BJ Love Story: An Interview With the "Hutong Heartthrobs" Author

The reaction has been overwhelmingly positive, I am happy to report. People in the U.S. mostly buy my book because they are curious about the “expat experience” in China, it seems, whereas in China, people have had various reasons for buying my book. Some like romance and non-fiction, whereas one Chinese man was attracted by the title Hutong Heartthrobs as he himself is a hutong dweller and said he felt moved that a “foreigner” also appreciates hutong houses. Yet another young Chinese man in Beijing was on a blind date when he bought a copy of my book at an event; I trust it was an impulse buy. Perhaps he was hopeful about his romantic future?

Yes, interestingly, romance has become a more or less respectable, potentially lucrative genre over the years (think of Harlequin romances, Nora Roberts, Danielle Steel, David Nicholls, Nicholas Sparks...). Why it was looked down upon in the first place is beyond me. After all, some of the greatest pieces of literature have actually been love stories (Petrarch’s sonnets, the Cavalier poets, Shakespeare’s plays, Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina, etc.).

To me, looking down on the romance genre has always been a non-sequitur. Still, some romance writers have unfairly paid the price. Erich Segal, who happens to be one of my favorite writers, comes to mind. He was ostracized by the academic community in the 1970s after publishing his “low brow” but very successful novel Love Story. Ironically, Love Story is what people remember Segal for today, not his research on Plautus (he taught Classics at Ivy League universities). Go figure, “love” is a universal theme that perennially appeals to readers, you can’t argue with that.

Tammy Treichel (left foreground) signing a copy of her book at an event in 798 Arts District

Strictly speaking, Hutong Heartthrobs is classified as an “autobiography (memoir)/biography” (the latter Jackie’s) but it’s definitely a love story between two people from very different backgrounds and cultures. You are supposed to write with a “target reader” in mind, and my target readership was initially young women, in their 20s and 30s. However, I was pleasantly surprised at how positively both women and men from different countries have responded positively to the book. You never know who will pick up and appreciate your work, and I would say that is the greatest reward of being an author.

That is a very good question. I think Jackie and I thrive on challenges so these differences in our backgrounds have been an incredible stimulus not to lead sleepy, complacent lives and to make the best of ourselves and our relationship. Indeed, some people thrive on challenges and others wilt. Sometimes, I wish I had fewer challenges but I know if that were the case, my life wouldn’t be quite as colorful and I would have a lot less to write about.

Advice: Stay true to yourself always and stay focused on your goal(s). Keep an open mind. For those who are single and looking for human connection: Take public transport and go to a lot of events where you can meet people in a “natural setting” (Disclaimer: I am not a dating coach! But I do think meeting people in a natural setting is a lot better than going on so-called “computer dates” like Harold’s mom put it in the movie Harold and Maude. Lots of shady characters in cyberspace and on dating websites, from what I’ve heard).

I try, I try. Ultimately, this book is about building bridges and reaching across the aisle, and that is one reason I stay away from discussing anything political in Hutong Heartthrobs.

I try to convey hope and optimism, and not despair, in my book, but I do have my dark, private moments of doubt, especially after reading the news headlines every day. You need to keep going, no matter what. If you can make your reader feel a little bit better about this world, a little warmer, and sleep a bit more peacefully after reading several pages of your book at night, then I think my mission is accomplished. We all thrive on hope, it’s what keeps us going, isn’t it?

Jackie has been very supportive of this book project from the outset. If it weren’t for him, there would be no Hutong Heartthrobs. I interviewed him in Chinese for this book. He dictated his answers to me, sometimes using his handwritten notes, and I typed at the computer and then translated them into English. I had a Chinese native speaker with high English proficiency check to see whether my translation and understanding were correct. Then I incorporated Jackie’s story into mine. You can read more about his background in Chapter 3. As a critic has rightly pointed out, Jackie’s backstory contributes to the rather intriguing “semi-chronological” narrative flow in my book.

Well, my family on both sides (mother/father) have been quite “mobile,” I would say. That helped open their minds to different possibilities and people of different cultures, which is a great blessing. I remember my aunt in Germany not too long ago remarking proudly that we are now a “global family” (her son had married someone from South Africa).

I loved the idea of the “global family” so much that I dedicated Hutong Heartthrobs in part to her, but also to my German uncle, who initiated and was engaged in exchanges between Soviet and German psychiatrists during the Cold War, when this was still an avant garde thing to do. I am really proud of him. Ultimately, however, home is where the heart is, and you can plant your heart and let it take root wherever you wish. Nowadays, geographically speaking, the possibilities are almost endless.

Yes. I was fortunate to be referred to Earnshaw Books, a reputable publisher specializing in English-language books about East Asia and based in Hong Kong. It turned out we had the same vision for my manuscript and shared similar values, which is so important when you are working together on a large project.

Jackie and Tammy Treichel with one of their cats in their hutong home

The publishing process will look very different depending on whether you sign with a large publishing house, a smaller, independent one (as I did), or self-publish. I loved working with Earnshaw Books because of their dedicated and enthusiastic team of professionals and our close communication. Currently, I am on the lookout for the right Chinese publisher to produce a Chinese-language version for the Chinese mainland as there has been a lot of interest among locals in a potential Chinese edition.

I am currently working on my next book, a romance novel. Well, it’s actually more chick-lit, I suppose, because of the comedic and soap operatic elements. The target reader is older, s/he is in her late 30’s or 40’s, but again, you might never know who would read it, so maybe it could also turn out to appeal to male readers and become “lad lit.” It also has to do with China, as that’s my current beat, but that’s all I’ll reveal for now...

Jackie and I love living in our current hutong house and hope to stay with our three cats as long as possible. The house lizards, meanwhile, have moved on next door because they are scared of the cats, sigh... but we do see occasional weasels in the neighborhood. I think that bodes well for the future; after all, weasels are versatile, adaptable creatures.

Be like the weasel, my friend.