Hello, fellow disciples! We've been searching far and wide for individuals who have cultivated for a long time. This month, we bring you an interview with soryou, the author of Ten Thousand Books But Only One You.

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Tell us a bit about yourself!

By day and sometimes by night, I'm a junior-level office employee, but by pastime, I indulge in my passion for writing and watching dramas. I'm highly selective about the books/dramas that I choose to read/watch, as the stories must be exciting and fresh/original for me. 

What is your writing process? Do you outline everything or write as things come to mind? Why?

I usually plan my stories with a general outline, chapter by chapter, focusing on the major events and plot twists. While writing, however, the direction of the story sometimes changes due to the characters' actions or dialogues in accordance with their characterisation; and so, I end up going with the flow. Nonetheless, since I typically start writing with a particular ending in mind (which is also why there is usually quite a bit of foreshadowing in earlier chapters and easter eggs scattered around), I'll continually review and revise my general outline to ensure that I'll ultimately reach that satisfactory conclusion.

What are some things that influenced your story?

Inspiration for my stories comes from various sources: real life events and people, bittersweet dreams that I still remember in the morning, and when I don't feel satisfied with how other stories unfold/end or when I want to read a particular story which currently does not exist (to the best of my knowledge).

For "Ten Thousand Books, But Only One You" (TTBBOOY), it was originally conceived as two separate stories. The first was a series of short stories which featured a female protagonist as the custodian of the Tower of Ten Thousand Books. Each of these short stories were actually written for my close friends as birthday presents almost a decade ago. For example, from Chapter 2, there is a side character named Yan Chun. This character was inspired by a close friend of mine who once remarked to me that he "just wanted to be happy". So, I wrote him a short story titled "The Happy Boy" (featuring Yan Chun) as my way of wishing that he would be able to find his own happiness.

The second was a result of one of the many dramatic love triangles which I observed in my circle of friends, as well as the result of me having read Sun Tzu's "The Art of War" (which is why Book 2 of TTBBOOY has war motif and imagery).

Somehow, I had an eureka moment, and it made sense when I merged both ideas together, and so, this long-titled book was born!

Tell us about the main character of one of your stories. What inspired their creation?

Fang Yuhan and Ji Kai are the main characters of "Ten Thousand Books, But Only One You", and they are actually based on a few close friends from my schooldays.

Both characters initially appear in the story as high school students.

At the outset of the story, Ji Kai appears as a model student who consistently tops his class, blessed with good looks, but has a rather cold personality. Not many people can get close to him as he is guarded, but once you get to know him, he is actually interesting, witty and loyal. As he tends to keep his thoughts to himself, it causes a lot of misunderstandings between him and the people around him. Even if he means well for his loved ones, they wouldn't know unless they could read his mind. It is a painful lesson which he eventually experiences firsthand.

Fang Yuhan is introduced as a girl who is intelligent, confident but a bit dense. As someone who knows Ji Kai from childhood, she is good friends with him and knows a lot about him, to the envy of many other girls who have a crush on Ji Kai. As her way of denying her own feelings for him (since she does not want to be "just like the other girls"), she sees Ji Kai as someone who is unlikable and someone she wants to surpass. However, when she learns that Ji Kai is in a life-threatening situation, her genuine concern for him is revealed. As we move into the second half of the story, Fang Yuhan transforms into an ordinary working adult facing life's complexities, gradually losing her former confidence. But, as she embarks on adventures within the novel's universe, she utilises her intellect and abilities to overcome challenges, and is ultimately reminded that she is not a person of insignificance.

What were some challenges you experienced while writing the story?

Since I like to write with the ending in mind, one challenge is brainstorming ways to craft the plot in a logical way so as to reach my end goal; and another challenge is coming to terms with myself that my characters and story have taken on a life of their own and that I may have to tweak the ending so that the story can conclude perfectly.

What message do you hope your story will tell your readers?

Treasure your loved ones. Communication is key. 

If you woke up in a time or place that was very different from reality, what would you do?

Definitely check myself and my surroundings to see whether transmigration into novels/dramas/movies really exist. 

If there was something you could learn (i.e., some spell, some martial arts, etc.) like the main character in your book, what would it be?

Qinggong (lightness skill)

Would you rather go through a lifetime of never finding love or be willing to go through several lifetimes of hardships just to save your love? Why?

Several lifetimes of hardships just to save my love -- because the idea of it is just so dramatic (and romantic).

P.S. It's actually also the theme of the story which I am currently writing, "One Less Star in the Night Sky"!

What is your favorite creature from Asian mythology or folklore? Why?

I don't actually have one. But, although it isn't from mythology or folklore, I like the giant bird (i.e., the divine condor) from the wuxia novel "The Return of the Condor Heroes" by Jin Yong.

What is your favorite Asian myth? Why?

Not sure if the Legend of Mulan can be considered a myth, but I really really love Mulan and have watched all possible Chinese drama/movie adaptations of the same.  

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Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us, soryou! We wish you the best of luck in your writing endeavors.

Until the next chapter, fellow disciples!