I Tried the 100 Questions for Writers!

So nostalgic!

I remember doing these "100 Questions" back in the early 2000s when I ran a text-based website. I see the 100-question culture exists on note too, how lovely!

#100QuestionsForWriters

1. What kind of works do you write?

As a writer, almost every genre. As an author, picture books and children's books. As a hobby, essays and novels.

2. What kind of works do you like writing the most?

Essays that chronicle everyday life where nothing happens.

3. What is the origin of your pen name?

On note, I'm 'Machika-sensei,' which became my first-person pronoun before I knew it after being called that at a writing workshop. My professional pen name is a secret. My hobbyist creative pen name is also a secret.

4. When did you start creating?

Probably around first grade. I have memories of drawing manga in a free-notebook during recess...

5. What inspired you to start creating?

Because I loved fantasizing about the next episode of my favorite anime (which we called 'TV manga' back then).

6. What is your memory of your first creative work?

It was a magical girl story, but I didn't know English, so I just used a random string of katakana for the spells. My father saw it and teased me, asking, 'What is paralins-pick-popuri-puru?' and I died of embarrassment.

7. Were you good at writing compositions as a child?

I was a regular in anthologies and writing contests.

8. What is the happiest moment while creating?

When I'm fantasizing before I actually start writing!

9. Is there anything you won't compromise on when writing?

Daily life is dramatic

10. What does "writing" mean to you?

Even though it went from a hobby to a job, I still write as a hobby. I'm the type who writes as naturally as breathing.

11. What kind of writer do you want to be in the future?

The future... wait, the future!?
I'm actually in my late 40s now, so I've started wondering how much longer I'll be able to keep writing...

12. What do you do to polish your writing skills?

Thinking structurally, I suppose.

13. What is a "good piece of writing"?

Writing that is kind (simple and gentle).

14. Do you like reading?

I love it.

15. Who is your favorite author?

Yuka Minagawa
I should probably call her Sensei Yuka Minagawa, but since she refers to herself as "Yuka-san," it rubbed off on me. It's such a joy to be able to read her latest work below in 2024.

16. What is your favorite book?

A book from my childhood that I borrowed from the library, returned, and borrowed again and again. Eventually, I begged my grandmother to buy it for me. It's packed with the motifs I still love today: "magic," "a girl's daily life," and "fluctuating identity."

17. What book do you read over and over?

Kazuko Horii's essay book, "Excuses for Shopping."
I think I first picked it up at a bookstore when I started living alone or when I was a newlywed. It was a real eye-opener, as it was the first time I encountered the feeling of creating a life with my own hands. It's what got me into lifestyle essays.

In the book, there's a part where she says, "The colorful packaging of tissue boxes is exhausting, so I wish they would make a product that is just white." I remember thinking, "Yes, I totally get that!" and now, 25 years later, you can just buy "white packaging" anywhere. It's amazing, isn't it? I like to think that Horii-san was the starting point for this, at least for me.

18. What book do you want to read right now?

"Philosophy for Children," which my child and I are both hooked on. We record and watch the show, but I want the books too! I want to line them all up in our home library so we can pick them up whenever we want.

19. Who or what has influenced your creative work?

My mentors. The middle school Japanese teacher who trained me through repetitive practice to write from the reader's perspective. The high school Japanese teacher who always found my writing interesting and encouraged me to keep writing, saying things like, 'This is a book report written in a style that picks a fight with the author. I forgot I was working and just finished reading it; it was interesting, thank you.' The school librarian who entrusted me, a permanent library committee member, with selecting books. The elderly essay instructor who came to see me individually, saying, 'I want to talk to the student who wrote this.'

And then, during my blogger days when I was aiming to be a writer, a former newspaper employee who critiqued me by saying, 'Your writing is self-indulgent and annoying. You won't make it as a professional with writing that makes people regret reading it,' and completely tore down everything I had built. I think if I had stayed on that path, my writing would have ended up reeking. I have nothing but gratitude.

20. What is a favorite sentence from someone else's work, such as a book or a note?

『Without haste, but without rest.』
Without haste, but without rest.
(Goethe)

21. What do you tend to pay attention to when reading other people's work, such as books or notes?

The sensibility in word choice. I find myself looking for people whose absolute sense of language matches mine.

