the line between darkness and light before ultimately leaning into the light."

"I think my cultural identity is probably the water my writing swims in. My worldview is deeply shaped by my parents' immigrant experiences and the value they placed on their children retaining their familial language in spite of assimilating into American culture. In terms of integrating my experience with fictional elements--I think that comes from staying alert in the physical world."

"Death, regret and childhood are the oracles in all our lives, and often the demons. Creating situations that pit characters against these forces begets moments of truth, like sparks borne of contact between two unyielding surfaces. Creating a past and a way of dealing with it, then upending it, gets at the heart of things. For me, it always leads to an expansion of the soul, a better place to be. That redemption is always worth exploring."