(Ecns.cn)--"I am not a beauty. Please don't call me that. I am not a writer either. I just like writing and communicating with people through articles," said Taiwanese actress Lin Ching-hsia, also known as Brigitte Lin, during her book launch Sunday at the Century Forum of Peking University.
The book titled "Chuang Li Chuang Wai" (or "Inside and Outside the Window") is Lin's first publication since she retired as an actress in 1994.
Lin has been writing since her movie days, yet had remained unpublished. Her first published essay was a eulogy in 2004 to her good friend James Wong, the famous Hong Kong director.
Because of popular demand she eventually began writing columns, which are collected in "Chuang Li Chuang Wai." In the book she reflects on her life before, during and after movie stardom, as well as her family and friendships.
"From 1972 to 1994 I played various roles in movies and serials, from young girls to a cross-gender knight-errant, and witnessed and experienced the ups and downs of life in the film industry," wrote Lin in the prologue of her book.
Accidental superstar
Lin was scouted out by a company in 1972 at the age of 17 while shopping with a friend. Just one year later, she became a superstar with her first film, "Outside the Window."
Lin has since starred in nearly 100 blockbuster movies and won best actress at the 1990 Golden Horse Awards. Throughout her career, she has been one of the most sought after actresses in the Chinese film industry.
Lin's book includes a chapter about her experiences portraying Dongfang Bubai, a leading character in the second and third sequels to "The Swordsman," a film based on a kung fu novel written by Jin Yong. The movies featured Lin in a transgender performance which was a huge success.
"I admit that Dongfang Bubai brought my career to a peak, and was also a perfect ending as an actress," said Lin during an interview.
The film was directed by Tsui Hark, who, according to Lin, "Changed the second half of my life."
"I married a Hong Kong man because of the film. I worked in Hong Kong since the shooting of the 'Swordsman' films until I got married," recalled Lin.
Grateful to Tsui as she is, Lin also reveals in her book some of the interesting yet embarrassing moments with the famous Hong Kong film director. For example, Tsui used to eat mango while rubbing his feet.
Lin's detailed descriptions of many other big names in the film industry are one of the highlights of the book.
