Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hi all, I’m Yong Kang from Singapore. I’m also known as Nerdy Creator. “Nerdy” represents my love for details and system. “Creator” represents my love for creativity and ideas. I used to be an accountant and now I am an animator.
I’m also a blogger with two blogs. On my blog, Fearless Passion, I help creative people be successful in their lives. I present important messages on business, career and finance in a fun, creative and inspiring manner. On my personal blog, Nerdy Creator, I share lessons I had learnt in my life, from the movies and from doing animation.
I have written one book so far. It’s called Fearless Passion. It’s a book to inspire others to pursue their own passion. It’s not just a book on my career change. Fearless Passion is a book to encourage people to love themselves by doing what they love.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Fearless Passion is my latest book. My career change from being an accountant to animator inspired me to write this book. When I was writing this book, I was jobless and in an awkward transition between the two careers. Writing this book encouraged me to pursue my passion even when times were tough.
Apart from that, I would say that my friends had given me idea to write this book. Because I heard a lot of misconception and doubts about passion from my friends and others. For example:
– Some people think that they need to have a special talent before they can pursue their passion.
– Some people think that they need to find their passion before they can start pursuing their passion.
– Some people think that it’s too late for them to pursue their passion.
In my book, I present my views on passion and dispel all these myths by using my personal examples and stories from other people I have interviewed.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Good question! My best ideas come from lying on my bed and staring at the ceiling. There were countless times when I was about to sleep, I jumped out of my bed and started scribbling ideas and words in the dark. And in the morning, I had to decipher what I had written the previous night. So I always have pencil and paper near my bed.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Jack Canfield is one of my favorite author. I like how he present his information in a manner that is clear and easy to absorb. And yet the information he shared are very useful. There are always great examples and inspiring stories in his books.
I love Jon Acuff’s writing style. He has a very distinct voice and reading his books make me happy. He’s super entertaining. Although my writing style is very different from him, I wanted to have a distinct voice like him.
Seth Godin is an author I respect very much. His books are always very unique and open up my perspective. His books usually focus on one big idea but that idea also is a game changer. Something that no one has written before. He’s not just an author; he’s a thought leader.
What are you working on now?
Currently I’m just writing posts on my two blogs. I started a new blog series called “My Life as an Animator in Malaysia”. in my Nerdy Creator blog. It’s to share my adventures moving to another country to pursue my passion for animation.
I already have plans for a second book. But I might be writing smaller ebooks before I write my second book. Basically, I’m just taking a break now from book writing, trying to improve my craft through smaller writing assignments and focus on marketing my first book, Fearless Passion.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Please share with me because I want to know! haha…
I’m still new as an author. I’ve tried KDP Select. They have a good promotion to give your Kindle version books for free. I think that is very useful way to connect with your readers especially when you are a new author. Goodreads is a good website to connect with readers too.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep writing and enjoy the process. 🙂
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Write something that you are interested to read. If you don’t even enjoy what you are writing, why would anyone else enjoy it?
What are you reading now?
The Millionaire Master Plan by Roger James Hamilton. Great book! I’m loving it.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Continue to craft my distinct voice. I love to write both inspiring stuff and instructions. So hopefully, I can find a good blend between the two.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Probably some books that teach me how to make fire or gather food. haha… Because I don’t know how to survive on a desert island!
1) The Millionaire Master Plan by Roger James Hamilton. Because I want to finish this book just in case I die of hunger. I don’t like to leave things incomplete.
2) The Aladdin Factor by Jack Canfield. Because I need to learn how to ask for help more, especially now I’m on a desert island.
3) A blank journal. So that I can document what happen to me on the desert island. That’s how much I love writing!!!
Author Websites and Profiles
Yong Kang Chan Website
Yong Kang Chan Amazon Profile
Yong Kang Chan’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account