Time for one more question? Building on @Catchfire's question re: your writing...what projects are you working on next? Non-fiction? Fiction? Set in Vancouver?
TODAY 3pm EST/12pm PST Babble Book Club: Beauty Plus Pity by Kevin Chong
Sun, 2012-06-24 15:53
#52
alex
Sun, 2012-06-24 15:55
#53
Kaitlin McNabb
True -- sometimes I think Vancouver breeds a different type of hipster or at least connotation. But I suppose hipster is not always in the eye of the beholder.
Sun, 2012-06-24 15:56
#54
As for my transition, I like the fact-finding element of my memoirs, as well as meeting people. The nonfiction books I've written both deal with strange communities (rock fans, racetrackers) with their own very esoteric language, and my attempt to break into those worlds. The novels deal with relationships (parent-child, boy-girl). I find fiction harder, mainly because the nonfiction books were commissioned, and the novels were on spec.
Sun, 2012-06-24 15:57
#55
Kaitlin McNabb
Oh, and building on Alex's question, I'll slide this one in: was Vancouver has a setting just happenstance because you don't rely on the common exploits of the city -- trees, mountain, oceans -- but rather the obscure media culture, or , er, hipster culture?
Sun, 2012-06-24 15:57
#56
Alex: I'm trying to write a novel this summer... but that summer is quickly slipping away. I have a nonfiction proposal I'm working based on a conversation I had with an editor while on a last-second trip to Toronto. Also, I'm writing a magazine article for Vancouver magazine about anti-Chinese racism.
Sun, 2012-06-24 16:00
#57
alex
Sounds like some interesting projects you have underway...looking forward to reading your next novel. I read Baroque-a-Nova years ago and was excited when this last novel was released. All the best with your writing!
Sun, 2012-06-24 16:06
#58
Kaitlin McNabb
Looks like time is up for this Babble Book Club discussion!
BIG thanks to everyone for coming out today and joining or listening to the conversation and thank you to Kevin for taking the time to join us and answer all our questions. It was a pleasure and good luck with all your future projects as well!
Sun, 2012-06-24 16:08
#59
Thanks, Alex! To answer your question, Kaitlin, my parents are from Hong Kong. I didn't grow up going on hikes. Being a child of immigrants also made me culture-obsessed because growing up I wasn't bred with an understanding of western culture... listening to obscure Lou Reed was in some ways a kind of compensation for that.
Sun, 2012-06-24 16:08
#60
Thanks for setting this up, Kaitlin and Babble. And thanks for all the thoughtful posts and questions!
Sun, 2012-06-24 16:11
#61
Kaitlin McNabb
oh thanks for your answer about Vancouver! I definitely appreciate your representation of Vancouver and its dichotmous landscapes.
Mon, 2012-06-25 09:10
#62
Excellent discussion. I was watching England lose while this took place. Thanks again for arranging it Kaitlin. The Babble Book Club rocks!
Mon, 2012-06-25 12:34
#63
Kaitlin McNabb
Great conversation! And anytime!
(I too was multi-tasking, and watching Italy win 
)