In 2010, we moved to South Korea for my husband's work. At churches I heard about people helping North Korean escapees. I had never heard about them in the states. I researched on the Internet, reading all the articles I could find, watching You Tube videos about them. Most of the articles kept mentioning a Pastor Chun, calling him the "Schindler of Asia." So in 2012 I looked him up, found his church & school for North Korean children, and with my husband translating, I interviewed him & two North Korean boys who had recently escaped. Afterward I set out to write a picture book manuscript about this fascinating story. First draft was written November 29, 2012. It went through 16 miserable drafts with my faithful critique group Pens & Brushes, until a couple of them piped up and said I should try this as a middle grade novel.
A MG novel? I had never written one before. Another critique partner, Nancy I. Sanders, had a self-paced course "How to Write a Middle Grade Novel in One Month," which I took. I already had the basic plot line. I wrote the 21 chapters between March/April 2015. Revised 4 times with some beta-readers & used editor Cheryl Klein's book Second Sight. Then someone told me about the Scholastic Asian Book Award--submit a story about Asia, written by an Asian. That's me. I had nothing to lose. I was floored when someone contacted me that my MG novel had been shortlisted for this award, and would I fly to Singapore for the results? In May 2016, I took a day off from teaching, flew to Singapore for the Asian Festival of Children's Content conference, when I discovered the renowned picture book historian & author, Leonard Marcus, was one of the judges! My MG novel titled at that time, Chasing Freedom: The Asian Underground Railroad, won 2nd place, or what they called 1st Runner Up. Scholastic Asia wanted to publish. I blogged about that experience here. After receiving the contract from Scholastic Asia, I didn't feel that it was right for me and my story. $500SG + few edits. I knew that since it was my first novel, it needed a lot of work. After talking to many professionals in the industry, I passed. In December 2016, I signed with my wonderful agent, Adria Goetz, who loved a couple of my picture book manuscripts. I told her about this novel, and she agreed to help. From 2017-2018 I revised with Adria. She sent it out to editors, and they sent back rejections. I revised per their suggestions. She sent it out again. 11 rejections. Then Adria had a wild idea. Try writing it as a novel in verse. She had just sold one, and my previous picture book, RICE FROM HEAVEN: THE SECRET MISSION TO FEED NORTH KOREANS was written as a lyrical picture book. Adria knows my writing better than me. I loved reading novels in verse but had never written one. So I read the great novel in verse authors' works that I could get my hands on, checked them out from the library when I was in the states during summer, even took an SCBWI Novel in Verse webinar with author K.A. Holt. During the latter part of 2018 - beginning of 2019 I worked on rewriting this as poetry. Until March 2019, I sort of QUIT. I was depressed. Who was I to try to write a novel in verse? or a MG? I don't classify myself as a poet. Some parts of the story just weren't coming together. Being across the ocean from my agent, somehow Adria could sense something was wrong. She emailed me to have a phone chat in April. Just what I needed. Adria was such an encourager, a believer in me & my writing, and gave me a great pep talk & kick in the pants, so to speak. With encouragement & prayers, I finished the 5th novel in verse revision that May, and we changed the title to The Tune without Words b/c there was already another book with my previous title. She sent it out to editors. In June editor Carolina from Harper Collins asked if we were interested in publishing it as a lyrical novel in verse GRAPHIC NOVEL. A graphic novel?! Truthfully, I had only read 1 previous graphic novel of my niece's--one of Raina Telgemeier's books. I'm not really into say-- superhero graphic novels & comics. (no offense!) I did read comics growing up, The Sunday Funnies like Peanuts, Garfield, Dennis the Menace, Cathy, etc... But graphic novels have changed! Blogging friends showcased graphic novels that were being published about historical topics and nonfiction. Articles are being written on the effects of students reading them in the classroom. While in Iowa during the summer, one that I really liked was HIDDEN: A CHILD'S STORY OF THE HOLOCAUST written by Loic Dauvillier & Greg Salsedo, illustrated by Marc Lizano. So I told Adria, yes, let's go for it. The editor from Harper Collins found an illustrator, Deborah Lee, a Korean American illustrator in CA, who would illustrate a sample poem so we could get an idea. She sent illustration samples in August. I fell in love with the characters & color palette. It was so poignant & made me cry. I want children in the U.S. and around the world to know that as we speak--some kids in N.K. are escaping or living hidden in China. With Deb's illustrations, this story will really come to life and especially bring out the cultural aspects that people might not be familiar with. I signed the contract in November, my biggest yet, & received first edits in December which I submitted & will continue to revise until it's perfecto! Carolina has been a wonderful editor for this story. But even better--God has perfect timing. I've been wanting this story to be out in the world, but it wasn't the time yet. Most of you know I teach at an international school in S.Korea. I've wanted them to do a service ministry with North Korean refugees but it never worked out, until now! The same North Korean school run by Pastor Chun agreed to have some of our high school students come in March to do an English camp with their 40 North Korean children. I'm one of the teachers on the team. And now I can share with him that this story finally sold & will become reality in 2022! God is good. His timing is perfect. Sorry to ramble on and on, but don't give up on your story. If you believe that it needs to be told, find the best format/genre/style, take classes, study the craft, and it will get out into the world ❤️
46 Comments
Trine Grillo
1/23/2020 07:55:30 pm
Tina, this is wonderful!
