What does it mean to write? Writing is a very simple task one can do with only a pen and paper. And yet, there’s an incredible amount of power to it, such as expressing your feelings to someone, gathering your thoughts into one place, leaving behind a record of present events to look back on in the future . . .

We’ll be using the Hobonichi Techo 2019 release to take another look at the action of writing, pondering and discussing what makes it so fun and what makes it so mysterious.

In this special article, we’ve taken a closer look at 10 people who draw and write in their professional or personal lives, checking out their favorite writing tools and hearing all about their writing process. We hope you enjoy reading all about the wide variety of approaches to writing.

What does it mean to write?

vol.10

Fumika Hideshima

“If I don’t write down something as soon as I think of it, I’ll feel like I’ve got no ammo when it really counts.”

Radio DJ Fumika Hideshima takes notes on whatever memo paper is within reach to make sure she remembers everything that come to mind. Whether it’s her usual planner, the script from her live radio show, a receipt, or the back of a ticket, if it’s paper, she’ll use it. We met up with her in her studio, where she broadcasts her live Sunday morning show.

ProfileFumika Hideshima

Radio DJ, narrator. Born 1975 in Chigasaki City, Kanagawa prefecture. Made debut as a DJ while studying at Keio University. Active as a DJ for FM radio, narrator for TV shows, commercials and audio books, interpreter, subtitle translator, writer, and more. Currently part of the FM Yokohama Shonan by the Sea radio program.

ーー: Good morning, Ms. Hideshima. Thank you for meeting with us during your break. Since we’ve gotten the opportunity to see your “home field” here in your studio, could you show us what’s written in your script notes and tell us about some of the things you write about?

Hideshima: Good morning! Thanks for coming out to meet me this early. During my live show I use whatever piece of paper is in front of me to take notes. I’ve got notes all over the place when I’m in the middle of a show, so it gets pretty hectic.

ーー: Since you’re the only host, if something comes to mind, you can just implement it right away.

Hideshima: Wit and spontaneity is crucial for live radio. If I don’t write something down when I think of it, I’m guaranteed to forget about it. I’ve got a steady stream of information pouring into my mind, so I want to jot down things that come to mind so I can remember them. If I don’t have that backup with the notes I’ve taken, I’ll feel like I’m out of ammo later, when something comes up and it really counts.

ーー: So you’ve got an arsenal of talk show ammunition that you save up for use when you need it.

Hideshima: Not just for the radio show, but for my personal conversations as well. It really comes in handy. If I find myself regretting something I could have said but didn’t, I’ll jot it down. Like, if I’m in the middle of the show and the phrase “My hands froze, breakfast chopsticks in hand” pops into my mind, I’ll hurry and jot that down in case I can use it someday.

ーー: That’s one of those phrases that would feel great to say at exactly the right moment. Is there anything in particular you keep in mind when you’re making notes?

Hideshima: I basically just make sure to use an erasable pen. There’s a kind of schedule for the show, but since it’s live, information is changing constantly. Taking notes is great, but if those notes become outdated or wrong, it could cause a lot of trouble if I read them over the air. There’s a limited amount of space in the time-table sheet, and if I kept crossing things out and writing over them, the paper would get harder and harder to read until I finally trapped myself. So I have no choice but to write with something erasable. I’m constantly making instantaneous judgement calls, so I really rely on my pens. Every second counts in live radio; being able to erase something is a game-changer for me. I’m incredibly grateful for it.

ーー: Yeah, it’s so wonderful being able to erase. I see you have your name monogrammed onto your pen.

Hideshima: There’s a company that personalizes pens, so I keep a few of these on hand. It’s a little embarrassing, but I lose things really easily. Just the other day I forgot one in the recording booth and one of the staff brought it back to me and said “This is yours, isn’t it?”

ーー: Oh, it’s a good thing you had your name written on it!

Hideshima: I use Frixion pens. It’s nice to have as many on hand as you want. I know it’s childish to have my name on these just because I keep losing them, but it’s been a big help. If I write my name on a piece of tape and stick that to something, it looks more like company property. This way it looks a lot more natural, so I get a lot of use out of it. I’ve always got 2 pens and spare refills in my bag for this 3-color Frixion pen, and at home I’ve got about 5 more.

ーー: Wow, you really like these. Do you carry that many pens because you lose them easily?

Hideshima: During a show, I’ve got materials all over the desk, and it’s easy to lose sight of a pen in that mess. If I can’t find it right away, as long as I’ve got a bunch of the same pen, I can always pull another one out from my pen case. And when I take notes, I only use blue ink. Printed material always uses black ink, so I need to make sure my notes stand out. I write down a lot of updates for the information in front of me, so it’s important that I can distinguish my notes right away.

ーー: I heard you’ve also used the Hobonichi Techo for many years now. What do you write in your techo?

Hideshima: I’ve been using the Hobonichi Techo ever since I first came across it at Loft 10 years ago. A lot of my entries are total mysteries to me when I look back on them now, so I don’t even know. (Laughs)

ーー: That’s true, the meaning of some notes are too hard to remember after looking at it later.

Hideshima: I’m always writing in such a hurry, so I doubt other people would be able to read the entries in my techo. Here, I’ll open to a random page. This one lists the Japanese translation for the word “ideology.” Hmm, I wonder what I was thinking about when I wrote this. (Laughs) I’m sure I was thinking about something, but it’s lost now.

ーー: When do you write in your techo?

Hideshima: If something catches my attention during the day, or if I come up with an idea, I’ll make a note in it. Having a regularly scheduled radio program, I’m pretty perceptive to the gradual change of seasons. For example, I’ll have a note near the end of summer that says “Beach sandals were on clearance for 300 yen,” or “Fireworks are getting really cheap.”

ーー: Having seasonal topics like that must be helpful to use as introductions to your radio show.

Hideshima: Yes, it’s a big help. For the week leading up to the show, I’ll think of what I want to talk about, and I’ll keep my eyes and ears open to gather ideas for my opening comments. But no matter how much I prepare, I won’t know how the day will go until I arrive at the studio. It might be pouring rain that day, or there might be some big breaking news. I’ll write plenty of things that don’t end up being much help, but making so many notes is what allows me to have anything at all come to my aid when it comes time to make conversation.

ーー: We’re glad the relief that comes from having written something down is such a help to you at work. Thank you so much for making time for us during your busy schedule and meeting us on your break!

(This is our last installment in the What does it mean to write?
10-part series. We hope you enjoyed it!)

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The interviews in this article are edited versions of those on display at the “Write!” event hosted at the Ginza Loft in September 2018. You can read more about the event here.