Below is a selection of print interviews in which Dr. Shirley Cheng participated over the years. Dr. Cheng is a blind and physically disabled award-winning author with 27 book awards, Bible teacher, founder of www.Ultra-Ability.com Ministry.com, motivational speaker, poet, and author/contributor/editor of 35 books by age 27.
Here's some information about her online Bible study; scroll down for her interviews.
Learn the Bible in depth from Genesis to Revelation for free...
Are you interested in obtaining in-depth knowledge of God's Word to help you deepen your understanding of God and His plans and develop a sacred relationship with your Heavenly Father? If so, you are more than welcome to sign up for the In-Depth Ultra-Ability Bible Virtual Class via e-mail.
· The study will progress in your own pace.
· You will work one-on-one with your teacher, Shirley, via e-mail only.
· Your personal Bible-related questions will be answered.
· Although the virtual class has no financial cost, it will require your dedication and diligence. There will be lessons to complete and tests to take for all Bible chapters.
· The only textbook for this program is the Bible. If you do not have a copy of the Bible, you can read it online for free at www.BibleGateway.com.
· The class is non-denominational and is not affiliated with any church or ministry.
· You have no obligations; you may pause or stop anytime, though you are strongly encouraged to complete the study.
· You will study the Bible from Genesis to Revelation in order.
Want to sign up for the In-Depth Ultra-Ability Bible Virtual Class and give it a try? Then fill out the e-mail form below, and Shirley will respond to your request within three days. If you do not hear from her after that period, please resend your request, as it might not have gotten through the first time.
Note: If you are visually impaired and cannot pass the audio verification for this application form, please sign up for the Bible study class by filling out a different form by clicking here
To learn more about Shirley's Bible study, please visit www.Ultra-Ability.com. Thank you.
Interview & Story in Identity Magazine
• My early years:
I contracted severe juvenile rheumatoid arthritis at eleven months old after receiving a tuberculin (TB) skin test. I spent my early years in constant pain; some days, I was like a statue, unable to move or sit. My mother Juliet Cheng took me to China six times to seek treatment within my first eleven years of life, thus saving my life many times as a result.
• My education and academic achievements:
Owing to years of hospitalization between America and China, I received no education until age 11. Back then, I only knew my ABCs and very little English; other than that, my book knowledge was non-existent, so I started schooling in a special education class in elementary school. However, I mastered grade level in all areas after only about 180 days of attendance, and immediately entered regular 6th grade in middle school.
I received numerous academic, art, and literary awards, including Student of the Year in 6th grade, Student of the Month in 7th grade, and an excellence award for achieving the highest grade of 97 for Earth science in the entire 8th grade class.
I was a top honor student, being on the Principal's List several times in high school (95 average and above). I was a contributor to my high school newspaper as an artist. I also ran for student body vice president (not class government, but for the entire school) as a freshman, and received a standing ovation for my platform speech as a candidate.
I've earned my doctorate in Divinity in 2010 as a summa cum laude graduate, and am constantly continuing to expand my knowledge in the Word of God by studying the Bible and teaching what I've learned to those who are eager to take in God's Word as refreshing water. So I echo God's call: "Come, everyone who thirsts, to the waters! Come, he who has no money, buy, and eat! Why do you spend...your labor for that which doesn't satisfy?" (Isaiah 55:1, 2)
• Losing my eyesight:
I lost my eyesight at age 17, but that did not stop me from loving the life I live. I had to stop attending school and received home-tutoring. I completed my schoolwork using only cassette tapes and recorders (I recorded my assignments, like essays, for teachers at school to grade).
I was able to balance and calculate long chemistry equations in my head without Braille (I can't use Braille because of my severe JRA). Still, I couldn't accumulate enough credits to graduate, though my GPA is 3.9 (97, without any Advanced Placement factors), so I earned my GED diploma instead. I took the entire GED test, including mathematical calculations and problem solving, graphs, and an essay, in my head without Braille; still, I scored an exceptional 3280 on the exam, earning me a special recognition award. I was a student speaker at my GED graduation ceremony and received a standing ovation for my speech.
