Why go all the way to Green Island to research a novel? For a new work, Utsudo flew from Taitung to Green Island in March, where the historical sites she needed are located. Although there’s plenty of information online, she insisted on going in person, because research is part of creating. The subject involves a heavy history that tore many families apart, and she wants to write it with even greater care. Along the way, she also fell in love with the island’s abundant nature.

Translated from Utsudo’s original Chinese column.

Flying from Taitung to Green Island

In March, for research, I set foot on an island rich in wildlife and full of stories: Green Island, once known as Huoshao Island.

It lies off the coast of Taitung, and we flew there from Taitung. Taitung Airport is tiny. Besides flights to Green Island, there are flights to Orchid Island, but not many—the departures board couldn’t even fill a page.

Frankly, waiting hungry at this small airport that didn’t even sell food, I couldn’t help thinking that if it weren’t for research, I’d probably never come here in my life. It’s quite far from Pingtung where I live: I took the train yesterday and got up at 5:30 this morning for the flight. Without a special reason, I’d never think of going.

But once I set foot on the island and gradually got to know it, I felt I should have come much sooner.

I’ve found it’s not just me—everyone seems easily boxed in by preconceptions and misses out on trying things. What a shame QQ

A dream island rich in nature

I’m someone who loves nature and living things. Whenever I get the chance, I go looking for creatures in the tide pools by the sea. When I’m feeling down, exploring freely in nature and feeling the breeze and life around me quickly lifts my spirits.

The island has the modern facilities you need to live, but isn’t overdeveloped. It preserves a very rich ecosystem: wide skies, lush green trees, and a beautiful, clear sea all around. Every breath of air is fresh.

It’s exactly the living environment I’ve always dreamed of!

Passing by, I happened to see a plot of land for sale by the road for less than a studio apartment in a city on the main island. I had the urge to call the number and ask for details (X

If my finances become more stable someday, maybe I’ll consider living there.

By the way, circling the island by scooter takes about an hour. The busy areas are mainly in the north and west. The rest remains natural, and along the round-island road you can enjoy views of the sea and mountains and the cool breeze.

And the tide pools right outside the shopping area had so many creatures, and the water was so clear—I was amazed! Does that mean other areas have even more sea life? XD

I also tried diving there, but that’s a digression.

Why research on Green Island in person?

I came to Green Island because there are historical sites there, and I needed material on them for this research. Although there’s a lot of information online, I still wanted to visit in person and feel the atmosphere of that time, so I could better weave the material into my work.

My editor said that because information is so accessible now, and the internet is full of travelogues, finding material is easy, so many authors just skim online sources. She said I’m a more conscientious author. I was too embarrassed to admit I’d also snuck off to have some fun (covers face)

For me, research is part of creating.

Historical times and places never return. Even just a few decades make a huge difference in time and space. For me, creating is a process of absorbing and transforming, combined with imagination, so feeling things firsthand is essential.

A history that carries scars

This subject is also very heavy. It involves many broken families and carries a history of scars and pain, so I want to write this work with an even more rigorous attitude.

Looking at the long list of victims’ names beneath the memorial, I couldn’t help thinking:

Please rest in peace. I will work hard to let more people know your stories. This is my responsibility and my promise. I’m no genius writer, but I want to do my part to pass on the history that belongs to us.

FAQ

Further reading

• Previous: Hey! I Heard You’re a Writer on Ghost Island #135: The Friend Whose Eyes Welled Up for My Dream
• Start from the beginning: Hey! I Heard You’re a Writer on Ghost Island #01: Utsudo’s Debut — A Road to the Dream Covered in Frost
• Utsudo’s books

About the author

Utsudo is a Taiwanese light novelist and novelist VTuber with more than ten years in the industry and 40 commercially published print books. Her novel 《遺失的情書》 received a 2022 Ministry of Culture youth creative award. The 《嘿！聽說妳在鬼島當作家》 series records her experiences as a novelist in Taiwan.