If perfectionism has ever kept you stuck or made you question whether you’re cut out for this whole writing thing, this episode is for you.

Gloria Huang, author of the stunning middle grade fantasy Kaya and the Ocean, joins me to talk about:

• Letting go of perfectionism
  
  
• Writing through self-doubt
  
  
• Revisiting your work with compassion
  
  

We dive into how she approached themes like childhood anxiety, identity, and the immigrant experience with honesty and heart.

Gloria also shares her path to publication—including the emotional stamina it takes to navigate rejection, impostor syndrome, and everything in between.

This conversation is a powerful reminder that writing is brave, messy, and deeply human.

In this episode, we cover:
00:29 Welcome back to Write It Scared
 01:39 Meet our guest: Gloria Huang
 02:57 Gloria’s debut novel Kaya and the Ocean
 04:38 Exploring themes of anxiety and identity
 06:15 The inspiration behind Kaya and the Ocean
 08:06 Cultural influences and mental health in storytelling
 15:13 The power of stories to heal and connect
 17:21 Gloria’s path to publication
 19:57 Writer’s block, burnout, and the creative process
 21:43 What happens after the book deal
 24:22 Writing process + giving yourself grace
 27:10 Reframing rejection as part of the journey
 29:03 Gloria’s hopes for fellow writers
 30:32 What she’s working on next
 31:17 Final thoughts and where to find Gloria

To connect with Gloria and find her books, please visit her at:

https://www.glorialaihuang.com/

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Order Kaya of the Ocean here

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