The state of the media report of 2008 noted that ethnic media was still growing while mainstream was shrinking. But since the recession which is seen through rising prices, housing crisis, and gas price hiking, it may no longer be true. BN magazine, a Vietnamese bi-lingual life style magazine which began in 2006 is folding after its last issue in March. Having written many pieces for this magazine, it’s sad personally to see it goes. The only remaining life style magazine for Vietnamese Americans is Nha Magazine based in San Jose, Calif.

The recession, the editor tells me, is the cause. BN moved from Sacramento where the housing crisis was hit hard last year to Texas to weather it out, but the recession hit Texas as well – and ads, esp. in real estate businesses, dry up. This may very well be the trend: small papers/magazines shutting down since they largely don’t rely on big companies and coprate ad dollars, but the mom and pop stores for their revenues – and real estate ads had been prominently featured in both Nha and BN magazine along with those of community small businesses.

What i particularly liked about BN lately was its rotation of guest editors. The issue in July in particular was of personal interest: it was going to be on Vietnamese Americans in the literary world – Monique Truong, Nam Le, Bich Minh Nguyen, Mong-Lan, Truong Tran, Qui Nguyen (he’s a NY playwright, in case you haven’t seen his play at Ma-Yi theatre in NYC), Aimee Phan, and me. I was asked to answer a set of q&a that I suppose will now never see the light.. so here it is, in a blog…

BN-Q&A

What are you best known for?

Probably for my commentaries on NPR’s All Things Considered and my essays which have appeared in many newspapers and web sites. And maybe lately my book, Perfume Dreams

I learned how to channel my sadness and disappointments into an expressive form of art that in turn gave me direction and a center and through which I am learning to be compassionate towards others and to examine my self.

What are you working on at the moment?

I’m always writing a few different things. I do commentaries for a living. I’ve just started a novel. And also am working on second collection of short stories. I am also pushing to get my book of short stories – “birds of paradise” – to be published soon. Wish me luck.

Favorite childhood memory?

Singing on the stonesteps of the villa I lived in in Dalat as a child. Magical times. Sunset. Whispering pine trees, pulsing birdsongs. The smell of wood burning. The sound of children’s laughter. The cool evening fog coming in. The sun turning clouds pink then purple.

Can’t live without?

Air and Wi-fi. : >

What are you reading at the moment?

Just finished “Trickster Makes this World” by Lewis Hyde. Am reading: Russell Banks collected works; Water for Elephant; the brief wonderous life of Oscar Wao.

Who are your favorite writers and why?

Too many. But top of my head: Gabriel Garcia Marquez; Kazuo Ishiguro; Nabokov; Ian McEwan(sp?).

They all make me want to be a better writer and they make me look at the world differently, generously, wondrously(sp?).

Least favorite writers and why?

Don’t care to mention since I don’t want to make enemies. Generally I try to avoid ungenerous visions, people who have an axe to grind and are self absorbed. They offer nothing but their self absorption.

Name and describe a fictional character that’s the opposite of you?

The Prince in Dostoevsky ‘s the idiot. Though I do get into a trance sometimes.

What do you do when you’re not writing?

I cook. I like to entertain friends and feed them. I also spend way too much time online. Especially now that I have a Youtube page.

It’s where I store my documentaries, and some of my public lectures and readings. Check it out.

What or who inspires you and why?

People who rise out of terrible circumstances and remake themselves. They make me feel like a privileged, lucky SOB and knowing them, I always strive to be a little better.

Which art form other than writing is most important to you?

Anime/manga. I grew up with cartoon and french comic books and when I write, I have a visual sense of the story, before they turn into words. I’m pretty much image minded person. Ideas come to me as images first. Too bad I have no talent in drawing.

What trait do you have that surprises people who think they know you?

I’m very funny. Most people are surprised that I’m that funny, since most of my writing, save a few short stories, deal with real serious topics and therefore lack the kind of humor that they encounter when they meet me.

What do you want to be remembered for?

I can’t really say. I haven’ t thought of my obit just yet. I’d rather be known now for being a passionate and honest writer who always wants to improve his skills and whose deepest desire is to See into the heart of all things.