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Interview with Minhkha Dang

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Interview Questions by Damacia Shang

Interview Answers by Minhkha Dang

 

Minhkha Dang is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Apricus Literary.

 

Damacia Shang (DS): What inspired you to start Apricus Literary?


Minhkha Dang (MD): Well, I always loved writing and reading. Ever since I was young, I had a fierce passion for the arts. I desired to participate in anything art-related. Writing competition? Check. Painting class? Check. Pottery class? Check. Music class? Check. Dance class? Check. You get the drill.


Apricus Literary gave me a platform to spread my love for the arts and literature. Another factor that played in the part of the creation of Apricus was providing opportunities to youth, female creatives. I chose this specific demographic upon reflecting on the lack of opportunities for teen girls on the global stage. Now, we have artists from all 6 continents who have submitted their art to Apricus. All female, youth creatives aged 13-21 have a place in Apricus where their art can be recognized and celebrated.


DS: You mentioned how much you enjoy writing. Has it always been this way? What sparked your passion for it?


MD: I’ve always loved writing. I feel like I’ve written since I could hold anything. I was full of imagination as a kid, and writing allowed me to put my thoughts and voice to the page where I, and hopefully others one day, could hear me. In fact, I have a pink folder full of all the writings I made when I was younger, and one story really catches my attention each time. There was never a real title for the story, but I like to call it Fairies. Fairies detailed the story of two fairy sisters (who were orphans, obviously) who lived in a dugout, went to the library, adopted a liophant (a lion-elephant), and did Fairy Scouts. They even dyed their own bicycles and made their own soup! I always like to reflect on this exact story because it displays how I’ve always loved storytelling - even from a young age.


Moreover, writing was, by far, one of the most important creative outlets for me. However, I believe my passion first started with reading. Reading and writing go hand in hand. I would read these fantastical stories about beanstalks and princesses and dragons and magic, and I’d put down my thoughts about those worlds onto paper.


DS: Wow, it seems like you have a lot of experience under your belt! Do you have any advice for younger writers who are just starting their journey as authors?


MD: For younger writers, I recommend writing down everything. If it’s a novel idea, a cool one-liner, or even a poem! Write. Down. Everything. These little tidbits can be the start of an amazing piece, and it’s something I still jot down. Some of my best ideas are actually years-old ideas I’ve collected and held on to, or ideas that have popped into my head in the middle of the night and have been, luckily, written down. In fact, I used to keep a writing notebook for this exact purpose.


Secondly, I advise young writers to not compare themselves to others. That’s directed toward younger me.  Every single writer has their own path and their own journey, and they might differ from a peer or an author you look up to. Focus on your own journey, watch your growth, and celebrate the progress you’ve made. Also, while on this journey, don’t pressure yourself to achieve perfection. The first draft doesn’t need to be completely perfect. Or the second. Or the third. Or even the published draft. The crucial part is that you believe you put effort into your art, and that’s all that matters.


DS: As editor-in-chief, I’m sure you know Apricus in and out. Could you give me a peek at your in-house editing process? What are you looking for in a piece?


MD: In Apricus Literary, the issues we publish are very special due to the fact that we have guaranteed publishing! I always wanted Apricus to have guaranteed publishing because I wanted the publishing opportunity to be offered to all teen girls, not just select authors. Before submissions even close, if the submission review team sees a piece that doesn’t quite fit the guidelines or a piece that doesn’t align with the theme, they email the submitter to ask for changes made. This is to ensure submitters provide their best work!


Typically, when we close up submissions for an issue, we first check off one pretty big, important box. If the piece fits the guidelines. However, our word limit can be a little flexible, (ex. 1000 word limit, artist writes 1010 words). Our submission review team filters through pieces that fit the guidelines, and then it is handed off to our editing team. Our editing team is absolute magic, and by the time they’re finished editing, we have a set of pieces fit for an Apricus Literary issue.


Additionally, in our newest submission series, The Florist’s Shop, we highlight a few pieces on social media Apricus considers to be “Florist’s Choice”. To choose which submitters receive this accolade, we filter the pieces through our submission review team. Right after the pieces are narrowed down, our Executive Submission Reviewer selects the piece(s) chosen for Florist’s Choice.

 


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