18 December 2013 - SANSANEE WANNANGKOON

KHUN SANSANEE WANNANGKOON

-Guest Broadcaster, 

Author, Editor
Translator and Photographer -

G'day folks,

Welcome to another talented person from Thailand - KHUN SANSANEE WANNANGKOON. Khun Sansanee is well educated and highly gifted. 

Welcome, Khun Sansanee ...

TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR WRITING – BROADCASTING JOURNEY.

I started writing in 1995 as a columnist for a woman's magazine in Thailand. My articles I wrote were about applied psychology on self - improvement such as self – esteem, self - confidence, assertive manners, positive thinking, etc. After a year of writing articles for woman magazines, I was published pocketbooks by 2 of the Top 5 publishers in Thailand, Dork Ya Publisher and MatichonBook Publisher. From those days on, I have continued my writing, then translating and a few years ago I have been contacted by NationBooks Publisher to be a sub – editor for their translated books. So editing is my other job also.  And in June this year of 2013 I have started running the online radio music program for www.khonmuang.org/radio.php. 

WERE YOU A GOOD READER AS A KID?

I was, when I look back to my very younger years as a small kid I was surprised to see myself reading novels with my mom and dad since I was in the third grade and enjoyed reading almost every single book my parents read.

WHEN AND HOW DID YOU BECOME A JOURNALIST?

After I did my master degree in Educational Psychology & Counselling from Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand I found that I had so much to tell those who are parents to kids, teachers to their students, husbands to wives and wives to husbands, and friends to friends.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT BEING A JOURNALIST?

What I enjoy most about being a journalist is empowering readers & myself.

WHAT IS THE HARDEST THING ABOUT BEING A WRITER?

I do not find any hardship of being a writer. I mean I love it. Words seem to be waiting in my head for me to pour them down on to the screen / paper. But I miss writing articles for magazines and I cannot find my way back to be a columnist again since I quit being a columnist for too long, after 5 years of being an academic editor for textbooks for Thai school students, and 6 years of directing the Language Institute, Chiang Mai University. I should say that this is my hardest part - getting back to being a columnist once again – just to do what I love to do – writing! 

WHAT WERE YOU IN A PAST LIFE, BEFORE YOU BECAME A BROADCASTER?

·         I taught college students : Chiang Mai Commercial College, Chiang Mai Teachers College and Chiang Mai University.

·         I was an academic editor for Prasarnmit Publisher, Bangkok, Thailand.

·         I was a director for the Language Institute, Chiang Mai University

·         I have been writing books since 1992, translating since 1998 and editing books since 2007 as followed :-

-          12 Pocketbooks on Self – improvement

-          7 Business How – To (English translation into Thai)

-          30 Thai Text book Editing

-          11 Children Books

-          6 English translated editing

WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST WRITING ACHIEVEMENT?

Not too high, but I wish that all of my books are published and the readers love them.

WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON THE MOMENT?

I have just finished writing my 2 books and arranged them to get published, writing my other 2 books about Slow Life and Slow Traveling and also translating a How - To pocketbook for The Nation Books Publishing, Bangkok, Thailand.

WHAT’S YOUR CURRENT POSITION?

A happy woman who owns her time doing her dream job – writing books and broadcasting her radio program “Golden Memories: Love and Inspirational Songs of 50’s – 80’s for the online radio: www.khonmuang.org/radio.php.

DO YOU ENJOY WRITING FOR A NETWORK?

I have no experience about this yet but would like to, since networking media plays a major role in communicating to people these days.

WHAT TOPICS DO YOU COVER?

As for my previous years, my writing covers Positive thinking, sharing, moving and living. After a few years of resignation from a highly demanding job, I fell for writing about slow life, going green and sufficient living inspired by our Beloved King’s wisdom on sufficient economic philosophy.

DO YOU HAVE ANY TIPS FOR NEW WRITERS?

If someone really needs some tips, my suggestions are:

·         Write only what you feel like telling people and write on your own language and you will find that your pen (fingers) move so fast that you are almost unable to follow, and your work will be charming and lively.

·         And be sure that your words are polite and worthy enough for readers to read.

DO YOU SUFFER FROM WRITER’S BLOCK?

Fortunately, I did not experience writing block as a suffering. It happened to me sometimes and once I went through the blocks, they became my great joy.

DO YOU HAVE A PREFERRED WRITING SCHEDULE?

