Author Q&A with Corrina Chan

Corrina Chan graduated from Lewis & Clark College in Oregon, where she majored in psychology and later English literature with a focus on creative writing. While attending Lewis & Clark, she wrote for and edited the student journal, The Mossy Log, founded the Prose Club, a creative writing group, and was the fiction editor for the youth-run literary magazine, Diamond Gazette. She was also an editorial intern at Future House Publishing. Combining her curiosity about all things literary and a willingness to take on new challenges, she hopes to continue to write and publish more of her work.

Corrina’s short fiction, Before the Waters, is featured in Issue #17.

Tell us about yourself.

I am a current postgraduate student who is looking to break into the publishing world. I love reading, some of my favorite genres including fantasy and science fiction. I recommend the book series Shadow of the Fox by Julie Kagawa and the author Erin A. Craig for YA fantasy romance lovers. As for writing, it was always a creative outlet when I had something to say. Each piece has a little bit of me inside it somewhere and I hope others will find themselves in them too. 

Before the Waters shows Greek Mythology character, Charon, managing transportation to the underworld with payment other than the traditional coin the deceased were buried with. What form of payment do you think you’d offer Charon to cross the river Styx? Why?

I have a lot of sentimental items that I keep with me. Paintings made by friends, cards written by my family, jewelry given to me by my parents and grandparents, dog tags from all the family pets I used to have, and so much more. All of these items represent my heart and the life that I lived. But if I had to choose one thing to give to Charon, it might be a home cooked plate of pork cutlet and napa soup—my mother and grandmother’s recipes. I like to think that I put a lot of good into the world and take care of others. Items may no longer be meaningless to the ferryman, but giving him something that will last, like the taste of honey on his tongue, is very important to me. 

I like the idea of Death being sensitive and appreciating the lives of humans. How did Death’s influence change Charon for the better?

Death collects the souls directly from their resting place on Earth. He gets to see their last moments and he gets to see who or what is around them when they die. He gets a very human perspective from the natural passage that Charon just doesn’t. Collect the coins, drive the boat—that is all he does. That is Charon’s one and only job. Being underground, away from the context of the lives each passenger lived takes away a lot of the humanity that others may otherwise have. Death understands both ends of the spectrum and served as a medium for Charon to better understand the passengers in his boat. 

How has Greek mythology influenced your writing?

Greek mythology was fairly omnipresent when I was growing up, and I can’t say that Rick Riordan didn’t have anything to do with it, other than the fact that you learn a lot of Greek and Roman mythology in western literature. Mythology has always slipped its way into my writing in one way or another, somehow. I’ve written stories about angels and demons, shapeshifting creatures, gods and goddesses. Fantasy often draws in some of it somehow. For this piece, I was inspired by the original story of Charon and the River Styx/Acheron, but there are also elements of other mythologies in there as well. 

What editorial or publishing tips can you share with other writers?

The most basic thing I can say is the standard line edit and format of your piece. I have received a lot of submissions in an illegible font with dozens of typos. There is a lot of competition out there, so anything you can do to make your piece easier for publishers and agents, the better. Have someone read your document before submitting and especially before spending money to submit. 

You wrote your first short story at the age of six, how have the themes of your writing changed over the years and how have they stayed the same?

My first ever story was a knock-off of Back to the Future with a fantastical touch to it. My work has evolved to not rip off major films and added a lot of personal touch to them. The fantasy is still there though, and I do not think that is something that always needs to be shaken off as you grow up. Write what you love. 

How does your knowledge of psychology shine through your writing? Do you enjoy diving into the human psyche? Why or why not?

I honestly say that I cannot tell. Psychological principles, studies, and tendencies have become such an unconscious part of my mind (ironically) that I cannot tell when I apply them. Oftentimes I am surprised when someone points them out or when I analyze someone’s work according to those principles and they have no idea what I am talking about. 

What do you think of when you hear, “The Good Life?”

I am personally an optimistic nihilist, so take this with a grain of salt. I think “The Good Life” refers to whatever events, actions, friends, family, pets, or really anything that makes life worth living for you. Anything that makes you happy, even for a minute; anything that makes you or your loved ones smile, even on a hard day; and, though it is incredibly cliche, anything that gets you out of bed in the morning. The things that you do, the loved ones you surround yourself with, and the little things that you cherish are all what makes this The Good Life. Remember it all when it is your time to cross the river. 

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Thank you, Corrina, for being a part of our growing community and for spending extra time with us on this Q&A. We’re glad we were able to connect and we wish you the best.