Background & Upbringing
Yuan grew up in Beijing as an only child, with parents who were university lecturers in History and Literature. Her home was filled with books and intellectual discussions.
Education
Studied Creative Writing at Peking University, followed by an exchange program in New York, which broadened her exposure to Western literature.
Professional Background
Yuan started her career translating Chinese poetry into English. She then moved on to writing historical romance novels set in both ancient and contemporary China, often blending myth and modernity.
Places Lived
Primarily Beijing, with shorter periods in Shanghai and New York.
Influences
Classical Chinese poets like Li Bai and Du Fu, as well as global writers such as Toni Morrison and Gabriel García Márquez. She loves traditional Chinese opera and contemporary pop ballads. Yuan’s perspective on romance emphasizes the tension between honor, tradition, and the fast-paced nature of modern relationships.
