Why I Chose to Write My First Book in English
Aug. 1, 2026
Honolulu Hawaii
A quiet evening writing about why I chose English for my first book.
Many people assume my first book would be written in Chinese. After all, Chinese is my native language.
Yes, it would definitely be easier for me.
I have always wanted to write a book someday. This time, I finally decided to stop thinking about it and actually do it.
I knew I had chosen the harder path by writing my first book in English.
I have been using English as my working language, but writing emails is different from writing a book. Did I feel intimidating? Absolutely. I always believe that learning is the best way to keep you moving forward. Whether it is a language, or other skill, it is never late to learn, it is never late to keep moving.
Starting something new takes courage. Finishing it takes consistency. Once I made up my mind, I followed through.
Since I started live streaming on TikTok about 2 months ago, I have been talking with people who join my livestreams. everyday about how beautiful Oahu is, how beautiful Hawaii is. What impressed me the most is our friends on my live from around the world always express their appreciation to me to show Oahu with them, Whether they visit it or not, they are willing to come, for the friends who have been here before, they said they would love to come back again. For those who were born here, or raised here, or worked here, they told me how much they missed Hawaii and how homesick they felt. Some of them, just simply told me they would love to visit here. It is so tempting to them.
One day, I found myself thinking “Why not write a book about Oahu, about Hawaii through my own eyes?”. Since I visited Oahu as a visitor, and now live here as local, I have my perspective from both side.
And the one most important reason to make me determined to start to write this book, it is because people kept asking me the same questions over and over again. And this encourage me to do this project.
Writing this book has reminded me that growth doesn’t always come from big moments. Sometimes it comes quietly, one page, one revision, and one decision at a time.
Writing this book isn’t just about finishing a project. It is about becoming a better writer, a better communicator, and a lifelong learner.
Every chapter pushed me to think more clearly. Every paragraph helped me become a better writer. Every revision reminded me that growth rarely happens all at once. It happens one page at a time.
Of course, there is another reason for me to write this book. Hawaii is an international place, especially Oahu. My TikTok live streams have given me the opportunity to to meet so many wonderful people from around the world. So when I decided to share Oahu, Hawaii with many people, English is naturally the language I choose.
This will be my first book. I have never written a book before. and I chose to write it in English, not because it was the easiest choice, but because it challenges me to grow.
Growth doesn’t always happen in comfort. Sometimes, it begins with saying yes to something that feels just a little beyond what you thought you can do.
Looking back, writing this book and starting my TikTok livestreams had something in common. Neither began because I felt completely ready. Both began because I was willing to take the first step.
Growth doesn’t begin after we become confident. Confidence often comes after we begin.
If this book encourages even one person to learn something new, start something they have been putting off, or simply believe that they are capable of more than they imagined, then every challenge along the way will have been worth it.
One small step can lead to something much bigger than we ever imagined.
Thank you for reading.
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