Name: I.W. Gregorio

Website: http://www.iwgregorio.com

Asian background:

Chinese diaspora. My mother was born in Taiwan into a Hokkien Taiwanese family, but my father and paternal grandfather were actually born in South Africa, migrated to Malaysia and then ended up in the US. My paternal grandmother was born in the island of Mauritius, which is in the Indian Ocean!

What is it about your experience and upbringing that inspired you the most to write?

When I was growing up in Central New York (imagine Pennsyltucky but in the Empire State) I always felt very much like the other. I never wore the right clothes or knew the “cool” things to do, and I grew up with my grandparents who were quite restrictive. So books were always my friends, and I always wanted to grow up to write books that other people could take solace in, could learn from, and grow by reading.

Name 3 authors and 3 books

Kelly Loy Gilbert, Picture Us In the Light
Kacen Callender, Felix Ever After
Ismee Williams, This Train is Being Held

What do you think is the best quality a writer can have?

Perseverence and faith in your story. The path to publication can be long, and even when it isn’t there are always highs and lows. If you believe in the story you’re telling, you’ll be able to persist, and the world will be better for having your perspective.

Any last words? (Fun facts, comments, something you’d like to share with the world, etc.)

As many of you guys know, i’m a doctor in real life, so I just wanted to thank everyone who’s been staying at home to both #FlattenTheCurve and #KeepTheCurveFlat. I’m so grateful for the virtual ways we’ve been connecting, however, and can’t wait to start seeing readers IRL!

Challenge: Write a one-sentence story!

When the wind howls, I close my eyes, breathe, and bend; still I soldier on.