Mok 1

Weslee Mok
Professor Fimbres
Kinesiology 003
22 May 2019

Interview Transcript

Interviewer: Weslee Mok

Interviewee: Lauren Boc

[Interview Start]

WM: Alright, so I’m interviewing Lauren Boc, a freelance writer and editor. Before we get
started on the questions, can you tell me about yourself and what you do?

LB: Sure! My name is Lauren Boc, but I most commonly go by "Ren" or my pen name,
"Renkka." It's currently difficult to describe my job occupation, since I have skills and
experience in various fields, but I work primarily as a freelance writer and editor. My specialty is
interactive fiction, particularly visual novels, which is a heavily narrative-focused subgenre of
games.

WM: That’s amazing, I find it hard to describe my line of work too when people ask about it.
I’ve read a few of your writing samples and really enjoyed your work! So tell me, how did you
get into your current occupation?

LB: It's actually a really long story. I initially became interested in visual novels after stumbling
across some on the mobile app store when I was younger. As an impressionable teenager, having
the ability to make potentially life-changing decisions in a game and dictating the actions and
personality of the character I would play was interesting to me. I also remember my friends in
middle school mentioning how they would playing dating sims, and that was also what inspired
me to look more into visual novels. The older I got, the more I wanted to share my writing with
others and present them in a format that resembled visual novels, which were a large source of
inspiration and enjoyment at the time. As a result, I researched how to make visual novels, and
that was how I chanced upon the visual novel-making program, Ren'Py, along with its associated
forum, Lemmasoft. Lemmasoft allows for visual novel creators and fans alike to connect, and
that was what opened the door for me to advertise my writing and editing services. After creating
a post for myself in the "I am a Writer/Editor" section, I received my first job offers, one of
which was from the company, Anomalis Games, for the title, "An Otaku's Guide to Santa's
Reindeer." Everything after that fell into place quickly and got me to where I am today.
 Mok 2

WM: Wow, that’s definitely a way to get started! It must have been a long journey from the start
until now, and it’s only skyrocketed due to your skill and work. I also have been influenced by
games, particularly RPGs and visual novels. I used to play them quite a lot as a teenager and
even now I like to play whenever I have free time. Aside from your fondness for these games
and childhood influence, what were some factors that attracted you to this particular occupation?

LB: I used to play them a lot too! When I was a teenager, playing visual novels definitely took
up a lot of my free time. I remember going to the supermarket and buying Google Play cards just
to play some of them, since I was too young to have a credit card at the time. As for what
attracted me to this particular occupation, the first word that comes to mind is "freedom."
Because I need to balance my studies with my work and other obligations, being a freelancer
came naturally to me. I am able to work on-the-go, whether I'm at home or in a computer lab.
Furthermore, being a freelancer allows for me to establish my own pay rates and hours, as
opposed to the more traditional job, which requires you to clock in at certain hours and clock out
at the end of that work day. I can work at my own convenience and determine what pay I feel is
appropriate for the project. There's also the idea of getting published. Freelance work provides
me a way to have my work released in a relatively quick fashion, as opposed to me waiting years
to publish a book on my own. It therefore removes some of the pressure of undergoing the
publication process, as I am usually paid for work on assignment-to-assignment basis with little
strings attached.

WM: What a funny coincidence, I used to do the same as a child too! I would run to the
supermarket or have my mom purchase the Google Play cards for me. And I absolutely agree
with you that this occupation is a form of freedom, both figuratively and creatively-wise. I think
being a freelancer needs to be more openly accepted since it is just as an important of a position
than someone working in a large corporation in an office. The efficiency and flexibility of the
occupation is what drew me to it, including my personal connection to writing and reading. But
of course, with every occupation, comes the good and the bad. What are the advantages and
disadvantages to your job?

LB: The pros of being a freelance writer and editor would be my self-determined work schedule
and pay, as it fits perfectly with my lifestyle, along with the relatively fast publications. Working
in this particular niche of the game industry has also allowed me to make a name for myself,
despite only being in the field for less than two years. I've had many potential employers and
respected individuals within the community reach out to me, praising my work and treating me
with high regard. I think that's partially related to the companies I've worked with and also the
personality and reputation I have established under my own name. It's extremely flattering and
validating, reminding me that people are receiving my work well and that my work is actually
going somewhere and making an impact on someone. On the other hand, there are also several
 Mok 3

