By Vera Koo, Women’s Outdoor News, Published September 20, 2016

I met Vera Koo a few years ago and have been intrigued with her ever since. It’s no secret that I think she is an absolutely amazing person. As I read her recent column, my respect for her grew all the more. Vera Koo gives us a peek into her personal life, and shares a bit of what we will find in the book she is writing. ~MC

In my Chinese culture, we are taught not to air our dirty laundry. If something bad happens to you, you are supposed to try to maintain an outward appearance of strength. You are not to let on that you are struggling. My culture tells us that we should not talk of our problems with others.

I have decided to go against my cultural upbringing. I will air my laundry in a book that serves as a memoir highlighting some of the most pivotal moments of my life. The book has been an ongoing project for several years and is nearing completion.

I am not an author by nature, but people have continually told me throughout the past 2 decades that I have a story worth telling.

After I endured a terrible personal crisis in my life more than 20 years ago that shattered my core values, I spent 2 years seeing a therapist. During that time, she repeatedly encouraged me to write a book. She thought I had many life lessons I should share with others. She was not the only person during this time that suggested I write a book.

At the time, writing a book did not seem appealing to me. I am an artist. I am a businesswoman. I am a Chinese-American. I am a mother, a grandmother. I am all those things, but I am not an author. I had no real writing experience, and technology was a mystery to me. I hardly even have time to read books. Writing a book was the last thing on my mind.

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