When someone writes a memoir, it’s easy to assume that it’s going to be a heavy read. The juicy details are in the writer’s suffering. But author Zoey Za has taken the opposite approach to telling her true life stories. I’ll Laugh About This Later is Za’s humorous take on life. Below is my interview with Za where she discusses her book, her writing style, and her inspirations.
About the author and book
Author name/pen name: Zoey Za
Author links
Book title: I’ll Laugh About This Later
Genres: Humor, Memoir
Book summary
This is my story of growing up in Hawaii and beyond, while checking the boxes “two or more races” and “millennial” on surveys. My journey includes a cast of close relations who are managing schizophrenia, OCD, hoarding, and sticking-head-in-sand. I have included an unhealthy dose of detail regarding my struggles with sex and relationships. I have not struggled to laugh at myself.
Book excerpt
We’re on a class field trip at a science center on the volcano Mauna Kea. It’s an active volcano, but the activity is more of a slow drip than a life-threatening explosion. We’re learning about the importance of environmental conservation to keeping us all happy and healthy — clean air, clean water. We did the second worst hike of my life. The sulfur smell on the volcano was like rotten eggs being waterboarded. I usually love hikes.
At some point after this regrettable hike, I’m standing in the dark, indoors, by myself. I can’t remember how I got there. I do remember that my Mauna Kea field trip was an overnighter.
Was I sleepwalking again? This kept happening when I slept in unfamiliar places.
My eyes adjusted. I could make out the silhouettes of rows of bunk beds. Good, I was still in the bedroom. I could feel my way to the right bunk.
Oh, that’s odd. Why is someone in here?
Must be another sleepwalker. I’ll wake her up and let her know she’s in the wrong bed.
I had to shake harder than I was expecting.
She shot up. There was a high pitched scream.
The lights went on.
Wait, Tony?
This was not the girl’s bedroom.
I was quickly surrounded by scandalized parent chaperones.
Rut roh.
Talking Shop
What do you want readers to take away from your book?
After finishing my book, I want readers to feel like they have permission to:
(1) not take themselves too seriously,
(2) question something or someone they thought they knew, and/or
(3) laugh at an inappropriate time.
What’s the best review/compliment that you’ve received about your book?
“You’re funny, heartfelt, and honest.”
What famous books can you compare to your own?
Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? by Mindy Kaling
I’m Down by Mishna Wolf
Let’s Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson
Everybody Into the Pool by Beth Lisick
Dear Girls by Ali Wong.
How long did it take to write your book from the day you got the idea to write it to the day you published it?
7 months
How long have you considered yourself a writer? Did you have any formal training, or is it something you learned as you went?
In elementary school, I wanted to “grow up” to be a writer. I don’t have formal training. However, I’ve read a boatload of books, and perhaps my brain did some machine learning.”
How well do you handle criticism, either while writing, editing, or reviews? Do you ever use that criticism to change your story?
I like to think that I handle criticism pretty well. I believe I’m the worst judge of my own writing. I have used some criticism to change my writing style. But since it’s a memoir, when people don’t like what happened, I don’t change it, because…it actually happened.
What is the most fun part about writing? The most difficult?
I love making people laugh, so the most fun I have is writing (and re-writing) jokes. My biggest challenge is sensing whether I’m writing in a way that a stranger can follow.
“What If” Scenarios
If your book ever becomes a movie and you get final say over the cast, which actors would you hire to play your characters?
Lucky you – I already created a theoretical cast in the book! I’m most excited about my brother being played by Keanu Reeves. Did you know he’s multiethnic?
If you could be in a writer’s group with up to four famous writers, who would they be?
Tina Fey, Meg Cabot, Amy Tan, and Maya Angelou (rest in power).
You’re given $10,000 to spend on marketing for your book. How do you spend it?
Guerilla marketing that provides some sort of service to the community. Like passing out free condoms with a sticker advertising my book on the packaging. Or sponsorship for nonprofit events, where they put you on their thank-you page or something like that. If this counts as marketing, I would also spend money to get the book translated to other languages, and to produce an audiobook format.
Your book becomes a best seller. What do you do next?
Wake up from that awesome dream I must have just had.
You have final say over who reads the audio book version of your story. Who do you choose?
Jack Black. If you’re not sure why, watch him play a teenage girl in Jumanji.
Just for Fun
One bucket list item you’ve completed and one that’s still on your list.
Travel alone and enjoy it – check. Spend at least one night in a tiny house – no check.
A movie or a piece of music that changed your life.
Lady in the Water. It was my first experience with the “so bad it’s hilarious” genre I’ve come to love. How do you call a movie a “thought-provoking drama” when one of the heroes is a kid predicting the future by reading cereal boxes?
Your favorite podcast.
Useful Idiots
A book that you recommend everyone reads.
Winners Take All by Anand Giridharadas
Your most unrealistic dream job.
Writer for Parks and Recreation. (Get it? Because the show’s over? I’m so clever.)
A talent you have and a talent you wish you had.
I’m great at guessing the endings of stories.
I wish I could surf. When I tell people I’m from Hawaii but can’t surf, they look at me like I just told them I’m a pathological liar.
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I get an amazing feel for the tone of this book in Zoey’s humorous answers! Loving her thoughts on Lady in the Water.
Thanks for sharing. 🙂