Michelle Yang, Writer

Having worked with professional copywriters in the creative industry for over 4 years and with gifted writers in the nonprofit sector for 6 years before that, I faced significant trepidation calling myself a “writer.”

I was the organized one with the business sense: a marketer, a producer, a project manager. Not a professional “creative.” As someone who’s suffered from imposter syndrome my whole life, this is no easy barrier to overcome.

Still, I started writing because I was dedicated to a mission. To convince those newly diagnosed with mental health conditions that it is not a life sentence because a happy full like is still well within reach.

This was the message I wanted to hear when I was diagnosed at 20. This was the reassurance I needed from others with my same diagnosis, who were living normal lives. At the time, I couldn’t find anyone and had to forge my own way. But now, I’m so grateful for my life that I am in a position to encourage others who may be struggling to not give up hope.

So I started writing as a way to reach the widest audience in the shortest amount of time. I wrote articles and a book proposal for a memoir. Though I was flooded with support and thrilled to have found an audience and publications wanting my work, I never felt like a real writer until yesterday afternoon, June 6, 2019.

Seeing this article on which I worked for 2 days straight while my husband was traveling for work (I had to bribe my kid with screen time and fast food so I  could keep writing), come into fruition and become published on InStyle… At first, I think it was part delirium from lack of sleep… but I felt like a real writer for the first time.

I worked with an editor who is brilliant and supportive and incredibly fast, though I know she is supremely busy. This was my professional first writing “assignment.”

Though it had aspects of my personal story, what it demanded was my knowledge, my cultural perspective, my analytical and writing skills. It wasn’t just about my unique life story. This felt validating.  I had mostly been writing personal essays until now.

I wrote through much fear and anxiety. It felt like I was back in an Asian American Film and Lit class in college. Like I had procrastinated on a final paper and had to knock it out in 24 hours but the stakes were much, much higher. What if I fail? What if what I wrote is so bad that they decide not to run it after all? I don’t know about other writers, but this is a fear I have every time until I actually see the article live. 🙂

I had my doubts about whether I should be writing because it was out of my comfort zone, but I knew I needed to write it. I am passionate about the subject matter. I would become a stronger writer after this experience. I will be so happy when I’m done, I told myself.

I was right.

The reception for this piece has been incredible. Daniel Dae Kim tweeted it. Vivian Bang @imbang (aka Jenny) thanked me on Instagram.

My editor told me the story was performing superbly.

More agents have reached out with interest in my memoir proposal. It feels like everything is clicking into place. I have more work than I can manage- I have to prioritize tasks each day and each day, there is way more work than I can do, just the way I like it. <3

I’m so thankful to be a writer and to have readers. Thank you for your ongoing support.