Who I Am

I am a novelist, poet, and short story writer currently based in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. My forthcoming novel "Of Folly and Vicissitude" (Spring 2025) explores the fluid boundaries of consciousness and memory through a surrealist lens.

My journey as a writer began with poetry—inspired by my father, himself a poet, who passed away when I was eleven. Though our time together was brief, his creative spirit shaped my relationship with language and storytelling in ways that continue to unfold in my work today.

International Perspective

My years in Japan, China, and now Vietnam have fundamentally shaped both my perception and prose. Each language acquired—even partially—has rewired my cognitive architecture, offering new frameworks for experiencing reality. Japanese taught me that the world reveals itself rather than being viewed; Chinese showed me how meaning emerges from context; Vietnamese demonstrated the musicality inherent in thought.

These linguistic shifts appear in my writing as unexpected metaphors and surreal juxtapositions that come naturally when navigating between worldviews. My time in Bali, rather than inspiring admiration, provoked a creative tension born of opposition—proving that meaningful writing emerges from friction as often as appreciation. This transnational existence has made me acutely aware that consciousness itself is a language we struggle to translate even to ourselves.

Literary Background

My formal engagement with the literary world includes serving on the editorial board of Possibles Magazine, a literary, social, and political journal where I helped curate voices that challenge conventional perspectives.

My writing draws from seemingly disparate traditions: the automatic writing techniques of the early French surrealists, the philosophical absurdism of mid-century European literature, and contemporary magical realism. This fusion reflects my belief that the boundaries between literary movements are as permeable as those between states of consciousness.

While my academic background in political science and urban studies might seem distant from creative writing, this training in analytical thinking and comparative analysis has enriched my approach to narrative construction. The academic discipline provides a counterbalance to the free-flowing surrealist elements in my work—a tension that creates its own creative energy.

Writing Philosophy

My creative process is deeply rooted in automatic writing—allowing consciousness to flow onto the page with minimal interference. This approach creates space for unexpected juxtapositions that reveal truths conventional narrative might never uncover.

In my novel "Of Folly and Vicissitude" and shorter works, I embrace the surrealist tradition while drawing from various literary movements that prioritize the unconscious, the absurd, and the boundaries of perception and reality.

I'm fascinated by the fluid architecture of consciousness and memory. My characters often navigate worlds where reality bends according to internal logic, where sand might "compose limericks about combustion" or where an owl might demand to be addressed "in rhyming couplets." These aren't merely stylistic flourishes but explorations of how consciousness itself constructs reality.

My prose tends toward the imagistic and associative rather than the strictly plot-driven. I'm interested in the spaces between thoughts, the moments where the subconscious reveals itself through unexpected metaphor or sudden shifts in perspective. Characters in my work often find themselves navigating landscapes that are simultaneously external and internal.

Whether through the expansive canvas of a novel or the concentrated impact of a short story, I strive to craft narratives that invite readers into altered states of perception—where meaning emerges not just from what is explicitly told, but from the resonances created when disparate elements collide.

Beyond Writing

When not writing, I can often be found practicing handstands and gymnastics, exploring the vibrant streets of Saigon, enjoying its exceptional coffee, or savoring a bowl of pho. The city's constant buzz and energy provide a stimulating backdrop for creativity—a perfect contrast to the internal explorations of writing.