Apple An Inspires Through Stories That Bridge Cultures And Illuminate Real-Life Resilience

Photo: Apple An, award-winning author, dedicated scholar, and passionate storyteller, bridges cultural divides through the transformative power of literature.

Enriching Asian Cultural Heritage With Heartfelt Narratives

Apple An shares her journey from STEM scholar to an award-winning author, blending cultural authenticity, historical research, and personal resilience into memoirs and fiction that inspire readers globally.

Apple An’s literary journey is nothing short of remarkable. From her distinguished career as a professor in STEM fields to her emergence as a beacon of storytelling, Apple embodies excellence, creativity, and resilience in every endeavour she undertakes. Her debut memoir, Las Crosses: An Unwavering Journey to a New Life in America, not only sheds light on her personal odyssey but also captivates readers with its authenticity and depth. Apple’s ability to transform her family’s experiences into universally resonant narratives has earned her accolades, placing her among Amazon’s bestsellers and cementing her reputation as a literary luminary.

Her subsequent foray into historical fiction with Mother of Red Mountains: A Novel of a Woman’s Journey Through Revolutionary China further exemplifies her narrative prowess. This deeply moving novel, a tribute to her mother and loving mothers everywhere, underscores Apple’s mastery of weaving cultural specificity with universal themes. Garnering multiple awards and becoming a favourite in diverse categories such as Family Saga and Multicultural Fiction, the book stands as a testament to Apple’s skill in crafting immersive settings and unforgettable characters. Her personal experiences, resilience, and scientific enquiry into the human condition breathe life into her protagonists, drawing readers into vivid worlds rich with sensory detail and emotional truth.

Not just an author, Apple’s contributions transcend the literary domain. Alongside Georgia A. Popoff, she co-edits the Voices Anthology Series, providing aspiring writers with a platform to share their stories and perspectives. Her self-help publication, All-in-One Dotted Journal Notebook, offers insights into her productive life, reflecting her belief in mindful living and creative discipline.

Apple An’s journey from growing up during China’s Cultural Revolution to becoming an inspiring voice for cultural understanding is one of unparalleled resolve and artistic brilliance. Her works illuminate the importance of bridging cultural divides, dispelling stereotypes, and cherishing the quiet strength of everyday heroes. It is with great pride that we present this interview with Apple An, whose stories continue to resonate across borders and inspire readers worldwide. May her distinctive voice and unyielding dedication encourage all who seek to express their truths and enrich humanity through the power of storytelling.

Apple An is a phenomenal writer whose heartfelt storytelling celebrates resilience, fosters cultural understanding, and captivates readers worldwide.

In your most recent book, what inspired you to explore the specific cultural or historical themes that have clearly resonated with readers?

I have always wanted to tell the stories of myself and my family in China to the five children under my care who grew up in the U.S.When I shared my early drafts with my writing teachers and friends, they made me realize my stories could be interesting to many people who only read limited stories or news pieces about China. I also realized that many stereotypes and misunderstandings about cultures and upbringings have a lot to do with not being able to read rich stories.

After over 30 years as a professor in STEM fields, I found a calling to write about real people I know to enrich Asian cultural heritage and history. I believe such stories can enhance cultural understanding and acceptance among all people, which can make our world a much better place.

While working on my life stories, my mom’s stories kept popping up. I felt the urge and even obligation to write this book on her behalf, or to write about her life the way I understood it now, after being a mom myself. Besides showing her and other Chinese women’s resilience, I wanted my stories to have a hopeful and positive spin to encourage and inspire readers.

“I believe storytelling is a universal bridge—uniting people and cultures through shared experiences and emotions.” – Apple An

Could you describe your research process for your latest novel and how it informed your character development?

I used online tools to make sure the historical background details were accurate. I approached family members and friends to capture their memories and insights. Some old photos from my mom’s collection allowed me to identify unique features and explore them further for historical details.

