Bright and exceptionally talented, USA Today Bestseller Marjorie Liu celebrates the mysteries of Asia, the strength of her parents and the innate ability of humans to conjure magic from mundanity. Read on ...

MB: What or who inspired your novel?

ML: I firmly believe that everything in my life comes together in bits and pieces as I write. It's just a matter of opening myself up to all the threads hanging loose inside my head.

In the case of "The Red Heart of Jade," however, I would say for certain that my travels throughout Asia influenced the subject matter -- not just in setting, but in the sense of age and mystery that lingers to this very day in so many places throughout that part of the world.

MB: What do you like most about your novel?

ML: The idea that people are more than they believe themselves to be -- and that everyone born in this world has the potential to do something great and epic with their lives -- or as in the case of my characters, the ability to turn the mundane into the magical.

MB: Who is the most heroic person you know?

ML: My parents, hands down. And no, I'm not saying that as a fallback -- I really mean it. My parents have struggled against incredible circumstances to make beautiful lives for themselves, and they did so with smiles and courage and laughter. That's heroism to me.

MB: Who's your romance hero: dark, brooding bad boy or white knight in shining armor?

ML: I prefer a good mixture of both in all my romance heroes, but only because I like my men to be well-rounded! Every girl needs a white knight, but a white knight with an edge makes life -- and I think, books -- that much more interesting.

MB: Answer the question you wish an interviewer would ask.

ML: I don't have a specific question that I would like to answer, but I do love being engaged by ideas that require a good debate. When I'm reading or writing, there's nothing more exciting than coming across a character who knows how to have a spirited discussion.