disadvantages, one such being the pay. Even if I determine my own rate, I often work with indie
developers who have a small budget and are therefore "unable to afford" my services. As a
result, they often reach out to others who are offering free work or extremely undervalued
services, which then undermines the work of other freelancers and allows for a cycle of
exploitation. Of course, we can't expect all developers to be able to pay high rates, but this is still
a prevalent problem that I see within the visual novel community. Many potential employers
have lowballed me and blatantly told me that they can't afford my services, even if I still
technically charge under industry standards. Even experienced writers such as myself have a
hard time finding work because employers search for the cheapest writer, regardless of their
reputation or experience. Another disadvantage that I've noticed is that it's difficult to even put
together a project, much less publish it. I've worked for many projects that experience issues
early or even halfway through development and are then suddenly dropped for reasons such as
internal communication issues, financial problems, and more. It's disheartening and frustrating if
I put a lot of time and effort into a project, only for it to go unpublished in the end.

WM: I’m absolutely blown away by all that, thank you for sharing your thoughts. It’s incredible
to see the perspective of a professional in the same field of work as mine. I feel the same exact
way when it comes to the underappreciation and underpay from clients, especially when they try
to lowball you for such high quality work. One of the biggest issues, in my opinion, is that these
developers and employers see us as a dime a dozen. With all of these writers appearing and
offering incredibly low rates or even free work is such a disappointment to me. Healthy
competition in a work environment and community is very much welcome, but when it gets to
the point where hardworkers are undermined is when I become distraught and upset. That being
said, with so many ups and downs of work, are there any changes you would make to your
current position? And why?

LB: I eventually want to transition to more executive and administrative positions in the projects
I work on. Although I love writing and editing, in the long-run I see myself directing narratives
and overseeing the success of a project, rather than being limited to only script-writing or
editing. However, if I can find projects that balance both writing or editing with managerial
positions, that would also be ideal for me. Rather than being passive, I like to be invested and
deeply-involved in my work.

WM: That’s interesting to hear, from your work history I can definitely see you as a narrative
director in a large team. Now, I understand that the life of a freelancer can be just as difficult and
arduous as someone working at a 9 to 5 occupation. I find it equally hard to maintain a proper
social life since my schedule is always so busy. Does your occupation influence your life outside
of work? How so?
 Mok 4

LB: My occupation definitely influences my life outside of work, both in good ways and bad. To
start with the negatives first, creative work is incredibly draining. Not only does it take a toll on
your body to crunch away at a laptop for hours and hours, because that is often what writers do
when they have a creative flow, but it affects your mental health as well. Struggling to find a
creative spark, which is often referred to as "writer's block," is one of the most challenging
hurdles for creatives to overcome. It often comes unexpectedly or as a result of being too
overwhelmed and not having enough time to realign yourself and find creative inspiration.
Writer's block is often stifling in that it makes writers feel unmotivated, unaccomplished, and
frustrated with the lack of progress, which then affects other aspects of their life, including their
social one. However, my job also gives me a large source of pride, as I work out of passion.
Therefore, being able to share my accomplishments with friends, peers, and instructors brings me
a lot of joy, especially because people are always like, "Wow! Really? That's so cool!" when I
tell them what I do. I don't think many people expect that I do what I do because of my serious
personality. They probably think I'm into chemistry compounds, rather than writing about a
romance between two characters. My work also provides me with a sense of purpose. I'm finally
doing what I love and impacting people's lives at the same time. That's more than I can possibly
ask for.

WM: I feel the same way when it comes to writer’s block, I’ve had my fair share of experiences
with it so I know how draining it can be. I think it’s interesting how many different reactions I’ve
gotten from people as well when I tell them about my occupation, it’s interesting and also a bit
funny to think that our looks contribute to what people expect of us for our jobs. But actually,
speaking of social influence, if you were to convince someone to work in the same field as you,
how would you go about it?

LB: I've actually had experiences where I've gotten people into the visual novel community or
helped them network for jobs with past employers. I try to treat people the way I would like to be
treated, so if I see potential in someone, I'll make sure they're aware of it and encourage them to
try something they might not have considered before. It really depends on what a person wants
out of their job, along with their personality and values, but if they have the skills and interest in
the field, I'd be more than happy to support them, using my own experiences as a reference to
guide them in their own decisions.

WM: I agree! I always treat my clients and coworkers with the same attitude and respect that I
would like to be on the receiving end of. It’s really great to see you sharing the same ideals and
work ethic as I do. While doing this type of networking and working on your scripts, what is one
particular event that you have a fond memory of while working?

