Hey! I Heard You’re a Writer on Ghost Island
Observations from Taiwanese novelist Utsudo, shared to give new writers some direction. (Articles are in Chinese.)
✦ Essays available in English ✦
- #100 What Chapter Lengths Say About the Times
- #70 A Novelist’s Survival Strategy
- #43 Advice for New Writers Who Want to Write Something Good
- #36 The Malice of the Universe — What If Your Idea Overlaps With Someone Else’s?
- #34 Where the Pen Name “Utsudo” Came From
The rest of the column is in Chinese.
Browse by topic
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Hey! I Heard You’re a Writer on Ghost Island #223: For Anyone Who Wants to Write a Masterpiece but Feels Stuck
Why the great story in your head never comes out right: Utsudo explains the skill gap and perfectionism, why most work feels ordinary, and how to write what only you can write.
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Hey! I Heard You’re a Writer on Ghost Island #222: Why Hobbies Matter
After years of nonstop output, writing stopped feeling fun for Utsudo. How picking up skateboarding after watching SK8 the Infinity unblocked her writing and sparked new projects.
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Hey! I Heard You’re a Writer on Ghost Island #221: How to Calculate Your Freelance Costs
Freelance jobs carry hidden costs like prep time and travel. Utsudo shares how to quote with room to negotiate, what happened when she priced too high, and why transparent pricing feels best.
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Hey! I Heard You’re a Writer on Ghost Island #220: Sharpen Your Strengths Instead of Fixing Weaknesses
One skill isn’t enough today, but doing everything alone isn’t the answer either. Utsudo explains why creators should sharpen their strengths, collaborate, and first get to know themselves.
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Hey! I Heard You’re a Writer on Ghost Island #219: Why I’m Holding Off on Convention Booths for Now
After her second convention booth barely broke even, Utsudo is pausing. The real costs, why exposure fell short, and why meeting fans face to face still makes it special.
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Hey! I Heard You’re a Writer on Ghost Island #218: Smartphone Addiction
Utsudo noticed she couldn’t put her phone down—and that it was quietly stealing her time. How phones change gatherings, the anxiety of “read but no reply,” and living in the present.
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