Thursday, October 30, 1997
Out of place
CULTURE: Author Sandra Tsing Loh proves that writing is a job
that requires
constant creative ability
By Alex Hamm
Daily Bruin Contributor
Writer and performance artist Sandra Tsing Loh says she once
believed that some people are born with talent and maintain it
throughout their lives with no effort.
Yesterday afternoon in the Kerckhoff Art Gallery, Loh revealed
that no such people exist.
Promoting her new book, "If You Lived Here, You’d Be Home By
Now," Loh said that writers must work hard consistently to produce
creative pieces of literature.
"Creative ability is a job," Loh said. "It’s a sport you have to
practice all the time."
The author conveys this idea through the two protagonists,
Bronwyn and Paul, in her most recent novel. The couple, living
"five freeways from Los Angeles," work tirelessly to make it to the
big city but must come to terms with their own failures at the same
time.
This novel is Loh’s third book. Her other works include "Aliens
in America" and "Depth Takes a Holiday," which are compilations of
her published essays.
Topics of her essays range from the characters of Baywatch to
lessons on how to talk dirty.
Loh’s work has appeared in numerous publications, including the
New York Times, Vogue, Elle, Harper’s Bazaar and Buzz, where she
wrote "The Valley" column.
Much of her writing reflects on Los Angeles lifestyle, but her
attitudes toward the city are not always positive. In many of Loh’s
essays, she attacks the unreality of Los Angeles and its
inhabitants.
Loh, who has a master’s degree in English from USC, not only
writes but performs her works as well. Her solo show "Aliens in
America" opened last July at Second Stage Theatre off Broadway, and
her most recent one-person show, "Depth Becomes Her" (inspired by
Depth Takes a Holiday), premiered in April 1997.
She has performed monologues in the 1996 U.S. Comedy Arts
Festival in Aspen and on National Public Radio.
Now, Loh is taking a short break from her writing, and she says
she also has a new show planned to open in New York in
February.
"Prose writing gets a lot more difficult over time," Loh
said.
The reading in Kerckhoff not only attracted students but members
of her local audience as well.
Beverly Teller, 52, went to the reading because of her fondness
for Loh’s writing.
"She is extremely talented and has such a strong will," Teller
said. "I have always admired her pieces and her brilliant writing
style."
At the reading, Loh said that her life, similar to her
characters, had a defined period of change.
"It is really difficult moving from the 20s to the 30s," Loh
said. "When someone is in his 20s, he is hoping and trying to do
anything. But the second act of life really begins at 30."
Freshman Melissa Gervase, 17, says Loh’s reading gave her some
inspiration to become a writer.
"I have now confirmed that writers are mortal," Gervase said.
"It was comforting to hear from her that writers have problems
getting up there too."
GENEVIEVE LIANG/Daily Bruin
Author Sandra Tsing Loh reads from her book, "Depth Takes a
Holiday," at the Kerckhoff Art Gallery. Loh says she will be taking
a break from writing.