Name: Qiu
Writing Blog URL(s):
@juyeonzz
@the32ndbeat
Age: 19
What fandom(s) do you write for?
The Boyz and NCT + WayV
When did you post your first piece?
I posted something way back in September 2019 but then went on a long 9 month hiatus and came back on June 3rd 2020!
Do you write fluff/angst/crack/general/smut, combo, etc? Why?
I write anything except smut and certain themes like disorders or abuse because I’m not too comfortable writing it yet and I don’t want to write it wrong and potentially anger or offend people.
Do you write OCs, X Readers, Ships...etc?
I write x readers!
Why did you start writing on Tumblr?
I started writing because I’ve always loved to write and have been doing so since I was little. I got introduced to the writing community on tumblr when I was just aimlessly surfing one day and I remember reading the ‘To All The Boys I Loved Before’ series written by @theboyz-engup and was just so inspired that I made my own The Boyz blog to begin writing. I got into NCT sometime during my hiatus so when I came back from it, I started to write for NCT too.
What inspires you to write?
The feedback most definitely, shows and books I’ve read and watched too but mostly feedback.
What genres/AUs do you enjoy writing the most?
I like writing angst although most of my works tend to be more fluffy...
What do you hope your readers take away from your work?
Ah, my works are generally pretty simple but I guess I’d want them to just get immersed in the story like how I was as I was writing it!
What do you do when you hit a rough spot creatively?
I just watch Netflix or browse through Youtube, sometimes watching videos other times listening to music to find inspo.
What is your favorite work and why? Your most successful?
My favourite (published) work so far would probably be ‘Wedding bells’ on my tbz account and my Doyoung timestamp at 11:11am on my nct account! My most successful generally would be a Sunwoo timestamp at 11:22pm.
Who is your favorite person to write about?
For NCT + WayV, I’d have to say Doyoung. For The Boyz, I would say maybe Jacob?
Do you think there’s a difference between writing fanfiction vs. completely original prose?
Yeah, I guess so. I think when we write fanfiction, we already have an idea of what sort of personality our idols have and we keep that in mind when we write for them but for completely original prose, you create your own characters so in a way, you have to think a little bit deeper for how you want your OC to act or talk.
What do you think makes a good story?
Sweet and simple description rather than ones that are overly detailed? A story with good flow is good!
What is your writing process like?
Hm, I usually start off with choosing a song on youtube to listen to as I write or I’d have a movie or show playing in the background ( usually it’s Friends these days ) then I’d start writing. I tend to write only at night or have more motivation at night, I’m not too sure why either.
Would you ever repurpose a fic into a completely original story?
Sure, why not? It’d be interesting but also a little difficult to start to imagine a completely original character in the story since I’d be very used to thinking of the idol who was previously a character in the story.
What tropes do you love, and what tropes can’t you stand?
I love the enemies to lovers trope! I think it’s really interesting because you start off hating each other and it’s cool to see how that gradually progresses to love. I don’t have a lot of tropes I hate but I’ve never really been able to write about werewolves or vampires? It’s just not my thing at all.
How much would you say audience feedback/engagement means to you?
Oh, it means everything to me! Sometimes when I’m down or unmotivated, I always go back to checking out reblogs or kind things people have said about my works and I’d feel like writing again. It’s like feeling rejuvenated and gaining inspiration to continue with my wips.
What has been one of the biggest factors of your success (of any size)?
I won’t consider myself very successful ^^” although I must say that I’m growing faster than I expected. I think it’s probably because I do update consistently but I’m not sure if that’s going to change once I start school.
Nationality: Singaporean
Languages: English and Mandarin Chinese
Star Sign: Cancer sun ( Not sure if this is relevant but Leo moon and Libra rising too!)
MBTI: INTJ-T
Favorite color: Black
Favorite food: Chocolate cake!
Favorite movie: Spy or Venom ( I can’t choose )
Favorite ice cream flavor: Cookies and cream
Favorite animal: Wolf
Go-to karaoke song: Love Story by Taylor Swift?
Dream job (whether you have a job or not)?
Professor or an investigative journalist ( Might consider aiming for medical school after uni though… )
Coffee or tea? What are you ordering?
Tea! I really like green tea or jasmine tea.
If you could have one superpower, what would you choose?
Telepathy
If you could visit a historical era, which would you choose?
1940s
If you could restart your life, knowing what you do now, would you?
Yeah, I guess I would. There are a lot of things I’d like to change.
Would you rather fight 100 chicken-sized horses or one horse-sized chicken?
Oh man, like a 100 chicken-sized horses for sure. A horse-sized chicken? I’d die with one peck.
If you were a trope in a teen high school movie, what would you have been?
That one loner kid probably… I’m generally pretty quiet in school.
Do you believe in aliens/supernatural creatures? Nope, not really.
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?
I’m quite content here in Singapore but I’d love to be able to live in the USA, New York or in the UK, London for once in my life.
Fun fact about yourself that not everyone would know?
I am afraid of the dark.
Do you think fanfic writers get unfairly judged?
Yeah, and I don’t really understand why.
Do you think art can be a medium for change?
Sure, it can be! I think art is sometimes able to tell stories that can’t be told verbally. It moves people in a way and I think it can be used to truly express the artist’s message to their audience.
Do you ever feel there are times when you’re writing for others, rather than yourself?
Honestly, sometimes when I’m unmotivated but mostly no. I love whatever I’m writing when I’m writing it for the most part.
Do you ever feel like people have misunderstood you or your writing at times?
No? At least not that I know of.
Do your offline friends/loved ones know you write for Tumblr?
They do but they don’t know my URL.
What is one thing you wish you could tell your followers?
Thank you so much for believing in me and appreciating my work! I am grateful for every single one of you guys and you are all my motivation to keep writing and produce better written works. Without you all, writing is somewhat duller and hearing that you guys like the work I put out means the world to me. I love you guys!!
Do you have any advice for aspiring writers who might be too scared to put themselves out there?
Don’t be! We all start somewhere and taking that first step may be a little daunting at first but I promise that what follows is going to be magical. You’re going to be able to gain a lot of inspiration and friends, you are going to be able to greatly improve your writing but what’s best is that you’ll feel like you are now part of a writing family on tumblr! Do not be afraid of showcasing your works because there is always bound to be an audience for it and even if your writing style doesn’t suit someone, there’s definitely another group of readers who will love every single piece of work you publish ^^
Are there any times when you regret joining Tumblr?
Nope! I hope I never do.
Do you have any mutuals who have been particularly formative/supportive in your Tumblr journey?
YES and I love every single one of them. Thank you to @jenocakes @atbzkingdom @chaoticdeobi @hae-sicheng @moondustaeil @ihearttbz @badwithten @glossyjaems @lovely-kpop-writer @jopping-to-my-kpop! There are a few more but these are just the ones that pop up in my mind first.
Pick a quote to end your interview with: I’m horrible with quotes but.. ‘My philosophy is that worrying means you suffer twice’ by Newt Scamander! It’s one of my favourites since I find that I worry a lot and doubt myself too often so thinking about this makes me calmer.