Magic, Myths, and Me

Why I Write

People often ask me how I do it all.

The truth is, I run out of time every day.

I work a full-time evening job with very little downtime. When I’m not working, I might be dancing hula, editing a manuscript, designing illustrations, creating a BookTok, writing a blog post, or trying to solve some publishing problem that no one ever tells you about before you become an author.

Writing the story itself is only a small part of being a writer.

Before I ever published Once Upon a Moʻolelo: A Collection of Kaʻao or Sirena, I imagined authors spending their days doing what they loved most—writing. What I discovered was that writing is only the beginning.

After a manuscript is finished comes editing. Then editing again. Cover design. Interior formatting. Researching publishing platforms. Ordering proof copies. Finding mistakes you somehow missed a dozen times. Building a website. Learning search engine optimization. Creating promotional videos. Managing social media. Creating graphics. Responding to readers. Planning future books while still promoting the last one.

Some days, it feels like I’m running a small publishing company by myself.

And yet…I wouldn’t trade it.

People sometimes ask why I write. The truth is, I don’t really know. I don’t know why these stories come to me, only that they do. There are so many of them, and if I don’t write them down, they continue to live in my mind until I do. Writing isn’t something I chose as much as something that chose me. It’s simply what I do with the ideas my imagination refuses to let go of.

If anything, I wish I had more time. There are far more stories in my head than I’ll ever be able to write. Each one feels like a world waiting to be discovered, and I can only hope I’ll have the chance to bring as many of them to life as possible.

            Another question I often get is, “Have you sold a lot of books?”

My answer is usually, “Not yet.”

Every book teaches me something new, and every story gives readers another opportunity to discover my work. I’m not discouraged by slow sales. If anything, they motivate me to keep creating, keep learning, and keep improving.

One thing I’ve learned about myself is that I enjoy creating far more than I enjoy being seen. I like having full control over my work, though there are certainly days when I wish I had help.

Authors today are often expected to become influencers, but I’ve realized something important: I don’t want to be famous—I want my stories to be. I’d much rather create a BookTok that brings readers into my fictional worlds than one centered on me. I know the latter may reach more people, but it isn’t where my passion lies.

If readers remember any of my stories long after they’ve forgotten my name, I’ll consider that a success.

Social media has become an important part of publishing, but it’s also something I think about constantly. Every video, every blog post, and every photo raises the same question:

How much of myself do I want to share?

There is a balance between authenticity and mystery.

While I enjoy inviting people into my creative process, there are parts of my life I intentionally keep offline. Not because I’m hiding them, but because they help me stay grounded. They remind me that before I became an author, I was simply someone who loves storytelling, dancing, learning, and imagining new worlds.

That balance keeps me writing.

It’s also what keeps me sane.

People sometimes assume creativity arrives as inspiration, but for me it’s usually built in the small spaces between responsibilities. I write before I go to work. I edit on weekends. I brainstorm while driving. I think about dialogue while grocery shopping. Stories don’t wait for perfect conditions—they often appear when I least expect them.

Some weeks are exhausting.

Some days I question whether anyone will ever read what I’ve spent hundreds of hours creating. Then I receive a message from a reader, finish another chapter, or hold a proof copy of something that once existed only in my imagination.

Suddenly, every early morning, every weekend spent revising, and every sacrifice of time feels worthwhile.

Writing, however, isn’t the end of the dream. I also love the idea of seeing these worlds brought to life on screen. Whether through animation or live action, there’s something magical about watching characters who once existed only in my imagination become real.

One project that may be beginning that journey into the film world is my Hawaiian adaptation of Cinderella, Mahina Lepo. Watching that possibility unfold has reminded me that stories can continue to grow long after they’re written.

I will never stop learning.

I’m still figuring out how to balance a full-time career, hula, writing, blogging, marketing, and the business side of publishing.

I’m still deciding how much of myself belongs online.

But maybe that’s part of the journey too.

I’m not trying to become someone else.

I’m simply trying to become the best storyteller I can be.

If my stories inspire someone else to create something of their own, then every late night, every revision, and every challenge along the way will have been worth it.