22. If you could take three books to a deserted island, what would you choose?

I could divide it into various patterns: whether I view the deserted island as a place with nothing to do and plenty of time, as being cast out from the world I'm in now, or as a survival opportunity.

If I have plenty of time and can think freely, I would choose this book. It's packed with memories of the books I've read so far, and I can enjoy it repeatedly in my mind♡

23. If you could say one thing to yourself 10 years ago, what would it be?

35 years old... That was a time when my writing work was busy. Well, let's see, just one thing: 'Go to sleep!!!!!

24. If you could ask yourself one question 10 years from now, what would it be?

That would be 55 years old. Um, 'Are you alive...?' (Since I have a chronic illness)

25. What is a creative failure you can talk about now because it's in the past?

I couldn't think of names for my characters, so I borrowed the surnames of acquaintances. It's not a villain, so please forgive me...

In an interview article, I wrote a woman who was interviewed on the condition of using a pseudonym as 'Ms. A-ko,' but it turned out her name was actually 'Eiko-san.' I was contacted by the person herself during the proofreading stage and had to rush to correct it.

26. Do you do any creative work other than writing?

I draw. I like storyboards and Japanese-style paintings. I used to be in the art club. I haven't uploaded them online.

27. If you were forbidden from writing, what would you do?

Devoting myself to being a reader♡

28. If you were told you had one week to live, would you create?

I would write one final essay, and after that, I wouldn't create anything else; I'd just spend time with my children doing the same silly, trivial things as always♡

29. Would you want to be a "writer" if you were reborn?

Come to think of it, a fortune teller once told me, "You were a writer in your past life, too..." I'll write about that story in a note article someday.

30. What is your strength as a writer?

As a writer, my strength is writing that is easy to read.
I am particularly good at erasing my personality for ghostwriting projects.

For other pieces where I can express myself, people often tell me, "It feels like you're talking to me." Even though I don't intend to talk to the reader at all...

31. What is your weakness as a writer?

The honest feeling I get when I look at my own note is that it's "a massive volume of talking to myself."

32. What is your motto for creation?

"Life is a way to kill time until you die" (Pascal / Philosopher).
My motto is: "You don't have to hold up anything that grand."

33. If you had to name three charms of your work, what would they be?

Easy to read
A treasure trove of ideas
Immersive style

34. If you had to name one of your own works that you like, what would it be?

Maybe this one, where I bared my soul on note.

35. Which of your works do you want people to read first?

This one, in many ways.

36. What is your favorite sentence from your own work?

It's from my creative work, but I can't say it on note...

37. If you had to compare your work to a color, what would it be?

Monotone. White and black. Wait, "mono" originally means one. If it's white and black, doesn't that make two? What is the world composed of?

I went to see my favorite artist, Ozaken, in concert during Golden Week. During the MC that day, he talked about the structural design of monotone. If you strip away colors, decorations, and various other things, you're left with white and black, but there are things that only become visible once you strip it down that far—the feeling of conveying something without relying on design, or thinking without being hindered by design. The tour merchandise also had a very chic, mode-inspired vibe, and it was wonderful. I really resonated with that.

I also love white, black, and gray. I've usually requested that style for the cover designs of my own books, and the clothes I wear daily are mostly mode-style as well. I'm sure that probably bleeds into what I write, too.

On the other hand, as a "writing teacher," I make a point to use color! The banners and thumbnails for this account are also colorful.

38. Which of the five senses (sight, hearing, touch, taste, smell) do your works lean toward?

I think I am visually dominant. In terms of expression, I often add a sense of touch. I like the feeling that if you reach out your hand, it's really there.

39. Does your work have a theme song?

Silence.

40. Are there any themes or motifs you find yourself writing about?

On Note, I'm always going on and on about writing, writing, writing, aren't I! I know. I'm sorry!

41. Are there any writing expressions you tend to use?

Self-deprecating humor. It hurts.

42. What kind of work do you want to write next?

A piece that can give someone the strength to live through today.

43. If your work were to be published as a book, who would you want to write the blurb?

The authors I admire! I want them to be excited, thinking, "The kid who used to send me fan letters has published a book!"

44. If your work were to be adapted into a live-action film, who would you want to star in it?

Ryotaro Murai! Actually, I'd rather write a script specifically for him.

