Arthur Foo - Love ... the fuel for his writing
The author talks about his latest book Snow Phoenix and Me in the February 2015 issue of POPCLUB, the bestselling entertainment magazine in Malaysia. Text by Billy Boey. Photos by Gem Yen and Arthur Foo.
A series of circumstances caused Arthur Foo and I to meet for the very first time in an unlikeliest of places - the male washroom. We looked at each other and exchanged casual greetings before we headed towards one of the coffee tables to chat about his latest book Snow Phoenix and Me.
At the age of 58, Arthur exudes a youthful character and possesses a good sense of humor. Before we even started the interview, we chatted away as if we have met a long-lost friend. Our conversations were filled with random laughter over little tongue-in-cheek situations.
When asked how he started his writing journey, Arthur became silent and thoughtful. And then he said, "I did not choose the writing journey. Writing chose me."
How writing found him
It all started one fateful night 15 years ago, and Arthur was grieving his mother's death alone in his study, in front of his computer. His fingers started tapping on the keyboard.
"I was really sad at that time. I looked at the blank word document at the computer screen, and I just typed 'I miss my mother ...' a few times. Then my fingers took over. I just continued typing. Before I knew it, I have typed out a 2-page essay," Arthur shared.
"And you know what? I felt much better after that." That was when Arthur began to develop a love for writing. "It is very therapeutic for me."
Love is in his writings
Snow Phoenix and Me is Arthur's third book. It tells of a notorious gun-for-hire, Akecheta Lung, and an artist named Li Suet-foong who falls deeply in love with one another while venturing through the chaotic period of 1913 Shanghai. They began a new life and take their uncompromising devotion to the next level with no inkling that their time together is ending ... fast. According to Arthur, 'it is a story for those who are in love, were in love, or hope to be in love.'
"I believe that 'Love' is a genre most strong in catching the readers' emotions," said Arthur when asked on why his novels are mainly love stories. He treated 'Love' as a serious matter, and that he wanted to use this theme to reiterate that 'Love' is a beautiful thing and an important one at that too.
"Love is the most important thing in life. Once we learnt how to love, only then can we lead a good life. Hate is suffering especially with all the mistrust and contempt toward one another," explained Arthur. "To me, romance is the most powerful of all genres. It makes readers realize what love is." He stated that this can be seen when Akecheta Lung turned over a new leaf because of his love for Suet-foong. In the same way, it was how Arthur's love for his mother had set him a new journey to write.
"I will continue writing this genre because I find it most comforting to write it. It brings meanings to my writings."
His love for adventures
Snow Phoenix and Me too contains a mix of action-packed adventures, suspense and various moments that can tickle your funny bones. With a setting of a chaotic 1913 Shanghai, it was a period when killing was rampant and Akecheta Lung is somewhat a macho character where killing comes easy for him. With Arthur's constant desire for adventure and knowledge, he related to us his inner desire to be Akecheta Lung.
"I've always fantasized myself being a tall, dark and handsome character - something like Akecheta Lung. I imagined myself living in a period where danger lurks in every corner. Like in 1913 Shanghai, it is kill or to be killed. It is a period of the survival of the strongest," he said.
His love for adventure also saw him travelling frequently around the world, and it is through travelling that inspired the writing of his novel. "For example," he shared, "I went to Beijing during winter and when I was at the inner courts of the Forbidden City, I felt an eerie chill. It's as if the people of the past are still living there." It was then that Arthur became inspired and started to do some research on the history of China, and it became an inspiration for the setting of Snow Phoenix and Me.
On being a local writer
It's definitely not easy being an author in Malaysia especially with the lack of support in most aspects in the local writing scene. "One of the challenges we faced as a local author is that Malaysian readers prefer reading books by international authors," commented Arthur.
"Just mention J. K. Rowling or Dan Brown and most people will know ... perhaps even have read their books. Mention any local author's name and they'll probably give you a blank stare." Arthur further added that Asian writers are always seen as inferior toward the Western writers.
"Actually, there is no difference between Asian and Western writers. Each author's writing is based on their own style, understandings, and beliefs from their culture. It is a matter of perspective, and I do hope that Malaysian readers will open up to writings by local writers," said Arthur towards the end of the interview.
With that being said, Arthur hopes that the local people will support the local writing scene. He continued on by applauding POPULAR for taking the initiative to start the "POPULAR Supports Local Authors" campaign. He applauded the fact that POPULAR has seen the potential in the local writing scene and helped local authors by promoting their books in their bookstores.
"Thank you, POPULAR. I hope through this campaign, a lot more people will be aware and lend their support toward local authors."
Snow Phoenix and Me is available in Amazon.com, Kindle, and all POPULAR outlets in Malaysia.
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