The Yoo siblings are both published authors. Paula’s children’s storybook on Olympic diver Sammy Lee, Sixteen Years in Sixteen Seconds, came out around the same time as David’s young adult novel, Girls for Breakfast. Different genres and audiences, both received positive reviews when they first appeared in bookstores in May.

But that’s where the similarities end. One is outgoing and vivacious (Paula), the other a self-deprecating hermit (David).

David, 31, can’t help but mock himself in comparison to his older sister, who graduated from Yale, earned two master’s degrees, worked for People magazine and now thrives in the L.A. entertainment industry. But Paula, 36, says her brother is talented and funny, and sometimes she envies his quiet writer’s life in Boston.

Living on separate coasts, the two talk almost every day. KoreAm decided to bring them together for a conference call in order to eavesdrop on their thoughts on writing with the same family name. Turns out, they also share a sharp sense of humor.

Is it weird to be both writers and siblings?

Paula: It’s not too weird because this has been happening for a while. My brother and I have been writing and talking on the phone about our projects for so many years now that when my brother got published first, it was a very exciting and surreal time. And then when it happened to me, it was really cool, too. You know, it’s like, “Yay!” I’m sorry, I’m really inarticulate right now because I’ve been working all day. I’m really burnt out. Forgive the inarticulateness.

David: It’s fine, I’m drunk, actually.

Paula: So what else is new. So it didn’t seem like it would be that weird. I don’t know about you Dave, but for me, it really hit home and was a little surreal when we both got the Publisher’s Weekly annual issue where they featured what books were going to be published in the spring. My name was on the left-hand page, and David’s name was on the right-hand page. Who would think that a brother and sister would both have books out?

Growing up in Connecticut, Paula loved to pinch the baby cheeks of her little brother.

David: It wasn’t something I ever thought about when we were both failed writers. Now on the bookshelves we’re going to be right next to each other.

Paula: Well, not this time! At least this time, I’m in the picture book section. So you’ve got your own shelf, and I’m over there, exiled in the back corner of the room.

David: It’s so interesting because writing for me is such an isolated, individual thing. I mean, that’s what appeals to me, it’s something I can do on my own.

Paula: Alec Baldwin and his brothers are all actors. People don’t think that’s as big of a deal, but when it’s a family of writers, for some reason …