270 That Authors Home 5 (2/2)
”I heard it was inevitable due to the nature of the book's plot, which involved a drastic change in writing style toward the end. 'Sublimation' did cause quite the controversy.”
Then, the interviewer started asking more specific questions about the novel, which was still just as controversial to that day.
”I find the concept of changing writing styles within a novel difficult to grasp. Would you mind explaining that a little bit?”
Juho thought briefly about how far his answer would reach. After being translated into English, his answers would end up on the magazine, which would then be translated into multiple other languages. Those who were curious about Yun Woo were bound to get their hands on a copy.
”Yes, I'm aware of the controversies surrounding my writing style.”
”I don't think it could be any other way, though,” the interviewer said, and it was true. As the young author was contemplating where to start, the interviewer asked, ”So, how many writing styles do you have? Can you switch between them back and forth at will, like s.h.i.+fting to another gear on a bicycle?”
At that, Juho couldn't help but laugh upon realizing just how little they knew about him.
”If only,” he said. Then, hoping that the message would get across as a whole, Juho chose the words carefully in his mind first.
”First, I want to establish that changing a writing style is anything but easy. The idea alone is extremely experimental in nature, and it's not long until it ruins the flow of the novel and turns the entire plot into something completely irrelevant. I actually noticed a lot of inconsistencies while writing 'Sublimation.'”
”But the change is still possible, right?”
”Otherwise, the novel would've looked entirely different from what it looks like now.”
”What's it like to be able to write in multiple styles?”
It wasn't a difficult question, ”It feels like there's an old man living inside of me.”
”... That's an interesting a.n.a.logy. Did you ever feel like your personality was being affected in any way?”
Juho had also been aware of the split-personality theory surrounding him. Wondering if the interviewer was joking, the young author studied the expression on his face, but he seemed to be genuine.
”Nothing like that, no. Striking a balance between the two writing styles was definitely a challenge, but it wasn't to the point of developing a split-personality disorder.”
”When was it that you put the alternate writing style to use for the first time?”
”Are you aware that I used to be part of the Literature Club at my school?”
”Yes, I heard that you'd published a couple of short stories there.”
”That's right. They're being exhibited, even. As I mentioned earlier, people around me had no clue that I was Yun Woo, and that's exactly how I wanted it. Do you know how I was able to make that happen?”
At that, the interviewer leaned forward slightly in order to listen to the young author closely.
”You wrote in a different writing style.”
”Exactly. I told myself that I could write, but I couldn't let others find out who I was. And sure enough, when I tried it, it actually worked. I've come to realize that my alternate style carries a noticeably different feel, too.”
Then, a quiet exclamation came from his surroundings. Juho reminisced to what he had felt in the past. The memories of his past had been very much intact, even after he had come back to life after drowning in the river, and they had been vivid enough for him to put it into writing.
”You said something similar in a recent TV interview here in Korea. That was very very brief, but whatever you're about to say might just scratch where it itches,” the interviewer said.
He had quite a few questions regarding the young author's alternate writing style. However, being the professional interviewer that he was, he moved on quickly without lingering in the satisfaction of learning new information. Then, clearing his throat, he asked another question, ”Among the many characteristics you have as an author, I believe change to be one of them. For example, your readers can probably get a glimpse of that in the transition between your debut t.i.tle and your soph.o.m.ore t.i.tle, as well as the change in writing style in 'Sublimation.' What other things are you expecting to change in the future?”
”It could be anything. n.o.body knows how situations, perspectives or the future might change.”
”You'd say that you've been writing pretty seamlessly up to this point, correct?”
”Relatively speaking, yes.”
”And you also write incredibly fast. Is there a certain pattern that you follow when writing, such as writing a set amount per day?”
”No, but when I'm really into it, there are times when I write for over eight hours a day.”
”So, you're essentially pouring yourself out at that point,” the interviewer said. To which, the young author responded with silence. Then, the interviewer moved on to the next question, ”Do you ever find yourself afraid that things might change?”
When Juho looked at the interviewer, he looked calm and composed.
”Fear, you say?”
”I mean, who knows what the future holds? Do you ever worry about being unable to write in the future?”
Juho glanced over the interviewer's shoulder. Needless to say, both Nam Kyung and Nabi were looking quite displeased. Picking up the water bottle from underneath his chair, Juho took a sip, and as he was doing that, n.o.body said a word.
”I do come across as someone who's made it big in life, huh?” the young author said, and the interviewer's eyes shook ever so slightly.
”Mr. Woo, you've experienced incredible success at an early age. I think that, suffice to say, that's the objective truth.”
”To an extent, sure. My books are selling well, and I have won awards, too.”
”Do you not consider yourself successful?”
”I think we should move on to another subject. I believe that what you're really asking is whether I'm afraid of having succeeded in life at such an early age, if I'm afraid everything will vanish into thin air one day, right? Fear of loss, if you will.”
The interviewer hesitated at the young author's slightly exaggerated statement but nodded soon after.
”To make a long story short, yes. I do have that fear,” the young author said. In fact, he had fear of both success and failure, and he was deathly afraid that everything in his life would slip right through his fingers one day.
”How do you feel when that fear creeps in?”
”It never comes with a warning.”
”Is there anything you do to help you overcome your fear?”
”Write,” Juho said.
”So, has writing proven to be an effective way of overcoming your fear?”
”I don't know if overcoming is a good way to put it. Fear or terror are natural human emotions, and I don't go out of my way to tackle them on purpose.”
”Than how does writing benefit you?”
”It brings me skills that make me a better writer,” the young author said and added without hesitation, ”Similar to the fears I have of success and failure, I also have an irrational fear that my luck will just run out when I wake up one day. Luck is part of any result, and there's simply no way around it. However,” Juho paused and looked around. There was one thing that never left his sight, no matter where he looked. Then, with a smile, he said, ”Who would bother trying to steal all of these ma.n.u.scripts?”