28 May 2023

Ready to Experience the Dashavatars

Vignes Chandran, hailing from Malacca, is a free-spirited soul who finds happiness in discovering the world for what it really is, and not what it appears to be. Discovering life best through ventures such as hiking, deep-sea diving as well as exploring ancient civilizations across the globe, he also includes spirituality, history and mythology as other areas of interest, not to forget writing which has always been a passion of his. He has studied in both Malacca and Seremban in terms of primary and secondary education, and holds a Mechanical Engineering degree from University Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration (MBA) from Cardiff Metropolitan University. Vignes has published 3 books to date, with the most recent being Shiva – The Unborn Eternal (2023), as well as Siddhartha Gauthama – A Journey with the Buddha (2021) and Mahabharata – The Eternal Epic in Short Stories (2020). Currently based in Malaysia, Vignes also calls Bali and India home, and feels completely at home high up in the mountains.

Vignes shares his creative journey in an interview conducted by Uthaya Sankar SB.

 

What was your ambition as a child?

I had a myriad of different ambitions, from a policeman to doctor to engineer, but nothing concrete to be totally honest. Every 2 years my ambition would change to reflect my interest at that moment of time. But even when I was a teenager, I knew that I wanted to write my own version of the Mahabharata, which I finally accomplished 3 years ago.

 

When did you first realise you wanted to be a writer?

I have always enjoyed writing, even during my school days. I have never actually wanted to be a writer, but I continued writing (mainly articles) after school. And I have always wanted to write my own version of the Mahabharata, this occurred to me during my teenage years.

 

Where do you get your ideas or information for your writings?

The core of my writing is from my own explorations and experiences. While my books are loosely based on existing texts, scriptures and books of the past, I am a firm believer of writing my own stories, so every book that I write would be my own version of the story, and I would have visited locations and places related to the stories before putting them into print.

 

Which was your hardest book/piece to write?

None were actually difficult to write, but I struggled with time when I was writing my second book, Siddhartha Gauthama – A Journey with the Buddha. This is mainly due to me balancing full time work with the demands of writing this book at the same time. Book 3 was written differently, without the distraction of full time work.

 

What’s your latest writing project?

My next book will be on the 10 Avatars of Vishnu, famously known as the Dashavatars of Vishnu. I will be reliving the ten different incarnations of Lord Vishnu through my own experiences with each other them.

 

What do you do when you are not writing or reading?

I am a believer of balance; that all of us require balance in our lives to be able to live fully. I manage corporate real estate as my primary job, while I also take sabbaticals and breaks every now and then to travel extensively, hike, dive, explore different parts of the world and discover the world for what it really is from a first-hand experience. During a number of evenings I am found playing badminton or running at the local park.

 

How do you handle writer’s block?

To be completely honest, I have never encountered the infamous ‘writer’s block’.

 

How do you promote/sell your books?

My books are generally available directly through my Instagram account or via resellers (both online on platforms such as Shopee or local bookstores). From a promotion perspective, personally I utilize Instagram Ads to help promote my books.

 

Date: 28 May 2023

27 May 2023

Writer’s Block? I Declutter My Workspace!

Malini Lakshmi Bai is an author, English language teacher, and yoga enthusiast based in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur. In addition to her interest in literature as a child, she was exposed to some reading early on due to her interest in history, culture, and tradition. Through writing short stories and poems in school, she became familiar with the world of writing. In 2009, Malini represented the school and district in several youth forums, debate, and public speaking competitions due to her penchant for writing in Bahasa Malaysia and English. “Ankh di Bilik 31” and “Lambaian dari Kashmir” are two short stories written by her and featured in Lakaran Diri (2022). Besides, Eksentrika published English poems by Malini, and Sastera Kavyan published her Bahasa Malaysia short stories.

Malini was part of the Malaysian Writers and Readers Get Together event on 14 May 2023. She shares her creative experience in an interview conducted by Uthaya Sankar SB.

 

What was your ambition as a child?

I was always fascinated to be a teacher.

 

When did you first realise you wanted to be a writer?

When I was in my final year of undergraduate studies, I began thinking about becoming a writer. My diary was the first place I wrote down my ideas and thoughts. At that point of my life, I understood that it was a calling for me to be a writer.  

 

Who are your favourite Malaysian authors?