• My career as a blind author with vision:
I became an author at age 20, completing three books within one year. Now at age 28, I'm an award-winning author with 27 book awards. I've written nine books and contributed to 25, as well as being an editor of one. I'm also a Gospel proclaimer, Bible teacher, motivational speaker, and poet.
Because of my arthritis, I can type with only my two index fingers--but I can produce about 65 words/minute.
I've completed every step of book production, from formatting my manuscripts to designing and maintaining my websites http://www.shirleycheng.com and http://www.ultra-ability.com on my own without eyesight but with plenty of vision.
Questions:
Identity Magazine: What have you accepted within yourself and/or within your life? Is there anything you are working on accepting?
Dr. Shirley: I've accepted everything that I should accept about myself and my life. My acceptance is not an acceptance of resignation, however. Although I have lost my eyesight and the ability to walk, I'm never scornful; instead, I'm grateful for having owned these gifts before. Moreover, through the loss of my physical sight, I've gained a new spiritual vision the moment God helped me realize my purpose of existence by leading me to spreading the Gospel of salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ. If I hadn't lost my eyesight, I would have gone to college to become a scientist, and not bring to others spiritual food that far surpasses any worldly achievements or influences. I had wanted to be a scientist to find the cures to some of the deadliest diseases, but the thing is: even if we can discover cures to all known diseases, we cannot offer people eternal life. This is why by spreading the Gospel, I have found my true purpose, and this is how I can best serve our fellow human beings. Only the Gospel brings the best, unsurpassable gift to anyone who believes. For this reason--for inspiring me with the new spiritual vision, the passion of my life--I'll be forever thankful to my Heavenly Father!
Identity Magazine: What do you appreciate about yourself or your life?
Dr. Shirley: I appreciate the fact that I am alive, that my Heavenly Father has blessed me with the precious gift of life so I can enjoy so much that life has to offer, and above all, the fact that I have the opportunity to intimately know my Creator and Life-Giver and to serve Him by spreading His eternal Word, which is "the power of God for salvation for everyone who believes; for the Jew first, and also for the Greek. For in it is revealed God's righteousness from faith to faith." (Romans 1:16, 17, WEB)
Identity Magazine: What have you achieved, or what are you working to achieve personally, physically, or mentally?
Dr. Shirley: My biggest goal, mission, and passion I aim to achieve is to proclaim Yahweh God's Good News of salvation through His Son Jesus Christ and help people attain and maintain a sacred relationship with God and His Son. Proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ will remain my lifelong passion and mission that is led by my Heavenly Father, so where I will be and what I shall achieve for God's Kingdom depends on where Yahweh directs me. Currently, I teach people the Bible one-on-one via e-mail, and how that'll expand is in God's sovereign control. Whichever role God plans for me, I'd be privileged to fill that position, so long as He endows me with the power and courage to follow His will faithfully!
Identity Magazine: What is your not-so-perfect way? We are all unique with quirks and imperfections, so why not flaunt them and embrace them!
Dr. Shirley: I'm as stubborn as a mule. I've learned to take advantage of it by directing it to good use, such as to stubbornly pursue my goals. As a result, the many challenges and obstacles in my life have learned to take "no" for an answer!
Identity Magazine: How would you complete this sentence, “I Love My…” This has to be about you, physically or mentally.
Dr. Shirley: I love my God-given willpower and positivity. These elements, along with a deep faith in God, have enabled me to move forward spiritually even though my physical body won't budge. They are what help me waltz to the music of life without having my blindness cause me to trip over my own feet.
Although I'm blind, I can see far and wide; even though I'm disabled, I can climb high mountains. I let the ropes in Yahweh God haul me high!
Shirley is considered the modern day Helen Keller, so sit back, relax and read an extremely inspiring interview.
Question #1. What exactly was your malady (s) and at what age did it(they)occur? (Birth?)
Five days after receiving a TB skin test when I was eleven months old, I developed a very high fever, followed by swollen joints (first with my knees). I was soon diagnosed with severe juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Everyone was stunned that such an unfortunate thing could happen. At age six, the vision of my left eye deteriorated to a great extent due to the intake of some herbs. Then I lost my eyesight at the age of seventeen due to the intake of digestive enzymes. I also have heart disease caused by the severe juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, as well as asthma which was caused by the repetitive incompetent--at times, abusive--"care" I received from some of the one-to-one aides I had when I attended school.
