Tesia Tsai was born in Los Angeles to immigrant parents from Taiwan. She currently teaches at Brigham Young University and lives in Utah with her husband, two cats, and a dog. When not writing or reading, she enjoys watching Asian dramas, playing video games, and planning her next trip. Her debut novel is Deathly Fates, and she recently talked about it with Daryl Maxwell for the LAPL Blog.
What was your inspiration for Deathly Fates?
My mom used to watch Hong Kong jiangshi movies when I was a kid, and I was always intrigued (and horrified) by the hopping vampires. When I started brainstorming a new story, I thought back to those films and decided to research the origins of those creatures. Doing so introduced me to the ancient folklore of corpse-driving, a practice rooted in family, spirits, and reunion, which inspired me to write Siying's story. Around that time, I was also contemplating the very real mortality of my parents, particularly my dad, so this book became a cathartic exercise in exploring those feelings/thoughts.
Are Siying, Ren, Anshi, or any of the other characters in the novel, inspired by or based on specific individuals?
Ren and Anshi started as foils for my main character, Siying, so they weren't specifically inspired by any one person. But Siying is admittedly a conglomeration of myself. Her obsession with control, her need to take care of everyone else, her one-track mind—these are all traits I either suffered from or continue to work on today. It was easy to channel my own eldest-daughter upbringing when developing her character.
How did the novel evolve and change as you wrote and revised it? Are there any characters or scenes that were lost in the process that you wish had made it to the published version?
The biggest evolution was probably the humanity of the evil spirits. With each revision, I fleshed them out further, diving deeper into their motivations, their traumas, their desires. Since this was something Siying needed to learn from, too, it helped that I was learning alongside her.
Some characters were harmed (i.e., erased) in the making of this novel, though I don't regret them terribly (sorry!). A scene I do miss is one that used to be in the beginning chapters of the book, in which Siying is taking a walk with her father, and they discuss their different approaches to corpse-driving. I felt this scene helped to establish her relationship with her dad, as well as her motivation for the rest of the book, but for pacing's sake, it ended up being cut.
Are the ganshi priests and priestesses in Deathly Fates based on or inspired by actual practices or stories from Chinese culture/folklore, or did you create them for the novel?
As mentioned earlier, corpse-driving was a real practice in ancient China. Taoist priests were hired to retrieve the bodies of loved ones who had passed away in distant towns/cities and bring them home to be buried with the rest of their family. The people believed that that was the only way to ensure the dead's spirits wouldn't be lost and wandering. But since not everyone could afford to travel long distances, they hired these priests instead.
Do you believe in ghosts/spirits? Have you ever had an encounter with something paranormal?
Absolutely, I believe! (Sometimes to my own detriment.) I can't be sure that I've had a paranormal encounter before, but I do believe that spirits are eternal, so when someone dies, their spirit continues to exist, on one plane or another. I believe in evil spirits, too, and I hope to never come across one.
Your biography states that you currently teach first-year composition at Brigham Young University. Does your work as a professor inform or influence your work as a novelist?
Though I teach academic writing, the skills I've strengthened through those courses have certainly influenced my creative work. I constantly think about rhetorical choices, whether that's with my writer's voice or my characters'. What moves are effective? Which ones, not so much? What kind of connotation might this word invite? How can I be more concise? Also, as a bonus, being around young adults allows me to keep a finger on the pulse of what's trending these days, what stories young readers might like to read. Luckily, I primarily write fantasy at the moment, so I don't have to keep up as much with the ever-changing slang!
Brigham Young University is located in Provo, Utah, where you currently live. Do you have any favorite places? A hidden gem that someone visiting should not miss, but would only learn about from a resident?
Most people visit Utah for the mountains, whether to go hiking or skiing. I don't ski, but I've enjoyed a few hiking trails, like Stewart Falls (which offers a variety of terrains and views as you hike toward the titular waterfalls at the end of the trail). I like my modern conveniences and aesthetic vibes, so I'd highly recommend Taste 117 in Provo. It's a chocolate shop/cafe that offers local flavors made in-house, afternoon tea, and other delicious treats (both savory and sweet). The décor is also very European and Instagram-worthy. Lastly, I'd recommend visiting Planted in Pages, an indie bookstore near downtown. It rests in a historical building and features cozy shelves and a plant room where you can buy your next potted plant baby.
Your biography also states that you enjoy "planning your next trip." Where are some of your favorite places you have traveled? What is the dream trip you have yet to take?
My top two travel destinations have been London, UK, and Taiwan, where my parents are from. I studied abroad in London for a summer and fell in love with the architecture, theatre scene, bookstores, and parks. I'm also a huge Queen Victoria fangirl, so that definitely strengthened the appeal.
Growing up, I visited Taiwan every summer with my mom, and in adulthood, I try to visit at least once every few years. The food there is amazing (and affordable!), and I love being able to connect with my roots every time I go. As for a dream trip I've yet to take, I would love to go to Greece one day! I loved Greek mythology and art growing up, so it'd be cool to visit the temples, see the ocean, and live out my Mamma Mia! fantasies.
If/when Deathly Fates is adapted to film or a series, who would your dream cast be?
Oh gosh, I haven't dreamed that big, to be honest! But I've had a few followers say they imagine Zhou Ye for Siying and Neo Hou for Ren. As someone who loved their Chinese drama Back from the Brink, I'm extremely flattered and give my full approval!
As a debut author, what have you learned during the process of getting your novel published that you would like to share with other writers about this experience?
