Who is Monica Vuu?
Monica Vuu is the author of When One of Us Hurts. She is also a Capricorn, the daughter of two Vietnamese-Canadian refugees, and as of 2019, a proud Tasmanian. She used to be a flight attendant for Emirates before she fell in love and left Dubai to be with her Tassie-man.
What would you do differently from what you do now?
If I had the voice for it, I’d be a singer. It would be a dream to belt out a lovely ballad and to have it sound pleasant. Or I’d be a ballerina! It would be wonderful if my body could be fluid and graceful and elegant for a change. And as long as we’re dreaming, I’d be a prima ballerina, so I could play Giselle and Odette/Odile.
Who inspires you and why?
People, and their life-stories from their different walks of life. My parents, who came to Canada with nothing and managed to give me everything. Past and present writers: Shirley Jackson, Jane Austen, Stephen King, Richard Yates, and Sally Rooney.
What would you do to make a difference in the world?
I don’t know about THE world but to make a difference in MY world, I try to keep my family and friends feeling special and safe as much as I can. When I am better capable of managing my time, I’d like to help THE world by promoting literacy and reading for kids ages 9-12. This when I fell in love with reading and I need to pass that on to someone else.
Favourite holiday destination and why?
New York! New York! New York! So much to do, see, experience, eat. The Broadway plays. The fashion! The busy-ness! I could live ten lifetimes and still not be finished with New York.
When friends come to town, what attraction would you take them to, and why?
Salamanca Market! I love and am proud to show off local Tassie products and talent.
What are you currently reading?
Diary of a Mad Old Man by Junichiro Tanizaki
What are you currently listening to?
Taylor Swift’s Midnight album. Dear Reader is on repeat.
Happiness is?
Over-marketed. Not to be confused with a goal. Inversely well-articulated by Viet Thanh Nguyen in The Sympathiser, “…for Americans saw unhappiness as a moral failure and thought crime.”
What does the future hold for you?
Travelling and sailing the world with my partner. More writing.
Monica is the Author of When One of Us Hurts – which is published by Pan Macmillan and available at all leading book retailers. For more information, visit: www.panmacmillan.com.au for details.
Image: Monica Vuu (supplied)