Choo Min Yee - the recipient of National Chinese Flash Fiction Award, UTAR Literature Award, and USM Chinese Literature Award - is an undergraduate student in Department of Chinese Studies at Xiamen University Malaysia. From childhood writing in exercise books to becoming a literary editor and aspiring teacher, she continues to explore storytelling, where truth and fiction intertwine.

Choo Min Yee's path to writing began with a chance encounter in her childhood. At her grandfather's house, she was introduced to literary giants such as Ba Jin, Bing Xin, and Lu Xun. Like a child who had wandered into an ancient library, her literary awakening was both bewildering and profound, planting a seed in her heart - "Maybe I can have my own stories too".

Over time, between school breaks and book pages, stories began to sprout. Choo Min Yee vividly remembers her first "book": "I used to read local youth novels and wondered, why are stories written this way? Why not write my own? So, in fifth grade, I wrote a book - first in my school exercise book. When I ran out of pages, I kept adding paper, writing with a fountain pen, constantly correcting mistakes, and even drawing my own cover. That book still exists today." 

In secondary school, joining the literature club felt like a natural step. Weekly writing practice, discussions with teachers and peers, and exposure to influential authors like Hon Lai-Chu and Ho Sok Fong gradually immersed her in the world of creative writing.

In 2018, the inaugural January So Flash Fiction Award invited Malaysian secondary school students to submit their works, with the top-winning entry adapted into a short film. The idea of seeing her story on screen intrigued 15-year-old girl. Though she barely understood what flash fiction was, she hurriedly submitted her entry two days before the deadline.

While on vacation, she was surprised to receive a message from a friend: her story had won first place.

"It was only after receiving that award that I truly felt what literature meant. That was also when I seriously began to explore the world of literary creation." 

Though Choo Min Yee had a strong start, she faced challenges along the way. After her initial win, she experienced a five-year dry spell with no further awards.

In Malaysia, winning literary competitions is often seen as the most straightforward path for young Chinese-language writers to gain recognition. Like many others, Choo Min Yee pursued this goal relentlessly, yet despite numerous submissions, she failed to win again. 

"After my first award, I thought my writing was invincible. So, for those five years, I believed that the only validation of good writing was winning competitions," she recalls.

The pressure from both academics and writing led to persistent nightmares, insomnia, and emotional struggles. What was once a gift - her sensitivity - began to feel like a curse. She resented her inability to break free from this mindset. Yet, despite everything, she never truly gave up on writing.

In early 2022, Choo Min Yee enrolled in Department of Chinese Studies at Xiamen University Malaysia. During her first semester, she had an unforgettable experience in Dr. Ooi Bee Peng's Creative Thinking and Writing class.

A highly popular course, it emphasized hands-on writing exercises in various forms. Being one of the few freshmen in a class of senior students, Choo Min Yee had little expectation for her work. But when her essay was selected for the semester-end exhibition - and even moved a senior student to tears - she realized the power of literature to connect people.

"I never expected someone to read my work so seriously and be so moved by it."

This connection with readers, the insights from literary theory, and the companionship of fellow writers shaped her evolving perspective on writing. In December 2023, she won second place in the 16th National Chinese Flash Fiction Award with her AI-themed short story, The Painter's Compression.

"I didn't think I stood a chance. There were many more experienced participants. When they announced the third-place winner and it wasn't me, I thought there must have been a mistake. Then they called my name for second place! At that moment, all the pressure I had carried for five years was suddenly lifted." 

Shortly after, she went on to win the 2024 UTAR Literature Award and the USM Chinese Literature Award. Over time, she learned to navigate her emotions differently, no longer letting awards define her self-worth.

Reflecting on this period, Choo Min Yee describes how the chase for awards had distorted her sense of self. It was only after hearing a comment from her lecturer that she began to rethink the purpose of writing.

"My supervisor, Dr. Ooi Bee Peng, once said, 'I hope you don't win any more awards.' I was confused. Why would she say that?" 

Later, she understood. Just as wartime often gives birth to great literature, deep emotions arise from a writer's perception of the world. If a writer remains fixated on the thrill of winning, they risk skimming the surface, unable to reach deeper emotional truths.

For Choo Min Yee, the ability to "feel pain" is essential for a writer. "If I ever lose that sensitivity, that would probably be the moment I part ways with writing."

"I just want to settle down and write - tell my own stories."

That said, she still cherishes the joy and connection that awards bring. "I don't write with the reader in mind, but when someone tells me they resonate with my work, it's a precious surprise." 

Now, Choo Min Yee writes about her own experiences - her joys and sorrows, her reflections on existence and the meaning of life, and her perspectives on human relationships. She believes that novels don't have to tackle grand themes like history or society; every moment and emotion in an ordinary person's life has its own dignity and deserves to be recorded.

"I want people to say, 'This is a story only she could have written.'"

"So why do I write? Because some things in real life cannot be said aloud. Fiction is my protective shield, just like an author I once interviewed for my thesis said - 'All the parts of life that cannot be expressed or are hidden - those are precisely where novels can reach.'"