Author Brian Thuan Luu chatted about his latest book “Flashlight in the Ocean.”
What inspired you to write this book?
For a long time, I kept my story to myself. But over the years, I felt a need to share a story that many Boat People have lived through but rarely talk about or write about.
I wrote this book to preserve the stories of the Vietnamese boat people and to honor the American soldiers and South Vietnamese soldiers who risked their lives to defend Saigon.
More than just telling my story, I wanted to offer hope. If even one reader feels less alone because of this book or finds the strength to face their own struggles, then writing it was worth every moment.
How did you continue your faith, stuck in the middle of the ocean?
There were moments when I felt like giving up completely, but then I remembered my mother’s words. She always told me, “Whenever you’re in trouble, just pray,” and that’s exactly what I did.
How did the experience change you?
The experience taught me to hold on to hope and not give up. I became more grounded, more compassionate. I started to embrace honesty with myself and others by doing the right thing.
I learned to sit with pain without letting it define me, and I found strength I didn’t know I had.
What did you learn about yourself?
I learned that I am stronger than I ever gave myself credit for. Even when I was scared, overwhelmed, or completely lost, something inside me refused to give up.
Most of all, I learned that I am not just a survivor, I am a believer. And even in my darkest moments, there was still a light in me, dim at times, but never gone.
How did this project get the green light and turn into a book, possibly a film?
My wife, Jennifer, had always encouraged me to put my experiences into words. She believed that my story could inspire others, even when I wasn’t sure myself.
The turning point came when she asked Dr. Ming Wang if he could connect us with someone in publishing.
That’s when he introduced us to Robbie Grayson from Traitmarker Media. Robbie believed in the message of Flashlight in the Ocean. He guided us through the publishing process with so much heart and dedication.
Moreover, he connected us to a wide network of prominent individuals who saw the potential for this story, not just as a book, but also as a film.
His support has opened doors we never imagined, and we’re incredibly grateful. What began as a deeply personal journey is now growing into something much bigger, a project that, we hope, will reach hearts around the world.
How do you use digital technology in your work?
Digital technology has played a major role in bringing Flashlight in the Ocean to life and in helping it reach a wider audience.
From writing and editing the manuscript using cloud-based tools to collaborating remotely with an editor and designer, it was technology that made it possible. We also built a website to share the story and connect with readers.
Social media has been a powerful way to disseminate the message, particularly through the book trailer and other promotional materials.
And now, as we explore the possibility of adapting the book into a film, digital platforms enable us to present the project to potential producers and partners in a professional and compelling way.
Technology doesn’t replace the heart behind the story, but it definitely helps to amplify it.
If you get back to Vietnam, what are your hopes for your country?
I go back to Vietnam when I can. So far, I have been back to Vietnam twice. Every visit brings a mix of emotions, memories of where I came from, and the journey that shaped me.
Vietnam will always be a part of who I am. My hope for Vietnam is that the country continues to grow in opportunity, especially for the younger generation.
I want to see a Vietnam where people can pursue their dreams freely, speak their truth, and live with dignity, whether they choose to stay or go abroad.
I also hope that more of us who have left will return not just to visit, but to give back, through mentorship, business, education, or simply by sharing our stories.
If you had not left Saigon, would you ever imagine what your life would have been like?
Honestly, I’ve asked myself that question many times. If I had never left Saigon, I think my life would have been very different, maybe quieter, maybe more limited in some ways.
I might have had a simpler path, but I’m not sure I would have discovered the full extent of who I am or what I’m capable of.
Leaving was painful; it meant letting go of familiarity, family, and comfort. But it also opened doors I never even knew existed.
If I had stayed, I might never have written this book. I might not have understood the power of my story, or how far it could reach.
That said, I hold deep respect for those who stayed and built their lives there. However, for me, leaving gave me perspective, provided the contrast, and ultimately led to the challenges and growth that shaped the person I am today.
What is your personal mantra?
“You’re almost there, so tighten your fist.”
What is your bucket list?
My bucket list isn’t just about places to go. It’s about moments I want to experience and people I want to impact.
At the top of my list is seeing Flashlight in the Ocean made into a film that reaches and heals hearts around the world. I want to sit in a theater one day and see someone else find themselves in my story.
To let others know that pain doesn’t have to be the end of the story. I want to return to Vietnam as many times as I can because that’s where I came from.
And of course, I want to grow old with my wife, travel with her to places we’ve only dreamed of.
My bucket list is really about legacy, to live a life that outlives me, one story, one act of kindness, one light at a time.
What does the word success mean to you?
To die happy!
His book “Flashlight in the Ocean” is available on Amazon by clicking here.