2. Who and what helped you overcome the malady(s). Did anyone try to keep you from getting better?
My beloved mother, Juliet Cheng, has been my supporter and caregiver all of my life and she has helped me to overcome all of my disabilities. She is the cornerstone and light of my life. She is the foundation of my happiness, strength and success. She has saved my life numerous times from the grasp of death while battling her own horrendous illnesses. Her love for me conquers all and she has this invincible stamina to fight for my life till she wins.
Also, my strong passion for life has made me unstoppable; the power of life breathes into me, enabling me to take my giant steps forward. I am a very spiritual person who loves and appreciates all that life has to offer. Life has given me plenty of treasures to be thankful for. True, not all treasures shine or shimmer; many of them are high mountains I must climb and deep oceans I must cross. But I believe challenges and obstacles are life's vaccines; they equip your soul with the necessary tool to battle future storms. I have received many of these vaccines; the obstacles have left numerous scars on my body in all shapes and sizes, but these marks have made me stronger and more invincible as I wait for the next high mountain to climb. I relished the taste of victory each and every time I battled and won. If there were no challenges, how could I name myself a victor? If there were no darkness, how could the stars appear so bright?
Sadly, there have been people who tried to keep me from getting better; plenty of people have made my life extremely hard and downright horrifying. Being disabled is already hard enough without having to endure the unnecessary man-made hardships that both my mother and I have to deal with constantly. Many times, these people claimed to do things in my "best" interest. For example, my mother lost custody of me twice in America only after disagreeing with doctors' recommended treatments--and those treatments would have ended my young life. The last case in 1990 made international headlines; she was on CBS one morning (CBS This Morning show) with Paula Zahn. What happened back then? The doctor in Connecticut wanted to operate on 6 of my joints in one operation when he didn't even have any medicine to control my inflammation, so my mother wisely refused the surgery. Fortunately, she won me back both times so I didn't receive the unwanted, harmful treatments that could send me to my grave, or worse, paralyze me.
3. At what age did you decide to get into motivation and what was your main reason?
Unconsciously, I have always loved motivating others ever since I was a very young child. People are usually motivated by me through my everyday positive attitude and actions. For example, I was nicknamed Happy Baby when I was a year old despite the constant pain that ravaged through my body. I have a strong desire, an urge, to empower, inspire, and motivate others to go for their gold medals in life as I have gone for mine despite insurmountable challenges. I want people to realize the importance of life, of their own existence. Life is simply too precious to be wasted.
When you're given life, you should cherish it. Value every minute of your existence and hold on to the happy moments and don't let them pass you by. Don't dwell on the bad situations; but move forward. Focus on the good things you do have at the present and the positive side of things; utilize what you learned from your past and your mistakes to make the present and future a brighter place.
I am not sure at what age I have consciously first decided to motivate others; perhaps, it was when I was in the ninth grade when I ran for student body vice president (not class government, but for the entire student body). It absolutely feels exhilarating to inspire others, to bring tears to someone's eyes and a smile upon their lips all at the same time. But when I first became an author at age twenty was the time I fully realized my life's mission to motivate others.
4. What books have you published? Do you have any bestsellers? (100,000 or more sold)
I am a poet, and author and contributing author of eight books. The books I've written and self-published are The Revelation of a Star's Endless Shine: A Young Woman's Autobiography of a 20-Year Tale of Trials & Tribulations (an empowering 700-page autobiography to bring humor, hope, and healing); Dance with Your Heart: Tales and Poems That the Heart Tells (a collection of inspirational and fantasy short stories, including fairy tales, fables, and myths, and poems for the heart, from the heart); and Daring Quests of Mystics (fairy tales that depict my dreams of a utopian world where good is the best magic and where pure goodness is not too good to be true).
I've co-authored 101 Great Ways to Improve Your Life,Volume 2 with 100 self-improvement experts, including the well-known Jack Canfield and Dr. John Gray. If you want to achieve spiritual affinity and ultimately the success and fulfillment that come with it, then read my chapter,Dance with Your Heart: How to Befriend Your Heart and the World Around You, which gently teaches you how to hold hands with yourself, then ultimately with others around you.