There's so much to say and not enough space in this single interview! But one thing I've learned is that timing is everything, and it's not something anyone can control. A terrible paradox, right? But I've come to believe how true it is. As a teenager, I dreamed of being that prodigy who published her first book at age twenty (or younger!). Obviously, that didn't happen, and for a while, I wondered if maybe I wasn't good enough at this writing thing. But whether I was good enough or not in my early twenties, I didn't stop trying, and I got better. My writing skills grew to the point where I believed what I wrote was good enough. And that book ended up being Deathly Fates, which my agent snatched up and my editor loved. So, I would tell writers aspiring for publication: If you love this work, don't stop doing it. Keep honing your skills, write multiple novels as practice, and gain confidence in yourself. When the timing is right, and when the right agent or editor or reader comes along, things will fall into place as they were always meant to be. But until that day comes, you must not quit!
What’s currently on your nightstand?
Beloved by Toni Morrison. I've wanted to read it for a while and finally decided to pick it up last month. It's not a very long book, but her writing begs savoring, so I've been enjoying it slowly most nights before bed.
Can you name your top five favorite or most influential authors?
It's hard to pick just five, but off the top of my head: Maxine Hong Kingston, Marie Lu, Shannon Hale, Ocean Vuong, and Madeline Miller.
What was your favorite book when you were a child?
I loved the Bailey School Kids series as a child! They were a great combo of mystery, humor, and imagination. Whenever we visited the school library, I'd look for which one to read next—did I want to read about their vampire teacher? The mermaid coach? Frankenstein? All of them were so fun.
Was there a book you felt you needed to hide from your parents?
Probably Twilight, especially the later books. A friend recommended it to me because she saw I liked "spooky" books. I actually bought the first one with my dad standing next to me in front of the cashier. But once I started reading the series, I didn't want my parents to know what the books were about. It seems silly since Twilight is pretty tame compared to some of the stuff out there, but back when I was twelve or thirteen, it felt more scandalous. Vampires? Kissing? I couldn't possibly share that with my parents.
Is there a book you've faked reading?
I don't fake reading, but I will DNF a book and tell people I read it. One such book is (ironically) Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. I might enjoy it more now that I'm older, but when I had to read it back in college (amid a million other texts I was expected to finish for classes), I felt bored out of my mind, despite it being so short. I'm pretty sure I stopped before the halfway point and Sparknoted the rest.
Can you name a book you've bought for the cover?
Like 99% of all the books I buy? One that comes to mind is The Course of Love by Alain de Botton. The cover (at least the one I bought) is pretty simple and minimalistic—a white background with a red arrowed heart at the center—but it drew my eye, and I found the premise intriguing enough to buy. Another is The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea by Axie Oh. Gosh, I love that cover.
Is there a book that changed your life?
Too many to count. But one I will always remember is Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz. It showed me a perspective I wasn't familiar with at the time and helped me to really understand and empathize with that experience. It changed my life in that it humbled and taught me how to be more open-minded, more patient, and more curious.
Can you name a book for which you are an evangelist (and you think everyone should read)?
I usually tailor my reading recommendations to the person, but one book I will say I think everyone should read is Rich AF: The Winning Money Mindset That Will Change Your Life by Vivian Tu. The title may be silly, but the book is a treasure trove of useful advice. It's a self-help finance book written by a millennial voice. It's funny, relatable, and so, so insightful. I feel like most people, especially young adults, don't know as much about finances as they should, and this book makes that knowledge accessible. So, I'd definitely tell everyone who struggles with money (which is most people, no?) to read that.
Is there a book you would most want to read again for the first time?
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern. That book is a masterclass on setting, worldbuilding, and descriptive detail. The first time I finished it, I felt like I was emerging from water; the real world was so disorienting. I've tried to read it again since, and it's just not the same as the first time.
What is the last piece of art (music, movies, TV, more traditional art forms) that you've experienced or that has impacted you?
I just watched Interstellar for the first time (yes, I put it off all these years), and I was unexpectedly blown away. (I'm not usually a space setting kind of viewer.) The storytelling was so tight and intentional, and the ideas brought up by the film were thought-provoking. Another movie that's been living rent-free in my brain lately is Sinners. I heard it was nominated for several awards (and won at least one?), so I'll just leave it at that.
What is your idea of THE perfect day (where you could go anywhere/meet with anyone)?
The perfect day is one in which I can actually relax without feeling guilty. I'm geared to be productive, so sitting down to play a video game or watching a show often feels like a waste of time. But I'm trying to be better about letting my mind and body rest; according to my therapist, that is productive!
What is the question that you're always hoping you'll be asked, but never have been?
Good question. I would love to be asked how I get my book ideas (broadly). What common thread runs through every novel I write?
What is your answer?
My answer would be that I don't write a book if I can't establish a personal connection to it or if I can't explore an issue close to my heart. For example, with Deathly Fates, I had a strong tie to the experience of being a bullheaded eldest daughter, especially one who wants her family to be safe and well. In my next book, I'm exploring the theme of being a people pleaser and martyr, something I've struggled with growing up.
What are you working on now?
I'm currently working on my next YA fantasy, which is pitched as Beauty and the Beast meets The Legend of the White Snake (a famous Chinese folktale). It's a story about a princess who unlocks dangerous powers and accepts exile to an ancient pagoda. There, she meets the spirits trapped inside and learns what it means to live not only for those she loves but, more importantly, herself.
