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
-
Hey! I Heard You’re a Writer on Ghost Island #204: A Father’s Day Countdown
Utsudo’s father was diagnosed with early frontal dementia. She shares her breakdown as a solo caregiver, getting help herself, and a Father’s Day wish for more time.
-
Hey! I Heard You’re a Writer on Ghost Island #203: National Health Insurance and Long-Term Care 2.0—Benevolent Policies
When her father needed care, Utsudo called Taiwan’s 1966 long-term care hotline. Who Long-Term Care 2.0 serves, how to apply, and why National Health Insurance matters.
-
Hey! I Heard You’re a Writer on Ghost Island #202: The Editor Is Here
Utsudo invited her former editor Xiaoqi onto her show. His insights on Taiwan’s platforms, who actually buys books, and why light novelists should look to trends in Japan.
-
Hey! I Heard You’re a Writer on Ghost Island #201: What Should You Do When You Get Bad Reviews?
A viewer stopped writing after being told their story was “boring.” Utsudo explains how to separate useful criticism from subjective comments, and why the author has the final say.
-
Hey! I Heard You’re a Writer on Ghost Island #200: That’s What Literary Awards Are Like
Preparing for the Dawushan Literary Award, Utsudo studied past winners. Why regional awards favor local literature, how literary style differs from popular fiction, and tips.
-
Hey! I Heard You’re a Writer on Ghost Island #199: A Future Even Big-Name Authors Are Unsure About
Chatting with a top full-time light novelist, Utsudo learned that even big names rarely sell past a first printing. How advances and royalties work, and the real pressures.
Subscribe
Enter your email below to get the latest posts.