45. Do you keep a diary that only you read?

I don't write one now. I only did that until high school.

46. When do you feel like a writer in your daily life?

The moment I step away from my PC and flop onto the sofa, thinking, 'I'm tired of writing—time for a break! I'll think about the next plot while I lounge around.' When I think about it calmly, that's not a break at all, is it? (laughs)

47. Do you write every day?

Between work and hobbies, I write about 10,000 characters a day. That kind of life has been going on for about 20 years.

48. Do you think about your creative work even when you're not writing?

Hmm? I'm not sure I understand the intent of this question.
I live my life thinking that everything, including the time I'm not writing, is part of the creative process.

Sorry. ...Maybe I'm the strange one. Even in my writing classes, I tell my students, 'You think about all sorts of things even when you're not writing, right? That means you're writing!'

49. Why do you continue to create?

Because it's my job. (How blunt, I know 💧)

50. How do you boost your motivation for creative work?

When I properly do the things I tend to neglect when I'm short on time before a deadline, like housework or childcare, my motivation for creative work goes way up.

51. What is your reward for working hard on your creative projects?

Alcohol ♡

52. Have you ever wanted to quit creating?

Probably not...?
There have been many times when I've thought about how much easier it would be if I could just quit.

53. What do you do when you want to quit creating?

I have stopped before. It's not so much that I decided to do it, but more about the intensity; my stance is that if it's not the right time, it's better not to write.

54. How do you get out of a slump when you want to write but can't write well?

If it's work, I push myself, telling myself not to be so soft and just write. As for hobbies, well, they're hobbies, so I think, 'I guess I'll take a break for a while' ♡

55. When do you most often come up with ideas for your creative work?

I'm the type who immediately connects the little things in daily life to questions like 'What if...?' or 'What would happen if I tried this?', so looking back, I just realized that's all I'm ever thinking about.

56. Are there times when you can't think of creative ideas?

Ah, this is probably a difference in stance. I'm the type who writes when I think of something and thinks of things while writing, so I don't worry about not having ideas.

57. What do you do when you can't think of creative ideas?

I just live my life normally♡

58. Can you work on multiple projects at the same time?

Yes, indeed! I always have several manuscripts in progress at once!!!!!

59. What do you use to write? A PC? A smartphone?

PC only. I sometimes make corrections from my smartphone.

60. Are there any recommended tools or items for writing?

When I think of something I want to write, I open the note app on my smartphone and make a note (update) as a title in the "site map", or save it as a draft article.

61. When do you write most often?

All day long.

62. Where do you write most often?

At the table where my home PC is located.

63. What do you do to ensure you have time for creative work?

I let my family spoil me♡ (If you set up a system where you can do what you want, you can make it work! For details, please read my series 'Mass-Produced Simple Life' below↓)

64. How do you flip the switch to start writing?

I'm always someone who wants to write, so I actually want a switch to stop me instead...

65. How do you feel when you are writing?

None.

66. Does it bother you when someone talks to you while you're writing?

I talk to my family normally. I don't hole up in a home office; I write at the living room table.

67. What's your trick for staying focused while writing?

I've never been focused... (a way too pathetic confession).
If I get interrupted, I just feel like I'll pick it up again later. Maybe it's because I've always written manuscripts while my kids were climbing all over me (they do that, right!?).

68. Do you listen to music or the radio while writing?

I play movie soundtracks as background music.

69. Are there any foods or drinks you can't do without while writing?

Alcohol♡

70. How do you take a break?

I'm always spacing out anyway, so it's more like I have to give myself a pep talk to get it together.

71. What do you pay attention to regarding your health?

Cooking meals and eating them.

72. Which work took the longest to complete?

I'm a fast writer, so I finish things quickly. Though I have plenty of things I've finished but let sit before releasing them.

73. Do you decide on a plot or structure before you start writing?

I do it thoroughly for writing assignments.
For my work as an author, I do it while consulting with my editor.
For hobbies, I write freely without deciding anything. My notes are similar to this.

74. Do you write in order from the beginning, or do you write your favorite scenes first?

I'll talk about my hobby writing.
I start from the beginning, but I write the start of each chapter first, and if I'm on a roll, I write the content. If I'm not, I keep tweaking the intro until I am.

