Go Tokyo Your Experience
How many writers have experienced the frustration of having a flow of ideas yesterday, as smooth as flowing water, but today being stuck in the helpless “writer’s block”?
Recently, several Japanese writers have discussed this topic, and one mentioned Keigo Higashino’s secret. This well-known mystery novelist once shared that his trick for daily writing is to “deliberately not finish the last line of what he intends to write today.”
Let’s take a look at why this method works and how to maintain motivation in daily writing.
Most people tend to “complete a paragraph before continuing” when working.
However, Keigo Higashino believes that “deliberately not finishing a paragraph” is the key to improving efficiency. If one stops at a completed paragraph, the next time they pick up the pen, they often need to spend time recalling their previous thoughts. Such interruptions are both inefficient and disruptive to thinking.
Japanese light novel author Tomo Ōsumoto recently shared this idea on the X platform, suggesting that work should stop at an unfinished paragraph so that one can quickly get back into writing mode. This viewpoint sparked widespread discussion and ultimately reached veteran writer Keiichiro Suzuki. Keiichiro Suzuki also shared his experiences of practicing this method, mentioning that he learned it from Keigo Higashino many years ago.
Keigo Higashino’s works are known worldwide, such as “Night of the White Sickness,” “The Devotion of Suspect X,” and “The Miracles of the Namiya General Store.”
His writing method is not only a technique but also a psychological concept known as the “Zeigarnik effect.” This effect explains that people are more likely to remember incomplete or interrupted tasks.
Keigo Higashino’s writing techniques have attracted the attention and response of many writers and creators. Although some practitioners claim that this method helps them enter a writing state more smoothly, there are also skeptics.
Columnist Hoshino Yui stated that trying this method indeed brought a positive experience; she paused during a chapter, and her writing the next day became much smoother.
Light novel author Asami Asa holds an open attitude towards this and decides to give it a try. Manga artist Takefu Kenji believes that this method is equally applicable in manga creation, including painting, sketches, and even plot design.
However, there are creators like light novel author Misono Yuno who candidly admit that despite understanding the benefits of this strategy, they still find it difficult to resist their creative urges to put down their pens at certain times.
Doujinshi artist Cao Zongze stated, “As long as one understands the upcoming writing methods, the creation will be very smooth the next day.”
Screenwriter Takamura Ken also shared a similar creative strategy, which is to not seek perfection when writing the first draft, but to quickly go through the initial writing process and then go back to revise and reflect.
The author concludes that, although many people tend to stop after completing a paragraph, the method advocated by Higashino Keigo may be an effective way to improve efficiency and maintain creative motivation. Everyone’s working style varies, but finding the strategy that suits oneself best in creation is what allows one to flow like water and move like clouds.
