Maurene Goo is the author of several acclaimed books for young adults, including I Believe in a Thing Called Love and Throwback. “Maurene Goo writes with heart, humor, tenderness, and an unabashed optimism that will remind readers what’s worth believing in—and the importance of being true to yourself,” offers Courtney Summers, New York Times bestselling author of I’m the Girl and Sadie.
“No one can blend family, humor, satire, and love into a single perfect story like Maurene Goo can,” says Marie Lu, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Skyhunter.
She’s also written for Marvel’s Silk series. She lives and writes in Los Angeles with her husband, son, and cats. Forbes sat down with Maurene Goo to talk about themes in her writing, her career journey and beyond.
Goldie Chan: Hello Maurene, thank you for joining us at Forbes. What is a key theme in all of your writing?
Maurene Goo: I didn’t think I had a theme in all my writing until I realized that I am often telling stories about embracing vulnerability; to realize that a fulfilling life will always be risky. And that risk is always worth it.
Chan: What has your career journey been?
Goo: When I graduated college, I was kind of lost. I had gone into school thinking I would be a journalist, and left with a big question mark. I started working at a bookstore because I loved recommending books and being surrounded by them. Slowly, I started writing for myself and I decided to apply to grad schools for journalism (again–why?!), creative writing, and publishing. I ended up getting into all the programs but picking the publishing master’s because it seemed most practical. But throughout grad school, through multiple publishing jobs, and eventually through design jobs–I kept working on the YA novel I had started for my creative writing sample, and it ended up being my debut novel, Since You Asked. That novel was read by a friend, who referred me to her agent, who then sold the book after a year of editing. I had a very long, windy journey to being an author and I continued to do freelance work while being an author for the first few years of my career. It’s only been five years or so that I’ve been a full-time author. And I’m now expanding my writing to comics and screenplays which is really exciting. It’s been ten years since I published my first book, and five books in, I can’t believe how fast the time has gone.
Chan: How does your own journey with your Asian American identity inform your writing?
Goo: Since day one, my characters have always been Korean American. It was a conscious decision, obviously, but also unconscious if that makes sense? I’m Korean American–it would make sense that my character would be, too. But their identities were never the focus of their stories. I grew up in a very diverse suburb of Los Angeles, and specifically grew up with a lot of Korean American friends. I didn’t have the same pressure to assimilate to American culture as a teen, and I was very immersed in the Korean community through my friends but also my big extended family. So when I started writing YA, I wanted my characters to have the same confidence in their identities–it’s just woven into them as they face all the travails of being an American teenager.
Chan: Describe your personal brand.
Goo: While overly used in young adult novel copy, my brand is truly “humor and heart.” I try to dig deep into big feelings but always balance it all with comedy. It’s the most Korean thing about me, probably.
Chan: What is a book or podcast that you’re reading or listening to now that you’d recommend?
Goo: I’m reading The Favor by Adele Griffin. Adele is a dear friend of mine and this is her debut adult novel (she’s had a prolific career as an award-winning young adult and middle grade author). The Favor is about two women who find themselves in a complicated friendship dynamic when one them agrees to be the other’s surrogate. It’s thoughtful and warm and a perfect read to start the summer.
Chan: What advice would you give your younger self?
Goo: I would tell her to take more risks, haha. Just like I push my characters into doing the same. My younger self has yet to realize she has pretty thick skin and can bounce back from failure.
Chan: What are you working on now?
Goo: I am writing another novel, which I cannot talk about yet! But soon…
Chan: Any career advice for this year?
Goo: Only say yes to the things that truly nourish you. We’re all burnt out and still recovering from everything that’s happened in the past few years. Be thoughtful in what you decide to spend months writing.
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