Literary Japanese: Welcome to the World of Creative Writing!
Hello everyone! Have you ever thought, "I’d love to write a story of my own"? Or perhaps you feel like, "I'm just not good at writing..." In this unit on "Creative Writing," we won't just be writing—we’ll be learning the mechanisms of how stories are built.
By understanding what goes on behind the scenes of a story, you’ll find reading much more enjoyable, and your ability to express your own ideas will grow by leaps and bounds. Let’s take it one step at a time and adopt the perspective of a story creator (author)!
1. Finding the "Seeds" of a Story: Theme and Subject Matter
The start of any creative work is deciding on a theme (the core message) and a subject matter (what you are writing about).
The theme is the "central message" you want to convey to the reader through your work. For example, "the importance of friendship" or "taking the courage to take the first step."
The subject matter is the material of your story. These are concrete elements like "after school in the classroom" or "a pen that has mysterious powers."
【Pro Tip】
Don't worry about making it too difficult at first! Even a small, emotional moment like "the dinner I had last night was delicious" can be a fantastic subject. The secret is to add a little "spice" to everyday events by asking, "What if something happened here?"
(Example) Subject: A bus stop on a rainy day + "What if": What if the person sitting next to you came from the future? = The start of a story!
2. Building the "Pillars": Characters and Setting
Whether a reader gets drawn into your story depends on the charm of your characters.
Character Design
Don't just think about their name and age. Consider their personality, favorite things, and their "struggles" or "goals." Readers are more likely to root for characters who have flaws or worries rather than those who are perfect.
World-Building
Decide "when" (the time period) and "where" (the location) your story takes place. This is called the setting. Whether you choose a world close to reality or a fantasy world, it’s important to decide on the "rules" of that world.
【Fun Fact】Try creating a resume!
It is said that professional writers often create detailed "resumes" for their characters. If you decide on things like their favorite food or a catchphrase they often use, you might find that the characters start moving on their own within your story!
3. Structuring the "Skeleton": Plot and Composition
Before you start writing, create a plot (a roadmap) that lays out the flow of the story. In Japanese writing, the most famous structure is "Ki-Sho-Ten-Ketsu."
Ki (Introduction): The beginning of the story. Introduces the setting and characters.
Sho (Development): An event occurs, and the story begins to move.
Ten (Twist/Climax): The biggest highlight. An unexpected turn of events.
Ketsu (Conclusion): The ending. The event is resolved, leaving a lingering impression.
【Common Mistake】
If you lack a "Ten" (Twist) and the story continues in the same tone throughout, readers will get bored. If you compare it to mountain climbing, the "Ten" is the summit. The trick is to build excitement as you head toward that peak!
4. Drawing Readers In: The Art of Description
Sometimes, simply writing "He was sad" doesn't quite communicate that feeling to the reader. That’s where description becomes important.
Conveying through observation, not just words
Try writing the situation without using the word "sad."
(Example) "He looked down in silence, clenching his fists tightly. For some reason, the raindrop that fell on the ground felt warm."
By writing this way, the reader imagines, "Oh, he's holding back tears." This technique is known as "Show, don't tell."
【Pro Tip】Use your five senses!
Incorporate more than just sight (what you see); use sound (auditory), smell (olfactory), touch (tactile), and taste (gustatory) to make your story feel truly real.
5. The Final Polish: Suiko (Revising)
Once you’ve finished writing, make sure to read it over. This is called suiko (revising/polishing). Just as the characters suggest, it is the process of refining and polishing your words.
・Are there any typos or missing characters?
・Are the same phrases (e.g., "it was..." or "I thought...") repeated too often?
・Does the story make logical sense?
【Advice】
I recommend reading it aloud once! You will immediately find parts where the rhythm is off or places that are hard to read. You don’t need to aim for perfection at first. Try to approach it with the mindset of, "Is this a slightly better expression than it was yesterday?"
Summary: Enjoying Creative Writing
★Key Points to Remember★
1. Find your theme and subject matter in your own daily life.
2. Give your characters goals and struggles to make them charming.
3. Keep the Ki-Sho-Ten-Ketsu structure in mind to create a "peak" in your story.
4. Use description to show how characters feel without just stating their emotions.
5. Use revision to polish your words at the end.
There is no "correct" way to write creatively. You are the only person in the world who can turn the world inside your head into words. Why not start with a short diary entry or a brief story? "Writing" is a wonderful adventure of self-discovery!