A Rebel in Japan Eyes Status in America – New York Times

He said that his wife has told him that his personality changes when he is writing his first draft, and that he becomes difficult, nontalkative, tense and forgetful.

He added: “I wanted to test my ability overseas, not being satisfied with being a famous novelist in Japan.”

Sounds familiar

On a related note, finished Kafka On the Shore. It’s brilliant. Reminds me of the evolution of Wong Kar Wai as an auteur. Kafka relates to In the Mood for Love, the same way both auteurs display a sense of control over creativity. Call it maturity. The youthful, creative, experimental, fast, idealistic winger versus the experienced, insightful, calm, setting the pace, fully in control number 10. Van Persie versus Bergkamp. Robben versus Cocu. Chungking Express, Ashes of Time versus In the Mood for Love. And, Hard Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World, Wind Up Bird Chronicle versus Kafka.