We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Alina Chau a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Alina, thank you for being such a positive, uplifting person. We’ve noticed that so many of the successful folks we’ve had the good fortune of connecting with have high levels of optimism and so we’d love to hear about your optimism and where you think it comes from.
Like many people, I have my own insecurities and self-doubt. One of my most significant insecurities is my language skills. I lack confidence in expressing myself through words. Our family immigrated to Hong Kong during the British Colonial Era. As a child, I had to learn three languages simultaneously: Mandarin, English, and Cantonese. Although I can speak and write in English and Chinese, I feel like a jack of all trades and a master of none.
Being an only child, I didn’t have peers my age to talk to at home, and my immigrant parents only spoke Mandarin. So, I was often teased at school for mixing up my languages. When I moved to the US as an adult, I struggled with writing in American English because I had learned British English growing up.
This feeling of insecurity became particularly challenging when I pursued a writing career as a children’s book author. Two years ago, I successfully published my debut graphic novel, “Marshmallow and Jordan,” with First Second Macmillan, one of the big five publishing houses in New York. While working with my editor on this book, I learned the differences between American and British grammar, which she patiently explained. I’m now on a contract with First Second and working on my second graphic novel.
As an author, I still feel insecure about my linguistic ability. However, consistent practice has helped me gain more confidence over time. When people ask me about the source of my optimism as a non-native English speaker who wants to become a published author, I say it’s the fear of not knowing what could happen if I don’t try. I have a strong desire to tell stories, and if I don’t try, I cannot achieve my dream. By allowing myself to take a shot, even if the odds of failure are high, I give myself the permission to hope and dream.
My book, “Marshmallow and Jordan,” was successfully published and received the Junior Library Guild Gold Standard, Best of 2023 Graphic Novel Sakura Medal in Japan. It was recommended in the National Education Association’s Read-Aloud American and Texas Maverick reading lists.
Therefore, I believe that optimism is allowing ourselves to embark on a thrilling journey of self-discovery, explore our potential, and dream big.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I am an author and illustrator of children’s books, with a background in animation and gaming spanning over a decade. One of my memorable moments was when I gave Jar Jar Binks his first kiss in The Clone Wars animated series. I have worked with many publishers, including Penguin Random House, Scholastic, Disney, Chronicle Books, Lee and Low, Albert Whitman, Simon & Schuster, and Macmillan First Second.
Growing up in Hong Kong in an Indonesian-Chinese family during the British colonial period and now residing in the US has influenced my artistic style to be a blend of different cultures and countries. Currently, I am working on a new middle-grade fantasy graphic novel based on classic Chinese mythology, and I look forward to revealing more about it later this year.
I am thrilled to announce that I started a weekly newsletter on Substack called Lines + Letters From My Desk last winter. It’s an excellent opportunity to connect with my fans, readers, and fellow creators. It’s a peaceful space away from the busy social media platforms, where I share behind-the-scenes stories about my creative process, comics, and an exclusive sneak peek into my upcoming releases and production secrets with you. You can easily access the newsletter and sign up by visiting https://alinachau.substack.com.
I also recently launched an online art and print store called Whimsy & Magic. You can find us at https://shop.alinachau.com. We offer a wide range of beautiful, gallery-quality, hand-painted watercolor art and prints that are perfect for anyone who wants to add a touch of color and enchantment to brighten their day!
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
The three most impactful qualities for a successful career in any art form, be it visual arts, performance, music, or literature, are persistence, faith, and kindness. However, the path to success in this field is often unpredictable and can feel like a roller-coaster ride. There will be disappointment, rejection, failure, and unpleasant comments. Still, there will also be moments of triumph, success, recognition, and praise.
After each success, the next step is often a new challenge. In art, success is not always quantifiable or immediately visible. It requires a persistent will to keep moving forward, even when feeling insecure and unsure. Taking one step forward after another is crucial, as often, the glimmer of light toward success may be just around the corner, even when it seems like we are in a dark and endless tunnel.
Believe in your abilities and have faith in yourself. Avoid comparing your weaknesses to other people’s strengths, and don’t measure your success against theirs. It can be challenging to resist the constant pressure of perfect images and posts on social media. We all have insecurities, but comparing ourselves to others only amplifies the negative voices in our heads. Insecurities can serve as either a motivator for growth or a paralyzing fear. It takes faith to believe in ourselves and overcome the negative voices telling us we are not enough. Trust in yourself can turn insecurities into a positive motivator to learn, improve, and grow.
Treat yourself and others with kindness. Often, we are too hard on ourselves, especially when we feel we are not progressing as quickly as we would like. However, regardless of the challenges you may face on your journey, taking care of your mental and physical well-being is essential. Remember to celebrate every achievement, no matter how small it may seem, and be patient and kind to yourself. Also, be kind to others; by supporting and encouraging others in your community, you can create a positive impact and fully enjoy the essence of art: sharing, exchanging experiences, communicating, and connecting with others.
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
I am passionate about being involved in school visits and educational programs with schools, libraries, local bookstores, creative arts, and cultural organizations. I believe in the power of diversity and inclusivity, and I am excited to collaborate with others who share this value.
I understand the challenges aspiring artists and writers face in discovering their creative potential and finding a safe space to express themselves. I have been fortunate enough to experience the benefits of guidance and mentorship throughout my creative journey, and I am motivated to inspire and support young individuals by sharing my creative process and empowering them to find their unique voices and abilities.
If you want to learn more about my author’s school visit program, please visit https://alinachau.com/school-visits-1 or contact me through my website.
Furthermore, I curate a weekly newsletter called “Lines + Letters From My Desk” – https://alinachau.substack.com. It provides approachable tips and inspirational stories for anyone interested in learning more about creative arts and writing.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://alinachau.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alinachau/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alina.chau
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alinachau/
- Other: ✏️ Lines + Letters From My Desk (Newsletter) https://alinachau.substack.com
Image Credits
A Pocket of Time Photography
