What Was and What's Next

What a week it's been.

I had a marvellous time at the British Council-organised conference Animating Literature: Words and Beyond (17th-20th Feb) and am very grateful to the organisers for giving me the chance to waffle on about my work with The Dram Projects (introducing books and reading to children who belong to marginalised communities in Malaysia). I also ran a workshop about using book discussion groups to turn kids on to reading, and that ended in a very lively discussion about lit circles, talking to children about books, and
allowing children to choose their own reading material, and speak freely about how they feel about stories (all subjects very close to my heart).

The focus of the conference was picture books and so most of the people who attended were picture book enthusiasts. It was so good meeting others with whom I could discuss these books and not be fixed with a look that said, "Aren't you a little too old to be reading picture books?"

Anyway, the week was an extremely exhausting one, but what FUN!

And so inspiring and enlightening too.

I met some lovely people and was introduced to some wonderful books. Ideally (for me), this sort of conference should happen once every six months ... just to see me through those times I feel discouraged and/or alone in my efforts.

On Friday afternoon, after the conference had ended, picture book maker (his word) Oliver Jeffers (in KL for the conference - what a thrill for all involved) spoke to a small group of aspiring illustrators. A very small group actually, as a few who'd RSVP'd positively couldn't make it in the end.

Thanks to Kinokuniya for letting us use their meeting room for the session.

The feedback was good - all who attended told me that Jeffers had inspired them to work harder on their projects, and also given them ideas.

On Saturday, Jeffers spoke at a public event, at Kinokuniya's design section. This session was organised by the British Council's arts team.

Thanks, Oliver!

I finally met Su Fong at this event. She and I have been exchanging emails (about books) for some time and it was good to be able to finally speak to meet her in the flesh. She gave me a copy of Not Now, Bernard by Davd McKee. I've been looking for this book for a while now. Thanks, Su Fong!

I'd been both looking forward and dreading this week - dreading because I am so horribly disorganised and always imagine that I will forget to do and say this, that and the other. Well, I did forget to do and say a number of things, but it was a brilliant week anyhow.

Now for March!

I'm off to Penang on the 2nd for the official launch (at Universiti Sains Malaysia) of Fatimah's Kampung by Iain Buchanan. I've been invited to "comment" on the book at the launch, along with another "expert" (crikey!) reviewer - Arndt Graf, a professor of Austronesian languages and culture (double crikey!). The event will be attended by the Vice Chancellor (yipes!)

On the 7th, I'll be conducting a creative writing workshop at MPH 1Utama's Booker Room, from 10am to 1pm.

I believe it's supposed to be for teens who are submitting stories to the MPH short story competition (although the publicity blurb doesn't specify the age range of the participants.)

The closing date of the competition is 31st march so if you haven't started writing, do so soon.

Comments

[Daphne]

Hi Tania, See you this Sat. Do come prepared to write!

[Tania]

Hi,

I look forward to your talk this saturday at MPH 1Utama. I hope to be able to derive some helpful pointers from you :)

ciao
Tania

[Daphne]

Steph!: Good to hear from you. See you soon I hope. I'm thinking abt our story!!

[Stephanie]

Hi Daphne
Just thought I would look up your blog and found the group photo on the front page! I had a wonderful time at the conference and really enjoyed talking with you. Looking forward to our future collaborations!
best
Stephanie

[Daphne]

Hello Carmel

Good to hear from you. The conference was a blast wasn't it?

I forgot to make a list of those fascinating terms you threw at me on the first day abt the illustrations in The Island!

Hope to see you when I'm in Spore.

Keep in touch.

[Carmelita C. Ballesteros]

Hi, Daphne.

Your blog is really, really cool! I'm so happy I joined the Animating Literature Seminar in KL and met lovely people like you and Stephanie as well as fascinating picture books.

Cheers,

Carmel