In conversation with Julie O’Yang

Author of “Butterfly“. Thank you for joining us, Julie.

Julie O’Yang is a novelist and visual artist based in The Netherlands. Born and brought up in China, she came to Europe in 1990s to study at the University of London. Then she read Japanese Language and Culture at the University of Leiden, Holland, and Tokyo/Nagasaki, Japan. Her short stories, poetry and articles have appeared in magazines and newspapers worldwide. Download her latest novel on Amazon Kindle today . MORE RISkS, MORE EXCITeMENT, MORE EVERyTHING @: www.julieoyang.com

Q. You work as a visual artist. Tell me, how did this transition to writing happen?

I wrote my first sentence before I put my first drop of paint on canvas,No such thing as transition, I don’t think so. I’m more than one thing – as a good book is more than one layer. Every great piece of art is more than one interpretation of the reality.

Q. Where do you get your ideas from? Are they often inspired from true stories?

Oh dear. I breathe in my ideas, I absorb my everyday experiences and “translate” them onto paper, in a personal, artful way so my experiences and knowledge become universal human experiences. I study a lot, from science to science fiction, my reading material includes everything and covers a wide area. I try to be as much open-minded as possible.

Q.  Tell us about “Butterfly”” from the gestation period till the final round of having it published and launched.

3 weeks. I finished the first draft in 3 weeks, in one breath. Editing was much longer and less fun.

Q. What is your inspiration behind “Butterfly”?

Butterfly is a tragic love story that takes the reader to the Orient during the Second World War. A story about forbidden love and the pain at the loss of a child. After my heroine, a Chinese woman in her forties, is rejected by her husband, she begins a ill-fated love affair with a much younger Japanese soldier without knowing that he is her mortal enemy. Ultimately, her need to love and be loved wins from herself. Through her, humanism is no longer an abstract idea, it becomes flesh and bone you can feel and touch,

You can say that the story is kind of Romeo and Juliet of the Orient. I can’t be better than Shakespeare, can I? I don’t think it’s something any writer should aspire either, if he takes writing seriously – if he wants to write something that means something, that is.

In many cultures, the butterfly is associated with the soul. Its animal symbolism is linked with faith, resurrection, lightness and time. So I decided to give my story a wild, unexpected, and fresh approach: Time travel,

Q. To what extent were the characters in “Butterfly” based on your observation and your imagination?

100%.

Q. “Butterfly” is very ripe with imagery. Where does the imagery come from?

See my answers above.

Q. Are you working on something else right now?

Yes, I’m working on new stuff. A novel, and two collections which  is an experiment as well as my exploration into the 21 century NEW reading. If you are interested to find out more, please check my website.

Everybody I meet, from publishers to writers, is worried these days about the extinction of books and the art of story-telling. They should worry about their creativity.

Q. What makes your book different from just another story?

It’s mine.

Q. But how do you deal with your critics, if any?

The moment I sent my creation into the world, it’s no longer mine. I try not to focus too much on what others say or write about me, which doesn’t mean I don’t care. Of course I care, I do. But I care more about my real work: writing and finding new, exciting ways to tell a familiar story. Because nothing under heaven is really new, is it?

Q. Brilliantly put. How would you describe your reaction when you received your first fan-mail?

Nervous, I think. I really don’t know what to do. A word of praise is my heaven. However, I always try to see the difference between genuine appreciation and cold politeness. I like readers writing me about their reading journey. It makes me feel closer to them and connects me with my audience. A book is intimate on every level. I can’t imagine writing, a genuine piece of art without intimacy, without danger. Touching people’s life and their mind is my business, and being touched by them ”

Every book I write is a love letter to literature, AND to my reader.

Q. Where do you see yourself ten years from now? Still in the writing industry?

Maybe I’m dead. If not, I will be writing, yes. It just happens, that’s the way it is.

Q. Did you ever write something before “Butterfly”? Tell us about it?

Yes, my entire life.

Q. Which has been your craziest experience regarding your book?

Every moment. Every moment of creation should be out of the ordinary.

Q. If there was one person you could claim had influenced your life the most, who would it be?

Myself.

Q. Succinctly said. Did you read a lot of books when you were young?

Books, anything with a doodle on it interests me. I’m a bin.

Q. When it comes to reading for pleasure, which is the book you would never hesitate in picking up?

I would hesitate to pick up any book. It’s work.

Q. Any message to struggling writers?

Write and don’t listen to them.