Jizzy's 2023 Japan diary

[ism22]

Good luck to you.

Someone I went to school with has had a couple of books published (had no idea she would ever become an author). Both are described as 'fictionalised memoirs' as its about her life growing up in this small town with actual events , with all the names changed. As its a very small town the locals know who is who largely in the book, and its caused a bit of consternation with some. As its not all flattering. I recognise most of the 'characters ' incl my brother and best friend.

Would yours potentially be along these lines?

Cheers mate. That's a good idea actually (I wouldn't mind having a read in order to get a feel for how it's done).

IMO it could work as I don't wanna identify my daughter or my ex. Also it's a really small town with only a few non-Japanese people so I'm cautious about mentioning actual friends.

End of the day it's unlikely to be a popular book. However, IMO it's a good discussion starter and I would enjoy the artistic process of unpacking a lot of thoughts/experiences.

When I raise the actual issue of 'parental abduction and alienation' I think most people lack the context that it just happens in Japan. They don't have shared custody or a way of officially registering a child as having two parents who are not married. The concept of 'adoption' is not a lengthy process... it's automatic when you marry somebody who has kids. To see such policies weaponised to the disadvantage of 'foreigners' (many of whom are Filipino women with far less access to wealth/education than me) is horrific for children. To see my daughter puppeted into loathing the fact she's a foreigner (and being denied access to the English language + her Australian family) is next level.

It's a tough story to tell because it's not about me... it's about children (who are ALWAYS the victims of such things). Unfortunately I'm not one so it would feel a bit gratuitous trying to write something from my daughter's perspective. However, fiction could be a way of delving into the innocent mind of a child who's caught up in all this.

[A Country Member]

Fiction you have bud. Your many characters get their personalities fine tuned on this forum. However, people aren’t handing over their $8 for this. They’d rather spill some midori

[Jacks Fur Coat]

Cheers mate. That's a good idea actually (I wouldn't mind having a read in order to get a feel for how it's done).

IMO it could work as I don't wanna identify my daughter or my ex. Also it's a really small town with only a few non-Japanese people so I'm cautious about mentioning actual friends.

End of the day it's unlikely to be a popular book. However, IMO it's a good discussion starter and I would enjoy the artistic process of unpacking a lot of thoughts/experiences.

When I raise the actual issue of 'parental abduction and alienation' I think most people lack the context that it just happens in Japan. They don't have shared custody or a way of officially registering a child as having two parents who are not married. The concept of 'adoption' is not a lengthy process... it's automatic when you marry somebody who has kids. To see such policies weaponised to the disadvantage of 'foreigners' (many of whom are Filipino women with far less access to wealth/education than me) is horrific for children. To see my daughter puppeted into loathing the fact she's a foreigner (and being denied access to the English language + her Australian family) is next level.

It's a tough story to tell because it's not about me... it's about children (who are ALWAYS the victims of such things). Unfortunately I'm not one so it would feel a bit gratuitous trying to write something from my daughter's perspective. However, fiction could be a way of delving into the innocent mind of a child who's caught up in all this.

I've attached a link. Gives you an idea of the structure and tone that was used. It started out as her keeping some diarised notes about her life growing up, to show her kids when they became adults. Then she thought it may have some wider appeal. No doubt you are well aware of any legal implications in referencing actual events. She puts a bit of a disclaimer at the start of the book.

I'm sure you've read the Catcher, one of the best ever.

[Paddo Colt 61]

Allow me to start you off Iz; The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner by Izzy Ism

Once upon a time.....Iz woke up irritable, knocking the the dregs of the last night's bedtime Limoncello to the floor as he reached to shut off the incoming call. Although he appreciated the caller's concern he was doubtful that an invitation to spend yet another evening at the Merrylands RSL was going to help with the mental mire that he now found himself in and Jack's constant badgering about becoming his literary agent was annoying. The fellow meant well, he knew that, but the thought of yet another Chicken Parmi at the bistro and the stressful hours that followed as Jack became increasingly impatient with the Keno was just too much.