I've also contributed to Wake Up...Live the Life You Love: Finding Your Life's Passion, Second Edition, along with the highly acclaimed experts Dr. Wayne Dyer, Anthony Robbins, and Brian Tracy.
As of now, I do not have any bestsellers, but I'm working on it hard!
5. What advice do you have for people who don't think they can overcome their mountains?
Do you truly, truly want a happy life, a life you love to live? If you are truly and honestly serious about achieving such a life, then you have the power to overcome your mountains. Your future is ultimately up to you; there are always two roads to choose from in life: the road to happiness and the road to misery. By picking the road to misery, you'll put yourself in a much more miserable situation than the one you're already in.
Keep in mind that there's always someone out there who is in a much worse situation than the one you are in, so be thankful for what and whom you have. You have the power to disable yourself or enable yourself to be abled, so which road will you choose?
Thank you, Ken, for giving me this opportunity to motivate your newsletter subscribers.
To anyone who would like to learn more about me, my books, and what I do and to listen to some of my radio interviews, I welcome you to visit me at http://www.shirleycheng.com, a site I designed and maintain on my own...yes, a blind can do all that with just plenty of passion and faith!
About the author:
Shirley Cheng (b. 1983), a blind and physically disabled motivational speaker, poet, author and contributing author of eight books, has had severe juvenile rheumatoid arthritis since infancy, and did not receive education until age eleven. She mastered sixth-grade level in all areas after about 180 days of schooling in her lifetime. After a successful eye surgery, she hopes to earn multiple science doctorates from Harvard University. Despite her multiple disabilities, Shirley is living the life she loves and she empowers, inspires, and motivates others to do the same. Be inspired by her books, including 'The Revelation of a Star's Endless Shine', and her newsletter 'Inspiration from a Blind', to which you can subscribe via at http://www.shirleycheng.com
Focus on a Passionate, Purposeful Person - An Interview with Shirley Cheng, Three-Time Author
By Alexia Alderson Chamberlynn from Prosperity Power Training
PPT: Shirley, you are a published author of three books by 21 years of age! Tell me a little more about your accomplishments and how you came to possess the drive and focus to write your books.
Shirley: My accomplishments range from overcoming my medical conditions and coming out always happy and smiling to many academic achievements. I finished the entire elementary school with only 180 days of attendance, and on the first day of school, I didn't know English or any other subjects. Then I was transferred to a 6th grade class in middle school, and have been a high honor student. I had two of my writings published when I was 14 and 15, and received many awards, including the Student of the Year and Student of the Month and an excellence award in Earth science for achieving the highest grade of 97 in the entire eighth grade class. Unfortunately, I lost my eyesight at the age of seventeen, but still, I maintained excellent grades. I wrote and balanced long chemistry equations and formulas and solved problems in my head without Braille or vision. I took my entire GED test, including mathematical calculations, graphs, and an essay, without Braille or vision, and I received a very high score. I became an author when I was twenty years old. I turned to writing to express my feelings, thoughts, and emotions since I no longer could depict them through my artwork. I have a strong desire to tell the world my stories in my heart, and it is also a way for me to give hope and healing to others through my 700-page autobiography. I wrote and published three books by the age of twenty-one. I have completed every self-publishing task on my own, including formatting all my manuscripts. I type with just my index fingers at the speed of 55 words/minute. Those are my achievements in a nutshell. I have plenty of big dreams and goals to achieve later on. I hope to earn multiple science doctorates from Harvard University after a successful eye surgery.
PPT: You have had many challenges in your life. What would you like to share with Paradigm readers about challenges and how to handle them?
Shirley: Well, I have always been a happy person from the start; I was known as the Happy Baby even when I was in tremendous pain caused by severe juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, which was diagnosed at 11 months old; and now I'm the Happy Princess. I don't pretend that bad things don't happen nor do I ignore them. Instead, I focus on the good things I do have and the positive side of things, and I count my blessings every day. I love life and will never let anything get in my way of achieving my heart's desires. Life is how you respond to it, and I respond to bad situations with a positive, bright attitude. Why not love life? If you choose to be miserable, you will make things worse than they already are. By utilizing what you learn from your mistakes, you can make your present and future a bright place in which to enjoy life. Every challenge makes you stronger, and you can ultimately learn from it. It feels really great to overcome any challenge.
