QLAP 03.2013 - Shige (Pieces of dream)
QLAP 03.2013 - Kato Shigeaki
Pieces of dream
-The release of "Senkou Scramble", your second novel after "Pink&Gray" that sold more than 120000 copies, has been announced. It's an interesting novel full of speed and a high degree of entertainment, I read it all at once.
I put my pride in the previous novel, I was resolute, I wanted to write something that could "stab the readers". Somehow I just really wanted it to be considered a good book. This time it was completely different. I wanted my second novel to be fast since the beginning and to make people say: "It was longer than the other one but I couldn't help but reading it all in one day!" I definitely wanted to write something interesting. I think "Pink&Gray" had a message in it like a pure literature work, this time it's real entertainment.
-How long did it take to write?
Around two months. Right in the middle of the training for "Chankapaana" (laughs).
-It's the story of a female idol and the paparazzi who's chasing her, and unexpectedly they help each other to heal their hearts' wounds. The descriptions, like the ones about the photographies' development or the way to make coffee in a cafè, were so detailed. Did you personally collect materials for it?
I love photography since a lot of time, about the coffee I searched in video websites and I found out things I didn't know like the way to use a syphon. I kinda wanted to buy one too but I gave up because it looks too hard to clean (laughs). I wrote those descriptions knowing that they'll build the right atmosphere that drives a novel, besides that it's all fiction though. In my previous work I created a fiction on the place I know the best so the places were all very realistic. This time besides the scramble cross of Shibuya the places are all imaginary.
-There were a lot of scenes that I could easily imagine inside my mind reading it though.
It's probably because I wrote shaping the images inside my head in words. I usually watch a lot of movies so when I write it's like I'm making a movie out of my story...I wrote some parts using methods often used to write movies scripts too. In my head it's like there's a "Senkou Scramble" movie and I simply novelized it...
-I see. After reading the novel I definitely wanted to see a movie of it.
I didn't write it aiming for it to be changed into a movie though (laughs). If one day it'll happen I'd be thankful but it would be difficult, there are sides of a novel that can't be transposed into a movie. This time I also inserted a fantastic being named "Jack". I'd be happy if all the readers create a personal movie of the novel inside their heads. This time I really wanted to write a novel that could easily stimulate the imagination of the readers.
-You said you wrote this while working on "Chankapaana", it was a completely different circumstance from "Pink&Gray".
My previous work was setted in Shibuya and talked about the entertainment world, something that only I could write. I wanted to go on on this path. I didn't want people to think about me while reading this though, that's why I thought it was necessary to create a female main character. I don't want to reveal myself throught my novels but it's impossible to avoid leaks in them...I think it was really easy to understand the circumstances I was into while writing "Pink&Gray".
-Did you find difficult to describe the feelings of a female idol (Akiko) being a man?
I did. I understand Akiko's feelings about being an idol but the point of view of a woman is totally different from the one of a man. The route is different and honestly there were a lot of things I couldn't understand.
-So you filled your gaps with imagination?
Yes. When Akiko loses her main position inside the group she simply asks "Why it can't be me?", I think a man wouldn't do that, because our pride always wins. Even if he says that he would do it secretly, not in front of everybody. I think that part was very women-like. It's difficult to make realistic something imaginary. It's challenging.
-The description of the scenery seen from a stage was very realistic too, I think this is the privilege of being the writer/idol Kato Shigeaki.
That's right. This is something I can do not being a full-time novelist, that's why I wanted to write about it. Back then we were working for "Chankapaana" and we weren't yet sure if we could have lives. I really wanted to do a live again. I guess this is another reason why I wrote the scene of the concert. Maybe that's the reason why I created Akiko at all.
-Honestly, there are many writers who aren't able to ever release a second work. What do you feel about the fact that you could publish your second novel and moreover, you could write it as you liked it?
Well, everytime I edited the novel by myself I was very anxious, not knowing if it was interesting enough. Everytime I had to ask the staff to encourage me (laughs). Some of my friends read it and told me it was good, I was constantly asking them if they really meant it. I'm not very self-confident, I'm never sure until the release of the book, I still am not sure about it...waiting for the actual release is the worst (bitter smile).
-Looking back, NEWS experienced many different things, were they all valuable? Both as Johnny's idol and as a man.
Yes, it was an eventful life (laughs). If I wrote about my life instead of creating an imaginary female idol probably it would have been a great novel (laughs).
-Do you think you'll ever write something like that?
No, I won't. I want to be a novelist. Not an essayist, not a writer of non-fiction. I want to be a novelist that writes fiction. I will use my life experiences to write fiction works. Only like this I can reach the right balance between being a player and a creator.
