Young Malaysian Writers: Worth the Effort or Beyond Help?

Yesterday I attended the press conference for the Singapore Writers Festival 2009. Present were representatives from the National Arts Council of Singapore, the Arts House (the old parliament house where the SWF's events are held) and Malaysian authors Anwar Ridhwan (the latest national laureate), K.S. Maniam and Wong Phui Nam, all of whom will be speaking at the event.

During the press briefing, Wong drew attention to his and Maniam's age. According to him, the mature years of the Malaysian authors participating in the festival reflect the dearth of young Malaysian writers, especially those writing in English.

In my opinion, the fact that there are no young Malaysian writers featured at the SWF speaks more about the organisers' ignorance of the Malaysian literary scene than the lack of actual writers.

Or, perhaps, the organisers are aware of our new generation of writers but do not think them worthy of their recognition.

Similarly, I wonder if Mr Wong is familiar with fiction and poetry published (in English as well as Bahasa Malaysia) by emerging Malaysian writers. It sounded like he isn't, or perhaps he just doesn't rate what he has come across.

Also, his interest seems to be in writers who write in English whereas I feel that it's the writing that matters, not the language used.

The representatives from the NAC and The Arts House spoke of how young Singaporean writers would appreciate the opportunity to meet and consult with and learn from experienced writers like Wong, Maniam and Anwar. Young Malaysian writers would also benefit. There simply needs to be a platform on which such meetings can take place.

Wong spoke about how Malaysian wrtiting (in English) is stillborn, a result of our education system. Having identified this problem, I should think Wong has his own theories about how the deadening effect of our schooling can be countered and/or reversed. Does he and others like him have a part to play in helping aspiring authors produce writing that has a chance to grow in effectiveness and beauty? Perhaps Wong just does not think it is his battle to fight.

Comments

[Daphne]

Yes, Sharon, I agree that we could all do more to make lit events more inclusive. I'll bear this in mind the next time I'm at Readings etc.

[bibliobibuli]

well, as i try to remember to ask who is new and ask others to say hello to them. (remind me if i forget next time). i generally try to talk to people myself if they come early. problem is if they slip in late and don't come and say hello. maybe we can all make a bit more effort? i'm usually busy with trying to keep things going so maybe if you are there you can help with this too???

[Daphne]

I have been told by friends and others that they find "Readings" and other lit events somewhat "cliqueish". They only mean that the people who to attend these events tend to know one another and, quite naturally, stick together and chat amongst themselves. After all, most people are more comfortable when hanging out with people they know. If you go to an event and know no one, and nobody says hello, it's understandable if you feel a little lonely if not totally awkward.

[madcap machinist]

I've been to Readings many times, and people I've met there are remarkably open. There's been plenty of conversation. Each reader attract different audiences, average attendance 30-40 people, I hang out with the wine and have met many people over snacks. Very relaxed atmosphere, it's easy to mingle, and expression is free. Most invited writers are approachable, and I've seen even a couple of famous ones are learning to face an audience.

It's something of a little marketplace too, with writers promoting their books, book giveaways, people among audiences bringing their own independent productions -- self-published novels, pocket books, chapbooks etc.

Not many events have stayed as long as Readings has, and it's been sustained only by Sharon and the odd volunteers on the day. How long can it go on? It appears that it's not the case that Malaysian writing is stillborn, but it's in a backyard somewhere struggling to grow up.

[bibliobibuli]

the typos in that are bugging me - "coolest" "shy writers"

[bibliobibuli]

June - perhaps you should attend and see how un-cliquish it is! i get angry when people make pronouncements from afar on what they believe to be the truth without having ever tried to find out!

every month we have a different set of readers - we have had young unpublished writers, internationally famous writers, writers from overseas, local writers, writers in malay and english, on-the-page poets, performance poets, bloggers, the occasional celeb, playwrights, non-fiction writers, newspaper columnists, chic lit writers, sci-fi writers, gay writers, straight writers, every race colour and denomination writers, why writers. bold writers, ... and the odd musician in there for good measure. where is the cliquishness in that? can you write? do you want to read? if you can persuade me that you won't send the crowd to sleep, the space is yours. all you have to do is ask.

we would love more publicity. the newspapers and KL magazines and TV stations know of our existence but have never really run a feature on us. (Time Out voted us one of the collest events in KL). we are happy to take readings out to anywhere that will sponsor us and give us a venue.

also while I say "we", there is defacto, only yours truly. it takes quite a bit of energy and organisation each month just to get this running.

some practical help with publicity and practical arrangements would make this happen! or, organise another event along the same lines in a another place.

this is actually how Maskara's events at Ruman Pena began, it was inspired by Readings@Seksan and then took on a life of its own. Gergette Tan was running something along the same lines in Kuching.

why shouldn't there be readings and other literary events all over the city? come back to me with ideas and suggestions for venues/sponsorship and ways you can help. (hey i'm deadly serious!) my email is sharonbakar@yahoo.com

[june]

I was just wondering... while Readings at Seksan is open to all, in some ways, it could be seen as quite clique-ish. Perhaps it just needs to break out from its comfort zone of established fans/readers/writers and reach out to other sections of KL society. After all, I don't think anyone else has heard about it unless you know people in the know, or you read Sharon's blog (it was the latter for me). I think Readings in Seksan is great and I agree with you that other platforms should emerge.

Also I think Wong is bit of an old fart la, because there are so many aspiring and published young Malaysian writers out there.