-Life as a Japan based Author–
There’s a quote from an acclaimed author that has always stuck with me when considering a life lived abroad.
“I can’t think of anything that excites a greater sense of childlike wonder than to be in a country where you are ignorant of almost everything. Suddenly you are five years old again. You can’t read anything, you have only the most rudimentary sense of how things work, you can’t even reliably cross a street without endangering your life. Your whole existence becomes a series of interesting guesses.”
Bill Bryson
For most people who travel often, there is a certain relatability within that sentiment.
For others, including long-time residents of foreign lands, Bryson’s astute observations most certainly ring true.
However, it must be noted that eventually this initial naivety does give away to a certain degree of cultural understanding that begins to take shape. This refinement in as far as comprehending the customs and ways of another society can take years though. In even the most optimistic outcomes, such levels of discernment of another civilization can still be quite limited at times.
On the show today, I have a guest who has spent time not only living and breathing in a culture far different to that of her own, but someone who has also devoted herself to years of studying and documenting it all.
Through her own skill, tenacity and thirst for knowledge she is one of few outsiders who is truly qualified to speak to that of Japanese culture.
Introducing
Amy Chavez is an accomplished non-fiction writer and former columnist for major news publications including The Japan Times (1997 to 2020), the Bali Times and The Huffington Post. In addition she is the author of several books, including Amy’s Guide to Best Behavior in Japan.
Skills & Background
With an undergraduate degree in creative writing from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio as well as a double Masters in technical writing and teaching English as a second language (ESL), Amy set forth and started a new life in Japan nearly 25 years ago.
Her work has been published in such newspapers and magazines in Indonesia, Taiwan, New Zealand, U.K., Canada and the U.S. and she has been widely interviewed by the likes of outlets such as the BBC and NPR radio amongst others.
Japan
Amy has spent the last 25 years living on a tiny island of 430 people in Japan’s Seto Inland Sea. For 23 of those years she penned a column for a major Japanese publication covering issues central to island life such as tourism, the environment, aging, and depopulation.
Latest Work
Her fourth book is an oral history of the residents of Shiraishi Island spanning the years from 1912 to 2022. The Widow, the Priest and the Octopus Hunter: Discovering a Lost Way of Life on a Secluded Japanese Island was released May 24, 2022.
Reasons to Listen
In this episode, you will be taken behind the curtain of authorship and what that profession truly entails. Prepare to discover some of the hidden sides to it all.
Additionally, we dive into Amy’s latest book. Listeners will be treated to deeper insights related to some of the content within the book, as well as new stories and commentary we explore pertaining to life on Shiraishi, an island found in the waters of the Japanese inland sea.
The chat will surely be a treat for fans of Amy’s work. For those stumbling across her work for the first time, I am certain you’ll enjoy all that is discussed and covered in this compelling talk.
A Memorable Quote from the Episode:
“Writing as a profession takes a lot of experience, time, studying, and honing of the craft. As an author ages, their skill tends to become better with their own maturity, which shows through their writing. I don’t know how else to get that experience, except to just go through it.”
Amy Chavez
Check out the Video Conversation:
For those who desire to view the full video conversation of this discussion, you can do so via Youtube.
Words of Wisdom:
Hear from Amy as she shares advice to those looking to enter the world of authorship.
Discover More
For those interested in purchasing Amy’s latest book you can do via Amazon. To learn more about her and her work, you can find and connect with her through her own podcast Books on Asia or through the following social platforms:
Keep Listening!
I hope you enjoyed the episode. For more, check out additional episodes here!
