Or, in the case of the participants of the Silverfish Writing Programme (SWP), some people have many stories to tell.
The first intake was in July, and since then over 30 participants have attended or are attending the Programme. One of the spin-offs of the SWP is The Silverfish Writer page at http://www.silverfishbooks.com/writer.html. We started this some weeks after the end of the first Programme. It was the usual dilemma: how to keep the momentum going after the course. The first group tried to form a writer's circle for a few weeks, and then gave up. They realised that it was almost impossible for everyone to be free at the same time on the same day? Geographical locations in the Klang Valley can be remote and the traffic (especially during the rainy season) quite daunting. We suggested an online writers group and The Silverfish Writer page was created with Silverfish Books as the facilitator. We hoped it would help but, to be honest, we were really not sure at all at that time.
For the last three-months we have kept it largely within the SWP community, so to speak. But we notice that the site has attracted others as well, with many helpful (and some not so helpful) comments. With the internet, that is to be expected.
Our decision was to post a story a week, and so far we have posted 12. (We have received over 20 and they keep coming in.) All the stories posted so far (and those in our queue) are from the SWP participants. They have been posted in, more or less, their 'raw' form, that is, with very little editing. Some of them still require more work, and all of them need to be edited and proofed. Many of the stories began as assignments. Many are well on their way to publishing their first book.
Not all stories are posted, however. We have also received several stories from none SWP participants. We have no objections to that at all. But so far we have not posted any of them. We have sent back stories for rewrites if, after reading (at least a couple of times) we feel, "Excuse me, what are you trying to say? What is your story about?" (In some cases, we feel there is a story in there somewhere but is obscured by the writer's own seeming attempt at cleverness.Our advice: keep it simple. If you are clever, it will show. Don't worry.)
Writers are, first and foremost, storytellers. They ply their trade by telling stories - as do dramatists, movie directors, singers, or even, dancers and painters. Writing by itself is only a tool - albeit a powerful one. They are like paints and brushes. Calling oneself a writer is like calling oneself a typist. It does not mean anything. Whether writers like to believe it or not, they belong in the entertainment industry. Stories are read for entertainment first. After that, if they are good enough (or great even) they become cultural markers. Ditto: movies, drama, paintings, etc.
The next intake for the Silverfish Writing Programme will resume on the 6th of January 2007 after a short break in December 2006. (Several people have already inquired about registration before this announcement. You may submit your registration now.) For more information about the Programme please visit: http://www.silverfishbooks.com/Silverfish/Version4/Writing/WrtitingProgramme.asp
Love that bit: 'If you are clever, it will show. Don't worry.' That's hilarious!!! :-D The cleverer than thou approach doesn't work. It's better to write dumb because it is not self-conscious. Dumbness sells.
ReplyDeleteI wish Raman and Silverfish all the best with the new intake of writers.
ReplyDeleteAlso wish the new writers well too. There is a lack of good writing, not just here but, it seems, everywhere these days. Take time and trouble in your craft, attend to details and remember that we all write to be read.
I attended my final Silverfish writing class this morning. The last 10 weeks have been very enriching and inspiring. The course was exactly what I was looking for. The right thing at the right time. Thumbs up!
ReplyDeleteKeep up the good effort. May we see a significant improvement in Malaysian writing in the next few years:)
I'm part of the first ever SWP and boy, am I glad I was! Why? Here's just some of the reasons:
ReplyDelete1. You'll suddenly realise and take note of everything that happens around you - like having a spidey sense of sort.
2. You'll start describing a particular action or scenario in full sentence, albeit not out loud.
3. You'll appreciate more on what life has to offer. Its the simple and mundane that makes it so beautiful!
So go ahead and invest that RM500 coz I tell ya, its money worth spending!
p/s - Warning! May be very addictive!
Kamarul
I'm part of the first ever SWP and boy, am I glad I was! Why? Here's just some of the reasons:
ReplyDelete1. You'll suddenly realise and take note of everything that happens around you - like having a spidey sense of sort.
2. You'll start describing a particular action or scenario in full sentence, albeit not out loud.
3. You'll appreciate more on what life has to offer. Its the simple and mundane that makes it so beautiful!
So go ahead and invest that RM500 coz I tell ya, its money worth spending!
p/s - Warning! May be very addictive!
Kamarul