Ask the Author: Axie Oh
Answered Questions (24)
Axie Oh
Hi Mira!
When I was a young writer first starting out I wrote short "flash fiction" type pieces that were only 250-500 words of a small scene, and I would post them online or share them with my friends! This really helped me to establish early on what sort of voice I had for my writing. I also wrote short stories (2-5k words) while I was at university. I don't know if it was intentional, but I wanted to write stories that gave me the same feeling as some of my favorite authors (Patricia McKillip, Juliet Marillier, Robin McKinley), who are known for their lyrical voice and storytelling, so my authorial voice is influenced by theirs, as well!
When I was a young writer first starting out I wrote short "flash fiction" type pieces that were only 250-500 words of a small scene, and I would post them online or share them with my friends! This really helped me to establish early on what sort of voice I had for my writing. I also wrote short stories (2-5k words) while I was at university. I don't know if it was intentional, but I wanted to write stories that gave me the same feeling as some of my favorite authors (Patricia McKillip, Juliet Marillier, Robin McKinley), who are known for their lyrical voice and storytelling, so my authorial voice is influenced by theirs, as well!
Axie Oh
Hi Chelsea! My next two books are a duology inspired by a Korean fairytale, "The Woodcutter and the Celestial Maiden." If you remember, it's the second story Mina tells the Sea God in TGWFBTS! I really love the idea of celestial maidens with magical powers, so I wanted to play with that idea. The books themselves are darker and have more mature themes than TGWFBTS, but they also have humor and heart. I can't wait to share them with you!! The first book, The Floating World, comes out May 2025 :)
Axie Oh
Hi Jessie! Sorry for answering your question...two years late! You're one of the few who liked Sun before ASAP--he's a pretty big side character in the companion novel to XOXO, so if you haven't checked that one out yet--you'll learn more about him in that book! As for his own story, I have an idea, I just need the time to write it. Why can't I write books faster? *sighs*
Axie Oh
I'm getting so many questions about Sun and Youngmin's stories--it makes me so happy. If I ever do write a Sun story, you've definitely struck on what the main focus of the plot would center around. I'd love to write a "K-drama" book in every sense of the word, since, as you pointed out, Sun is an actor!
Axie Oh
Ooh, I didn't have any one particular idol in mind. It's more the ~vibes~. Honestly, I love it when readers imagine their own biases "playing" the characters, as if it were a K-drama!
Axie Oh
Ooh, it would be fun to visit the Spirit Realm, but not until I'm a spirit! I'd be like Dai and Miki and eat all day. <3
Axie Oh
Wow, I'm responding to this *so* late, but your message still means the world, 2 years later. Thank you!
Axie Oh
I'm answering this so late, apologies! But imo, I think it would be considered "Young Adult literature" since that's the age group it's written for and/or "Korean American/diaspora literature" only because I belong to the Korean diaspora community. I believe "Korean literature" would be literature written in Korean and translated.
Axie Oh
Starting with a blank page! If I'm stuck, I'll open up a whole new doc and start from scratch where I think I went off track. Usually if I'm having writer's block, it's because I lost the thread of the story somewhere. I also will go back and outline/brainstorm ideas using craft books like "Story Genius" and "Save the Cat! Writes a Novel". I recommend both!
Axie Oh
Hi Kath,
Thank you for your warm message <3
I do have plans to write more contemporary romances in the future. They're so much fun to write, and I love how they're often standalone stories. There's one in particular (not in the XOXO world) that I'm really excited about and that I hope I can share one day!
Thank you for your warm message <3
I do have plans to write more contemporary romances in the future. They're so much fun to write, and I love how they're often standalone stories. There's one in particular (not in the XOXO world) that I'm really excited about and that I hope I can share one day!
Axie Oh
Yes, there will be a paperback! I'm not certain if it will have the same cover, but I believe so. It'll release the same day as The Floating World, my newest YA Fantasy, out May 2025 next year! :)
Axie Oh
Not a direct sequel, but ASAP (the second book in the series) follows Sori and Nathaniel from XOXO. Jenny and Jaewoo make "guest appearances" in the book! (You see what they're up to post-XOXO). <3
Axie Oh
Hi Alyssa,
That would be so fun! I don't think I'll ever write a second book/sequel to TGWFBTS...I think Mina and Shin's stories are complete, but I *do* have ideas for a companion novel and spin off short stories! So... to answer your question, Mina and Shin's main story is complete, but there's so much more to explore with the world, I'd love to return for more peeks into the Spirit Realm and beyond!
That would be so fun! I don't think I'll ever write a second book/sequel to TGWFBTS...I think Mina and Shin's stories are complete, but I *do* have ideas for a companion novel and spin off short stories! So... to answer your question, Mina and Shin's main story is complete, but there's so much more to explore with the world, I'd love to return for more peeks into the Spirit Realm and beyond!
Axie Oh
Hi Ella! Thank you for your question :)
I don't have any plans as of now, but I have ideas for both a Youngmin and Sun book that if the stars align, I'd love to write one day!
Your enthusiasm is very encouraging <3 <3
I don't have any plans as of now, but I have ideas for both a Youngmin and Sun book that if the stars align, I'd love to write one day!
Your enthusiasm is very encouraging <3 <3
Axie Oh
Edited 6/30/24: There is a book 2! It's called ASAP <3
Hopefully one day! I'm interested, but the final decision is up to my publisher <3
Hopefully one day! I'm interested, but the final decision is up to my publisher <3
Axie Oh
Yay, I'm so glad!! <3
I definitely have plans to write more contemporaries, but anything in the XOXO world has to come from the top (my publisher) i.e. they have to give me permission to write it! But yes, I'm very interested in writing more fun and heartwarming contemporaries--with romance, of course!
And ooh. If you're interested in very angsty romance, then ROGUE HEART is the one to go to. It's a companion novel to my debut, REBEL SEOUL, but it can be read as a standalone. The genre is YA Sci-Fi, so it's set in the future and has anime vibes--about a girl who has to infiltrate the military base of a young war commander, who also happens to be her first love who betrayed her! My upcoming novel, The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea, is a YA romantic fantasy, which comes out next year 2/22/22!
I definitely have plans to write more contemporaries, but anything in the XOXO world has to come from the top (my publisher) i.e. they have to give me permission to write it! But yes, I'm very interested in writing more fun and heartwarming contemporaries--with romance, of course!
And ooh. If you're interested in very angsty romance, then ROGUE HEART is the one to go to. It's a companion novel to my debut, REBEL SEOUL, but it can be read as a standalone. The genre is YA Sci-Fi, so it's set in the future and has anime vibes--about a girl who has to infiltrate the military base of a young war commander, who also happens to be her first love who betrayed her! My upcoming novel, The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea, is a YA romantic fantasy, which comes out next year 2/22/22!
Axie Oh
Edited 6/30/24: Yes, there's a sequel following Sori and Nathaniel from XOXO, titled ASAP! You can read it now. It's because of readers like you that I was able to write that book, so thank you!
This is my #1 most asked question! It's entirely up to my publisher. Purchasing the book & leaving reviews will show them that readers are interested, and hopefully they'll ask me to write a sequel!
This is my #1 most asked question! It's entirely up to my publisher. Purchasing the book & leaving reviews will show them that readers are interested, and hopefully they'll ask me to write a sequel!
Axie Oh
Honestly, it's up to my publisher/Harper Teen. So definitely let them know you want a sequel! <3
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