Ashi:
I did live out my childhood dream to go to China...okay, it wasn't quite the way I wanted it to happen. but it did.
as for being a writer, i can tell you that came after I left the JWs and went to college, where my intro to literature professor showed me that i had a gift. now, i take my time doing it...true, writing takes eons sometimes...and it's not like posting here. (here, i can ignore my typos)
if need be, ashi...write short stories. they may be harder to do than a novel, but if you're good , they're great for time-restricted people.
maybe, if y'all want I can post on this board a story i had in a college literature magazine back in 1999.
take care,
the dustrabbit