Elizabeth Lim, the author of "Spin the Dawn," recently shared insights about her writing journey and the inspirations behind her work. The novel tells the story of Maia, a young woman with ambitions of becoming a master tailor, who disguises herself as a man to compete for a royal job that could save her family.
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Lim, who hails from the San Francisco Bay Area, initially pursued a career as a film composer after studying piano and composition. However, her love for writing, sparked in her middle school years through fan fiction, eventually led her to become an author. Now residing in New York City with her family, she reflects on her unique path to publishing.
Her journey involved considerable rejection, with numerous manuscripts written before achieving success with "Reflection" and "Spin the Dawn." She mentions that crafting the villains in her stories, while challenging, is also enjoyable.
Fashion design plays a significant role in "Spin the Dawn." Lim cites the work of designer Guo Pei, especially her 2016 exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, as a major inspiration. Historical styles from the Tang and Ming Dynasties also influenced the design elements in the book.
Incorporating myth and folklore is essential to Lim's writing. She recalls her father reading her tales from around the world, notably drawing from the Chinese legend "The Cowherd and the Weaver," the French story "Donkeyskin," and the Norwegian tale "East of the Sun."
Lim candidly speaks about her ongoing struggles with writing, particularly in the early stages of a new manuscript. She emphasizes the importance of setting small daily writing goals to navigate through challenging times.
When discussing character interactions, Lim prefers Maia but has a soft spot for Edan, describing their conversations as fun and engaging. In a playful moment, she suggests sorting Maia into Hufflepuff and Edan into Ravenclaw or Slytherin, reflecting her understanding of these characters.
Looking to the future, Lim is currently working on "Unravel the Dusk," the sequel to "Spin the Dawn," along with a new undisclosed project. She also recommends books like "Girls of Paper and Fire" by Natasha Ngan and "The Weight of Our Sky" by Hanna Alkaf to her readers.
In response to reader questions, Lim reveals she revises her drafts multiple times, often leaning on feedback from critique partners and assures aspiring writers to read widely, set achievable goals, and remain persistent despite rejections.
The inspiration for "Spin the Dawn" originated from Lim's desire to read more Chinese-inspired fantasy as a child, leading her to create a narrative rich in the fairytales she cherished.