Yuko Sato is an active freelance writer/editor based in Sapporo.
She is talented at digging deep through interviews and writing passionate articles on her subjects.
Freelance write and editor, Yuko Sato
- Experiencing multitudes of interviews while working at an employment magazine
Sato always had the urge to become a reporter, so she started working at a publishing company after graduating from college. She began developing her skills there in the editing room of a weekly employment magazine.
“I was lucky to have experienced all aspects of editing. I had the opportunity to interview a lot of people; probably thousands.”
After building her foundation as an editor, Sato quit her job after working there for 13 years. The challenge of making it on her own began when she was 35 years old.
- A slow start as a freelance writer
Sato says the transition was not an easy one. Still, as she completed each project with care, she learned how to communicate with people, improve her writing, and work professionally.
She wrote “Hikaru Onna” and “Kitano Takumi” for a monthly publication.
- Using “rapport” is the Sato way
There is a word Sato cherishes when interacting with people.
It’s a French word, “rapport”. She learned the word from writer Takashi Tachibana, and it means, “to interact with open hearts”.
“My subjects are giving me their valuable time, so I do my homework, and make sure to look professional. Above all, I show them that I want to hear their story more than anything. If they truly feel that, the interview succeeds.”
“I just felt like talking.” – Words expressed by Sato’s many interviewees.
Her attitude of trying to understand her subject’s views make them relax, creating an environment easy to talk in.
- The creation of a new world, “Hokkaido Hyakunen Monogatari”
It was no small matter for Sato to participate in the creation of radio drama, “Hokkaido Hyakunen Monogatari” (Hokkaido 100-year Story). The show highlights people who have a special history with Hokkaido.
There is a challenge in making people “listen” to the story, but she says the results are worth it. Family members of people interviewed call to express their appreciation, which is very encouraging for Sato.
Work on the radio drama has opened Sato to new possibilities.
- A love for print and challenge of new genres
“Rather than delving deep into one theme and becoming attached to that, I tend to touch on many different themes lightly,” laughs Sato. This attitude comes from her wish not to leave readers behind by riddling her writing with technical jargon or esoteric terms. She recently began creating work on the web, as well.
“Website designs are mostly the same, the text goes left to right, and it scrolls up and down. I always create content that is accurate. I try to avoid being vague.”
Her many experiences will surely entertain her readers on the web, too.
- The fifth year
Sato recently started her own blog.
“It’s kind of embarrassing because I open up my personal feelings to the world, but I’ve been updating it every day since I started it three months ago,” she says. It will be exciting to see 365 updates a year via her blog.
You can see what Sato’s like through her blog.
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Freelance writer and editor, Yuko Sato
Blog –http://mimibana.exblog.jp/
Article by Eiichi Sato
Translation by David Neptune
