FAQ

"One of the keys to happiness is a bad memory."--Rita Mae Brown

Where am I?

This is Yoon Ha Lee's latest website attempt. Included are resources on science fiction and fantasy writing (and reading), role-playing games, constructed languages, math, and animé and comics.

I don't claim that any of this information will be useful or interesting to you. If you're easily offended by sarcasm or whimsy, you'll probably be happier elsewhere. Otherwise, come on in.

Who are you?

There's some information about me if you're curious.

Why didn't you change your last name when you got married?

Why should I have? (In Korean, it's properly my family name, which comes first syntactically.) I like Lee; I'm published under Lee; the Korean custom is for the female to keep her own name. Deal with it. We do.

Why aren't there better photos of you in the Photo Album?

I'm just not photogenic. *grin*

This site looks strange.

If you don't like my sense of aesthetics, that's fair enough, but it's taxing to change one's sense of aesthetics. It's possible the browser is having trouble with CSS (cascading style sheets) or some aspect of the code. If you're having difficulty reading the site, either way, email me and I'll see what I can do.

Where did you get the art?

Unless credited otherwise, anything on this site is my own work. I'd prefer it if you don't distribute them.

Where are you right now?

In Pasadena, California with a ~~lizard~~ daughter and husband, scribbling.

How can I get into Cornell/Stanford/etc.?

I have no secrets. Study. Get involved in things that interest you. Especially be sure that you can write various basic types of essay. Before anyone asks again, I will not proof/read your application essay. I have no influence on people getting accepted (or not).

Cornell-wise, be sure you want to go. Some people hate the weather, which is notoriously erratic and involves snowy winters (like most of that region). Some people leave because of the stress, which is not insignificant, especially in majors like biology and computer science. Some people hate the fact that Ithaca's a tiny and very liberal town where half the population leaves in the summer. I actually love Ithaca and its beautiful scenery (and if you haven't heard the bad joke about Ithaca Is Gorges, you have now). I would return eagerly if I could, if not as a student.

How do you get published?

See the writing pages or the links on writing. I can't emphasize enough that, in order to be a writer, you must write. You'd think this would be self-evident, but I've met people who behave as if it weren't, so I'm assuming it's not as obvious as it ought to be. No one is going to write your epic for you (unless you pay them to, and in that case, you're not the one writing it).

If you've never met me but you're curious as to whether I'm willing to read or critique your writing, the answer is no. Sorry; I am snowed under as it is.

When is your next story coming out? Where can I find it?

I'm working on it, I'm working on it...Stories Sold is probably the most rapidly updated page on this site when there's something to add! You'll know almost as soon as I do.

Can I link to your page(s) or use some of the content?

The answer to the first is yes, of course. I don't mind deep links; I'm unfond of frames for aesthetic reasons, but if you're using them (without claiming the content is yours), that's your business and you have your reasons. I would like it if you drop me a line, but it's not mandatory.

As to the second, if you want to save anything to your hard drive or print it out for personal reference, that's fine. I know how rapidly web-resources disappear, and while I plan to keep this site up for a long time, you never known when Real Life will kick in. If you have anything else in mind, best to email me and ask.

If you're convinced there's some content that used to be on this site and you can't find it anymore--especially since I finally switched over to the new design--again, email me and I might be able to help you out.

Why didn't you answer [insert question here]?

I'm no telepath; I can't anticipate everything. But if you have a reasonable question (keep it polite!), feel free to email me. If it's an interesting question, I just might add it here.

If you want to hear more rambling and sarcasm, try Verba Vita Est, my weblog on LiveJournal.

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