Pamela Q Fernandes, Author of “Seoul-mates”

Welcome, Pamela. What is your book about?

‘Seoul-mates’ is a romantic suspense set in present day Seoul. The marriage of Anglo-Indian Katia Rosario to Jihan Kwan, Seoul’s most eligible bachelor, sounds like a fairy-tale romance. Their union, rather than being celebrated, is scorned by those closest to them. And to top it all, a shadowy nemesis is making its presence felt, endangering both their lives in a quest for revenge.

Tell us a little about your main characters. Who was your favorite? Why?

Katia and Jihan are the main characters at the heart of Seoul-mates. She is an Anglo-Indian doctor, a down-on-her-luck foreigner struggling to fit into a close-knit society in Seoul and Jihan is a typical Korean Chaebol heir to one of Seoul’s largest business empires. Both of them are hard headed and strong people looking for some acceptance in a very critical society.

I like Katia’s character because she’s gutsy. It takes guts to follow your heart out to an unknown place with a very different culture plus going it all the way alone.

How does your environment/upbringing color your writing?

I am an Indian who went to college in the Philippines and had many Korean friends there. I spent a lot of time with them. So I would watch Korean dramas, movies, listen to their music eat their food. And through them I learned how different the Korean culture was. That’s what helped me build the exact structure of Korean tradition and mannerisms in the book.

Did you do any research for the book? If so, how did you do it?

Yes, plenty. (laughs) I’ve honestly never visited Korea, so I had to speak to my friends, look up photographs of Seoul, study the different traditions they have at weddings and otherwise. It was truly eye-opening. Seoul is one of destinations to go to this year.

What words would you like to leave the world when you are gone?

“Your journey uphill can still be worth the trip, if you do it with me.”

Who gave you the best writing advice you ever received and what was it?

It was my brother who pushed me to write and it’s his advice I adhere to even today. He said, ‘don’t write depending on what’s the flavor of the market. Write what you would like to read. The market trends will change, but a good story always lives on.’ And I’m grateful for that advice.

What is your goal for the book, ie: what do you want people to take with them after they finish reading the story?

I want people to feel as if they’ve rediscovered Seoul. The book should open the audience’s eyes to a new culture, a new place with all its trivia. I want them to be blown away by all things South Korea.

If your book was made into a TV series or Movie, what actors would you like to see playing your characters?

I know I would want Daniel Henney and Mickey Yoochun to play the men from the book partly because they’re bilingual in Hangul and English, Katia on the other hand – I think Diana Penty would play her well.

What are you working on right now?

Currently I am working on my next novella which is also a romantic suspense. This time however its set in Ireland. Yes I do have friends in Ireland as well.;) As of now I’ve just completed my first draft so its very raw.

Where can people learn more about your books?

You can read more about Seoul-mates and me on the Indireads website. https://www.indireads.com/ir_author/pamela-q-fernandes/

News about all my other writing projects are posted on my blog -http://pcatherine30.blogspot.in/.

You can also connect with me on Twitter https://twitter.com/Pamelahasspoken

If you would like to purchase a copy of Seoul-mates on Amazon its here – http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GFEVO5K. It is also available on Smashwords, Pothi, and Barnes & Nobles online stores.

Thanks Pat.  Happy New Year