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."