1 Author, 7 Questions: Sue Lynn Tan
Sue Lynn Tan is a fantasy phenom whose books are always full of stunningly gorgeous prose and fascinating characters! Her latest novel Never Ever After is an incredible mix of Cinderella retelling and Chinese myth. I got the chance to interview Sue Lynn and ask her about her writing process… and maybe get a sneak peek into what happens in the sequel to Never Ever After!
What was your inspiration for Never Ever After?
I’ve always loved fairytales, how magical they are, yet laced with an undercurrent of darkness. Cinderella was an intriguing one for me—how her life changed so dramatically with one invitation. And I wondered, what if the prince wasn’t who he was supposed to be? What if he wasn’t charming or kind, but a villain? From here, the story took shape, taking on a darker turn, with the original fairytale just the beginning of a whole new adventure.
Can you describe your writing process? Are you more of a pre-plotter or do you let the plot develop as you write?
I love writing in the morning, and tend to get up early when it’s still quiet and the skies dark. My drafts tend to be messy, and editing is probably my favorite part of writing when I can hone the story into something sharper and clearer. I tend to draft loosely so I have a sense of the story’s overall direction. However, I leave a lot of room for the story and characters to develop as the plot progresses and things change. Sometimes characters take directions that surprise me as well, and I love that unexpected part about writing.
Never Ever After is a blend of Cinderella and Chinese mythology. What was it like blending a European fairy tale with Chinese myth? What are some of your favorite elements that you pulled from each to infuse into Never Ever After?
I loved weaving in elements of the Chinese variation of Cinderella, bringing the unexpected to a beloved tale. For example, in Never Ever After, instead of a fairy godmother, we encounter an enchanted fish. The carp is one of my favorite parts of the traditional tale, though some of its scenes were among the hardest to write. While Cinderella’s shoe is less of a focus in Never Ever After, I wanted to include it to honor the original fairytale. It gave me such joy to also include elements of my culture in the story: the clothing, the food and buildings, even how the characters interact with one another.
Your two male leads keep us guessing! What was it like tooling out their respective relationships with Yining? What’s your favorite flirtatious scene?
They were so much fun to write, though challenging too with their different personalities and motives, how it influenced what they said and did! Prince Zixin and Jin also bring out different aspects of Yining’s personality. With one, she is more herself, and with the other she is more guarded. Trust lies at the heart of these relationships—both of which are complex with many layers, and there are also elements of rivals-to-lovers and lovers-to-enemies. For Prince Zixin, I wanted to explore how things would change when the prince doesn’t turn out to be the one from the fairytale. One of my favorite scenes takes place early in the book, when she meets him by the lake, a magical and romantic moment, almost dreamlike, edged with foreboding. However, the relationship with Jin is very different, closer to that of rivals, not in their positions, but in the battle of the minds, each trying to outwit the other, to use the other, while also developing inconvenient feelings along the way.
Not to give anything away, but this book ends on quite the twist! How early in your plotting did you know this twist was going to happen? And without spoilers, what can you tease about the next book (because I’m dying to read it)?
Thank you for wanting to read the sequel! In Never Ever After, I plotted this twist quite early on (not always the case), and loved delving into characters’ minds and how it impacted their actions throughout the book.
While Never Ever After doesn’t end on a cliffhanger, there are unresolved questions and secrets about the characters and the world. To avoid spoilers. I’ll just say the next book will delve into new kingdoms with even higher stakes, more angst and romance, heightened tension between several characters as they adjust to their different circumstances.
What are some books you’ve been reading recently or would recommend?
As this year has been a busy one for writing, I’ve sadly not been reading as much as I’d like to. I loved A Forgery of Fate by Elizabeth Lim and Graceless Heart by Isabel Ibañez, and am excited for I, Medusa by Ayana Gray and Dawn of the Firebird by Sarah Mughal Rana.
What are you working on now? Any exciting ideas you can share?
I’ve been working on the sequel and having so much fun with it! Some scenes are definitely challenging to write, some put a smile on my face as I imagine the characters speaking the lines, while a few break my heart. I can’t wait to share the story.
Order now and receive the SPECIAL FIRST EDITION while supplies last—featuring a designed case cover under the jacket and illustrated endpapers, in addition to shiny foil and embossing. This must-have special edition is only available in a limited first printing.
Life in the Iron Mountains is harsh and unforgiving. After the death of her beloved uncle, Yining has survived by becoming a skilled thief and an even better liar. When she acquires an enchanted ring that holds the key to a brighter future, it is stolen by her step-aunt, and Yining must venture into the imperial heart of the kingdom to seize it back.
Amid the grandeur of the palace, Yining catches the eye of the ruthless and ambitious prince, who tempts her with a world she’s never imagined. But nothing is as it seems, for she’s soon trapped in a tangle of power, treachery, and greed—her only ally the cunning advisor from a rival court who keeps dangerous secrets of his own. To break free, she must unravel the mystery of her past and fight for a future that both frightens and calls to her.
Never Ever After is the first in a breathtaking new fantasy romance series influenced by Chinese fairy tales from the acclaimed author of Daughter of the Moon Goddess.