Meet Codi Chen | Writer & Entrepreneur

We had the good fortune of connecting with Codi Chen and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Codi, why did you pursue a creative career?
I’ve always known that I was going to be a writer and eventually make a career out of it if possible. I’ve kept journals since I was about six years old, and I maintained a blog for years. I wanted to travel and experience many different ways of living because I believed it would make me a better artist. So I made homes abroad and across the USA, working anything from serving and barista jobs to teaching English as a second language overseas.

I didn’t get my degree in English or creative writing because my commitment to writing has never wavered, and I was almost afraid it would dampen my love for the craft. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with pursuing these degrees, but I do not think that artists need a higher education in their craft to prove their artistic talents. That being said, we live in a world where a college education is necessary for most jobs, so I earned my Bachelor of Science degree in something else I was passionate about: Travel & Tourism.

I spent time traveling the world, living on a ship for a few months, circling the entire globe. I lived abroad for several years, getting to know different cultures, ways of life and observing people. Eventually, after I settled in Texas, I started freelance writing and opened a mental health technical writing company with my wife. After a few years, we sold that company and are now working more creatively in the field. I’m currently ghostwriting several books, doing copywriting and content writing for local businesses and nonprofits, as well as leading various writing groups through my company, HeartWorks Writing. I also offer book coaching and content coaching to authors and entrepreneurs who want help along their journey. Everyone I work with has a beautiful creative story, and I love seeing what others can do with some encouragement and support.

I believe that creativity is vital to a happy and healthy life, and I love helping others find what lights them up inside. I wasn’t sure that I would ever be able to make a living from my art, and I never wanted to put unnecessary pressure on myself to create something I didn’t believe in for the sake of a paycheck. It’s such a privilege to be in this space now. Whether your creative passions are gardening, quilting, painting, writing poetry, cooking, or anything in between, I love helping others discover what lights them up inside and helping them find a platform to share their work if they so desire.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My art and work are based on the fact that I’ve dedicated my life to really observing and learning as much of the human experience as I can, which is an endless and forever task. I’ve lived on a ship and circled the entire world, stopping at different countries along the way, soaking in as much of the culture as I could. From volunteering with Operation Hunger and the Desmond Tutu Peace Center in South Africa to staying with a host family in India to doing the world’s tallest bungee jump from a building in Macau, I wanted to experience it all. I’ve taken care of sick parents, I’ve worked with high-risk youth in the foster care system, I’ve worked within the mental health field, I’ve raised and bred Leader Dogs for the Blind, and I’ve had to rebuild my life from scratch when it all came crashing down. I believe in using my voice to uplift the marginalized and fight against inequality and injustice, especially when it comes to the LGBTQIA+ community and people of color.

All of this is to say that because I’ve fully and intentionally put myself in a huge array of circumstances and situations, writing about it the entire time, I’m better able to understand not only our clients but their customers as well. Few things are as satisfying in life as helping others feel seen, understood, valued, successful, and creative. Whether it’s coaching someone through the creation of their book or helping a client make a more genuine and impactful connection with their audience, I feel called to be doing this work.

One of my favorite things to do is help others write their book. So often, people come to me because a story has been circulating in their mind for years, and it has come to the point where they need to write it out. Usually, they have already tried to write the book without help, but the process can really feel overwhelming once you start. Especially when writing memoirs and nonfiction, it’s challenging to know what should go in the book and what to leave out. Also, the thought of eventually sharing their book with others is terrifying and often stops them from even starting the process. Whether working with me for an hour or several months at a time, seeing my clients become more clear about their path forward and more confident in their abilities is an incredible thing to witness.

Another one of my favorite courses that we lead in our community is called wRITE to Heal. We meet virtually in a small group for several weeks to discuss different themes and topics in a safe, non-judgmental space. Each week we focus on a different energy or theme, such as the energy of abundance, resilience, love, anger, etc. We talk about our thoughts and feelings on these topics, then do some personal writing by answering prompts around those themes. After ten to fifteen minutes of journaling, we come back together and discuss what stood out to us, what was impactful, what we learned, and how we felt. People are able to share whatever feels comfortable to them, building trust and gaining clarity within themselves.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
There are so many incredible spots in Austin to visit!

To eat & drink:

Sawyer & Co. for their delicious cajun food and adorable outdoor patio. My favorite is their crawfish etouffee.

Sa-Ten for their overall vibe and delicious teriyaki tofu plate with kale salad and potato salad.

JuiceLand for their Rehydrator Smoothie.

Barley Swine for their chef’s tasting menu (sweet memories here of celebrating the sale of our first business!).

K BBQ for their all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ. I lived in Korea for a few years, and their food is something I miss all the time.

1618 Asian Fusion for their Xiaolongbao and delicious cocktails.

Civil Goat for their seriously delicious coffee and their pet goat at the Cuernavaca Dr. location!

Salty Sow for their charcuterie boards.

To shop:

The Little Gay Shop is probably my favorite place in the whole entire city. It’s full of queer books, magazines, apparel, accessories, and a whole community of amazing people. Join their monthly book club with me!

BookPeople for all of their books, accessories, coffee shop, and the whole vibe. I could hang out there all day.

Nature’s Treasures for all of your rocks and crystals.

Volunteer:

Raasin in the Sun is a multicultural art nonprofit organization based in Austin! Raasin in the Sun is dedicated to educating, inspiring, uniting, and regenerating communities through cultural arts and environmental initiatives. They are committed to representing creative works and advancing the inclusion of various people, especially women and people of color. Through diverse partnerships, Raasin in the Sun spurs economic development, promotes social change, and improves the physical environment through creative placemaking.

Visit:

2324 Studios for their monthly markets and art gallery. A fantastic collection of local artists selling their art!

Something Cool Studios for their mosaic shops and gallery.

Bolm Road Mural Project off Bolm Rd. to see 900 feet of murals spanning five blocks, recently featured on the PBS Special, Muraling Austin.

Be Well murals at the Lamar Underpass (South of 5th Street). These were made during the pandemic to share positive, uplifting, and informative messages to promote physical and mental health.

Harvesting Hope mural at Huston-Tillotson University. This incredible piece inspires hope and highlights environmental injustices East Austin has faced throughout history.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Shoutout to my incredible wife and business partner, Renee! Your guidance, support, and encouragement have been nothing short of a miracle in my life. We have been working together in different jobs and spaces since we met, and I’m so honored to have a life where we thrive in our partnerships.

Website: www.heartworksw.com

Instagram: @codielizabeth and @heartworkswriting

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/codichen/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/codielizabeth8

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL14Dkz6FK8alVm-ZVMEbxYSgdF7OJcYap

Image Credits
Image saved as CodiChen1 is by photographer Leta Harrison. Image saved as CodiChen4 is by photographer Annie Vovan.