LB: One of the most memorable moments I've had while working was the first time seeing my
work in a playable format. It was a few months after I first started working for Reine Works for
 Mok 5

the title, Mizari Loves Company. The position of lead writer required me to write about 10,000
words of script every month for the game. As a result, I spent much of my time staring at words
on a document, rather than in the visual, game format. However, after a point, my boss released
an updated build of the game that included the scripts I wrote. It was so surreal and redeeming to
see my work presented in a playable format where the characters recited lines I wrote. The
feeling of excitement at seeing my work in the intended format has never died out, even until
now.

WM: That is something I can relate to, my first published project last year was one of the biggest
achievements of my life at the time. I’ll never forget the pure joy when I saw my work in the
finished build of the game, even more so when I played it myself. And while I think these happy
moments should be treasured, there are also moments where we struggle to deal with a difficult
situation in jobs. For example maybe you come across a difficult client or a team member that
doesn’t seem to click well with you. How would you approach a difficult situation in your
occupation?

LB: Like any social environment, you're always going to run into people you don't get along
with, whether it's because of personality or value differences. Professionalism is of utmost
importance when dealing with these kinds of conflicts, but there are also more human elements,
such as empathy, to consider as well, and sometimes professionalism and empathy can go hand-
in-hand. There are situations where you are able to work things out with the other person because
both parties are willing to communicate and compromise, but there are other situations that I've
experienced where it is better to accept the differences and limit the possibility for conflict. The
rule of thumb for me is to justify why someone is the way they are by putting myself in their
shoes.

WM: That’s a very intriguing and professional mindset, I can understand your point of view
when it comes to separating the human element from work. From what I see and have heard from
you, it seems like you take great pride in your work and find happiness in it. But, if given the
chance, would you change to a different occupation or keep your current job?

LB: That's difficult to answer, because I would say both yes and no. Yes, because I have such a
broad range of interests and so many goals that I want to achieve. That includes wanting to self-
publish an autobiography and original fiction novel, write a screenplay, start multiple businesses,
and even open a school. I want to do any and everything I can, but that doesn't mean I have to
change my occupation to be able to accomplish that. Therefore, my answer is also no. I'm too
passionate about being a creator to ever leave my job.

WM: Ah, I can understand where you’re coming from with that answer. I find it hard to decide
for myself sometimes whether this occupation is truly for me, but at the end of the day I look at
 Mok 6

my work and find happiness in it. And I know you mentioned this in one of your previous
answers, but perhaps you can go in more detail. When telling someone about your occupation,
what is the general reaction they give? Maybe comparing strangers’ reactions versus people
close to you?

LB: It's always so fun telling people what I do. I used to be really reserved and preferred a strict
separation of social life from professional life, but nowadays, I let the boundaries cross. I find
that hiding myself all of the time holds me back more than protects me. I find that loosening up
and being upfront about what I do for a living contributes to my self-confidence. Besides, having
people exclaim, "Oh my god! That's so cool!" or generally have pleasantly surprised and amazed
expressions gives me a strong sense of pride. Of course, the people who are close to me are
happy for me when they find out what I do, but there's something a little more special than
impressing people who are strangers and don't know much about you. There's a big difference
there, since people close to you might already expect something specific, while strangers have no
idea and are more impressionable, and therefore, would react more strongly to finding out about
my "surprise job."

WM: That makes a lot of sense, I have similar reactions when I tell my friends about my
occupation compared to strangers that I happen to chat up. While you receive praise from people
around you and your clients, I would like to know how you see your own work. What do you
consider one of your biggest achievements to date?

LB: I consider one of my biggest achievements to be the release of The Glass Coffin, a visual
novel that I wrote myself. Even though the game is still in its early release stages, not to mention
the fact that there's a lot of competition, The Glass Coffin has received a warm response. I've
also received form submissions from players who had a lot of helpful suggestions for me to
improve the game, so I'm taking the feedback to heart in order to continue honing my craft and
bring even more enjoyable experiences for my readers.

WM: The Glass Coffin truly deserves the praise and positive responses it has received. I played
the game myself back when it was first released and absolutely enjoyed it. I learn from the
feedback I receive as well, and it helps boost my excitement to churn out a refined version of my
previous work. That being said, even with such a wonderful achievement, I would like to know
your thoughts about your job overall. Are you happy with your current position and occupation?
And if not, why?

