30 Questions to Reveal the Real Me

A project to create a Q&A article on the theme of "writing" by Toshio Tsukuda

【note 7th Anniversary Project】 Please tell us about your "writing"! 30 questions that reveal the real you30 Questions - Participants wanted! | Toshio Tsukuda | Book Editor×Tanka

It looked interesting, so I wrote it. Thank you.

What is your most frequently used writing tool? (PC, smartphone, notebook, etc.)

A mechanical pencil, an eraser, and A4 copy paper stolen from the office copier are my three sacred treasures. Also, a laptop.
During the day, I write drafts for note while slacking off at work.
That's why I use copy paper so it's less noticeable.
There's plenty of paper in the copier, so I borrow it without asking.
(Well, they'll probably overlook it if it's only one or two sheets a day.)

Are you a morning person or a night person when it comes to writing?

It's either after I get home from work and finish my chores, or when I wake up in the morning before work.

Is there anything you always drink while writing?

Come to think of it, I don't remember drinking anything... I feel like I'm often so absorbed in writing while looking at my drafts that I forget.

Do you listen to music while writing? If so, what kind of songs?

I often write note articles without listening to anything, but for long pieces, I listen to progressive rock.

Are you the type to write everything at once? Or the type to write little by little?

I might be the type who writes in sections all at once and then combines or puts them together.

Do you like or dislike revising?

I love it. I could do it forever.

When does the urge to "write!" come to you?

I was reminded of a famous line by Prosciutto, a character from Part 5 of my favorite manga, "JoJo's Bizarre Adventure."
"If you think in your heart that you're going to 'kill' someone, then the action has already been completed!"

Please tell me one book that has most influenced your "writing."

"No Longer Human" by Osamu Dazai

When you encounter what kind of human emotions do you feel like writing?

Perhaps because of my developmental disorder (ASD), I often find that I don't really understand other people's emotions.
My motivation for writing is almost entirely internal.
I just can't seem to grasp what it means to encounter someone else's emotions.
Do you encounter them? What form do they take? What do they feel like?
I don't know...

When you're in a slump and can't write at all, how do you overcome it?

I sleep.

In what kind of everyday scenery do you find the seeds of a story?

I think every scene, to a greater or lesser extent, contains seeds.

Do anger and sadness become energy for your creative work?

My energy seems to come from something inexplicable inside me, so emotions don't seem to have much to do with it.
Even so, I seem to be easily moved, and I end up crying about something almost every day.

What is your favorite word?

32

Is there a word you use like a 'catchphrase' that you find yourself using too often?

'Good grief' (Yare-yare)

Are you conscious of the balance between kanji and hiragana?

It relates to revision, but I am quite conscious of whether to use kanji or hiragana.

Do you prefer long sentences or short sentences?

I prefer sentences that are neither long nor short.

Are you conscious of the 'rhythm' of your writing?

I think a good sentence is one that flows smoothly when spoken aloud, so I think it's better to have rhythm.

Do you like to reread what you've written after some time has passed?

I don't have much interest in that. I think it's better to write something new instead.

Do you remember the first thing you ever wrote?

I don't. I wrote yesterday that I didn't, but the first time I wrote a long piece was when I was in high school.
When I went to Tokyo for university entrance exams, I spent my exam money on losing my virginity at a soapland in Yoshiwara, and on top of that, I couldn't even get an erection.
I remember my father finding the notes I had written about the whole ordeal and getting angry at me.

Which of your own articles is your favorite?

I don't see much point in ranking them.

Do you care about reader reactions (likes and comments), or not?

I do care, but I don't like that about myself.

How do you feel when you receive a critical comment?

I think I would just pretend I didn't see it.

What kind of existence are "readers" to you?

I think they are the kind of existence that would bring divine retribution upon me if I lied.

Is writing a "job" for you? A "hobby"? Or something else...?

It's a hobby. It would be even better if it made money.

Are there any genres you would like to try in the future?

Full-length novels.

Do you want to publish a book someday?

If I could write something that would sell, I'd like to try publishing it.

Do you want your writing to influence someone's life?

I have a desire to do so, but at the same time, I also have a desire not to.
While it would be amusing for my misfortunes to be passed on to someone else, it would be pitiful.

What kind of writing do you want to be doing 10 years from now?

I want to be able to write long pieces faster than I do now.

Have you ever thought about quitting writing?

No, I haven't.

In one word, what does "writing" mean to you?

It is a curse.