He was not that keen, either on Jack's merry invitations to join him on the empty dance floor. He liked Gloria Gaynor but she'd had her day after all and these days only Alicia Bridges and her love of the Nightlife could get him up and Jack's wild eyed screeching of the falsetto "on the disco ro-u-u-nd" arms waving furiously, always brought a smile to his troubled face

There were, of course, periods that were comforting. His conversations with Jack's friends who could recount almost everything that Paul Murray and Peta Credlin had said for the fortnight prior, reminded him of ol' mates in far away Japan. He, sometimes, thought of including Kingsley Salvatore in those nights out but then there were serious doubts regarding Kingsley's off switch and Jack might be annoyed that the endless recalling of Atlanta Braves' past glories drowned out his own well rehearsed reflections on Anzac derring do.

To be continued......

[Andrew Walker]

Allow me to start you off Iz; The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner by Izzy Ism

Once upon a time.....Iz woke up irritable, knocking the the dregs of the last night's bedtime Limoncello to the floor as he reached to shut off the incoming call. Although he appreciated the caller's concern he was doubtful that an invitation to spend yet another evening at the Merrylands RSL was going to help with the mental mire that he now found himself in and Jack's constant badgering about becoming his literary agent was annoying. The fellow meant well, he knew that, but the thought of yet another Chicken Parmi at the bistro and the stressful hours that followed as Jack became increasingly impatient with the Keno was just too much. He was not that keen, either on Jack's merry invitations to join him on the empty dance floor. He liked Gloria Gaynor but she'd had her day after all and these days only Alicia Bridges and her love of the Nightlife could get him up and Jack's wild eyed screeching of the falsetto "on the disco ro-u-u-nd" arms waving furiously, always brought a smile to his troubled face

There were, of course, periods that were comforting. His conversations with Jack's friends who could recount almost everything that Paul Murray and Peta Credlin had said for the fortnight prior, reminded him of ol' mates in far away Japan. He, sometimes, thought of including Kingsley Salvatore in those nights out but then there were serious doubts regarding Kingsley's off switch and Jack was often annoyed that the endless recalling of Atlanta Braves' past glories drowned out his own well rehearsed reflections on Anzac derring do.

To be continued......

LOL One of your best The expectations are now very high from my end

[ism22]

I've attached a link. Gives you an idea of the structure and tone that was used. It started out as her keeping some diarised notes about her life growing up, to show her kids when they became adults. Then she thought it may have some wider appeal. No doubt you are well aware of any legal implications in referencing actual events. She puts a bit of a disclaimer at the start of the book.

I'm sure you've read the Catcher, one of the best ever.

Neat, I'll definitely grab a copy as it's definitely the sorta theme/style that I could learn from (as is the Catcher, of course).

Thanks for the link!

[ism22]

Jizzy's birthday today. After all this it was pretty sweet to see us win the soccer and Easts win the footy.

[Andrew Walker]

Jizzy's birthday today. After all this it was pretty sweet to see us win the soccer and Easts win the footy.

I’m sure there will be a few craft beers a few more home brews and copious amounts of limoncello being downed in celebration

[ism22]

I’m sure there will be a few craft beers a few more home brews and copious amounts of limoncello being downed in celebration

You guessed right

[ism22]

Random story... I did an online review of a random Korean bar/restaurant (the type you'd only know about if you've stumbled upon it as it's a hole in a wall located in a backstreet). Thought nothing of it as I'm no foodie/influencer.

Got a text message from the owner the other day saying that it's been busy since I posted the review. Also some random groups have come from Tokyo just to eat there (citing a positive review from a foreign dude). The review app has also been going crazy about the number of views that review has had (way more than any of my other reviews).

Weird! Not sure what triggered this but it's kinda crazy.