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MEET KEN MIN (10/2011)
by Bonnie O'Brian

When you went to college, were you already pursuing a writing career?

Ken Min

I attended an art college not really knowing where I was going with it. I went into their illustration program which is as close to a general elective as one can get. It wasn't until I was working in a bookstore later on that I had an epiphany. I was cleaning the children's book section when I came across a copy of William Joyce's GEORGE SHRINKS. It was this book that spurred me to really think about wanting to illustrate children's books. I have a deep and abiding fondness for this title.

.When was it published?

I worked at odd bookstore jobs after college. As much as I had an idea that I wanted to work in children's literature, it still took some time, and a few detours, before I actually illustrated my first picture book. I'm very grateful to SCBWI for the knowledge I gained about the children's book market as well as the friendships I made which helped me keep on track with my goals. I had my first picture book come out this year, HOT, HOT ROTI FOR DADA-JI, and can't express how cool it is to have worked on it and to see how people have responded to it.

Where do you get your ideas?

So many things inspire me. Looking at art. Reading a good book. Watching a movie or tv show. Some times a nice walk will spark an idea. I know, when I'm wrestling with a picture composition or a general idea, a drive really relaxes my mind and opens me up to different possibilities. Sometimes an offhanded remark from a friend will get a story or art idea going. Honestly, inspiration comes from everywhere. One just has to be open when the moment hits.

Do you enjoy researching or do you prefer working totally from your imagination?

On the picture book I worked on, I did a lot of research into the Indian culture. I wanted to try and get as much of the information and "look" right for the story. It also helps that one can do a lot of research online. Especially when it comes to images. I was also surprised how much I enjoyed the aspect of research. Not that I was a bad student in school, but when I think of research, I automatically think, "boring work", but, really, that was not the case. It was fascinating and I learned some new things. Go figure!

Do you work on more than one book at a time?

I have been working on some picture book ideas. Personally, I like having a few ideas percolating. If I'm stuck on a story point with one, I can set it aside and pick up another. Especially in the case where I might contract a case of "writer's block". Some might say that this divide one's attention and focus. I think, in the early stages when one is plotting out a storyline, it's fine. Once you start to really flesh out a story, then maybe focusing on one is best.

Do you write every day and do you have set hours that you work?

With a "day job", I have found it tough to find time to work on my own projects. But that just means one has to be creative in how one carves some time out for personal work. Certainly weekends are good. But I've recently started carrying a notebook with me on my lunch break and have tried to work on my stories. It's an hour out of the day, but I really like the discipline of doing it most every day. I know how much time I have and try to push that boulder a little bit up that hill. Also, it's a nice change of pace from the action of my "day job". In fact, it helps me 'clear' my head when I go from one to the other.

Do you like to include humor in your stories? Or adventure? Or mystery?

I love the idea of including all those topics if possible. (Though, maybe not all at once :)
Frankly, I like to let the story lead me to where it wants to go. Maybe it will be heavy on humor. Maybe it will have a sentimental streak. Action- sure, that would be nice too. Like with inspiration, you can't dictate where the story is going to take you.