I've created a book for people who want to learn to love 'writing'.

It was May of 2020.

My life as a fledgling freelancer, which until then had been spent rushing around for interviews and events, was completely transformed by the stay-at-home orders.

I didn't have any 'must-write' work manuscripts on hand as I usually did. Staring at my suddenly wide-open schedule, I wondered, 'Hmm, what should I do with all this spare time?'

Spending every day cooped up at home, with nothing changing from one day to the next. My only pleasures were, at best, cooking elaborate meals to eat or immersing myself in entertainment like anime and manga.

Among all that, the one thing I could do was... well, it was 'writing'.

That was how I started 'The Writing Magazine to Help You Learn to Love Writing'.

I started working as a writer in 2018, and this year marks my fourth year, but even before that, I have always lived my life supported by 'writing'.

Even when people said shitty things to me at school, I could feel better by going home and venting 'You piece of shit!!' into my notebook, or by sharing it with readers on my blog, turning it into a funny story. I have always written down my thoughts with the feeling of 'Hey, listen to this!' That has remained true even after I entered the working world.

And now, we live in an era where anyone can freely express their thoughts on anything online.

On the other hand, I also received many comments saying, 'I don't know what I should write about' or 'I'm scared to show it to others'.

If everyone could learn to love 'writing', wouldn't they be able to find some joy in their ordinary, unchanging days? Wouldn't they be able to expand their own possibilities?

That was the thought with which I started the magazine.

Then, some time later in October 2020, Cross Media Publishing sent me a DM.

'Would you like to publish a book that helps people learn to love writing?'

To my surprise, the editor told me they had stumbled upon my magazine while surfing the web and had read it!

I was genuinely surprised by this.

After all, I'm on a super small scale if you call me an influencer, and my experience as a writer is shallow—I'm a total novice. Besides, the magazine they read was just a pathetic little thing with only 16 articles of about 900 characters each.

Is there really anything someone like me can write about!? No, there isn't!!!

'It's extremely self-taught, so I'm not sure if this is okay...'
'There are much better books on writing out there in the world!'
'I mean, there are plenty of people writing even more wonderful notes!'

It would be one thing if people who are buzzing on note or writing wonderful articles were releasing essays, butI'm just someone who only writes completely trivial diaries like 'I read a manga today!', so is it really okay for me to do this!!!!

However, when I listened carefully, the editor explained that they didn't want to make a book about writing, buta book that ultimately lowers the hurdle for 'writing'.

They said it's a book that 'moves the heart,' one that would make someone who has never written anything before pick up a pen and think, 'Okay, maybe I'll try expressing my feelings a little.'

Rather than a practical business book, it's more like a lucky charm that gives you a little push.

Hmmmm, if that's the case, maybe I could write it if I tried hard enough...?

I started writing while still unable to shake the feeling of, 'Is it really okay for it to be me!?'

By the way, since it was my first time publishing a book, I didn't know my left from my right.

Once the table of contents was decided, it was just a matter of 'Okay, please write it!' and I had to write furiously. Balancing my daily interview drafts and writing my note diary while also writing a book was more grueling than I expected.

'I can't do this anymore, I don't want to write.'

...I was so worried that while writing a 'book to help you love writing,' I would end up hating writing myself.There's a limit to everything, after all.

With that said, even for such concise text that can be read smoothly in large print,I actually had to extend the deadline twice (sliding dogeza), resulting in a publication delay of two months... (lol).

The advice from the editor was very simple.

'Please include more of your own personal experiences, Yupi-san.'

No, no, no, no!! Wouldn't that just turn it into my own personal essay?

...I thought that, but the goal wasn't a book that dryly lists what to do, but rather to be close to the reader by sharing real experiences like, 'This is what I did to make things work.'

So, as embarrassing as it is, my past experiences are included quite candidly. In that sense, I don't think it falls under the category of a business book.

...But as I reread the finished manuscript over and over and polished it, I packed it with many words meant to push the reader forward.I especially read it aloud many times, and was careful to choose gentle words that wouldn't hurt anyone.

For someone like me who is always editing the words of interviewees, writing such a long text was the first time since my graduation thesis, and to put it mildly, I thought 'this might be impossible' many times, but in the end, it exceeded the required page count and became quite thick. How strange!

However, despite its thickness, the text is large, there is plenty of space, and above all, my vocabulary is limited... no, wait, I've only used simple words, so people have told me it's "easy to read."

Honestly, this book won't resonate with everyone.

For those who can already write to some extent, I think you won't enjoy it because it contains things that are extremely "obvious." I'll just say it outright.It's not fun for someone who can already swim to use a kickboard, right?!?

But I wrote this believing that it would reach someone out there who wants to learn to love writing or who lacks confidence in their writing.

I'm not very good at talking to people, but by writing down my honest feelings like this, more people started talking to me, my work increased, and people told me, "I like your way of thinking."

Isn't it a miracle for someone with social anxiety that people like you even when you haven't said a word?!?

Even if it doesn't lead to work, I think it's enough if it makes life a little more enjoyable.

With that in mind, if you're someone who thinks, "Please! Give me a push!" and wants the courage to write, I would be very happy if you would pick up a copy.

Please give me a kind Amazon review...

And!!! Currently, the Amazon reviews are very harsh, likely from people who just skimmed it, saying things like "Is this self-published?" and "It's at the level of a college student's essay," so if you have read it, please, I beg you for a kind... a kind review!

I mean, I even wrote in the book, "You shouldn't write things that intentionally hurt people!"!? Read it! (lol)

...Phew.

Finally, this book took shape thanks to Kazuho Ishii, who believed in my clumsy potential and kept pushing me as an editor; Kohei Ashino, who handled the warm and gentle design; designer Koji Kanazawa; and everyone at the DTP, proofreading, printing, and bookbinding companies. Thank you so much.

And to everyone who always watches my Twitter and note. Because someone reads it, I feel like I can write again today. Thank you so much.

Well then everyone, let's write and live happily!!!

Postscript: Thanks to you all, the reviews that were a lost cause have come back to life.

I have nothing but gratitude. I am still accepting reviews, so if you read it and think even a little bit that it's "good," please do so.

Furthermore, for those who post on note using the hashtag '#WritingHabit'—including not only reviews of the book but also daily diary entries inspired by reading it—I will include all of them in the magazine below and, if I may be so bold, I will 'like' them myself.

Please, take the courage to put your thoughts into words.

Postscript: I was featured by note.

I love you note!!!!! I love you so much note!!!!! Thank you so much!!!!!