Binh Anh Khoa Ngo

What was your favorite book as a child?

As a child, I enjoyed reading Dế Mèn Phiêu Lưu Ký (Diary of a Cricket) by Tô Hoài, which is a classic among the children's books in Vietnam. It was one of the books that introduced me to a whole new world where imagination took center stage, in which anything was possible. 

What was the original reason or motivation why you started writing creatively?

I started writing fanfiction as a form of entertainment when I was in university, which I enjoyed immensely. After a year or two, I began to write my own original works of horror and science fiction, and now, I have no intention of stopping anytime soon. 

What was the most adventurous or thrilling thing you ever did/experienced?

I am an introvert, so I don't usually go out of my house. As a result, the most adventurous thing I ever did was done indoors rather than outdoors. Particularly, in May 2018, I wrote my very first poem in English, and I worked up the courage to submit it to a publisher in the United States. It was my first poetry submission and my first professional acceptance, which encouraged me to continue writing creatively, and I’ve been writing ever since.

Do you listen to music while reading or writing?

When I read or write something, I don’t listen to music at all because I desire complete peace and quietude to better immerse the story that is taking shape before me, one word at a time. The silence allows me to focus better and lets my imagination do its job, conjuring up the unique sights and sounds related to the specific events in the narrative.