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1/23/2020 10:01:58 pm
Yes, Tina girl, YOU DID IT :) and it was worth doing! More than anything, it is a book the world needs to read
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1/23/2020 10:26:18 pm
Tina, I am rejoicing at God’s goodness! And also what an inspirational example you are to us as writers! So excited for you in so many ways!!
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Kathy Halsey
1/24/2020 06:22:41 am
Tina, this is an amazing story of perseverance and talent. I a not a big GN fan, but I really wanton read this.
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1/24/2020 09:06:36 am
Wow! What a journey it's been and so inspiring. Thank you for sharing. I'm so glad you stuck with it. :-)
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1/24/2020 09:15:39 am
Oh Tina! I am so very proud and happy for you! Thank you for sharing all of the behind the scenes highs and lows...this is helpful for all of us, no matter what we are writing. Congratulations!!! And I can't wait to get a copy and share it with my grandkids!
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1/24/2020 11:34:37 am
Tina! This is so wonderful. And I loved reading about your journey and your persistence! And how this manuscript evolved. Congratulations!!!
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Margaret E Albertson
1/24/2020 02:37:49 pm
Tina, I am rejoicing with you. God is good. His timing is perfect. You have always inspired me! This is a must read book. I will get it into the hands of my grands. Margaret
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1/24/2020 05:38:12 pm
Wow! What an amazing story of hard work, persistence, and trusting in God's timing. I absolutely cannot wait to read this and add it to my "Books by Tina Cho" collection.
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Jilanne Hoffmann
1/25/2020 05:46:17 pm
Yours is a wonderful and inspiring story, Tina! Congrats after all that hard work! All the best to you!
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1/25/2020 06:18:17 pm
Wo! I am soooooo happy and proud of you Tina. This is an amazing story and I can't wait to see it finally in print. I remember your changing it to free verse and then to graphic novel and the doubts you had. But you have done an amazing job and I can't wait to get my hands on a copy. Congratulations dear Tina.
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1/26/2020 12:34:19 pm
Tina, what a wonderfully inspiring testimony of using your writing gifts to serve God. I'm so happy for you that your story has finally found the right publisher and right format. Congratulations to you!
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Savannah Rogers
1/26/2020 05:56:20 pm
This is an amazing, encouraging article, thank you so much for sharing your journey with us!
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1/27/2020 07:25:50 pm
Wow. This is tremendous news, Tina. So excited for you!! And yes, God has perfect timing. He knows what is best. My word for this year is CONTENTMENT. I want to be content with whatever He brings (or doesn't bring) my way. Congrats and blessings!!
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Dee Knabb
1/30/2020 01:39:24 am
Thanks for working so hard, Tina. This is an important story for kids to read. Congratulations on the book. Your exhaustive work paid off!
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1/30/2020 04:06:46 am
What a journey, Tina! Thanks for this inspiration to keep going and try different styles and genres! I look forward to reading this book!
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1/30/2020 05:35:48 am
So proud of you, Tina! What a long journey! I think other writers will be encouraged to hear that— yes, sometimes it takes this long. I can't wait to read this book!
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1/30/2020 06:37:29 am
Such a beautiful and exciting story! Thank you for sharing your journey. Blessings!
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1/30/2020 08:38:48 pm
Congratulations, Tina! God is really blessing you. I think we met a LONG time ago at one of Nancy's meetings before you moved to South Korea. She mentions you now and again in our conversations. It's great to see how you are progressing in your writing career :)
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1/31/2020 07:06:56 am
Loved reading about this journey. Your perseverance is inspiring!
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2/1/2020 07:15:37 am
Thank you for sharing your journey. I can't wait to see the finished product. It sounds wonderful!
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Gloria Stockstill
2/8/2020 03:30:22 pm
Great article, Tina. So happy for you.
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Kim-Hoa Ung
10/11/2021 02:51:43 pm
Hi, Tina! This is so inspirational. I am so happy for you. I can't wait to read your amazing graphic novel. I would love to write one too about my father's journey but I'm not sure how to start. Do you have a recommendation on what novel in verse to study? I'm not a poetic person but I'd love to learn. Thank you and congratulations :)
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2/23/2022 11:31:25 pm
What an exquisite article! Your post is very helpful right now. Thank you for sharing this informative one.
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Tina M. Cho, children's authorI'm a children's author and freelance writer for the educational market. Welcome! Archives
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