How writing has helped Singaporean author Kyla Zhao deal with negative emotions

While dealing with homesickness after moving to the US alone from Singapore, Zhao rekindled her love for writing as a source of comfort and is now a two‐time published author

It was in the troughs of the Covid‐19 pandemic that Singaporean author Kyla Zhao rediscovered her love of storytelling. In 2021, dealing with loneliness and imposter syndrome as she transitioned from a career in fashion to technology, she channelled her vulnerabilities into writing, using it as an outlet to grapple with negative emotions.

The Fraud Squad, Zhao’s debut novel was published in 2023 by Penguin Random House, and Valley Verified, launched earlier this year by the same publisher, were the unexpected results of this judgement‐free penning of thoughts.

Her latest book, which Zhao calls “a book of her heart”, tells the tale of Zoe Zeng, who leaves her dead‐end job as a fashion writer to discover the cut‐throat world of tech. Sounds familiar? Zhao crafted the fish‐out‐of‐water narrative from her personal experiences.

Through the book, the author also hopes to remind readers that feeling insecure or feeling like a fraud are valid emotions and thoughts that are more common than we think. The novel, she says, is her invitation to readers to have open discussions about these challenging emotions, as well as her way of building a sense of solidarity.

Above ‘The Fraud Squad’ is Zhao’s debut novel about working-class woman who infiltrates Singapore’s high society to fulfil her dreams

Valley Verified is the second published fiction novel by Singaporean author Kyla Zhao based on her real-life experiences in Silicon Valley

Above ‘Valley Verified’ is the second published fiction novel by the US-based Zhao based on her real-life experiences in Silicon Valley

Another theme Zhao highlights in Valley Verified is the microaggressions that women often face in life and the scarcity of women leaders across industries, which contributes to the perpetuation of a false narrative that there is limited female success. In the novel, Zhao’s female characters lead diverse and dynamic lifestyles, and they learn to support one another while navigating personality differences and initial misunderstandings.

While she may have two books under her belt, Zhao says she has no plans to make writing a full-time endeavour for now. She currently works as a data analyst at a tech company in Silicon Valley.

In her own words, she shares insights about her writing career, which started with stints at Singapore’s fashion and lifestyle magazines, including Tatler, and her best writing tips.

Kyla Zhao with her new book The Fraud Squad (Photo: Kyla Zhao)

Above Zhao with her second and latest book ‘Valley Verified’ (Photo: Kyla Zhao)

I’ve been a bookworm for as long as I can remember. But I never thought that I would write a book myself. I didn’t think I was creative enough to come up with a story, so I wrote articles for magazines instead. In hindsight, I was letting a lack of confidence hold me back from exploring my love of storytelling.

In 2017, I left Singapore to live alone in California, where I had no family and very few friends. I didn’t have anyone to confide in and I couldn’t bring myself to admit to people back home that I felt like a failure. So I channelled all of my fears and anxiety into writing.

Don’t be afraid to write poorly. I once came across this analogy that compared creativity to a clogged pipe. You have to unclog it by first removing the junk before pure, clean water can flow out. In the same vein, you have to churn out bad writing before it can start becoming good.

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When writing, I always start with a theme or two that I want to explore. From there, I come up with a story idea that would convey those themes. For Valley Verified, I wanted to highlight the complicated emotions that come with making big life and career changes in adulthood, hence the story of a woman who moves from New York to California, from high fashion to high tech. I did take some inspiration from my life!

Writing for Tatler, I learnt how important it is to make my writing as descriptive as possible. This is so that readers can feel like they’re experiencing everything in the moment. That’s what I strive to do with my books as well. I love fleshing out the sensory details of the characters, the settings and even the fashion so that my readers can feel like they’re in the scene and not just reading words on a page.

Anyone can call themselves a writer. That’s what you are when you sit down and write.

Meet more creatives in The Arts on the Tatler Gen.T List.

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How Singaporean author Kyla Zhao turned her anxiety and fears into art through writing