In the realm of literature, there exists a captivating fusion of imagination and culture, where stories unfold against the backdrop of diverse worlds and traditions. We had the privilege of delving into the creative mind of a Mauritian author who embarked on a remarkable journey into the heart of Japanese culture through the art of storytelling.
Meet a mysterious Mauritian writer, whose passion for anime, manga, and Asian dramas has not only shaped her personal life but has also ignited a fervor for penning tales that immerse readers in the rich tapestry of Japanese influence. Although this author chooses to remain anonymous by adopting a pen name, her works speak volumes about her dedication to sharing the beauty and complexity of Japanese culture.
In this interview, we will uncover the author’s thoughts, motivations, and insights into her writing journey. From her early exploration of Japanese culture to the development of intriguing characters and the challenges of cultural representation, we’ll gain a deeper understanding of the creative forces that drive her works.
Join us as we embark on a literary adventure through the lens of this talented writer, exploring the themes, stories, and inspirations that have shaped her unique novels, ‘Subaru’ and ‘Tsunagari.’ Whether you’re an avid reader, a lover of Japanese culture, or simply curious about the art of writing, this interview promises to be a captivating journey into the world of Japanese-inspired fiction.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
I am a big fan of anime and manga. I have been watching them nearly my whole life. I also love watching Japanese/Chinese/ South Korean dramas. My favorite dramas are: The Devil Judge, Island, Please Feel At Ease Mr. Ling, True Beauty, Doom At Your Service, Are You Human Too?, and Go Go Squid! My biggest regret is perhaps that I did not discover the universe of k/j/c dramas earlier; I discovered it only one or two years ago. There are a few American serials that I like as well, such as One Tree Hill (Les Frères Scott). I also love reading, especially fiction books of the romance and supernatural genres.
What led you to choose anonymity and a pen name for your writing career?
I prefer to use a pen name and remain anonymous because I hold on a lot to my privacy. However, what is good about Wattpad is that it breaks the barrier between the writer and the reader. Any reader can drop me a message at any time, and I can revert back to them; I can follow them, and they can follow me.
What inspired you to focus on Japanese culture in your writing?
I love the Asian culture, whether it is Japanese, South Korean, or Chinese. If I chose to focus on the Japanese culture, I would say it is due to the manga that I have read and the anime that I have watched. They represent an important part of my life.
How long have you been writing, and when did you start exploring Japanese culture in your work?
I started writing at the age of 15. At first, I was writing only for myself, and I actually wrote a few novels, but ‘Subaru’ and ‘Tsunagari’ are different. There is something about them that made me want to share them with the world. They are my two little babies.
When I started writing, it was merely as a distraction. But what started as a source of distraction became a real passion. I wanted to write a story of my own, create my own characters, and give them their happy ending. I love happy endings. It really broke my heart to write the ending of both ‘Tsunagari’ and ‘Subaru’ because in both of them, it ends tragically for one of the main characters.
As to the Japanese culture, I started exploring it right from the beginning.
What is your typical writing routine or process like?
I remember that I would write five hours or more a day, every single day of the week. But with university and work, it became more difficult to find time to write, especially to start working on a new novel.
How do you research and gather information about Japanese culture for your novels?
Most of the things that I know about the Japanese culture are things that I have learned by reading manga and watching anime. Otherwise, the information comes from researches that I have carried out on the internet. All hail Google and all hail technology!
Can you share some of the recurring themes or motifs in your novels?
There is a Japanese game called the Hyakumonogatari, and you will see that in both ‘Subaru’ and ‘Tsunagari,’ there is a scene where the characters are playing that game. I wanted to keep that game as a sort of identifier. But also, kindness, relationships, and bullying are recurring themes in my stories.
How do you create and develop characters in your stories?
I imagine their personality, their physical appearance, and who they are – if they have parents or they are orphans, how their family life is, their past, their present, if they have any power, what that power is, everything about them.
I also like to create all my characters in such a way that they are or will be romantically interested with another character in the book, or they have or will have someone who is romantically interested in them. I always create them as couples in my mind.
But I also need to tell you that, throughout my life, I have always been attracted to those characters that are a bit broken. Not that their tragedies or their pain are to be used for our entertainment but, rather, because no matter what they have gone through during their life, no matter what comes their way, no matter by what and how many times they get knocked them down, they would always get up again and continue to walk. They are without any doubt what Elizabeth Kubler-Ross calls as beautiful people.
Those characters have always inspired me and made me feel stronger in my life. When creating my characters, I always keep that in mind and consciously, or unconsciously, I have designed most of my characters in that way.
Who are some of your favorite authors?
My favorite author is Mo Xiang Tong Xiu. I discovered her novel ‘The Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation’ some two years ago. It has become my favorite novel. And I can’t wait to start reading her other works.
I am also a big fan of Kazuya Minekura; she is the creator of the manga and anime ‘Saiyuki’, which remains my most favorite anime ever. I am equally a fan of Tite Kubo for ‘Bleach’ and Masashi Kishimoto for ‘Naruto/Naruto Shippuden’.
Are there specific works of Japanese literature or art that have had a significant impact on your writing?
I believe that the manga and novels that I have read, and the anime I have watched have all had a significant impact on my writing.