My long-time training as a scientist prompted me to ask the WHY question out of the large amount of materials and memories. An excellent novel is not just a passive description of what happened. It begs for all the W questions, especially the What, When, Why, and How. As a mom myself, writing this novel was a personal healing process where disjointed events and scenes I was familiar with from my youth made great sense now. This allowed me to see my mom’s life in a new light and appreciate what she had endured even more. Only after this could I bring her to life and make her the heroine in the book.

Here are a few photos that inspired the development of the characters and their lives in Part 1 of the book.

The protagonist Jun started school at 14 to help her sister Xia stay in school. See Chapter 5 Mr. Liu’s Wishes. cf. 1949, Chifeng.

Jun didn’t get along with her sister-in-law, who had no education and believed the only role of a married woman was to raise children. This was before she took Xia to live in a schoolroom after her father passed away. See Chapter 6 Home No More. c.f. 1952, Chifeng.

After changing her name for the first time to be gender neutral, Jun was about to leave her hometown to start a vocational school to be financially independent. See Chapter 11 Far Away. c.f. 1956, Chifeng.

Your popular work features strong, diverse protagonists—how did your personal experiences influence their portrayal?

The important women in my life, my mom, aunt, parental grandma, and sister, all exhibited courage, grit, and overall, a quiet strength that I didn’t see in men in my life. Yet, they hardly received much recognition and appreciation.

Being constantly bullied and having faced domestic violence while growing up and being publicly or silently discriminated against during my adult life, I have a lot to draw to make the characters and scenes relatable.

“My journey as an author began with a simple idea: the power of words to change perspectives and inspire change.” – Apple An

You utilise vivid sensory detail—how do you craft such immersive settings that engage readers fully?

When I wrote a scene, I often saw it unfolding in front of me as if it was a movie or play, and I was the camera. That required the writing to make logical senseand allow the audience to see, hear, and smell. It was as if the reader were next to the main characters inside the scene.

How did your background influence the narrative voice in your most recent bestseller?

I was born and grew up in China and came to the U.S. at 26 to work on my doctoral degree. Although I didn’t live through the period the book covered, from 1946 to 1966, my research and my mom’s storytelling transferred me back to the time, which helped me understand what happened and how people felt.

What challenges did you face in blending genre conventions with your unique storytelling style?

This book is my first novel. There was a lot of learning to write fiction. I studied many craft books about writing novels and screenplays to understandvarious aspects. My top notable craft books are Story by McKee, Story Engineering by Brooks, The Emotional Craft of Fiction by Maass, and The Trope Thesaurus by Hilt. To learn about the specifics of historical fiction, I listened to audio booksbymanyhighly acclaimed authors. A few of my favorite books are The Pecan Man by Selleck, The Bonesetter’s Daughter by Tan, and Kristin Hannah’s The Great Alone, The Four Winds, and The Women.

Your work has evidently struck a chord globally—how do you balance universal themes with cultural specificity?

Despite the differences among people, we are all human inside. We all have emotions, struggles, and good and bad times. The best way to connect with readers is to be truthful and authentic.

What are you working on now?

My second historical novel, Daughter of Blue City, is to be released in the fall of 2025. Although a stand-alone book, it picks up from where Mother of Red Mountains left and covers the family’s life from 1966 to 1980. It paints the real-life picture from the view of Lianlian, Jun’s first born who witnessed and remembered the violence at 3 during the onset of China’s Cultural Revolution in 1966. The backdrop of the story is China’s tremendous change during these years that laid the foundation for what China is now.

What key piece of advice would you offer aspiring authors wanting to emulate your success and distinctive voice?

Literary fiction has its own rules and norms, very different from academic writing and other intellectual exercises. Mastering these rules and norms is very important. But that is not enough: an author needs to find his or her voice.

I didn’t emulate anyone’s voice and wouldn’t advise any aspiring authors to do the same. I wanted to tell my story inways I felt natural to me. Finding my voice was a process. I knew what I wanted to write about and what emotional and cognitive effects I hoped to generate. But I didn’t know if my writing delivered the intended effects. Sharing my drafts with others was tremendously helpful.