LB: I'm currently satisfied with my current position and occupation, as I feel that it reflects my
current experience, interests, and needs. However, I would still like to transition into higher
managerial positions, focusing more in the crafting of the narratives from the ground-up, rather
than working with predefined content and churning out scripts. I prefer having the freedom of
 Mok 7

participating in the conceptualization and creation of everything, rather than limiting myself to
one part of the execution process.

WM: I’m really glad to hear that you’re satisfied with your current position, I think one of the
worst things that a freelancer can experience is falling out of love with their job. The freedom
aspect is definitely one of the most appealing things to me, and I use that as a method of
inspiration whenever I start to lose steam. I think it would be interesting to ask how you would
approach this occupation for the first time with your current experience and knowledge. If you
could go back in time to the start of your career, what advice would you give to yourself?

LB: The best advice I could give to myself, and to any other aspiring creator, is to just be
yourself. That might seem mundane and obvious, but being and knowing yourself is the key to
success in not only your profession, but also in your life. Self-awareness gets you a long way
since it builds your confidence and allows you to be more assertive of your needs and wants. Not
only will you be able to market yourself more effectively, but you'll also be able to navigate
conflicts and negotiations easier. If you exhibit low confidence in yourself, others may take
advantage of that to underpay you, for example, and you might lose sight of your purpose and
style because you are constantly trying to conform to another person's standards. Every employer
and reader is searching for something different, so don't be afraid to just be yourself. You never
know who you can inspire and impress if you don't put yourself out there.

WM: You’re right, I definitely think what a lot of aspiring creators out there is the lack of self-
confidence. We all have dreams and goals, but it takes a lot of strength and bravery to battle with
harsh critics, difficult clients, and self-worth. I view myself as my biggest and harshest critic, so
when something doesn’t go right, I put all the blame on myself. And I think standing out while
maintaining your original image is so important for everyone out there who wishes to share their
creativity and ideas. While we’re on the subject of aiming to achieve dreams and goals in this
field, what are some short-term job goals you have for this year?

LB: Some short-term job goals I have for this year is to get at least two more published titles
under my belt. I've been working on one particular project for over a year now, so I'm really
looking forward to its release and reception. Another short-term goal I have is to start something
new and fresh, preferably outside of my visual novel work--maybe a short series that I can
release periodically for people to read. I've been itching to release something along those lines,
so I want to do that before the year ends.

WM: Those are all really amazing goals! I hope to release a few more titles myself, so seeing
how you set your goals within reach while striving to work your hardest is so inspirational. I
think people would love to see variations of your writing style, myself included. And at last,
we’re at the final question! I personally see individuals like you and other developers I follow to
 Mok 8

be one of my biggest inspirations when I write. I take in every little detail and see the potential in
what I could do with my own style and stories. So tell me, do you have a source of inspiration? If
you do, then who or what is it?

LB: Thank you! That means a lot to me. It's an honor to be a source of inspiration for you. I ask
myself this same question all of the time, and every time, the answer is different. Sometimes, my
inspiration is the novel I just read, a movie I just watched, or a random thought that crossed my
mind. Other times, it's the people around me, my loved ones, my past experiences, and visions I
have of the future. It's impossible for me to identify my primary sources of inspiration because
there are just so many out there. The world and universe just have so much creative inspiration to
offer, so it really depends on the situation. A lot my work is derived from a mixture of my
personal experiences, random and whimsical thoughts, and movies or books I enjoy. My ideas
and craft then get honed when I work it out with others, because I often find that ideas are best
explored with others. Sometimes, people will point out things that you never noticed before, and
it'll spark creativity between both parties. I think that's one of the most exciting things about
writing and creative work in general.

WM: I always find myself doing the same thing, so it’s nice to see that someone of your skill
level also find inspiration in moments of your daily life. I would see a building or park and then
suddenly think of ideas for a new script or story. Well, that concludes our interview, Lauren! I’ve
learned so much about you during this, and all of your answers were riveting and incredibly
insightful. I respect you even more after this, and it’s an honor to speak with you about this
subject. I feel as though I learn to be a better writer simply by reading and enjoying your work,
so this has been a wonderful experience. This has been so enlightening and it beneficial to my
own knowledge as well as my project. Thank you very much for taking the time to speak with
me.

LB: It was certainly my pleasure and honor as well! Thank you for inviting me for this interview.
I wish you the best of luck with your project, and I hope that my words can reach those who need
to hear or see them.

[Interview End]