"I was a little concerned that a lot of people thought I wrote Merchant Ivory movies. I also thought if I was ever going to write something strange and difficult, that was the time"

Kazuo Ishiguro's quote discuss themes of expectations, identity, and innovative exploration. He reveals issue about being pigeonholed into a particular design of composing-- particularly, the perception that he was accountable for writing "Merchant Ivory films". Merchant Ivory Productions is renowned for its advanced period dramas, normally adjustments of traditional literature, like the works of E.M. Forster. These movies are defined by their elegance, nuanced character research studies, and often, their expedition of British social hierarchies.

Ishiguro appears to be attending to a misconception amongst audiences who may have associated his literary works with the kind of narratives typically produced by Merchant Ivory. His concern implies a desire for his own work to be recognized for its distinctiveness instead of being viewed as derivative of another design. This shows a broader tension authors often face in between public expectations and personal creative goals.

The latter part of the quote, "if I was ever going to compose something weird and hard, that was the time", exposes Ishiguro's yearning to branch out into new, uncharted innovative areas. It suggests a moment of artistic introspection where he felt all set to challenge himself and possibly his audience by accepting intricacy and unconventional narratives. This shows a typical creative advancement, where developers, after establishing themselves in a specific category or design, aim to push boundaries to prevent stagnation and to check out the depths of their creative potential.

Ishiguro's reflections highlight the complex dance in between an artist's internal motivations and external perceptions. It underscores the value of preserving one's creative identity while negotiating the expectations of readers, critics, and cultural associations. In essence, this quote encapsulates a turning point of self-awareness and ambition in Ishiguro's career, emblematic of the broader imaginative journey lots of artists deal with.