-One day you might write something for NEWS though, who's the member that stimulates the most your novelist's imagination?
Maybe Tegoshi? He could be interesting because he can play different roles, from a dark one to a normal salary-man. What about a prisoner? A story that begins with his release (laughs). If I have to include all members I'd create a war story. Nothing comical, something serious. Aren't I dark? (bitter smile)
-Your way as writer is evolving more and more, while NEWS will celebrate their 10th anniversary on next September. What will you do?
We talk about our feelings and wishes to the staff all the time. We're doing this since last year and we never stopped. I can't tell any details but we're getting ready!
-Do you plan a fan event to celebrate the anniversary?
I heard that the fans look forward to it and I feel the same. Actually, I think NEWS are the ones who are the most excited about it. We had to stay still for a long time and now we want to do the most we can. I want to do my best in my solo activities too in order to help NEWS. I wouldn't be writing novels without NEWS. I'm sure that Tegomass and Koyama think the same about their other activities. We have to feel like this.
-The cheers for NEWS during the last year's Countdown were great, it felt like all the Johnny's fans were supporting you.
Everybody was very kind with us. Like they wanted to say "It's ok, you can be happy soon too!" (laughs). That's what I thought. I realized that...it's really ok to be a little happier (laughs). In order to achieve that we need to work harder and harder.
-I think that's nothing more honest than real voices of support.
Exactly. I can write my novels also thanks to all the people who looked over us. I think it's amazing that "Pink&Gray" sold so well. A lot of people support us, I think that I must do what I should do the most I can. I don't know how things will be from now on but I want to pay them back. Our solo activities are the way we try to pay back our fans.
-What do you think it would be awesome for NEWS to do from now on?
Last year we suddenly couldn't do anymore the things we always thought as certain, we had to start all over. Right now NEWS must be careful that the gear that started moving again doesn't stop another tie. It's not the case to relax because we came back, that's also why I wrote the novel. I want NEWS to work more and more as a group. In the meantime for example I want to think carefully about what I can do while Tegoshi and Massu are working as Tegomass.
Dreams
-A recent impressive dream.
I almost never remember my dreams...when I do they're often about work. Sometimes I dreamt of rehearsing for a live and I woke up saying "Since when we have to dance there?!" (lol). When I had a butai I always dreamt to go on stage not knowing my lines, I felt hunted (bitter smile). Sometimes I dream of being stabbed or beaten up but never to die, but realistic dreams as the butai ones are scarier. I wake up all sweaty (lol).
-The dream-like day-off.
Well~ That would be going to fish! (lol) If possible I'd like to leave Tokyo and reach a far away place like Okinawa to enjoy fishing. In this season everything's fine but after all I want to go fishing tuna or GT. Those are the fishes that all the real fishermen want to catch. I never caught one and I'd love to. Me and my fishing buddy Ohno-kun are always talking about that.
-The NEWS member you dream more often.
Maybe Tegoshi? Well~ I dream Koyama and Massu a lot too...Actually I probably dream them more than myself (lol). I think that between them the one who believes the most in dreams is Tegoshi. He always wanted to have a job related to soccer and he was able to make it come true. Well, I did the same with my dream of being a novelist though~ I think me and Tegoshi are the only one who really realized their dreams.
-The refreshing dream you want to realize before your birthday.
I want to buy a new bed. Mine is queen size bed but I'd like a bigger one. Anyway I always end up to sleep in a little corner (lol). Well, I could use that in a novel (lol). If possible I'd also like to change my washing machine and fridge, I have them since 5-6 years and they still work but I want a fridge with a huge freezer to store all my fishes!
This man is pure gold. It's ridiculous how in more than three years he still surprises me. First of all I'm glad to read again Shige talking in his novelist way, it's different from other normal interviews and it's a real nice and clear way to talk, even if he uses difficult words :D I love how insightful he is and how serious he is with his work, I mean, it's natural he is but it still awe-inspiring. Even if he kinda ruins it saying that his biggest dreams are fishing a tuna and buying new electrical appliance XDD
The part I loved the most personally is the one in which he said that he doesn't want people to think about him reading the book. It's clear that most of people did reading "Pink&Gray" and the thing must have made him unconfortable, I hope this time it won't be like that. I read many idiot phrases and opinions about his previous novel and I really wish this one will shut up those immature people. This brings me back to the poster though...I still don't understand his choice of personally portraiting the paparazzi, but I guess this is part of Shige's contraddicting character too ^^
I also loved when he said clearly that he wants to be only a fiction novelist and all the nice words for NEWS and their fans ♥
First special interview I translate for the release of "Senkou Scramble". Enjoy ♥
Pieces of dream
-The release of "Senkou Scramble", your second novel after "Pink&Gray" that sold more than 120000 copies, has been announced. It's an interesting novel full of speed and a high degree of entertainment, I read it all at once.
