Mo Yan: I'm no 'literary master'

BEIJING - Upon his return from Stockholm after being awarded the 2012 Nobel Prize in Literature, Chinese writer Mo Yan on Friday said he does not consider himself to be a "literary master."

"The title 'master' has an intrinsic meaning, and if someone calls me a literary master, I will think it may be disguised sarcasm, for I believe I am far from qualified for the title," he told reporters.

When asked whether he will "continue to be a storyteller," as he stated in his December 7 speech in Stockholm, he said a good writer should commit himself to writing, instead of meetings and media interviews.

The Nobel literature prize is a "kiss of death" for some writers, as many fail to continue producing excellent works after winning the prize, Mo said.

"After the Nobel win, a writer can easily slip into a life that is occupied by trivial matters," he said, adding that he hopes to avoid such a situation.

Describing his trip to Stockholm as fruitful and eye opening, he said he has "a lot of plans" for writing, but will take some time off to rest first.

In a lecture titled "Storytellers" delivered at the Swedish Academy, Mo described himself as a storyteller, saying it is this exact characteristic that earned him the prize.

Mo's most notable works include "Red Sorghum," "Frog" and "Big Breasts and Wide Hips," which have been translated and published in English, French, Swedish, Spanish, German, Italian and Japanese.