Settling In
Today I wrote the first four pages of my novel. I've titled it "The Musician' at this moment- somewhat a working title. As the characters develop I'll have more stuff added in.
Writing is interesting for all the right reasons. It's an exploration of feelings, the unfolding of events, of actions and consequences. If at all I become famous I'll credit my father for giving me the writing bug. I never realised it growing up but Baba was always at his desk writing something, mostly speeches for his functions and sermons. I've always written a diary since 12, most of them have vanished as I never thought to keep them, thinking that this writing business will never get anywhere. I've always gotten praises for my writing in school but thought nothing of it. Maybe now is the best time to polish my skills.
Currently I'm reading A. Samad Said's autobiography "Dari Salina ke Langit Petang". It gave such a frank insight into storytelling and writing- very inspirational indeed. I'm ashamed to admit that I have never read his work, thinking that the works by 'Sasterawan Negara' must be literary bores- I hated Literature in school, see? However, after reading the autobiography I've become very intrigued to read "Sungai Mengalir Lesu" and especially "Langit Petang". I must have watched Langit Petang on TV, if I'm not mistaken the novel has been made into a movie in the 80s but was never moved to read the book.
Considering my weak Malay language skills, I'd better go and pick up those books soon. My shortcoming right now is I keep weaving between Malay & English in my novel- that can't be appealing to any particular target group but I shall see it through. Most likely the whole book will be in Malay- maybe Tina can help translate.
Writing is interesting for all the right reasons. It's an exploration of feelings, the unfolding of events, of actions and consequences. If at all I become famous I'll credit my father for giving me the writing bug. I never realised it growing up but Baba was always at his desk writing something, mostly speeches for his functions and sermons. I've always written a diary since 12, most of them have vanished as I never thought to keep them, thinking that this writing business will never get anywhere. I've always gotten praises for my writing in school but thought nothing of it. Maybe now is the best time to polish my skills.
Currently I'm reading A. Samad Said's autobiography "Dari Salina ke Langit Petang". It gave such a frank insight into storytelling and writing- very inspirational indeed. I'm ashamed to admit that I have never read his work, thinking that the works by 'Sasterawan Negara' must be literary bores- I hated Literature in school, see? However, after reading the autobiography I've become very intrigued to read "Sungai Mengalir Lesu" and especially "Langit Petang". I must have watched Langit Petang on TV, if I'm not mistaken the novel has been made into a movie in the 80s but was never moved to read the book.
Considering my weak Malay language skills, I'd better go and pick up those books soon. My shortcoming right now is I keep weaving between Malay & English in my novel- that can't be appealing to any particular target group but I shall see it through. Most likely the whole book will be in Malay- maybe Tina can help translate.
posted by elya at 9:07 am
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