I put my pride in the previous novel, I was resolute, I wanted to write something that could "stab the readers". Somehow I just really wanted it to be considered a good book. This time it was completely different. I wanted my second novel to be fast since the beginning and to make people say: "It was longer than the other one but I couldn't help but reading it all in one day!" I definitely wanted to write something interesting. I think "Pink&Gray" had a message in it like a pure literature work, this time it's real entertainment.
-How long did it take to write?
Around two months. Right in the middle of the training for "Chankapaana" (laughs).
-It's the story of a female idol and the paparazzi who's chasing her, and unexpectedly they help each other to heal their hearts' wounds. The descriptions, like the ones about the photographies' development or the way to make coffee in a cafè, were so detailed. Did you personally collect materials for it?
I love photography since a lot of time, about the coffee I searched in video websites and I found out things I didn't know like the way to use a syphon. I kinda wanted to buy one too but I gave up because it looks too hard to clean (laughs). I wrote those descriptions knowing that they'll build the right atmosphere that drives a novel, besides that it's all fiction though. In my previous work I created a fiction on the place I know the best so the places were all very realistic. This time besides the scramble cross of Shibuya the places are all imaginary.
-There were a lot of scenes that I could easily imagine inside my mind reading it though.
It's probably because I wrote shaping the images inside my head in words. I usually watch a lot of movies so when I write it's like I'm making a movie out of my story...I wrote some parts using methods often used to write movies scripts too. In my head it's like there's a "Senkou Scramble" movie and I simply novelized it...
-I see. After reading the novel I definitely wanted to see a movie of it.
I didn't write it aiming for it to be changed into a movie though (laughs). If one day it'll happen I'd be thankful but it would be difficult, there are sides of a novel that can't be transposed into a movie. This time I also inserted a fantastic being named "Jack". I'd be happy if all the readers create a personal movie of the novel inside their heads. This time I really wanted to write a novel that could easily stimulate the imagination of the readers.
-You said you wrote this while working on "Chankapaana", it was a completely different circumstance from "Pink&Gray".
My previous work was setted in Shibuya and talked about the entertainment world, something that only I could write. I wanted to go on on this path. I didn't want people to think about me while reading this though, that's why I thought it was necessary to create a female main character. I don't want to reveal myself throught my novels but it's impossible to avoid leaks in them...I think it was really easy to understand the circumstances I was into while writing "Pink&Gray".
-Did you find difficult to describe the feelings of a female idol (Akiko) being a man?
I did. I understand Akiko's feelings about being an idol but the point of view of a woman is totally different from the one of a man. The route is different and honestly there were a lot of things I couldn't understand.
-So you filled your gaps with imagination?
Yes. When Akiko loses her main position inside the group she simply asks "Why it can't be me?", I think a man wouldn't do that, because our pride always wins. Even if he says that he would do it secretly, not in front of everybody. I think that part was very women-like. It's difficult to make realistic something imaginary. It's challenging.
-The description of the scenery seen from a stage was very realistic too, I think this is the privilege of being the writer/idol Kato Shigeaki.
That's right. This is something I can do not being a full-time novelist, that's why I wanted to write about it. Back then we were working for "Chankapaana" and we weren't yet sure if we could have lives. I really wanted to do a live again. I guess this is another reason why I wrote the scene of the concert. Maybe that's the reason why I created Akiko at all.
-Honestly, there are many writers who aren't able to ever release a second work. What do you feel about the fact that you could publish your second novel and moreover, you could write it as you liked it?
Well, everytime I edited the novel by myself I was very anxious, not knowing if it was interesting enough. Everytime I had to ask the staff to encourage me (laughs). Some of my friends read it and told me it was good, I was constantly asking them if they really meant it. I'm not very self-confident, I'm never sure until the release of the book, I still am not sure about it...waiting for the actual release is the worst (bitter smile).
-Looking back, NEWS experienced many different things, were they all valuable? Both as Johnny's idol and as a man.
Yes, it was an eventful life (laughs). If I wrote about my life instead of creating an imaginary female idol probably it would have been a great novel (laughs).
-Do you think you'll ever write something like that?
No, I won't. I want to be a novelist. Not an essayist, not a writer of non-fiction. I want to be a novelist that writes fiction. I will use my life experiences to write fiction works. Only like this I can reach the right balance between being a player and a creator.
