An Na
An Na
An Nais a South Korea-born American children's book author. Starting her career as a middle school English and History teacher, Na turned to writing novels after taking a young adult literature class while enrolled in an M.F.A. program at Vermont College of Fine Arts. She gained success with her very first novel A Step From Heaven, published by Front Street Press in 2001, which won the annual Michael L. Printz Award from the American Library Association recognizing the year's "best...
NationalitySouth Korean
ProfessionAuthor
intensity open people places sound struggling though
I had been struggling with how to create a child-like protagonist's voice without making it sound as though I was 'dumbing down' to the character. They are able to see events, people and places with an intensity and open mindedness that adults lack.
champions compete honor lucky national olympic surprise win
It is a surprise to win in the National Games. It's my honor to compete with Olympic champions and world champions. I am so lucky today,
coming felt last swing
After last week, I really felt like my swing was coming through.
chinese mom somewhere south tough waitress work
I want to go to Shenzhen or somewhere down south to work as a waitress or in a factory. I don't want to do what my mom does. Life's too tough as a Chinese farmer.
holds means since
'Mulan' holds a very special place in my heart. It's been 16 years since the film, but hordes of fans still come up and tell me how much she means to them.
cartoon felt hesitant legendary needed worried
I was hesitant to do 'Mulan II.' For me, I felt like the story that needed to be told, this legendary character of Mulan, was already encompassed in the first movie, and I was worried they would try to create this crazy cartoon character out of this legendary character of China.
cared chinese country family fearless folklore join sacrifice willing
Mulan is so important in Chinese folklore - a fearless girl who cared about her family and country so much that she was willing to join the fight and sacrifice herself.
bucket
'Star Wars' is on my bucket list. Even if it's just a small walk on, I don't care.
bras chest demand larger produce
We don't produce A-cups for some bras with larger chest circumference now as demand is low.
worst critics feels
I feel like we tend to be our own worst critics.
halos hats
Hats are like a halo of happiness,
dream country achievement
What I've accomplished for myself is beyond my wildest dreams. What I accomplished for my country is one of my most proud achievements.
tennis china bigger
China tennis - we're getting bigger and bigger.
bigs
I've played in a lot of big matches and you learn from them.