"Southern california is my desk" SATURDAY, MAY 23, 2009


Watching Someone Get Published
My friend Sang Bukaty just published her book “Grace Notes.” It is a memoir about her childhood in Korea and her journey to the United States as a cello student in the 1960’s. I learned so much about Korean culture and the Korean immigrant experience in the United States from her book. I met Sang about three years in a class at UC Irvine. I was very intimidated when I first met her because she already had an enormous binder full of a draft of her book. After that we were in a private writing group together and I got to hear sometimes sizable portions of her book.

What a thrill to see it listed on Amazon.com and to hold a hefty copy in my hand! I have learned a lot about the editing and publishing process from watching Sang go on her journey with this book. I am so proud of her for sticking with it and having a finished product.

POSTED BY KATHLEEN O’HANLON AT 11:50 AM

link:
http://socaldesk.blogspot.com/2009/05/watching-someone-get-published.html

Pen Therapy from the OC REGISTER

FOR THE GRANDKIDS:

Sang Bukaty, 60, of Newport Beach writes about growing up in Korea and playing the cello.

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KEVIN SULLIVAN, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Sang Bukaty’s story couldn’t be more different. Bukaty, 60, is a Newport Beach wife and mother who started the UCI Extension class to write a memoir for her children and grandchildren.

As she began to record stories about her childhood in a prominent family in Seoul during the Korean War, her youth in an elite school with a punishing regime, her training as a promising cellist and on into adulthood, she found writing was a tool for self-exploration.

“Writing is therapeutic,” Bukaty says. “Vague and faint memories become clearer, and the clear memories become vivid. it gives the writer a chance to re-examine her life and learn from it.”

To read full story go to: http://www.ocregister.com/articles/pen-therapy-729104

Joong-Ang Daily

문화/예술

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[OC] ‘한국 문화 후세들에게 전하고 파’ 영어 자서전 출간한 이상은씨[LA중앙일보]
기사입력: 05.29.09 17:53

이상은씨가 영어로 펴 낸 자서전 ‘장식음’을 보여주고 있다. 책 표지의 사진은 이씨가 18세 당시 첼로를 연주하던 모습이다.
“한국의 문화와 풍습 정서를 후세들에게 전해 주고 싶었어요.”

이민 1세 한인 여성이 영어로 자서전을 펴 내 화제를 모으고 있다. 주인공은 뉴포트비치에 거주하는 이상은(63)씨.

이씨는 지난 12일 ‘장식음’(Grace Note)이란 제목의 자서전을 ‘트리플 원 출판사’(Triple One Publishing)를 통해 출간했다.

출판사측은 ‘장식음’을 “한국과 미국 두 곳의 문화 언어를 아우르는 한편 자매 모녀 부부간의 무한한 사랑을 담고 있다”고 소개하고 있다.

이씨는 1945년 해방둥이로 태어났다. 선친 이동제씨는 일제시대 식량영단 이사장을 지냈고 해방 후 초대 외자관리청장을 역임했다. 유복한 환경에서 자란 이씨는 이화여대 음대에서 첼로를 전공하며 연주가의 꿈을 키웠다.

동아콩쿠르를 포함 각종 콩쿠르에서 1등을 하고 TV에도 출연하는 등 촉망받는 음악도였던 이씨는 1954년 미국땅을 밟았다. USC 음대에서 수학한 이씨는 졸업 후 결혼을 하며 평범한 아내 엄마의 길을 걷게 됐다. 이씨의 남편 다니엘 뷰캐티는 스캐너 등에 사용되는 광학렌즈 가공회사를 운영하고 있다.

미국에 온 이후 45년을 보낸 이씨는 어느 날 영어로 자서전을 쓰기로 마음 먹었다고 한다. “날로 생생해지는 한국에서의 기억들 한국의 풍습을 세 딸과 손자 손녀들에게 전해주고 싶었어요. 그 애들은 미국에서 자랐기 때문에 한글을 몰라요. 자식과 손주들은 물론 한글을 모르는 2세들도 읽을 수 있게 해야 겠다는 생각에 영어로 쓴 거예요.”

한 번도 책을 내 본 적이 없었던 이씨는 UC어바인의 작문 강좌를 3년 넘게 수강하며 열정을 불태운 끝에 영어 자서전을 완성했다. “내가 직접 겪은 6.25를 포함한 한국의 역사 명절 풍습 김치 담그는 법도 담겨 있어요. 후세들에게 널리 읽히길 바랍니다.”

‘장식음’은 아마존닷컴에서 구입할 수 있다. 자세한 정보는 웹사이트(www.gracenotesthebook.com)를 참고하면 된다.

임상환 기자

Filed under:
News by Sang

Dana Donihue

July 16, 2009

Hi Sang!  I just finished your book.  It took me two days to read, i could not put it down.  Wow! i don’t know where to start. Yes, I do….I am so proud of you!  You have been telling me for years about your book and after reading it, I can understand why it took so long to write. Your story brought out a myriad of emotions.  I was entranced and enchanted as I turned the pages.  I laughed, I had empathy pangs, i cried, I felt myself being pulled into your life.  Your girls are so lucky and blessed to have you for their mom.  Great Job!

Stephanie is reading it next, then Ron, then my mom…I know they will enjoy your book as much as I have. I hope all is well with you and Dan, your daughters and your precious grandchildren.  Take care….Love, Dana

Hee-Joo Han

July 17, 2009

…..I was deeply moved for your honesty and courage to share your  
personal story with your readers. Your book is written beautifully and  
professionally. It is heartbreaking as well as heartwarming. I was  
totally engaged throughout your book.

Almost all of first generation of Korean Americans had similar  
experiences in adapting to a different culture and language for the  
pursuit of their American dreams. Therefore, Korean readers of our  
generation as well as our next generation would be able to easily  
connect to your book, be touched, and appreciate it.

    Heejoo Han