PPT: Regarding your forthcoming book, The Revelation of a Star's Endless Shine (love that title!), share with the readers a little about how we can all become stars that endlessly shine.
Shirley: I'm glad you like my title. Well, like I said above - have a positive attitude to battle the difficulties and obstacles you encounter in life. Don't let a bad happening hinder you from reaching your stars and going for the gold medal. You will always have two roads to choose from in life: the road to happiness and the road to misery. I always choose the road to happiness because it is the only road where I can achieve my goals and move forward. Never dwell on the bad things...take those steps forward and you'll find yourself shining like a bright star!
Thank you so much Shirley, for your interview and the incredible and inspirational star you are!
This is the interview published in Mystery Voice Fiction in the Dark in the fall of 2005, and the interviewer is Anne K. Edwards.
1. What do you find most rewarding about having written a story, article or book?
The most rewarding aspect of completing a writing is self-contentment and self-fulfillment. Writing is art, and it is in art where we find pleasure from both giving and receiving.
2. How did you happen to become an author?
Since I lost my eyesight at the age of seventeen, I no longer could draw, something I loved to do. Thus, I turned to writing to express and share my feelings and thoughts. By the time I knew it, I was an author of three books within two years.
3. Would you like to talk about your career or future plans?
I love my current unplanned career, but my lifelong plan has always been to be a scientist. I will definitely continue writing as an artistic expression, and I can use my writing skills when I do enter into science fields.
4. Do you have a website for readers to visit?
Readers can visit my website at http://www.shirleycheng.com. It contains information about my life, my books, and it includes fun things to do, like a message board, short polls, Today in History, daily horoscopes, among other things.
5. Where is your work available?
All of my books are available on major online retail sites, such as Amazon, and Barnes and Noble, and through Ingram. Of course, people can order autographed copies directly from my website.
6. Would you like to tell the readers anything about yourself?
I have many things I would like to share with the world, but here's a starter: I am a blind and physically disabled 22-year-old author and poet of three books by the age of twenty. I never had and never will let any obstacles hinder me from reaching for the stars and achieving my goals, whether they are small or big. To be happy is the thing to do; otherwise, it will make everything worse than it already is. I am passionate about life and all it has to offer. When you read my books and the messages they contain, please be gleeful alongside me.
7. Do you have any hobbies unrelated to writing?
I used to be an artist of the visual arts when I had my vision, so I'm going to say the arts. I love to read (I've read over 2,000 books), music (oldies), math, science, computers, nature, helping out others, and meeting and befriending people from different backgrounds and cultures.
8. Have you ever suffered from what is called 'writers block'? How did you 'cure' it?
Actually, I have never suffered from writers block. Ideas for my writing come to me lightning speed; my hands cannot keep up with my thoughts when I write.
9. What impels or inspires you to write?
I am a lover of nature/life, so I will have to say nature inspires me to write and let me keep going, not just with writing, but with all other things as well.
10. Are you currently working on a project?
I am not starting on any new writing project for the time being. I do plan to write a second volume of my autobiography to continue the part where I have left off on The Revelation of a Star's Endless Shine: A Young Woman's Autobiography of a 20-Year Tale of Trials & Tribulations. But it will not be in the near future, obviously. I might publish another set of short stories and poetry similar to my book Dance with Your Heart: Tales and Poems That the Heart Tells.
Author's bio:
Shirley Cheng (b. 1983), a blind and physically disabled author of three books, was diagnosed with severe juvenile rheumatoid arthritis at only eleven months old. Due to years of hospitalization, she received no schooling until age eleven. Having achieved grade level in all areas after merely 180 days in a special education class in elementary school, she was transferred to a regular sixth grade class in middle school. Unfortunately, Shirley lost her eyesight at the age of seventeen. After a successful eye surgery, she hopes to earn science doctorates from Harvard University.
Lead BookAdz Interviewer, Sheree Bartlett (BA), talking to Shirley Cheng (SC) .
