How Does Anthony Shieh Find Strength in Poetry and Arts?

Most authors write stories because they are passionate about telling their narrative, but some writers, like Anthony Shieh, go deeper than that. For him, writing is his sanctuary—a safe space to be honest with his emotions and an outlet to be authentic. 

Through his writing, Anthony allows us to glimpse how his life experiences shaped him. Since then, he has published books entitled Death of a Loved One in the Time of Pandemic, White Mocha Americano, and Verge, A Collection of Poetry.

His raw honesty can move his readers to be more in touch with their emotions, but it’s more beautiful to know the writing process behind it. Anthony Shieh is a writer you can know by reading his books and understanding the meaning between the lines, verses, and rhymes. 

A writer who shows true artistry deserves a platform to share his aspirations and life story. So, CHiNOY TV is privileged to interview Anthony Shieh, one of the Chinoy writers making his mark in modern Philippine literature. 

Writing as a Life Force 

In the society we live in, there are certain norms we need to achieve to be considered normal and accepted. For those who go beyond the norms like Anthony, he felt like an outsider for being poor, being gay, and his Taiwanese/Chinese looks. 

However, through this hardship, Anthony strives to find comfort in stories and the arts. “I often felt like an outsider. I turned to stories as an escape and a way to express myself. My background, with its traditions and my mom’s constant protection, taught me resilience and pride in who I am while also fueling my curiosity to explore the world beyond what was familiar,” he shared.  

For Anthony, writing has become a way to heal and celebrate his identity, turning his challenges into creativity. His mother also plays a significant role in his journey to becoming a writer, recalling how his mother was a natural storyteller.

“I’m on the verge of losing control.

I can feel it in my soul.

I can sense it choking me slow.

I can taste that sullenness on my tongue.”

His mother would often share stories with him about her past struggles, travels, heartbreaks, and even stories from her favorite childhood books. 

He added, “She would tell me about her migrating from Tainan to the Philippines and how each experience had a lesson or a story behind it, no matter how small. These conversations nurtured my love for storytelling and helped me see the world through a lens of wonder and curiosity.”

As an immigrant from Taiwan, his mother also instilled Chinese values in him. He told me, “My Chinoy upbringing, deeply rooted in tradition and family values, taught me to appreciate the power of words and stories and that each one is worthy of being told.”

Indeed, growing up in a society where you defy the odds can take a toll on your self-esteem. However, a mother’s protection can turn these insecurities into confidence, just like how Anthony finds strength in his mother’s genuine love and protection. 

Through his mother, he found the purpose in writing by moving forward despite life’s challenges. In his own words, writing is to honor his emotions, past, and dreams, giving him a sense of direction and purpose. 

A mother’s love can move mountains even in the darkest times as Anthony found his strength through his mom’s words of wisdom: “Keep writing, don’t ever stop. It’s your life force.”

Finding Strength in Poetry and Arts

The lasting impact of his mother’s wisdom allowed Anthony to find strength in poetry and arts. He finally realized that writing is not just about pursuing his passion but about embracing his true core: a writer who narrates his heart’s inner core.

This is true when you read Verge, a poetry collection that offers a genuine take on Anthony’s emotional journey. He shows a candid authenticity of life’s ups and downs without being ashamed of his struggles, insecurities, and wounds. 

One must assume that Anthony is vulnerable when you read his poetry collections, but the reverse is true as he used art to process his experiences and remind him how far he has come. Most importantly, art humbled him by how these pieces can inspire others, touching lives in ways he never expected. For Anthony, Art is his voice and strength in all its forms.

He continued,“I find strength in my artwork because every stroke of paint, every click of the keyboard, and every pencil scratch tell a part of my story.” 

One thing that makes Anthony’s poetry verses powerful is his connection with his writing. This medium allows him to courageously express his emotions and thoughts in a world that needs to hear authentic voices. 

 “I’m on the verge of letting my dreams die,

But I didn’t, as my Mom helped me ignite

That dream that I once thought had demised.”

With this, I asked Anthony how he found the strength in his artistic endeavors, and he shared: “My writing process is deeply rooted in capturing the moments that feel significant. Whenever I experience something impactful, I always reach for a journal, my notepad, or my laptop to write it down.”

Through this process, Anthony found a way to let art help him heal from his trauma. Writing and sketching have been his ways of processing and healing from those wounds, allowing him to express emotions that might otherwise stay hidden.

This bravery paved the way for the arts to embrace Anthony in all its forms. He found the confidence to narrate an important story for himself and the community to which he belongs. In his stories, he also learns the power of diverse representation and inclusivity. 

Importance of Inclusivity in Chinoy Stories

The confidence he gained from his artwork has given him the courage to narrate a story that reflects his true self. But more than that, he writes a story that values inclusivity and diverse representation, like in White Mocha Americano, a Filipino Boy’s Love (BL) novel. 

When you read the novel, you can see how Anthony believes representation is significant because it allows marginalized communities like the LGBTQ+ community to share their stories that deserve to be told and heard. 

In the context of the Chinoy community, he explained, “In both Chinese and Filipino cultures, perceptions around identity, gender, and sexuality can still be quite traditional, particularly in more conservative circles. I’m proud to be one of the authors who challenges these norms and creates space for marginalized voices.”

Anthony, who found strength in his writing, can be considered a distinctive voice in modern Philippine literature. He seamlessly interweaves a piece of himself in his narrative, echoing the voice of the misrepresented and the unheard. 

He continued, “Growing up in a family where tradition and societal expectations often clash with personal identity, it became important for me to explore how cultural heritage can intersect with one’s sexual identity. Writing from this perspective allowed me to reflect on the unique struggles and challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals within the Chinoy community and celebrate their strength and resilience.” 

Anthony vowed to always put an element of inclusivity in his stories because he believed everyone deserves to see themselves in the stories they read with proper representation. 

Staying true to his artistry, Anthony said, “Inclusivity will always be at the heart of my future stories. As a Chinoy author writing a Filipino BL novel, I believe representation is key. In my future works, readers can expect a diverse range of characters, straight, gay, bi, people of different colors, body shapes, sizes, ages, personalities, and anyone who falls across the spectrum.”

Indeed, emotional rawness and inclusivity are the strongest elements in Anthony’s writing. These qualities qualify him for “Literary Immortality” status, as his stories will surely transcend generations.

Finding Your Authentic Voice Through Writing 

Anthony Shieh writes without holding back, and you can see his soul’s yearning and aspiration through the words printed on the pages. Every single word comes from the heart and shows authenticity, which makes his literary works a source of inspiration for future writers. 

He shared, “One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is that to stand out and truly connect with readers, you must share your raw truths. That’s when people begin to see the uniqueness and authenticity in your writing.”

Aspiring writers can take Anthony’s advice as a guide to navigate the publishing world. He teaches us a valuable lesson to be an influential writer: one must find an authentic voice to share a heartfelt narrative. 

Though pursuing a career in the writing industry can be challenging, Anthony believes that staying true to your voice can be an anchor during uncertainty. 

He said, “My advice to anyone wanting to become a writer is to be kind to yourself. The writing journey is not an easy path; it’s full of challenges and setbacks. You need grit, courage, and a deep belief in your voice. Always fight for your narrative, even when others doubt it.”

With his grit and determination, Anthony’s future in the literary industry is promising. He reveals that he is also writing a horror novel and plans to be recognized as the King of Philippine LGBTQ+ Horror Stories. But despite constantly experimenting with different themes and styles, he still stays true to his authentic voice.

And this voice makes his story unique, honest, and raw.