Map of Pyongyang
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Writing a Novel (March 24, 2010)
1. Writing a novel is not an easy task. Creating my own world in which characters live, talk, and interact with each other is time-consuming and yet durable. The real challenge is how to present it to the outside world. I have written a substantial part of the first chapter but as my computer crashed last night, I need to start anew. This tragic accident gave me a chance to look back what I have done, identify problems of my writing process, and fix them. It might have been a blessing in disguise. I decided to hand-write my first draft and keep track of changes for now.
2. According to my theory, a good novel consists of three components.
- original and beautiful expressions
- a well-structured plot with vivid characters
- meaningful messages (not straight-forward or didactic lessons but equivocal, open-ended, and universally applicable questions)
The first factor requires language fluency, emotional sensitivity, and attentiveness.
The second factor relies on innate creativity and yet can be improved over time.
The third factor - the most important one - needs serious thinking and painstaking planning.
3. The fallacy of my previous writing process was that it lacked the planning phase. I did not have concrete understanding of what I was writing. When I wrote the part where Samnam explains the reason for naming Song after the pine, I did not have sufficient information on the pine tree. So, I googled it online, took some materials and put them in the story right away. The final piece became untidy patchwork rather than flawless silk. From now on, I need to fully digest knowledge, before using it.
2. According to my theory, a good novel consists of three components.
- original and beautiful expressions
- a well-structured plot with vivid characters
- meaningful messages (not straight-forward or didactic lessons but equivocal, open-ended, and universally applicable questions)
The first factor requires language fluency, emotional sensitivity, and attentiveness.
The second factor relies on innate creativity and yet can be improved over time.
The third factor - the most important one - needs serious thinking and painstaking planning.
3. The fallacy of my previous writing process was that it lacked the planning phase. I did not have concrete understanding of what I was writing. When I wrote the part where Samnam explains the reason for naming Song after the pine, I did not have sufficient information on the pine tree. So, I googled it online, took some materials and put them in the story right away. The final piece became untidy patchwork rather than flawless silk. From now on, I need to fully digest knowledge, before using it.
Friday, March 12, 2010
Contents
Song of the Pine Tree
Introduction
1. Song of the Pine Tree
2. Colonial Subject
3. Medical Student
4. Revolutionary
5. Nishihara Matsuko
6. Woman in the War
7. Mortician of the Night
8. Chosenjin
9. National Traitor
10. Enemy of the People
11. Merited Doctor of the Republic
12. Dean of Kim Il-Sung Medical School
13. Champion of the Fatherland Front
14. Medical Officer
15. Lieutenant Colonel
16. Prisoner of War
17. Doctor Han
18. Song of the Pine Tree
19. Han Song
20. Song Unfinished
21. His Song
Introduction
1. Song of the Pine Tree
2. Colonial Subject
3. Medical Student
4. Revolutionary
5. Nishihara Matsuko
6. Woman in the War
7. Mortician of the Night
8. Chosenjin
9. National Traitor
10. Enemy of the People
11. Merited Doctor of the Republic
12. Dean of Kim Il-Sung Medical School
13. Champion of the Fatherland Front
14. Medical Officer
15. Lieutenant Colonel
16. Prisoner of War
17. Doctor Han
18. Song of the Pine Tree
19. Han Song
20. Song Unfinished
21. His Song
Monday, March 1, 2010
Song of the Pine Tree
Jooyeon Hahm started writing her first novel "Song of the Pine Tree" in February 2010.
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