BookAdz (BA): Thank you very much for taking the time to talk to us. I have to ask, have your medical issues coloured your work, making it more hopeful and light-hearted?
Shirley Cheng (SC): In a way, my medical experiences have made my work more hopeful and light-hearted. But I believe that it also depends on each individual: how they feel as a person in whole, what their outlook on life is, and how they deal with situations, good or bad. I think even without having to go through what I have gone through, my work will still reflect my light-hearted and free-spirited self. I was born with a happy disposition.
BA: Does the inspiration for your work come from inside of you, or the world around you?
SC: The inspiration from my work comes from my inner self and the world around me--or actually, from how I view the world. Two people can view the same situation very differently, just as with glass half-full or half-empty. The world is a beautiful place if we would not let difficulties get in our way. I am passionate about science and nature, so that has strengthened my love of life.
BA: I would like to move to more specific questions concerning your books. With "Daring Quests of Mystics" these stories are a collection involving the continued adventures of Princess Sophia. Would you consider these short pieces the right size and mood for bedtime stories for youngsters?
SC: Each of the eight tales contained in "Daring Quests of Mystics" is at least 3,400 words long, and the longest piece, I believe, has over 6,000 words. The longer pieces might be too long to be read to youngsters before bedtime. As for their content, they might be perfect to be read that time; they may fill children's dreams with beautiful princesses in mystical lands. But perhaps, some parts may get children too excited to go to sleep. The vocabulary level for "Daring Quests of Mystics" may be a bit on the hard side for young readers, but learning new words at a young age is a wonderful activity for parents, teachers, and children to be involved in.
BA: They strike me also as nice light reading for adults with a love for fantasy. Was this intentional?
SC: I have been told that although the content may be for children, the language and themes are suitable for thoughtful adults. When I write, I never label my works to designate to which age group it is intended. I wish a wide audience could enjoy my writings, young and old alike.
BA: I'm going to move on to "The Revelation of a Star's Endless Shine". Were there painful moments while writing this autobiography? There were intimate revelations in there, as well as moments of pathos. It occurs to me it may have been difficult to approach some of what you reveal?
SC: Actually, for the most part, the autobiography had not been too painful for me to write. My mom and I always reminisced the past, talking about both the happy moments and terrifying events, so I am so used to them. After all, writing the past cannot even come close with the real feelings as experiencing it firsthand. If people are horrified with what they read in the book, can they imagine what I have been going through? The most horrifying moments in the book are the two custody cases when I was two and seven, which is mentioned on the back cover as the "1990 international news of mother's victory over injustice in her custody case". I still remember the one happened when I was seven. Back then, I both felt trapped like a caged animal and hopeful that my mom would win, and winning she did, with flying colors. So, when I wrote that section, I felt victorious.
BA: There also must have been joyous moments of resolutions of past issues?
SC: Definitely. Writing the joyous moments always brought me back to that time--it is the same with sad parts. I get to relive the past as I wrote the book, but the sensations I felt were only a fraction of the real thing. There are many happy portions in my book that are both uplifting and inspiring. My own book inspires even me!
BA: I understand your mother was one of the driving forces behind this work. Did she encourage you with this book, and in your writing career in whole?
SC: My mom has been the cornerstone in my life, like the water for plants and oxygen for aerobic organisms. She has been supporting and loving me since the first day she learned of her pregnancy. She has encouraged me with all that I do, including my writing projects. I felt like a reporter when I was writing my autobiography; I had asked her so many specific questions regarding the early years of my life, the parts I could not remember at all; it is obvious since the book begins on the day of my birth.
BA: Do you consider this book an unfinished work? Do you think there will be another volume in later years? This book ends at a very young age.
SC: My autobiography is absolutely an unfinished work. I do plan to continue with another volume or two when I am older. This 700-page book ends when I was at the age of twenty. When I do write the second volume, I am certain I will have plenty to share.
BA: "Dance With Your Heart" is a light-hearted, sunny collection of inspirational stories and prose. Is this book a reflection or yourself and how you see the world around you?
SC: Yes, it is a reflection of myself and how I view the world around me. Plus, it is also how I wish many would see the world. The book consists of fairy tales, myths, and fables that are similar with Aesop's, though some are longer. There are themes in the tales and poems that I hope people will think deeply about after they read it.
