Sik Yinghuhng Juhng Yinghuhng: mutual appreciation between heroes; thinking highly of one anotherThe last years of the Han dynasty involved periods of great disorder. Warlords rose against one another in a struggle for supremacy. It is said that leaders Chouh Chou and Lauh Bei were discussing the heroes of their time when Chouh Chou complimented Lauh Bei by saying, "Now you and I are heroes (yinghuhng)." My fellow writers are my heroes. Thank you to Lara Britt who recently gave me the … [Read more...]
The Publishing Puzzle
November 13, 2012 6 Comments
Yattauh Mouhseui: cannot understand; puzzled, lost (lit. head in the fog) A poet named Hoh Daahm Yuh wrote this couplet:"Which is the highest of the cloudy mountains that surround me?I lost my way in the heavy fog."From then on, yattauh mouhseui became a common expression.Taipei 101 in the mist.I feel like I'm yattauh mouhseui whenever I examine the publishing puzzle. Three options exist: traditional publishing, small press, and self-publishing. (Look here for a great explanation from an … [Read more...]
Mission: Submission
November 5, 2012 2 Comments
Sihdaahn: anything will doAt times, Cantonese phrases get abbreviated. For example, "si-mouh-geih-daahn" means "without restraint of any kind." The shortened term becomes sihdaahn.Please accept my submission. When I think about submissions, I'm in a sihdaahn mode. Any positive response will uplift me. Last month, I participated in Khara House's Submit-O-Rama challenge. For October, I queried three literary magazines a week, for a total of 15 entries.Here are my results: 1 acceptance, 1 … [Read more...]
Writer’s Digest West Conference- 9 Writing Tips
October 29, 2012 2 Comments
Lohksau Da Saamgaang: make mistakes at the beginning of workBefore the invention of clocks, the Chinese used a night watch-man to tell people the time. He struck a gong at specific hours:(1 hit) yatgaang: 7:00-9:00pm(2 hits) yihgaang: 9:00-11:00pm(3 hits) saamgaang: 11:00pm-1:00am(4 hits) seigaang: 1:00-3:00am(5 hits) nghgaang: 3:00-5:00amStriking three times when it was supposed be"yatgaang" meant a mistake (lohksau da saamgaang). We all make errors when starting a career, or even a hobby. … [Read more...]
Filed Under: Cantonese, Chinese, Chinese saying, clock, gong, Nina Amir, Rich Krevolin, Rob Eagar, Robert Lee Brewer, Steven James, tips, Writer's Digest West Conference, writing
Writer’s Digest West Conference- First Impressions
October 22, 2012 4 Comments
Yatlauh: the bestIn China, from the Tang to the Ching dynasty, nine ranks of officials existed. The highest and first level was known as yatlauh. I attended the Writer's Digest West Conference this past Saturday. It was yatlauh, fulfilling and exceeding all my expectations. Let me break down my experience into three parts:1) Jamie Ford, the author of Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet: As a keynote speaker, he discussed being true to yourself and pursuing a story that resonates with … [Read more...]
Being One’s Cup of Tea at a Writer’s Conference
October 15, 2012 8 Comments
Hahpsaai Hohche: meeting people's needs, being one's cup of tea (lit. sing every note right)This expression refers to Chinese music. Hahpsaai means everything is right. When every note is correct and the singers and musicians work well together, people say hahpsaai hohche. *First things first, though: the winner of the photo contest is picture A (you can see it reflected in my profile). It was a close call, though, A edging out picture C by one vote.At the Writer's Digest West conference … [Read more...]
Filed Under: business cards, Cantonese, Chinese saying, pitch slam, Writer's Digest West, writing conference
Our Fears
October 1, 2012 1 Comment
Gengcheng: frightened, scaredThe Chinese use lion dancing to celebrate many special holidays and festivities. Businessmen believe a lion will bring them prosperity, so they hang up a cheng (lit. green), a stalk of vegetable with a red envelope as a prize. With gongs and drums in the background , the lion dancers will reach for the cheng, sometimes with one man standing on the shoulders of the other. The expression gengcheng comes from the spectators being afraid that the dancers will … [Read more...]
Filed Under: 228 Massacre, afraid, Cantonese, Chinese, Chinese saying, fear, Khara House, lion dance, pitch slam, red envelope, scared, submissions, Submit-O-Rama, Taiwan, Writer's Digest West Conference
Once in a Blue Moon in Spain
September 17, 2012 4 Comments
Sahpnihn (Dou) Mfuhng Yatyeuhn: once in a blue moonIn Hong Kong, people use both the solar and lunar calendars. There are ten days fewer in one lunar year than in a solar year, so an extra month (yeuhnyuht) is added every three years to make up the difference. An exaggerated saying rose out of this practice: sahpnihn (dou) mfuhng yatyeuhn, meaning to not have a leap year in ten years, or "once in a blue moon."The highlight of my Spain experience happened on the high-speed train between Madrid … [Read more...]
Filed Under: Cantonese, Catholic, China, Chinese saying, DSM, high-speed train, introvert, Juan Jose Garcia Failde, lunar calendar, once in a blue moon, Spain
Faandau- Learning through Games
May 7, 2012 2 Comments
Faandau: mischievous or naughtyThe Historical Records describe Confucius (551-479 B.C.) as a child who liked to participate in the sacrificial ceremony, which used a vessel called the "Dauh" to play. The original meaning of faandau means to learn through games.As a child, I enjoyed hopscotch on my elementary school's asphalt lot. Whether playing alone or with my friends, I delighted in the simple joy of hopping through the air. Recently, I participated in another jumping activity, a blog hop … [Read more...]
Filed Under: blog hop, Cantonese, Chinese saying, Confucius, games
Jiyauh- Knowing Weakness
May 4, 2012 6 Comments
Jiyauh: without hurry, slow, leisurely.The I Ching speaks about appreciation for subtleties. A clever man sees a small change and predicts great outcomes. When he knows (ji) the weak (yauh), he can forecast the strong. Small twigs grow into thick branches. Things strengthen over time. Take a look at the Anping Tree House in Tainan, where banyan trees overtake a building. Starting from small sprouts, they now support the structure.My blog, like a tiny seedling, holds the potential to burst … [Read more...]
Filed Under: Anping Tree House, blog, Chinese saying, Jennifer Chow, Liebster Award, Taiwan, writing
