When I was in junior secondary school, I sent my articles to newspapers and magazines, but most of them did not get published. Yet, I kept on writing.

Later, some editors started to notice me and published my articles.

When I was at university, I won several prizes in the Youth Literary Award. After that, I was approached by reporters and publishers.

After graduation, I published my first book, which won the Hong Kong Biennial Awards for Chinese Literature in 2003.

I was the youngest winner of the award.

I have published four books so far. My latest novel has sold out and I have ordered a reprint.

YP: Do you make a living from writing?

Ong: Not really. I don't make much money from my books, so I work other jobs.

For example, schools invite me to conduct writing workshops and short courses for students. I also freelance for newspapers and magazines.

And I host a TV show about culture, in which I share my views on hot social topics, movies and books.

YP: What is the message you want to get across through your books?

Ong: I like the magic-realism style of Latin American literature. The characters and plots in my stories are usually odd and mysterious, even dreadful.

Through my narratives, I want to remind people to pay attention to the small things that they ignore in their daily lives.

Hong Kong is such a fast-paced city that people do not have the time to stop and appreciate life.

YP: What problems have you run into as a writer?

Ong: My position is not very clear among local writers. The popular writers think my books are difficult to understand while serious writers see me as a superficial young idol because of my trendy looks.

But this is not all bad because it shows that I am a little special in the field.

YP: What do you think about the reading culture in Hong Kong?

Ong: Romance dominates the market and people seldom read serious literature.

The writers make a lot of money and have great influence over the readers. Romantic novels are like bubble-gum - they give you short-term pleasure but have no nutritional value.

Moreover, not many Hongkongers have developed a reading habit.

They do not realise that reading is a way of enhancing their quality of life as well as their personalty.

YP: Did any book inspire you to be a writer?

Ong: Yes, The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint Exupery. I was very touched by the story when I first read it.

But it is sad that businessmen have turned the characters into money-making tools.

Name: Ong Yi-hing | Occupation: Fiction writer | Age: 26