The Lounge Chair Interview: 10 Questions with Emily Lim

By Desmond Kon Zhicheng-Mingdé

Let’s get down to brass tacks. Why do you write?

I struggled with a rare voice disorder for over 10 years. In 2007, when I wrote my debut children’s book Prince Bear & Pauper Bear, I found my voice, both literally and literary-ly. I write because I believe it is what I am meant to do in this chapter in life.

Tell us about your most recent book or writing project. What were you trying to say or achieve with it?

My latest picture book Tibby & Duckie is about uncovering one’s gifts and talents. Tibby, a bunny with tiger traits, helps Duckie, an ugly duckling of sorts, who is unable to swim like the other ducks. When Tibby helps Duckie to uncover what she is made to be, she soars with wings like an eagle’s.

I was hoping to show that whilst it’s good to put in our best efforts, some of what we do may not work out. That’s fine. I personally don’t think there’s a need to strive to be excellent in everything. Maybe one’s gifts and talents simply lie elsewhere, waiting to be discovered.