What achievements or moments in your writing journey have brought you the most satisfaction?
When I finished writing ‘Subaru’ and I was close to completing ‘Tsunagari,’ I remember that I started reaching out to publishers – mainly in England and Wales because I don’t know any publishing house in Mauritius which publishes novels in the romance or paranormal genre, to publish ‘Subaru’- I received two positive replies. Unfortunately, I could not accept the contracts they were offering me because I was looking for a traditional contract.
And then, there was Covid-19 and publishers were no longer accepting submissions. After Covid-19, I discovered Wattpad. I did not know that such a platform exists; in fact, I never imagined that such a platform could exist. It allows you to upload your novels for free and to connect and engage with your readers. It was a wonderful discovery for me. I can never thank Wattpad enough for offering me and other writers such a platform.
Also, all the thanks in the world would still not be enough to express my gratitude to the software developers who created software that allows you to generate pictures of the characters of your novel using simple word prompts, and these softwares allow you to retain the copyright to your creations. Of course, they still need to be improved – sometimes you end up with your character having three arms instead of two, and therefore, you need to edit a lot but, I truly believe it is a revolutionary idea which is going to change the literary world. All hail to AI!
Do you have any upcoming projects or goals related to your writing?
Ever since I uploaded ‘Subaru’ and ‘Tsunagari’ on Wattpad, I did not really have the time to promote them. For the time being, I am going to work on that. What I hope is that one day I will be able to adapt ‘Subaru’ and ‘Tsunagari’ into an anime and live-action drama. And I would also like to have my books published as an e-book or in printed form.
Can you provide a brief summary or overview of your novels?
‘Subaru’ is a story about Shun Shutsuki, who is recruited in an organization that hunts monsters. The other members of the organization are not happy at all – to say the least – by her recruitment, because they think she is a mass-murderer who massacred all the people of her village and burnt the place down to cinders years ago. Two of the greatest mysteries in the book are: What happened that fateful night? And, who is Subaru?
‘Tsunagari’ is mainly a story about the characters themselves. The story actually really begins when the lead female character, Hime Kirigakure, arrives in the City of Kokubunji. Each one of the characters has their own past and their own difficulties within their family circle.
I don’t want to say too much; I prefer that readers discover the stories themselves.
Did you draw from real locations in Japan for your book’s setting?
All the names of places in the books are purely fictitious.
How did you develop these characters, and did you draw inspiration from real people or archetypes?
No, I don’t base my characters on real people. However, the story, in parts, explores the Japanese mythology, namely the Japanese creation myth, as well as the legendary creatures of the country, that is, creatures from Japanese folklore, with an original touch added to all of this.
What themes or messages are central to your books?
I would say family, friendship, relationships, and kindness.
Can you describe your writing process, including the initial idea, planning, and drafting stages?
When I come up with an idea that could be translated into a novel story, it is always like: it starts like this and ends like that. It is like a two to three lines summary in my mind. This is the first stage. The second stage is the character creations. I start imagining the characters – their names, personality, physical appearance, everything. And then, I start writing. Whenever I have an idea of a scene that I want to include, I note it down somewhere and I see where I can put it. Most of the time, I have a list of scenes and I arrange them in the order that I want. In the end, I realize that it all fell into place smoothly.
What were some of the most rewarding aspects of writing your novel?
The stories that I have read or watched – i.e., in whatever form those stories were, whether they were a book, an anime, etc – have shaped me as a person; they have shaped my character and my personality. Every time I feel a bit lost, I go back to them to remember the person that I am.
So, I would say that the most rewarding part of writing is what it brings to the reader, not to the writer. I am myself an avid reader. And so, when I think of all the things those stories have brought me, and, therefore, when I think that I could make someone laugh through a scene of one of my novels on a rainy day, that they could find inspiration from a character of my book to do good and to be kind, or not to give up… that thought is very satisfying. It is the most rewarding aspect of being a writer.
If you’re intrigued by Shu XianJi’s passion for Japanese culture and her captivating novels, you can follow her on X, formerly Twitter, @Shu_XianJi (https://twitter.com/Shu_XianJi) for updates, insights, and more.
Additionally, you can dive into her enchanting literary world on Wattpad, where she shares her books and character guides. Visit her Wattpad profile here (https://www.wattpad.com/user/ShuXianJi) to explore her stories and connect with fellow fans. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to engage with this talented writer and discover her immersive tales.
Zuhayr Dhunny
Personal Insights
• What is your favorite color ?
Pink is my favorite color
• What’s your favorite comfort food or guilty pleasure snack?
I have a sweet tooth. I love all types of sweets. It is one of my guilty pleasures.
• What is your favorite animal ?
I am an animal-lover. I love all animals, especially cats, dogs, rabbits and tortoise.
• What’s your go-to music genre or favorite band/artist?
I am a big fan of ehru player, Eliott Tordo. My favorite song is ‘Demons’, by Imagine Dragons. I like all their songs a lot. I also like the song ‘What should I do’ by Jisun.
• Do you have any hobbies or interests outside of your online work?
Hobbies: apart from writing and studying (if that’s a hobby), I like listening
to music and drawing.
• What’s your favorite destination for a vacation ?
New Caledonia