John Cho discusses his transition from acting to writing, touching on character development, dialogue nuances, vulnerability in writing, and family influences. He shares his journey as an artist and the impact of his work in making the world a better place.
Understanding characters' backgrounds and behaviors is crucial for creating compelling narratives.
John Cho structures his novel after screenplays and prefers prose for conveying inner thoughts authentically.
Deep dives
Connecting Acting and Writing
John Cho discusses the connections he found between acting and writing in his book. He delved into character development, motivations, and scene construction by drawing parallels between his experiences as an actor and a writer. Cho emphasized the importance of understanding his characters' backgrounds, behaviors, and interactions to create a compelling narrative. By applying the principles of scriptwriting to novel writing, Cho enriched his storytelling process with insights from both mediums.
Navigating the Writing Process and Collaboration
John Cho reveals his approach to writing, including structuring his novel after screenplays and opting for a compressed timeline akin to one-night movies. He discusses the challenges and differences between prose and dialogue-driven scripts, highlighting his preference for prose due to its ability to convey inner thoughts. Cho also reflects on the vulnerability and courage required to declare oneself as an author, emphasizing the personal nature of writing and the excavation of memories for authenticity.
You may know John Cho from his acting work in "Star Trek" and "Harold and Kumar" movies. But listen to this thoughtful conversation Cho and host Kitty Felde about his work as a writer - including convincing his Korean immigrant parents that his work was his work as an artist was making the world a better place.
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