Ask the Author: Shuyi Chua
Answered Questions (6)
Shuyi Chua
Invest in yourself - mind, body and soul.
Feed your mind, keep learning and increasing in knowledge in the areas you are passionate about. A barren mind produces no good writing. But a mind that is any type of forest, a garden, a desert... bursting with life from you feeding it well will be full of material for writing.
Take care of your body, your health and fitness. Eat well, sleep well and exercise. Try a form of movement you have never done before - dance, freedive, kungfu... Your body is the medium in which your writing will emerge from. And you can only write better with better "equipment".
Never neglect your soul or your heart. If within you there is a nagging voice telling you to quit something or do something... listen to it. Your emotions tell you a lot. We are trained by society to ignore them or not to reveal them. But for a writer, the best writing often comes from your heart. Take care of how you feel and it will translate into authentic writing.
Feed your mind, keep learning and increasing in knowledge in the areas you are passionate about. A barren mind produces no good writing. But a mind that is any type of forest, a garden, a desert... bursting with life from you feeding it well will be full of material for writing.
Take care of your body, your health and fitness. Eat well, sleep well and exercise. Try a form of movement you have never done before - dance, freedive, kungfu... Your body is the medium in which your writing will emerge from. And you can only write better with better "equipment".
Never neglect your soul or your heart. If within you there is a nagging voice telling you to quit something or do something... listen to it. Your emotions tell you a lot. We are trained by society to ignore them or not to reveal them. But for a writer, the best writing often comes from your heart. Take care of how you feel and it will translate into authentic writing.
Shuyi Chua
I left my job at the University last year to pursue some of my other interests and hobbies - but mainly to give myself time to rethink my career. Because of this, I started a journey of self-exploration through traveling.
My goal is to travel and experience life and write about it through short blog articles and once I have collected enough experiences or learned enough about life, I would like to write a book about that.
I am also thinking of picking up another skill - massage. I hope to write more on the topic of health and wellness as it is another area close to my heart (besides personal development).
These are my two blogs if you would like to read my shorter writings:
https://chuashuyi.wordpress.com/ (on traveling and life)
https://therapystop.wordpress.com/ (on health and wellness and alternative therapies)
My goal is to travel and experience life and write about it through short blog articles and once I have collected enough experiences or learned enough about life, I would like to write a book about that.
I am also thinking of picking up another skill - massage. I hope to write more on the topic of health and wellness as it is another area close to my heart (besides personal development).
These are my two blogs if you would like to read my shorter writings:
https://chuashuyi.wordpress.com/ (on traveling and life)
https://therapystop.wordpress.com/ (on health and wellness and alternative therapies)
Shuyi Chua
Boredom inspires me to write. When I have nothing better to do, I turn to my favourite activity. Besides boredom, when I feel strongly about something, I am inspired to write. For example, if I am grateful about life, I want to declare it. If I am mad about something, I want to write it out and let somebody know about it. So one way I use this to my advantage is to be exposed to things that make me feel. Another way to get inspiration for writing is to have a desire to educate. The more important I feel what I have to say is, the more I want to write it.
Shuyi Chua
Learn not to be too hard on yourself when you need a break. Instead of labeling your times of needing a helping hand as a condition, seek for inspiration and know it is perfectly normal to reach this state. When a path you have chosen reaches a block, help yourself to find alternative ways around that block.
I let my mind take a break when it needs to from the work. During my longer breaks, I watch movies related to the topic I am working on or I read books on writing. Talking to others about what you're writing also stimulate ideas. Basically, I will approach my work from another angle. I don't believe in forcing something that isn't there or ready, but to coax it gently from another angle.
I let my mind take a break when it needs to from the work. During my longer breaks, I watch movies related to the topic I am working on or I read books on writing. Talking to others about what you're writing also stimulate ideas. Basically, I will approach my work from another angle. I don't believe in forcing something that isn't there or ready, but to coax it gently from another angle.
Shuyi Chua
I have always wanted to be a writer since I was young. I think the best thing about actually doing it (writing a book and self-publishing) is that I actually enjoyed every step of the process.
Each stage was fun for me - writing the book, sending it for feedback, finding a graphic designer for my cover, finding a copyeditor, and then tinkering with Kindle Create. If you have a desire to be a writer, you may actually find that work very enjoyable.
It is strange in that no one is pushing me to do this. I really want to do it. And each morning when I wake up, the first thing I do is to work on it. I am working hard, simply because I find it worthwhile.
Each stage was fun for me - writing the book, sending it for feedback, finding a graphic designer for my cover, finding a copyeditor, and then tinkering with Kindle Create. If you have a desire to be a writer, you may actually find that work very enjoyable.
It is strange in that no one is pushing me to do this. I really want to do it. And each morning when I wake up, the first thing I do is to work on it. I am working hard, simply because I find it worthwhile.
Shuyi Chua
I have worked in academia for 10 years and during this time, I noticed the high pressure everyone had to write and publish. This skill seemed very esteemed compared to others. And many research investigators wished they had an assistant who could write well.
For me, writing has been my favorite part of academia. It was slowly nurtured because I was given much time to explore this skill of writing and publishing on my own, having access to many bright minds in the university to guide me in the process. So I have found a way and mindset that worked for me.
Sometimes people come to me asking me how did I managed to write and publish? Many times, they are discouraged because they have tried and met with difficulties. This book contains the advice and encouragement I would give to any of these friends who come my way.
For me, writing has been my favorite part of academia. It was slowly nurtured because I was given much time to explore this skill of writing and publishing on my own, having access to many bright minds in the university to guide me in the process. So I have found a way and mindset that worked for me.
Sometimes people come to me asking me how did I managed to write and publish? Many times, they are discouraged because they have tried and met with difficulties. This book contains the advice and encouragement I would give to any of these friends who come my way.
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