Niall -- You CAN do that. The key (as you recognize) is to get feedback on your work from people with more experience at kind of writing you'd like to do.

The three best ways to do that are usually: 1) a class with a great teacher; 2) private tutoring from one ; or 3) working with an editor. It sounds as though 1) and 2) might be a challenge where you are. But you have an advantage in that Britain has a long and wonderful tradition of publishing people's diaries. So you might keep an eye out for a U.K. newspaper, magazine, or well-edited website that might publish something like a "Letter from China" from you (any publication that would let you work with a professional editor) and query it if you find one. Or try to connect with book series (like the "Lonely Planet" guides) that might need help from Asia.

You're being overseas has disadvantages, but it's fantastic credential :).

Jan