75. When do you decide on the title?

I enter a placeholder title first.
Deciding on the final one can happen at the beginning, in the middle, or at the end.

76. What do you keep in mind when creating a title?

I use SEO strategies for my note article titles. For everything else, I just decide based on the sound or how catchy it feels. The article below was created with the maximum number of characters that won't get cut off when viewed in the note app.

77. What do you keep in mind when writing the opening paragraph?

The opening is everything.

78. What do you keep in mind when writing the closing paragraph?

I want to cherish the feeling after reading. Whether it's fiction or non-fiction, I try to write in a way that feels continuous, so that the reader can return to their own present, or rather, return smoothly from the world of words to their daily life.

79. Are you particular about the use of kanji versus hiragana?

I've been working for nearly 20 years in a world that says, 'Don't make excuses about being particular! Follow the rules!'

Maybe as a reaction to that, when I'm writing for fun, I just do whatever I want! Haha.

80. How many times do you revise?

When it comes to note, I publish it quickly without revising. With the mindset that I can just fix it as many times as I want afterward. This is also a reaction to my commercial work.

81. What is the best thing about publishing your work online?

Being able to connect with readers♡
There are even people now who have become family friends with me♡

82. What is the worst thing about publishing your work online?

Having people pry into my sales figures and number of copies sold. What a pain.

83. Do you have anyone read your work before you publish it online?

I don't have anyone read my note articles. If anything, I just write through it and publish it on a whim. I can be more objective after it's posted, so that's when I make corrections.

84. Do you care about the number of 'likes'?

I'm the type who doesn't need 'likes' that feel like obligatory chocolates. I'm happy if they are 'likes' given because someone read it, or 'likes' used as a bookmark to read later♡

85. What kind of people do you want to read your work?

I want parents raising children and educators to read my note articles. I hope that children all over the country will come to love writing and love themselves!

86. What kind of writer are you often told you are?

"It's like you're talking to me."
"I thought this article was written just for me."

87. Is there a big gap between how others evaluate you and how you evaluate yourself?

I'm a hopeless person who gets confused because the external evaluation (at work) is better than my own.

88. Which of your works was better received than you imagined?

If it's on note, maybe this one. It's my first note article. I wrote it without thinking, just "free writing," so reading it now, there's a lot to critique...

I intend to keep it as it is as a legacy of the past.

89. Do you make any efforts to get more people to read your work?

"Readability" and "clarity" are important for getting people to come back.

When you talk about "more" on the internet, it means exposure and awareness, so if I'm going to try new ways to reach people, I suppose that would be SEO. So, I do what I can.

90. Do you challenge yourself with contests or public submissions?

I used to about 20 years ago. But after seeing the reality that winning entries were often tear-jerkers or works that were artificially polished for show, I stopped submitting. My work actually got on track after I stopped.

91. What words are you happy to hear from people?

"It's easy to read."

92. What words are disappointing to hear from people?

"I haven't finished reading it to the end, but..."

93. Do you tell your family, friends, and other people close to you that you are creating?

My family and friends all know. I've been like this for a long time, so there's no point in hiding it now.

94. Is it embarrassing to have your work read by people close to you, like family or friends?

Actually, in my case, my daughter has become something like my secretary and accountant. She does fact-checking, uses her bookkeeping certification to handle the finances, and tells me things like, 'This part is self-indulgent and boring,' just like an editor. (Thank you always!)

95. Are you happy when your work is shared on Twitter or other platforms?

I welcome it with open arms♡

96. Do you ever feel down comparing yourself to other writers?

Who's that?

97. How do you deal with it when you feel down after comparing yourself to other writers?

...I don't know... I'm not the type to compare myself and get down. My stance is: ignore anyone who compares me to others, and ignore the things they compare me to. Just ignore them completely♡

98. Do you want to actively interact with other writers?

I'm probably more on the passive side.

99. What is a work by a favorite writer that comes to mind right now?

100. What is something you would like to ask other writers?

Everyone, try it out too♡
The 100 questions are fun!

Afterword

I saw these 100 questions in an article by Rin Kiki, whom I follow mutually. I'm glad I took on the challenge♡ Thank you!

It was a chance to reflect on myself, and it's also fun to read other writers' 100 questions.

I, Machika-sensei, realized that this kind of 'fun' is the fuel for continuing to create on note!