Special Sunday Post: 4 Years of “An Absolute Mind”

Woah is me, it’s been that long already?! It’s such a shock that I simply had to write a post about it on the actual day of the anniversary. As of today, it has now been four years since the release of An Absolute Mind. My sci-fi novel of a young woman with an incredible cognitive ability making the decision to demand change for the betterment of the future has been around this long already, and even after all this time, it’s still keeping me occupied.

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What Did I Miss?: October 2020

Published Works

‘Song Exploder’ Host Hrishikesh Hirway Breaks Down the Making of the New Netflix Series – For The Nerds of Color, I speak with the voice and brains behind an acclaimed podcast, and piece by piece, breaks down how adapting it for a documentary series came to be.

Ruby Ibarra Aspires to Inspire Through Her Roots-Ingrained Raps – For the Center for Asian American Media, I spotlight this highly celebrated rapper and filmmaker about sharing her perspective and stories as a first-generation Filipina American.

Review of Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse – For Goodreads, I give a short but sweet review of this new novel from this mega-talented fantasy writer.

Appearances

The So Weird Podcast: Halloween Edition – I am one of many fans who contribute to this Halloween-themed episode of The So Weird Podcast, by naming characters and moments we find spooky from the daring Disney Channel Original series. (Full version of the episode can be viewed here.)

Other News

2021 ScreenCraft TV Pilot Script Competition – My screenplay, “Time and Time Again,” is announced as one of the quarterfinalists for this screenplay competition from ScreenCraft.

The Red List – Top Rated Sci-fi Television (Half-hour) Screenplays This Month – My screenplay, “Time and Time Again,” is one of the top 20 of this list on Coverfly.

 

What Did I Miss?: May 2020

Published Works

Director Alice Wu and Actor Leah Lewis on the Whole Story of Making “The Half of It” – For the Center for Asian American Media, I give a glimpse at the making of Alice Wu’s first film since “Saving Face” and how the lead actor landed and approached the project.

Thoughts About Fiction in the Time of COVID-19

A few months ago, I read the latest novel from the thoughtful sci-fi author Mike Chen, A Beginning at the End. I won’t go into too much detail about it, but if I were to describe it in a very brief synopsis, it follows three adults from different paths of life and how they all find themselves coming together, in the aftermath of – wait for it it – a global pandemic.

What Did I Miss?: February 2020

Published Works

Review of A Beginning of the End by Mike Chen – For Goodreads, I provide my take on the sophomore novel of one of the most thoughtful science fiction authors of the present day.

CAAMFest Alum Cathy Yan on the Fantabulous Experience of Directing “Birds of Prey” – For the Center for Asian American Media, I interview this director-to-watch on the making of the latest entry into the DC Extended Universe.

Christina Hodson on Writing the Diverse, Girl Gang Story of “Birds of Prey” – For the Center for Asian American Media, I converse with the woman behind the writing of the story for this latest entry into the DC Extended Universe.

The Missing Episodes of Disney’s ‘Andi Mack’ – For The Nerds of Color, I dive into this oversight on Disney+ in the three months since its launch, and how a recent push for change can inspire a potential, similar outcome.

Review of For Your Consideration: Keanu Reeves by Larissa Zageris and Kitty Curran – For Goodreads, I give a glimpse of my impressions on this surprisingly humorous series of essays about the most un-Hollywood of Hollywood stars.

Films

Breath of Writing (VIVID: Lauren Lola) – In my screenwriting debut and in collaboration with Asiatic Productions, the film explores the struggles I endure on a daily basis as a writer and why I choose to keep going anyway.

3 Years of “An Absolute Mind”

Yes, it’s hard to believe it’s that time of year already. As of yesterday, it has been three years since the release of my second novel, An Absolute Mind. In a weird way, I can definitely believe it. At the same time though, it feels like it has been even longer than that.

What Did I Miss?: June 2019

Published Works

Spider-Man, Pokémon, and Star-Crossed Lovers: Mixed Race Characters Take the Lead – For my debut piece for The Nerds of Color, I do an analysis on three different films released over the last six months that feature mixed race characters and interracial relationships front and center.

Matt Braly on Bringing Thai American Representation to Disney Channel’s “Amphibia” – For the Center for Asian American Media, I speak with the creative mind of Disney Channel’s upcoming animated series on how childhood trips to Bangkok served as the inspiration for the show.

Thoughts and Reactions to Watching ‘The Matrix’ For the First Time – For The Nerds of Color, I go beyond Keanu Reeves’ brief role in “Always Be My Maybe,” as I watch and react to one of his more iconic roles from the last 20 years.

What Did I Miss?: May 2019

Published Works

Review of This Is Paradise: Stories by Kristiana Kahakauwila – For Goodreads, I give my general impression on this debut collection that gives a very real look at Hawaii.

Actor Charles Melton Discusses Filming “The Sun Is Also a Star” – For the Center for Asian American Media, I sit down with the “Riverdale” star as he gives me a deep analysis of his role in the upcoming teen drama.

Review of Here and Now and Then by Mike Chen – For Goodreads, I give a brief rundown of my thoughts on this debut novel that will surely tug on the heartstrings.

Actress Nichole Bloom Discusses Her Journey to “Superstore” at CAAMFest 37 – For the Center for Asian American Media, I did a cover story on the conversation with one of the lead actors of the NBC hit series on how she got her start and her journey in acting.

The Stars and Director of “Always Be My Maybe” on Creative Collaboration and Love for San Francisco – For the Center for Asian American Media, I sit down with Ali Wong, Randall Park, and Nahnatchka Khan to discuss the making of this upcoming Netflix rom-com.

Review of I Love You So Mochi by Sarah Kuhn – For Goodreads, I go over my general impressions of this author’s first venture into the YA genre.

Appearances

defining the fil-am identity with lauren lola – I was recently interviewed for a feature profile for Asienne Magazine. I talk about living life as a mixed race Filipino American, my journey as a writer, and my desire to collaborate with Wong Fu Productions on a short film one day.

Outlook on the Oscars (From the POV of a Screenwriter)

We are now one day away from the 91st Annual Academy Awards. We’re one day away, and already leading up to it, so much has been going on. It had a host, and then it didn’t have a host (though, in my not so humble opinion, I don’t think it’s a huge loss, for most of the hosts in recent years have been very unfunny). Four of the categories were set to be aired, and then they were only going to be done during the commercial breaks, but there was enough of an uproar to leave it on the air. The Oscars this year are… somewhat less White than previous years, and the woman who created the campaign that I’m referring to, April Reign, will be attending the ceremony for her first time.

In the World of Solarpunk: Recommended Reading

With a busy weekend ahead, I figured that now is just as good of a time to bring to you the first Recommended Analyzing piece of the year. While I normally tend to recommend material to check out that came out fairly recently, the article that I will be recommending today was actually published a year ago. It’s just that someone I know brought it to my attention recently, and the content was so captivating, that I knew I had to write something about it.