Tuesday, January 30, 2007

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What's the deal with your name?

If you really want to hear about it, read my poem "How I Lost My Name." Here's the non-literary version: My full name is May Moua Gao Lee-Yang. If you look up some of my past writing, you'll most likely see me listed as May Lee. Sometimes as May M. Lee (because I thought about making it look more complicated) and as May Lee-Yang (because I finally legally changed it to reflect my husband's last name). You can call me May for now.

2. What's your writing background?

I've been writing since I was in junior high school. I first started out writing mystery suspense thrillers and have since then branched out into creative non-fiction, poetry, and playwriting. I graduated from the University of Minnesota (Twin Cities) with a B.A. in English. I've also been involved in some local writer's programs such as the Loft Literary Center's Mentor Series in Creative Non-Fiction, the Playwright Center's Many Voices Program, and, most recently, Mu Performing Arts' New Performances Program. I also had a two-year stint as a member of the spoken word group, F.I.R.E. (Free Inspiring Rising Elements).

3. Why do you have a blog?

Because I don't know how to create a website.


4. Where are you from?

I call St. Paul, Minnesota home but was born in Ban Vinai, Thailand. Do I have loyalties to Thailand? Considering that I'm not Thai (I'm Hmong) and that I only lived there for nine months of my life, the answer is no.

5. What is Hmong?

When I have more energy, I'll take care of this question. For now, my answer is, "Google it."

Welcome!

Welcome to Slanted Dandelions. Why Dandelions? It's not just because I'm Asian. I've always been fascinated with dandelions, the way society typically views them as weeds. But did you know that dandelion comes from the French for "dents de lion" -- or lion's teeth? It's amazing to me that these "weeds," though considered simple and sometimes a nuissance, are actually beautiful when you see masses of them in a large field. What's more, though they seem harmless and simple, they have a bite to them.

And what about the slanted part? Read my poem.