“Bitter” Story Results in Sweet Success for Debut Author

Author Cara Chow’s story while writing her debut book is a story unto itself. Persistence and perseverance were her allies despite numerous setbacks and revisions.

The outcome: A “bitter” story has produced sweet returns so far, judging by fan response and critical praise for Chow’s book.

Chow this winter visited the to read excerpts and discuss her book, “Bitter Melon,” and to discuss the arduous process of completing and getting it published.

“This book was written over a decade,” said Chow during the February reading and discussion in the Skyline Room. “During that time, I constantly read other authors and revisited story structures and plots in my book.”

Chow said the book took 11 years to complete and that she wrote 13 drafts. Chow added that after she completed seven drafts, she had reached the “point of no return.”

When asked if she had ever thought about scrapping the project, she said, “The only thing worse than having seven drafts is having seven drafts and quitting. The only way this book would have never happened is if no one wanted to represent or publish it.”

“Bitter Melon,” which was released by children’s book publisher Egmont USA in December 2010, is centered around Frances, a young Chinese-American student who struggles to live up to her mother’s expectations of being a straight-A student, attending Berkeley and becoming a doctor.

Instead, Frances accidentally enrolls in a speech class where she discovers a new talent: public speaking and debating.

From there, the plot thickens as Frances conceals the truth from her mother, while competing in contests and applying to a private college for women. The book’s scenes and storyline intensify when Frances’ overbearing mother finds out her plans.

Chow’s Cerritos visit was one of the first of many. Since then, she’s been on an almost daily blog tour to promote the book.

Chow, who lives in Los Angeles with her husband and son, talked about juggling her professional obligations and family.

“In addition to the blog posts, I am (doing) speaking engagements, raising a toddler with special needs, and undergoing a home remodel,” she wrote to Patch via email while on the road promoting her book. “That’s my life right now--crazy!”

Undaunted, Chow relishes and is appreciative of the challenges.

She continued, “That said, that’s a great problem for a debut novelist to have. The reason I am so busy is because my publisher and publicist are supportive of my work. How many writers are that lucky?”

Promotion through conventional means hasn’t been the sole reason Chow’s book has gained a following. Coincidentally, Chow’s book hit the shelves around the same time as author Amy Chua’s “Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother.”

Chua’s book has been a best-seller since its release and turned “Tiger Mother” into a pop culture catchphrase. Throughout the book, Chua is unapologetic about how strict she is raising her two daughters, which invites comparisons with the mother in Chow’s book, Gracie.

Initially, Chow was resistant to the comparisons. During early promotion, she was constantly asked about it; however, she eventually accepted the queries.

“When Chua’s article “Why Chinese Mothers are Superior,” (Wall Street Journal) first came out, it made me uncomfortable, and I hadn’t had time to process why,” she said. “At the same time, everyone kept asking me about it. Over the next three weeks or so, I had some time to process the article.”

She continued, “I also had time to acclimate to all the Tiger Mother questions. At that point, I accepted that this was going to be a part of my life whether I liked it or not. Rather than resisting the comparison between Chua’s book and mine, it made more sense to embrace it as a means of helping to understand what 'Bitter Melon' is about.”

Chow said awards, reviews and sales aren’t the strict criteria she’ll use to define success for the project.

“Considering the obstacles I had to overcome, I’m pretty happy that I was able to complete this project and get it published,” she said. “I also get happy every time readers write to me or tell me in person about the impact the book has had on them.”

For more information about Cara Chow or to order “Bitter Melon,” visit www.carachow.com