A. Samad Said, Uthaya Sankar SB, Anuradha Chelliah, M. Mahendran, K.S Maniam, Lee Su Kim, and Shivani Sivagurunathan. 

 

Where do you get your ideas or information for your writings?

Looking closely at what’s around. I love observing people and their interactions at a coffee shop. 

                     

Which was your hardest book/piece to write?

Struggles are there whenever I write but I remind myself to take a break and relax.

 

What’s your latest writing project?

Currently, I’m working on English poems; planning to publish them soon.

 

What do you do when you are not writing or reading?

It is a great pleasure for me to spend quality time with my little Pomeranian, sketching and painting, go out in nature, visit monasteries, meditate, practise yoga, and watch YouTube videos.

 

Tell us about your full-time job.

Currently, I am teaching English as a second language at an English language learning centre for senior students. In order to teach English, I create learning materials and plan engaging lessons that cover all aspects, whether written or verbal, of the language. Aside from that, I conduct ESL-related activities and programs.

 

What does your family think of your writings?

They feel happy and proud to have a writer living with them under one roof!

 

How do you handle writer’s block?

I declutter my workspace and display an image of something that inspires me to write.

 

If one of your writing/book should be translated into English, which one would you choose and why?

“Ankh di Bilik 31” which was published in Lakaran Diri (2022). To me, it was not just about writing the short story but a complete mystical journey.

 

How do you promote/sell your books?

As of right now, I don't have any books of my own but the short stories and poems that I have written have been published in local anthologies and also on websites. Social media, including Facebook, is usually where I promote them.

 

Date: 27 May 2023

25 May 2023

Sometimes, I Just Sit and Dream

Anuradha Chelliah hails from Banting, Selangor. She received her primary and secondary education at her birth place before continuing her tertiary education at Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) in the field of Human Development. She also completed her Masters in Teaching English as Second Language (TESL) from the same university. Anuradha writes extensively in Bahasa Malaysia and in English. Her poems, essays and short stories have appeared in Anak Sastra, Iris Magazine, Eksentrika, The Star and Malaysia Indian Anthology. Her writings are also published in Sastera Kavyan. Busana Bahasa (2019), Landasan Hidup (2020), Peluru Aksara (2021), Meredah Kabus (2021) and Suara (Sepihan Memorabilia 2020) are some of the anthologies that features her writings in Bahasa Malaysia. She also has poems published in Dewan Budaya by Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP). Anuradha has been an associate editor for projects on short stories - Ikan Patin dan Beruang Besar (2017), Karupaya (2018) and Thirukkural dan Megha Duta (2018) under Kumpulan Saterawan Kavyan (Kavyan).

Anuradha was part of the Malaysian Writers and Readers Get Together event on 14 May 2023. She shares her creative experience in an interview conducted by Uthaya Sankar SB.

 

What was your ambition as a child?

The common ambition that most kids from Indian families would have – to be a doctor, an engineer, or a lawyer. At one point, I just wanted to sail and travel around the world hoping that it would happen without me waiting for a monthly salary.

 

When did you first realise you wanted to be a writer?

I think it just happened and it was not planned because I never thought that I would write. I used to write or just scribble words that came to my mind in my books and note pads. Short quotes, poems, and I just wrote about whatever happens around me. Probably, that made me write and continue writing.

 

Who are your favourite Malaysian authors?

I enjoy Malachi Edwin Vethamani’s unique poems and short stories, Uthaya Sankar SB’s extraordinary short stories and essays, and Fa Abdul’s bold articles.

 

Where do you get your ideas or information for your writings?      

My senses get attracted to the surroundings and I pen them simply by looking, listening, and feeling everything around me. They give me the best ideas – being attentive by looking at little things, paying attention to the sounds and the emotions around me. Sometimes, I just sit and dream for the ideas to come.

 

Which was your hardest book/piece to write?

Nothing was hard because I only write when I want to write. I do struggle at the midst of writing, but I will somehow get over it and continue with my writing. I just need a space without disturbance for a few hours when I am into it. I might take a few days as well.

 

What’s your latest writing project?

I’m trying my best to write about women who inspire me, but I don’t seem to be getting there. I’m finding it so difficult to sit and write although everything seems to be running in my head. It’s like (scattered) all over and I have to put them in writing. I have to do it soon.

 

What do you do when you are not writing or reading?

