We were lucky to catch up with Hanna Lee recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hanna, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s talk about innovation. What’s the most innovative thing you’ve done in your career?

I believe the most innovative thing I’ve done with my writing, that isn’t a popular business model, is to write to help heal a younger version of myself. I didn’t start writing or sharing my work to try to gain a following or become successful. I write to tell hard truths that only a select audience can connect with. It took a long time to decide if my first book, The Ones Who Misbehave, was something I was going to publish because of the sensitivity surrounding adoption being spoken about in a negative light as opposed to the public perception that adoption is a positive practice. And I was aware my truth would bring pushback and controversy into my life, which I decided was worth it if it helped other adoptees or adoptive parents find understanding that the reality of adoption causes deep trauma along with complex identity structures that most people don’t consider. I also recently publish a collection of poetry that was collected from a series of journals filled over the last twenty years of my life. I used my own artwork as the backgrounds, making this book titled, The Names of my Ghosts, deeply personal as it’s the first time sharing my paintings. I’ve been fortunate to find this method of creation has been received with awe and admiration in the honesty found within the pages but has made me find inspiration in the knowledge authenticity can be it’s own innovation.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

As a Korean American adoptee raised by a white family in a primarily white environment, the rise in hate crimes toward the Asian community during the beginning of the pandemic jarred me into action. It made me reflect on my upbringing and how my family’s whiteness didn’t protect me from racism or prejudice, it had just gone ignored because they weren’t prepared to accept I was their child but I wasn’t a white child. I began spiraling into a new awareness of identity I’d never felt allowed to explore before and began attending protest rallies around the country to fight for others in the Asian American community who were victims of hate crimes. As an adopted person I’d never interacted with other Asians before but was enveloped with love and acceptance. This is when I became inspired to write my first book discussing racism, adoption trauma, adoptive families lack of accountability and education, accepting an Asian identity when you’ve been raised “white”, and finding belonging. My book became successful because there were so many other adoptees experiencing the same awareness at the same time and also brought awareness to the general public simultaneously. Since then, I’ve simply been focusing on creating to keep my mind and heart occupied which has led to the release of my poetry book and the intention of publishing more books whether it’d be a rage fiction novel or more poems representing the human experience.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

I believe true creators are truth tellers who have experienced life in a way they have to find a way to make sense of. That the work we do, whether it be through writing, art, film, photography, dance, or music, comes from a deep well of needing to use expression to find connection. I’ve found that the only way I create meaningful work is by expressing my own truth with acute honesty, even if that honesty isn’t for everyone. It’s a struggle to tap into yourself and display all your vulnerabilities, but for me the hardest part isn’t creating, it’s the decision to publicly share your own naked soul where your most negative and self deprecating form is exposed for scrutiny. Then all you can do is sit and wait, wishing on every star in the heavens someone out there finds meaning in what you do.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

For me the most rewarding part of being a creative is finding others who connect and relate to my work. I’ve been extremely fortunate to have forged meaningful relationships with other artists, writers, and members of creative communities I never thought I’d be part of. So, never be afraid of starting over or changing your path, energy attracts energy and I truly believe if you stay true to your own voice and intentions it will open up your world.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://thehannaleewrites.com
• Instagram: thehannalee
• Other: Bluesky: @thehannalee.bsky.social

Image Credits

Image credit to my husband Kasey and I took the rest.