PSB: Boston Edition and GrubStreet are delighted to present the latest installment of the Grubbie Debut event series, featuring Yu-Mei Balasingamchow! Join us for a celebration of her book Names Have Been Changed on Thursday, October 8th at Porter Square Books: Boston Edition. Chital Mehta will be in converstation with Balasingamchow and will also be celebrating the release of her debut novel Have You Seen Romit?

We had a chance to ask Yu-Mei a few questions about her debut book:

GrubStreet: Can you share your book pitch and what inspired you to bring it to life?

Yu-Mei Balasingamchow: My debut novel Names Have Been Changed is a fast-paced, globetrotting picaresque about an accidental criminal fugitive yearning for home. Ophir—not her real name—tells all on her podcast about her years on the run after committing a crime in Singapore, a journey that takes her to Bangkok, Tokyo, London, and Colorado, among other places. The novel explores questions around diaspora, identity, and belonging, and Ophir eventually faces a reckoning about who she really is.

The idea for the novel came while I was idly daydreaming and a voice inside my head started chattering away. It was forceful, opinionated, and it had a story to tell. It pushed me out the door to discover what had happened to Ophir. As I worked on the novel, I realized that I was writing about diaspora. Ophir and other characters who have left their homeland have to reconfigure their relationship to home. In some ways, they feel like they're inhabiting two places at once.

GS: GrubStreet is all about supporting writers through all stages of their writing journey. How has GrubStreet supported or shaped the writing journey with your debut?

YB: A writing class is really just a good excuse to get a bunch of people together to have a conversation about writing. I was teaching and taking classes at GrubStreet when I was writing this novel, and being part of these conversations, whether as a student or an instructor, was a great way to look closely at questions about craft and storytelling. It also made me feel less alone. Even though I was working alone on my manuscript, I was reminded that lots of other writers were working in parallel on their projects. It helps to know that we share a belief in dedicating ourselves to words, writing and art.

GS: Writing a book can be a life changing experience. Looking back, were there any standout moments — a challenge and breakthrough, or a surprise — from the process of writing your book?

YB: The most important breakthrough was that I finally got over my fear of revision. After receiving really helpful feedback from early readers, I recognized that I would have to make some bold changes to make the draft better. I began tentatively at first, but the more I did it, the more I got to know my characters and the story better, and the more confident I became with the later rewrites. Revising is now my favorite part of the writing process. I'm writing a first draft of a new novel now, which is fun in its own way—but I really can't wait to finish the first draft so I can start revising it!

GS: One of the great benefits of a writing community like GrubStreet is the opportunity for learning and feedback from so many different perspectives. Was there a specific piece of advice or workshop experience at GrubStreet that significantly changed how you approach writing, either creatively or practically?

YB: Some of the wonderful classes I've taken at GrubStreet: Milo Todd's class on writing outside your lane was full of practical, thoughtful advice. Tim Horvath's class on writing long and stylish sentences was a fun opportunity to geek out about the subject. For anyone seeking publication, Lori Goldstein's query letter workshop really demystified the process, with lots of up-to-the-minute advice and examples.

GS: Aspiring authors often wonder how to take that first big step. What’s one piece of advice you would offer to writers preparing to take on their first book?

YB: You are the only person who will ever care this much about your project. You have to nurture the flame, protect it and keep it going even when things are hard. It's not glamorous, but if you care enough about what you're writing, the writing will be its own reward.

If I can squeeze in a second piece of advice: Writing a book-length work takes patience and endurance, first to write a really good manuscript, then to try and get it published. If the project means a lot to you, don't give up!

Join us on Thursday, October 8th at 7:00pm at the Center for Creative Writing in the Seaport for "Grubbie Debut: Yu-Mei Balasingamchow, author of Names Have Been Changed, and Chital Mehta, author of Have You Seen Romit?" RSVP here.