BA: Are there any dark corners in any of the prose, or do you continuously shine a light there to keep the darkness away? Is this your strength?
SC: In life, there are always dark places, the dragons that everyone has to face and defeat. I do not pretend that darkness in life or in my own writing does not exist. Writing is a reflection of life, so writing, I strongly feel, has to include all the elements that comprise life, both the pleasant and the unpleasant. But the dark parts in my writing are not depressing and discouraging to read. Instead, they tell you to stand up and to be strong. Live and learn--that is what life is about; darkness teaches. We are stronger each time we overcome a difficulty in life. At least, it is the situation with me. I am a person who tries to make everything good: bad into good, good into better, and if I cannot make something better, I will accept it as is. So, yes, I do shine light to wash away the darkness. I would not necessarily call it a strength I have; it is simply how I feel people should live in order to live happily.
BA: I find much of the themes suitable for children; they love their imaginary worlds and you provide that quite beautifully. However, I also notice the language does not "talk down" to them in fact I find much of it suitable for adults, just like your other book. Is this an intentional theme for most of your writing?
SC: I never "talk down" to anyone in my books. My intention is to make my books available to all hands of all ages. Both adults and children can enjoy my stories and poems. In actuality, all of my customers, as far as I am aware, have been adults. Sometimes, I receive comments that the book will be great to read before bedtime, and that was what one of my adult friends did. I have been told my poems and prose is a delight to read, both relaxing and soothing.
BA: One last question; Do you intend to continue writing, or are you focusing on another direction or career? If the answer is "yes" to continuing to write, what genre do you think will be your main focus?
SC: To tell you the truth, I had never expected to be an author. I simply got bored after my vision loss, then decided to write more. I have always been an expressive person in both art and writing, so since I am blind, I share my feelings with the world through words. I will continue with inspirational and fantasy poetry and short tales. I write whenever the mood strikes. I cannot guarantee a fourth book, but I can promise that my passion for writing will not die. I do plan to earn my science doctorates from Harvard University after a successful eye surgery. That has been my goal for many, many years now. In the future, I might write science non-fiction! Right now, I'm devoting my time to promoting my books. It is hard for me to get the word about my books out since I am both blind and wheelchair-bound. I know I am missing out on a lot of opportunities, such as attending NY book expo.
BA: Do you have a website someone could visit, and do you accept emails from fans?
SC: Anyone who would like to learn more about my books can visit my website at http://www.shirleycheng.com. I welcome e-mails, too.
BA: I want to thank you again for your time, and I'm sure your fans look forward to hearing more from you.
SC: Thank YOU for devoting your time to ask me questions and for your interest. My fervent wish is to make a difference for the better in the world we live in, and I hope my writings can do just that. May you always find peace, love, and joy in all you do and with all you meet. Thank you again.
BA: You're very welcome!
Shirley Cheng is the author of" Daring Quests of Mystics", written and published at the age of twenty. Her autobiography, "The Revelation of a Star's Endless Shine: A Young Woman's Autobiography of a 20-Year Tale of Trials and Tribulations", was self-published at age twenty-one. "Dance with Your Heart: Tales and Poems That the Heart Tells", an anthology of inspirational and fantasy short stories and poems was written between the ages of twelve and twenty-one. She had been published twice before her writing career. The Poughkeepsie Journal published one of her short stories, "Mary Miller, the Elusive Lady", in 1997, and a poem, "The Colors of the Rainbow", was published in Celebrate! New York Young Poets Speak Out in 1999.
Lead BookAdz Interviewer, Sheree Bartlett, has written several editorials and freelance items for her local and county newspaper, as well as satirical essays. Sheree is also a Crimson Dagger Interviewer.
Shirley Cheng welcomes any comments or questions from readers and visitors to her site. Please send your e-mails her way!
Although all contents within the domain of ShirleyCheng.com are family-oriented, it is beyond the scope of Shirley to be certain of the type of content in any of the webrings below. Parental guidance may be required when children surf some of the webrings. Shirley has chosen only family-oriented webrings to join, but there may always be a site for the mature audience.