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.

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

Song of the Pine Tree

Jooyeon Hahm started writing her first novel "Song of the Pine Tree" in February 2010.