タイトル未定2026/08/07 13:35
Although I am still capable of writing novels, as time passes, I have come to feel that it wouldn't be strange if I were to die at any moment.
That is why I want to record my techniques and approach to writing fiction here.
My encounter with novels dates back to my elementary school days.
As a boy who did not yet understand the concept of "beauty," I discovered the appeal of fiction through mystery novels.
In the beginning, I read works like *The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes* and *The Sign of Four*.
Back then, I would get swept up in the plot and race through the books in a single day.
Later, I encountered the works of Haruki Murakami; *The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle*, in particular, left a deep impression on my heart.
As my boyhood ended and I entered young adulthood, I discovered the novels of Osamu Dazai, Yukio Mishima, and Ryūnosuke Akutagawa.
It was under these influences that I began to create my own work.
To put it simply, what I primarily want to write about is beauty.
I could say that the beauty found in the works of Mishima and Akutagawa saved me, but as I turned my attention to foreign literature, I also came under the influence of Dostoevsky and Thomas Mann.
Regarding my writing process: for short stories, I do not create a plot beforehand.
I write improvisationally, letting sentences flow naturally from the opening line; I find satisfaction in the brevity of the form and in how my subconscious mind allows me to articulate what I am truly thinking.
The most important element in writing fiction is the quality of the prose.
Novels written with fine prose are the most compelling. That is why I do not read contemporary mystery novels; they often lack the necessary literary quality to be truly engaging.
So, how does one hone one's writing ability?
It overlaps with my poetry, but the answer lies in refining one's aesthetic sense.
Writing that is grounded in a refined aesthetic sense and perception becomes truly fine prose. For instance, consider the difference between:
"The moon was shining, so I watched it. It was just like the moon from that day."
and
"The moon was shining. Before I knew it, I was reminded of the moon from that day.
I can hear the sound of insects. It is quiet.
I have to go now."
The difference lies in how the prose is edited.
In my case, the writing itself comes first; if the content can keep up with the prose, I let it follow along.
It is also important for the writing to possess a certain magical quality. I want to explore this further, but I believe that the "magic" of prose is honed through actual use. The effort put into polishing one's writing is effective.
Regarding content, I often wanted to introduce a surprising mystery—something I had in mind during the conceptual phase—but ultimately, I never managed to incorporate it.
Of course, while the writing takes precedence over the content, there are times when one needs the decisiveness of a company president.
Decisions like, "Let's wrap this part up here," or "Let's do this next."
There was another area where I fell short: the depiction of women.
Women can be selfish, mean, or dishonest; unless you write them that way, the portrayal lacks realism.
I also needed the technical skill to craft an opening that draws the reader in smoothly—the writing has to be good right from the start. If it isn't engaging, people will just browse and put it down (since readers are quick to abandon a book they find boring), so the prose must be compelling.
A skillful ending is also desirable.
After all, for any full-length novel, the completion rate is under 5%—meaning most readers will inevitably stop reading halfway through.
I have also given some thought to writing style. Through the careful choice of words and the modulation of one's "voice," it is possible to project either a male or female tone; I want to urge people, from the bottom of my heart, to listen to the "voice" within the writing style itself.
"I am alone. All alone. Being alone means loneliness. And that loneliness can also be beautiful.
What about you?" "I want to ask..."
"I had nothing of importance. Yet, even a drifter like me could find a peaceful life waiting—if I just put in the effort to help others."
The passage above was written in a feminine style; the one below, in a masculine style.
The difference in the narrative voice is immediately apparent.
