Author Interview: Axie Oh

Get the inside scoop on ‘The Floating World’!

Axie Oh is the author of our May YA ‘Written in the Stars’ featured book: The Floating World.
Read on to get the inside scoop from inspiration to favourite scenes and more!

What inspired you to write The Floating World?

After writing The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea, which was inspired by a Korean folktale, I
wanted to write another Korean folklore-inspired novel; this time about the myth of celestial
maidens or women with winged robes who have magical powers. The Floating World is
largely influenced by this myth, but also by Final Fantasy video games and Studio Ghibli
films.

Did you have to do any special research for The Floating World?

Around the time I was drafting the first book, I went to visit waterfalls on Jeju Island that are
said to have inspired myths of celestial maidens. It was said that the maidens would come
down from the heavens to bathe in the pools beneath the waterfalls.

Describe The Floating World in 5 words.

Final Fantasy meets Studio Ghibli!

Can you tell us about your writing process?

I like to write a short 1-2 page synopsis before I start writing a book that includes the opening
image, inciting incident, midpoint, climax, and ending image. And I’ll always have certain
scenes that I’m most excited to write before I start. Knowing those bigger moments helps
give me direction, and then having those specific scenes makes me excited to reach them. I
then start from the beginning and write the first draft chapter by chapter, building onto my
outline as I go and adding more to my “future scenes” document.

What was your favourite scene to write and why?

There’s a scene that takes place in a reed field, and involves a paper umbrella, that is one of
my favourites; it’s also the first scene that came to me for this book, and the reason I wanted
to write it!

Did you listen to any particular songs/playlists whilst you wrote this?

The Final Fantasy VII Remake Original Soundtrack!

When you write, do you have any go-to snacks? If so, what are they?

I don’t usually snack when I write, but I always need a yummy drink (cool in the summer, hot
in the winter). There’s something about a delicious beverage that signals my brain that it’s
time to write!

What did you find most challenging about writing this book?

It took me a while to find the voice of my heroine, Ren. In the first draft of the novel, I wrote
all her chapters in first person, hoping that the closeness of that point-of-view would help me
get to know her better. It worked! Once I felt like I knew her “voice,” I then rewrote her
chapters in third person.

What can you tell us (if anything) about the sequel?

The sequel is more romantic, with twists and turns, and fun interactions between characters
who hadn’t met in the first book (or were enemies) but have to work together in Book 2!