-One day you might write something for NEWS though, who's the member that stimulates the most your novelist's imagination?
Maybe Tegoshi? He could be interesting because he can play different roles, from a dark one to a normal salary-man. What about a prisoner? A story that begins with his release (laughs). If I have to include all members I'd create a war story. Nothing comical, something serious. Aren't I dark? (bitter smile)
-Your way as writer is evolving more and more, while NEWS will celebrate their 10th anniversary on next September. What will you do?
We talk about our feelings and wishes to the staff all the time. We're doing this since last year and we never stopped. I can't tell any details but we're getting ready!
-Do you plan a fan event to celebrate the anniversary?
I heard that the fans look forward to it and I feel the same. Actually, I think NEWS are the ones who are the most excited about it. We had to stay still for a long time and now we want to do the most we can. I want to do my best in my solo activities too in order to help NEWS. I wouldn't be writing novels without NEWS. I'm sure that Tegomass and Koyama think the same about their other activities. We have to feel like this.
-The cheers for NEWS during the last year's Countdown were great, it felt like all the Johnny's fans were supporting you.
Everybody was very kind with us. Like they wanted to say "It's ok, you can be happy soon too!" (laughs). That's what I thought. I realized that...it's really ok to be a little happier (laughs). In order to achieve that we need to work harder and harder.
-I think that's nothing more honest than real voices of support.
Exactly. I can write my novels also thanks to all the people who looked over us. I think it's amazing that "Pink&Gray" sold so well. A lot of people support us, I think that I must do what I should do the most I can. I don't know how things will be from now on but I want to pay them back. Our solo activities are the way we try to pay back our fans.
-What do you think it would be awesome for NEWS to do from now on?
Last year we suddenly couldn't do anymore the things we always thought as certain, we had to start all over. Right now NEWS must be careful that the gear that started moving again doesn't stop another tie. It's not the case to relax because we came back, that's also why I wrote the novel. I want NEWS to work more and more as a group. In the meantime for example I want to think carefully about what I can do while Tegoshi and Massu are working as Tegomass.
Dreams
-A recent impressive dream.
I almost never remember my dreams...when I do they're often about work. Sometimes I dreamt of rehearsing for a live and I woke up saying "Since when we have to dance there?!" (lol). When I had a butai I always dreamt to go on stage not knowing my lines, I felt hunted (bitter smile). Sometimes I dream of being stabbed or beaten up but never to die, but realistic dreams as the butai ones are scarier. I wake up all sweaty (lol).
-The dream-like day-off.
Well~ That would be going to fish! (lol) If possible I'd like to leave Tokyo and reach a far away place like Okinawa to enjoy fishing. In this season everything's fine but after all I want to go fishing tuna or GT. Those are the fishes that all the real fishermen want to catch. I never caught one and I'd love to. Me and my fishing buddy Ohno-kun are always talking about that.
-The NEWS member you dream more often.
Maybe Tegoshi? Well~ I dream Koyama and Massu a lot too...Actually I probably dream them more than myself (lol). I think that between them the one who believes the most in dreams is Tegoshi. He always wanted to have a job related to soccer and he was able to make it come true. Well, I did the same with my dream of being a novelist though~ I think me and Tegoshi are the only one who really realized their dreams.
-The refreshing dream you want to realize before your birthday.
I want to buy a new bed. Mine is queen size bed but I'd like a bigger one. Anyway I always end up to sleep in a little corner (lol). Well, I could use that in a novel (lol). If possible I'd also like to change my washing machine and fridge, I have them since 5-6 years and they still work but I want a fridge with a huge freezer to store all my fishes!
This man is pure gold. It's ridiculous how in more than three years he still surprises me. First of all I'm glad to read again Shige talking in his novelist way, it's different from other normal interviews and it's a real nice and clear way to talk, even if he uses difficult words :D I love how insightful he is and how serious he is with his work, I mean, it's natural he is but it still awe-inspiring. Even if he kinda ruins it saying that his biggest dreams are fishing a tuna and buying new electrical appliance XDD
The part I loved the most personally is the one in which he said that he doesn't want people to think about him reading the book. It's clear that most of people did reading "Pink&Gray" and the thing must have made him unconfortable, I hope this time it won't be like that. I read many idiot phrases and opinions about his previous novel and I really wish this one will shut up those immature people. This brings me back to the poster though...I still don't understand his choice of personally portraiting the paparazzi, but I guess this is part of Shige's contraddicting character too ^^
I also loved when he said clearly that he wants to be only a fiction novelist and all the nice words for NEWS and their fans ♥
First special interview I translate for the release of "Senkou Scramble". Enjoy ♥