Beth Anderson, Children's Writer

I spent my teaching career teaching English to students like young Hanh Bui, hoping that they would find their voice in a new language, hoping they would share their stories one day. Stories like Hanh’s touch my heart, and I’m so glad she’s found a way to bring her experiences to others who will be enriched by reading them. Here she explains her process of “mining” her memories. 

GIVEAWAY! One lucky person who leaves a comment below will win a signed copy of ÁNH’S NEW WORD by Hanh Bui.

Write the Stories Only You Can Tell by Hanh Bui

Gratitude is a thread that runs through many of my stories. In a world that often feels hard, I hope my stories will remind readers of goodness and our common humanity. As I write for children, I think of the special people in my life who made a lasting impact—whose kindness changed the trajectory of my journey. Their actions or words made me feel hopeful, loved, safe, and seen. I have been blessed with many helpers and allies who have empowered me to be braver, more determined, and resilient.

Before I begin writing a new story, I carve out time and space to just be with my memories. I jot down feelings, scenes, words, and phrases that I’d like to include in my story. At this stage, it is not about writing the first draft or developing the overall plot. It’s simply about remembering. For me, it’s important to tap into emotions then the words will follow. Sometimes, it helps to close my eyes and visualize my story. Writing from a place of gratitude helps me to create stories that are meaningful and engaging. Because my books are often based on my lived experiences, it is important that I help readers bridge the distance between their experiences and my lived truths. An emotional arc is the pathway to empathy for the experiences of others. If I can help readers feel my words, then they will travel with me as if they are a part of my journey. Writing from one’s experiences is most effective when I’m able to show the universal emotions and themes that connect us. Memories alone do not make a complete story. My work-in-progress becomes submission-ready with multiple rounds of writing, editing, and revising. Storytelling has the power to unite people of all ages from diverse cultures, traditions, and history. A wise mentor shared the following words with me, “What comes from the heart, sits in the heart.”

People ask me how I can remember so many details from my childhood when I was only eight years old. I used to think everyone could recall childhood memories just as I did. On April 30th, 1975 with the fall of Saigon, my family and I joined the crowds of Vietnamese refugees rushing to the harbors of Vietnam in hopes of escaping and seeking asylum in a new country. We left for our safety and it was the only way for us to remain a family. During our journey to freedom and a new beginning, I became vigilant about my surroundings—the people, the sights and the sounds. It took me decades to process and heal in order to revisit these memories and write my stories. I learned to separate the fragments of my past and embraced the good memories along with the painful ones. When we settled in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, my life in Vietnam felt like a distant memory. As a refugee child, I pushed memories of my homeland aside so I could navigate the challenges of adapting to life in a new country while straddling two cultures.

In 7th grade, I wrote a story about my refugee experience. It was the first time since I left Vietnam that I could share about what happened many years before. I was an ESL, English as a Second Language Learner, until 6th grade. I struggled to learn both grammar and English. Many times, I felt confused, and discouraged. I wanted to speak English with ease like my American classmates. I was grateful for the support from my ESL teachers, but also delighted to not need ESL classes in 7th grade. My English teacher showed interest in my immigrant experiences. She asked us to write a story that we would make into books. I was both nervous and excited. To my surprise, I was chosen along with two other students to have our stories featured in the Lancaster Sunday newspaper. This was a pivotal moment in my life knowing that my words mattered. My teacher’s support and appreciation for my immigrant experiences helped me to feel proud and seen. Many of the memories that were once traumatic became my strength—my superpower. As a storyteller, I realized that my words could be a catalyst for my own healing and help others to believe in the power of kindness. As a child, I used to feel different because of my refugee experiences. Now I realize that everything that happened in my life has led me to where I am today. I feel honored to be a part of a myriad of voices who share their stories to show children that their experiences matter and to inspire a kinder world.

Don’t forget to leave a comment to enter the GIVEAWAY for your very own copy of ÁNH’S NEW WORD.  [U.S. addresses only, please. Winner announced 4/26/24]

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Bio:

Inspired by her first teacher at Fort Indiantown Gap, a refugee camp, Hanh Bui pursued a master’s degree in Early Childhood Education and taught second grade. She also served as a Development Officer for Senhoa Foundation in support of women and children who survived human trafficking in Cambodia and volunteers for committees supporting children and families in building community. She serves as co-chair of the Equity and Inclusion Team for the Mid-Atlantic region of SCBWI. She is a member of Diverse Verse and has been featured in Highlights for Children magazine and Next Avenue. Hanh is the author of The Yellow Áo Dài and Ánh’s New Word.