Acclaimed author Paul French is set to visit Bookazine Social in Tai Kwun (the former Central Police Station) on March 13th from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm to discuss his latest works.
In the lead-up to this event, the Bookazine editorial team was eager to gain insights into the author who has intricately portrayed Wallis Simpson's life in China during the Roaring Twenties in his book "Her Lotus Year."
When asked what ignited his passion for writing, French shared, “I've been writing for as long as I can remember—be it school projects, personal diaries, or university essays. My motivation to write comes from my love of reading; I’m an avid reader. However, sometimes the books I truly wish to read—like those about unsolved murders in old Beijing or gangsters in Shanghai—simply don’t exist. So, I thought, if I want to read them, maybe I should write them myself!”
Regarding his creative process, French noted, “I prefer starting with a notebook—scribbling down thoughts, notes, and reminders. If those ideas develop, I then transfer them to my laptop, which serves as a second round of editing. The initial ideas are often quite random and might even end up as the conclusion of my book. I also pay special attention to crafting the openings, as they are crucial for capturing the reader's interest. My notebooks evolve throughout the writing process, gradually transforming into something that resembles a manuscript.”
One cherished childhood memory of French is his local library in North London: “It was a sanctuary where I could roam freely and unsupervised. Although my parents weren’t avid readers, they were supportive, so when I announced I was heading to the library, there were no objections. My goal was always to escape the kids’ section and discover adult novels. I read many books between the ages of 10 and 15 that were probably not age-appropriate, but they didn't appear to do me any harm.”
Reflecting on his time in Shanghai, he expressed, “Living there from the 90s to the mid-2010s allowed me to experience the city at its most vibrant time—full of energy and opportunity, all within a relatively safe environment. I had friends who dealt with business in Russia, surrounded by bodyguards! It was a hopeful time, and I miss that sense of possibility, even if it wasn’t entirely realistic.”
When asked about the inspiration behind "Her Lotus Year," French explained, “Many of the scandalous rumors about Wallis in the 1930s revolved around her time in China, yet that period—1924/1925—has not been thoroughly explored. Most biographers focus on her royal connections, her abdication, and subsequent scandal, often neglecting the complexity of her time in China. I believe I'm adept at making the intricacies of modern Chinese history accessible and engaging for a general audience.”
Paul French was also motivated by the significant historical context of Wallis’s time in China: “The period she was in Hong Kong and China was pivotal—warlord conflicts, strikes in Hong Kong, political turmoil in Guangzhou, and the transformation of Shanghai into a modern metropolis. I felt compelled to write about it.”
To navigate challenging days in his writing journey, French shared, “I work on multiple projects simultaneously. Whether it’s a nearly finished book, a long-form piece for SCMP Post magazine, a book review, or scripts for BBC Radio, I simply switch to another project when I hit a wall. It’s hard to feel blocked on everything at once!”
He also reflected on the best and worst writing advice he has received: “The best advice is to put in the effort on openings, write and rewrite, and build the world of your book with rich details. Trust your editor and be responsive to your readers and booksellers—they're essential. The worst advice? Believing creative non-fiction doesn’t require plotting effort, ignoring editorial feedback, and the ridiculous notion of not reading while writing!”
If he could invite any historical figure to dinner, the French would choose Cecil Beaton, the renowned photographer: “He met countless fascinating figures of the twentieth century, and during World War II, he captured incredible images of China and the resistance against Japan. I imagine he’d have the most captivating stories and wouldn’t shy away from sharing juicy gossip.”
French also revealed a character he’d like to swap lives with for a day: “Dapper Joe Farren from City of Devils. He lived a life filled with dancing, smoking, and the glitz of Shanghai’s nightlife in the 30s. Despite the eventual downfall, I like to think he enjoyed every moment without regret.”
Currently, French is immersed in rereading classics and exploring various authors, a habit he picked up during the pandemic. He’s been enjoying works by F. Scott Fitzgerald, Raymond Chandler, and Marguerite Duras, among others. “This year, I dove into Amor Towles and Rupert Everett’s short stories, while also revisiting the life of Eilis Lacey in Colm Tóibín’s Long Island.”
As for the duration it takes to write a book, Paul French shared, “From the initial idea to having a polished manuscript ready for submission, it typically takes about a year to 18 months after completing the proposal and securing a publisher.”
Looking ahead, French has exciting projects in the pipeline: “I’m working on a series published by local Hong Kong publisher Blacksmith Books called the Destination… series. These are collections of essays about intriguing foreigners in China during the twentieth century, focusing on lesser-known figures. Following the release of Destination Shanghai and Destination Peking, I’ll be launching Destination Macao at the Macao International Literary Festival in March. I’ve been enchanted by Macao since my first visit in the 1980s, so compiling these stories has been a joy.”
Lastly, French offered golden advice for aspiring writers: “Always read—anything and everything. There’s no serious writer who doesn’t have a vast library and an ever-growing stack of books to read. Trust me, you can spot a writer who doesn’t read from a mile away!”
Don't forget to join Paul French on March 13th, from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm at Bookazine Social in Tai Kwun for his Book Launch and Signing Event.
It's free, all you have to do is register here:
