Introduction: Ploi Pirapokin

Dear Clarion Classmates of 2018:

I'm so excited to meet everyone! Here are the answers to Patrick's questions:

1. Do you have a nickname?

Unfortunately, when I used Blogger as a teenager, I called myself "Princess Ploi." I do not know how to change this right now. My friends call me "P" (as if Ploi isn't short enough) or "Bank," (because I always have change.) 

2. What do you like to read?

Everything--fiction, poetry, nonfiction. I love Ken Liu, Ted Chiang, Ha Jin, Yiyun Li, Aimee Bender, Maggie Nelson, Min Jin Lee, Mohsin Hamid, Kanishk Tharoor, Roxane Gay to name a few.

3. What kind of stories do you write?

Officially, my surreal, magical-realist stories are about the Pan-Asian experiences post-colonialism exploring the personal implications of history and politics. 

Informally, I'm interested in when the individual becomes a part of the national, the roles we try to play to survive in society, political satires, and pop-culture. 

4. How would you describe your personality?

Playful. 

5. What would you do this summer if you hadn't been accepted to Clarion?

Cry. 
Cry, and teach creative writing at various universities. 

6. Who will you miss most while you're in San Diego?

My plants! I went to college in San Diego, so I'm thrilled to be back as an adult. 

7. Have you participated in an intensive writing workshop before?

Yes, many literary ones that focus on realism.

8. What scares you most about Clarion?

That I do not have a training in writing speculative fiction and/or the craft knowledge to do so.

9. What do you do to relax or for recreation?

Like a college frat bro, I enjoy cross-fit and HIIT classes. Aerial sports. Dance. And a good face mask.

10. What are 1-2 essential things will you bring to Clarion?

My side pillow. 

11. What is your ideal career?

I would have loved to be in a K-Pop band, but I lack the discipline and vocal capabilities.

12. What else do you want us to know about you?

I was born in Thailand and raised in Hong Kong.