We chat with author Lauren Kung Jessen about Red String Theory, which is a charming rom-com about two star-crossed lovers, a woman whose life is guided by her belief in the red-string of fate finds her perfect match—but his skepticism about true love puts a knot in their chances.
Hi, Lauren! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
Hi! I’m Lauren Kung Jessen, a romance author living in Nashville with my husband, two cats, and dog. My first book, Lunar Love, involves a matchmaking competition between two Chinese zodiac matchmakers, and my latest novel, Red String Theory, merges fate, art, science, and the Chinese legend, the Red Thread of Fate.
I’ve attended culinary school and worked in Big Tech, and when I have the time (which is rare these days) I cook and watch movies for my food and film blog, A Dash of Cinema. My love for food trickles into all of my books, so I always recommend having snacks on hand.
When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?
I discovered my love for writing and dreaming and following the thread of my imagination when I spent time at my parents’ office writing stories in empty conference rooms on my gifted, beloved typewriter. I would write and illustrate my own “books,” producing enough stories that could fill a small bookstore.
When I wasn’t making up stories, I read. Constantly. I adored book series like Sweet Valley High and Nancy Drew, loving getting lost in worlds other than my own. But I didn’t have books or movies that featured characters who looked like me or my family, which is so important for people of all ages to have and experience. When I jumped back into fiction after writing nonfiction for a while, I knew I wanted to showcase people like me whose worlds aren’t often shown in books and movies.
Quick lightning round! Tell us:
- The first book you ever remember reading: Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans
- The one that made you want to become an author: Difficult to pinpoint just one because so many authors and stories have shaped me!
- The one that you can’t stop thinking about: I recently finished reading Flawless: Lessons in Looks and Culture from the K-Beauty Capital by Elise Hu, which was fascinating, insightful, and complex. I learned so much.
Your latest novel, Red String Theory, is out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Fate. Art. Science. Funny. Swoony.
What can readers expect?
Red String Theory is an opposites attract, forced proximity romantic comedy featuring fate, art, science, and dumplings at midnight. Readers can expect to be caught up in a whirlwind evening in New York City filled with fateitious moments, and then thrown into the world of NASA via suit-ups and behind-the-scenes that give glimpses into the world of systems engineers and scientists. BookPage called Red String Theory a “brainy, kisses-only love story,” which I think captures this book so well.
Where did the inspiration for Red String Theory come from?
I learned about the Red Thread of Fate on the night of the Lantern Festival a couple of years ago, which felt very fateitious in and of itself. As the myth goes in Chinese culture, two people who are destined to be together are connected by an invisible red thread tied around their ankles. This thread may stretch or tangle, but it will never break. I thought this was so beautiful, and because I love rooting myths, belief systems, and elements of Chinese culture in reality, I wanted to figure out how to tell a love story around it.
Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
Writing this entire book was such a joyous experience. I loved every minute of it. Rooney, in particular, was so much fun to write. She’s someone who says what she’s thinking at any given moment. She’ll literally run around New York City in freezing temps chasing a lantern around with a stranger. She’s silly and quirky and as an artist, she’s thoughtful and observant of life and those around her. She’s also super loving and ambitious, which made her a multi-dimensional and entertaining character to get into the mind of.
This is your second novel! What are some of the key lessons you’ve learned between writing the two?
I’ve learned how different the process is from book to book. As someone who loves a plan and knowing what to expect, none of my books were written in the same way, which has presented new challenges. The plus side is that this helps differentiate the books between each other, since they all have their own needs and ways of being developed, written, and edited. Ultimately, I love that each book so far has been their own unique experience.
Did I mention I’m a planner? I’ve learned to live in a lot more discomfort and ambiguity, especially around where the story might go. I can make the most detailed outline in the world, but once I’m in the draft writing and spending time with the characters, no plan in the world could prepare me for everything they want. The characters will often guide me in directions I can’t predict in the development stages. Writing is continuously chipping away at a giant marble slab to eventually create some semblance of a sculpture, which takes time! With every draft—and more chipping away with each one—the story, plot, and characters become clearer.
What’s next for you?
I’m working on my third book! I can’t say much about it yet, but I’ll be sharing more details very soon.
Lastly, are there any 2024 book releases that you’re looking forward to?
So many! To spare an endless scroll of titles, I’ll go with what’s coming out soon. I can’t wait to dive into Wild Life by Ruby Lang, Valley Verified by Kyla Zhao, and How You Get the Girl by Anita Kelly.