I prefer start writing with my first cup of coffee in early morning before my head is full of stuff for each day. Doing this helps me to concentrate on writing and helps me to shut my mind down from unpleasant things.

DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE WRITING PLACE?

No, I don’t. I can write anywhere but it needs to be quiet. I will not hear my thoughts with noises around.

WHAT IS THE GREATEST JOY IN YOUR JOB?

My greatest joys in writing are many. I feel free from any conditions when I sit down and start writing. I enjoy telling stories. I love the way I like to tell them and that I wish other people will enjoy it with me. And I enjoy most when I know that people enjoy what I have told them.

WHO IS YOUR FAVOURITE AUTHOR AND WHY?

I have many favourite authors on different kind of works such as Ms. Gritsana Asoksin, Ms. Thomayatee and Ms.Sopark Suwan, Mr.Praphatsorn Sewikoon for Thai Novels, and some other columnists as well.  

WHAT’S THE GREATEST COMPLIMENT YOU EVER RECEIVED FROM A READER / LISTENER?

As a writer, my books were re–published from 4 – 8 editions, each.  I take this as the greatest compliment of all with heartfelt thanks to them. As a radio programmer, I have been told by our listeners, via my personal webpage and the radio station’s webpage, that they love my program and that makes me very happy.

WHAT WAS THE WORST COMMENT FROM A READER / LISTENER?

Fortunately, there is none – yet, so far.

WRITERS ARE SOMETIMES INFLUENCED BY THINGS THAT HAPPEN IN THEIR OWN LIVES. ARE YOU?

I certainly am. To me, I do not think that I would be able to write without having some experience about the subject.  I need to feel it before I can tell readers what they are all about. And since my writing works are about human behaviour,  I need to prove if those psychology theories really work before I simplify them into practical guidance to general readers.

HAVE YOU WON ANY PRIZES OR AWARDS?

No, I have not.

WHAT DID THEY MEAN TO YOU?

Nothing, honestly,  since prizes or awards are not offered to my kind of writing but if I turn myself to write poetry, short stories, novels or literature, I would challenge myself to aim for one!

OTHER THAN WRITING, WHAT ELSE DO YOU LOVE?

Certainly, reading but I find myself losing much concentration on reading books these days. I put the blame on Mark Zuckerberg. I spend too much time on social media and less time on reading and trying to fix my reading habit. By the way, how can I miss taking photographs; my adorable favourite hobby.

IF YOU HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TO THE ENTIRE WORLD, WHAT WOULD YOU SAY?

Be in peace, please. I don’t know. It seems like some people love war and violence. To me, I would rather see that if someone or some country wants to let the world know that they are great, why don’t they make more effort and manage bigger budgets to rescue starving kids and improve life for people in poor countries instead.

DESCRIBE YOUR PERFECT DAY.

A cup of coffee, cool weather, early morning biking with my adorable dog in local area, warm shower, nice & easy meals, books to write – or – read and friends to chat – online or in flesh sometimes but not too often, inspirational music and someone to love.

WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS / ASPIRATIONS FOR THE FUTURE?

I love this question a lot indeed. It means I am not too old to plan or to dream and to be inspired for the years ahead. OK, my serious plans are getting healthy, keeping on writing, earning, saving and having enough money to travel as often as I wish. While traveling, I would still work: writing (and reading) and taking photos and broadcasting my radio program. Wouldn’t it be lovely?

WHAT FIVE BOOKS WOULD YOU TAKE TO HEAVEN?

I love too many books, could you please ask God for me if I can take them all with me to heaven?

Thank you.

ANY GREAT CLAIMS TO FAME?

No, but fame would bring our works to wider readers.

ANYTHING YOU’D LIKE TO ADD?

I thank mom and dad who showed me the joy of reading.

I thank myself for the desire to write and to publish.

I thank Khun Nuannapa Thodnaiyathada, my first editor at Chandra Magazine.

I thank all the editors who publish all my works.

I thank all readers who read my works.

I thank Khun Anchansiri Sriyananda, my beloved friend who suggested me to your inspiring blog.

I am honoured and thankful to be interviewed and for you to publish my answers to viewers on your blog. This is my utmost inspiration to my next move on writing. Thanks once again, Khun Clancy.

Online radio: 

www.khonmuang.org/radio.php.

Clancy's comment: It's been a pleasure, Khun Sansanee. I appreciate you making the time to be interviewed and wish you the very best in the future. Love your radio show.

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