People often think that the Internet has destroyed literature. But Kai Wu doesn’t think that’s necessarily the case. That’s why she started, Make Believe Review, a website dedicated to showcasing short stories from various writers.
Full disclosure, Kai is a friend of mine and she did showcase one of my short stories. But the reason I’m writing about her new website is because I believe in the importance of telling good stories. I believe fiction is the glue that often makes life bearable. I believe that we should utilize the Internet for more than just porn and stupid videos of people hurting themselves.
I had a chance to sit down with Kai and ask her about her new website.
Who are you?
My name is Kai Wu. I’m a dog lover, foodie, and writer. Currently working on CBS’ UNFORGETTABLE. Oh, I’m also a barista!
Tell us about your website.
Basically, the goal of Make Believe Review is to promote and exhibit short stories from very talented writers, many of whom work in TV, but really from all walks of life. Because my background is actually in fiction and I’ve always loved reading short fiction so I thought it would be fun to start a site. I have tons of friends who write short stories so I thought having a place to get them out would be awesome. What’s really cool about these stories is that they truly wrote it for themselves, not for their agents or producers or whatever and because of that, they are writing it in a different style than what you would usually see from them. That’s been really exciting.
If you had to choose the best API book in history, which book would get the prize?
Mine! Just kidding. I haven’t written one yet. I love, love, love Haruki Murakami so I’d say his short story anthologies. I love “On Seeing the 100% Perfect Girl One Beautiful April Morning” and “Birthday Girl” is completely mesmerizing. Does that count?
Any advice to API writers?
I can only speak to working in Hollywood but it’s important for writers to go out and meet people. Of course, the first priority is to have your samples ready. When that’s done, work on your second sample. After that, go out, mingle, talk to other writers who do what you do because, as everyone knows, it’s as much about your relationships as it’s about your writing. I wouldn’t have your (Koji) story on my site today if I didn’t meet you through a friend. And then we just keep bumping into each other at events. So the moral of the story is, if you want Koji to write you a story, start going out!
How can people submit their stories?
For those awesome readers who visit the site, there’s a page for Submission. I know it says I’m not taking new stories now but I will be very soon, after the initial batch is out. So for anyone who’s interested, please email if you are interested and once the reading period is open, guidelines will be announced.
Kai was born in Taiwan and raised on the eastern shore of Maryland. She spent her childhood days perfecting essential life skills, like eating lots of blue crabs, tipping cows and hanging out at Wal-Mart (the cool spot). Eventually, she discovered the movie that would inspire her to become a writer: Casper. Yes, the friendly ghost. After graduating from Carnegie Mellon University, she moved to Los Angeles to pursue a writing career but mostly, to meet Christina Ricci. She is still trying to accomplish that life goal.
