On October 17th, a literary sharing event titled “The World Opens Before Us – Female Power in Asian Novels” took place in Beijing. This event was part of the “9th Beijing October Literature Month” and was co-hosted by the Beijing Publishing Group, October Literature Publishing House, New Classics Culture, and One Way Street Bookstore.
Prominent authors featured in the event included South Korean writer Kong Jiyoung, Malaysian Chinese author Li Zishu, and Chinese writers Qiao Ye and Liao Jing, who engaged in a literary dialogue with both live and online audiences.
During the event, Qiao Ye reflected on her journey as a rural teacher in a small village in Henan. She recalled how her writing began “wildly” after reading newspapers, which eventually led to her publishing essays in newspaper supplements. Over time, with the accumulation of reading experiences and encouragement from her readers, she transitioned into novel writing, exploring new dimensions of her literary perspective and creation.
Li Zishu emphasized that every writer must be a deep reader during their childhood. “When I was young, I could finish anything with words in it; the more exciting world was always within the text,” she noted.
Kong Jiyoung shared her early smooth start in writing but later faced life’s ups and downs. “That period made me seriously question who I am, what I want, and how I want to live my life. I realized that I was more suited to writing.” This realization led her to create the novel “Dawn,” marking the beginning of her literary career.
Liao Jing commented, “Each person’s reason for starting to write is different; it might stem from a key event or an important person in their life, yet the process is similar. Everyone approaches literary creation with a mix of confidence and doubt.”
In our media-saturated era, the vast array of stories available through multiple channels raises important questions about the significance of literature and storytelling. Though Kong Jiyoung’s works often address real social issues, her goal isn’t merely to recount events. Instead, she aims to reveal how people respond to these events, inviting readers to feel and think deeply. “In a rapidly changing world, some things must be preserved, whether it’s the dignity of life or thoughts. I fight to protect these unchanging values.”
Qiao Ye candidly shared her evolution as a writer: “Twenty years ago, when I first started writing novels, I was particularly drawn to strong plots. Over time, my literary perspective shifted; I came to believe that writing is more about reflection, creating subtle yet vast narratives that touch on broader resonances. It’s not just about simple concepts of villages or relatives; it’s about blood ties, geographical connections, and the interplay between individuals and the world—a complex relationship. I hope ‘Baoshui’ can embody this complexity.”
When discussing the balance of personal values in writing, Liao Jing indicated that an author’s experiences and emotions often inevitably seep into their work. Li Zishu added, “Just like Chekhov, who never explicitly spoke of ‘love’ or ‘compassion,’ every piece of text and image in his stories is filled with sympathy and love for humanity. Every novelist conveys their perspective on society, regardless of how subtle or plain their writing may seem.”
