internationally best-selling author shares with readers what he thinks about being a novelist; his thoughts on the role of the novel in our society; his own origins as a writer; and his musings on the sparks of creativity that inspire other writers, artists, and musicians. 'Every creative person should read this book.' - Literary Review. 'Murakami is like a magician who explains what he's doing as he performs the trick and still makes you believe he has supernatural powers.' - New York Times Book Review.