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Zita Law
Author Zita Law is a prolific writer best known for her New Age romance novels, penned under the name “Deep Snow.” She has written more than 100 books, including “The Pawnshop No. 8,” which was adapted into a TV drama. She tells Isabelle Hon about her ideal partner, why she thinks men should pay for dates—and changing fate.
I grew up in a happy family. I was good academically—I majored in history but my goal was always to become a writer.
I started as a contributing writer in my first year of university. I wrote 5,000 to 10,000 words a week for newspapers like the Oriental Daily.
Later I had my own column in Fresh Weekly. They paid me $800 for each short story. That was around $3,200 each month, which was quite good at the time.
When I was 21, I became a reporter for Yes! magazine. My main job was to write ghost stories, and also to find pretty and talented models for photoshoots.
After this, I worked in PR for four years. I carried on writing my short story columns in Ming Pao, Amoeba magazine and Sisters magazine.
I quit my job at 28 to focus on writing novels. As of now I have published more than 100 books.
Most stories I write are gothic, New Age romance. It’s pretty dark. Readers call me the “magical novel queen.”
“The Pawnshop No. 8” is probably my best-selling book. It’s sold a few hundred thousand copies, and a new edition is coming out this month. It’s been translated too. It’s really interesting when you travel and see your book in Korean!
I have lived alone for 15 years. I enjoy the quiet. And I love working in my home studio: I call it my “Cat Loft.” I try to work normal office hours. It’s much more efficient.
I wake up at 8am and start my day, and take a break at 5 or 6pm. After that I go shopping, to the movies or dine out with friends.
Many writers love to work from coffee shops, but I’m used to working at home. You can save the time you’d spend on makeup, dressing up and commuting.
I am a typical Leo. I am strong and tough but never domineering.
Photo: Kirk Kenny / studiozag.com. Hair: Neville / Triple 8 Salon. Venue: Showcase by Bread n Butter
At work I am very tough, but in love I’m super tender.
The most unforgettable love of my life was a French boyfriend. It was long-distance. We met up two or three times a year and we cherished each time.
We were so in love, we even thought of getting married. But I’ve got everything here: a career, family and friends.
Nowadays I prefer men in their 30s who are younger than me: not too childish nor too old, and with financial security—so we can enjoy life together.
And of course, he needs to be good-looking!
He should take me to good restaurants. Don’t get me wrong, we can also go to cha chaan tengs sometimes.
Living in Hong Kong is expensive, yet men are always expected to pay for women. I think the golden ratio should be the man paying two-thirds and the woman paying the rest.
As a gentleman, a man should pay for a woman. I expect the man to pay for dinner and movies, and in return sometimes I would buy them little gifts.
I hope any boyfriend would understand that I’m not going to have a baby.
Many girls dream of being a princess. Rather than a princess I would say I’m
a countess.
I’m very feminine, but my taste is a bit hardcore. My favorite movies are “The Human Centipede” and “Natural Born Killers.” Horror is exciting.
I wish I could go to Romania and see the castles that dukes once lived in.
I believe that humans can never change fate. It’s like everything was written in a script. You think you are making decisions—but that is also included in the script.
Need to Know…
Zita Law is the author of books such as “The Emancipator” and “Kama Sutra.” Her best-seller “The Pawnshop No. 8” was made into a 166-episode drama, which you can watch online at tiny.cc/hk-pawnshop8. Law is launching three books at the Hong Kong Book Fair: “Sinister Love II,” “Swallow Your Own Tears” and a new edition of “The Pawnshop No. 8.” Through July 21, HKCEC, 1 Expo Drive, Wan Chai.
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