I do yoga and bits of gardening as I have a small space beside my house. It’s just for the fun of it. It’s a great satisfaction to see flowers blooming, and eating the mangoes plucked from your own mango tree. I pluck my own curry leaves when I cook. I also listen to talks on YouTube and watch movies.

 

Tell us about your full-time job.

I teach in a primary school, and I like what I do.  I’m teaching younger kids these days and it makes my day when they do their work beautifully and greet me whenever and wherever they see me. The energy that the kids have boosts my energy as well. I have to be really active and keep up to their pace.

 

What does your family think of your writings?

No one has really commented on it, but I think they like what I write because they read some of my writings although not all. I know they are happy that there’s someone who writes in the family, so I don’t mind whether they read my writings or not. They do encourage me to write by asking me to write on something, but I prefer to write what I want.

 

How do you handle writer’s block?

I just shut everything, go for a walk, and forget about what I was writing. A little break is really needed to get back into the momentum and I might just get some better ideas from my circle.

 

If one of your writing/book should be translated into English, which one would you choose and why?

I think it would be “Pulang Bersama Teman” which is in the Landasan Hidup anthology because it was a bold attempt to write such a story. I was very reluctant at the beginning to do it but just went ahead and did it.

 

How do you promote/sell your books?

I don’t really have a book of my own. Most of my books are anthologies and compilations of short stories or poems together with other writers. So, I just promote them on Facebook. Those who are keen do get in touch with me to purchase the books.

 

Date: 25 May 2023

Pengalaman Jadi Sumber Cerita

M. Mahendran (M. Prabhu) berasal dari Bentong, Pahang. Beliau mula menulis cerpen Bahasa Malaysia dan Tamil pada tahun 1987. Cerpen-cerpen Mahendran termuat dalam antologi seperti Menara (1988), Menara 4 (1991), Tanpa Mengira Warna (1993), Vanakam (2002), Segugus Aksara Sealur Kasih (2003), Busana Bahasa (2019), Landasan Hidup (2020), Peluru Aksara (2020) dan Lakaran Diri (2022). Beliau juga menterjemah kumpulan cerpen penulis veteran Tamil, mendiang M. Ramaiah, lalu terbit dengan judul Mimpi dan Impian (2013). Kumpulan cerpen sulung Mahendran dalam Bahasa Malaysia berjudul Karupaya (2018) manakala kumpulan cerpen sulung bahasa Tamil berjudul Thalaivar (2021). Mahendran juga salah seorang pengasas Kumpulan Sasterawan Kavyan (Kavyan) pada tahun 1999.

Ikuti wawancara Mahendran bersama Uthaya Sankar SB.

 

Apakah cita-cita anda semasa kecil?

Cita-cita semasa kecil adalah untuk menjadi  pegawai polis atau pun C.I.D. Ini adalah pengaruh daripada membaca buku tulisan Enid Blyton dan kemudian hendak menjadi pelakon pula. Lama-kelamaan cita-cita itu hilang begitu sahaja tanpa sebab.

 

Bilakah anda mula sedar anda mahu menjadi seorang penulis?

Menulis sudah bermula sejak di sekolah rendah. Maksud saya, saya mula menulis ke majalah tahunan sekolah. Setiap tahun karangan pendek saya disiarkan sama ada dalam Bahasa Malaysia, Tamil atau Inggeris. Semasa di sekolah menengah pula saya menulis surat pembaca setiap minggu ke akhbar-akhbar Tamil. Pada usia yang ke-18 baru saya sedar saya perlu hasilkan karya kreatif, bukan menulis surat pembaca semata-mata.

Hasil pembacaan novel dan cerpen berterusan ketika itu, mendetik dalam diri ini untuk menulis cerpen. Cerpen pertama saya adalah dalam bahasa Tamil disiarkan dalam majalah mingguan Mayil pada tahun 1987 dan cerpen “Karupaya” dalam Bahasa Malaysia ditulis pada tahun yang sama diterbitkan dalam antologi Menara (1988).

 

Siapakah antara penulis Malaysia kegemaran anda?

A. Samad Said, A. Samad Ismail, Azizi Hj. Abdullah, Khadijah Hashim, Abdullah Hussain, Shahnon Ahmad, Uthaya Sankar SB dan Ted Miles. Terkini, saya meminati beberapa orang penulis yang menulis untuk terbitan FIXI.

 

Dari mana anda mendapat idea dan maklumat bagi penulisan?

Idea untuk penulisan  datang dari kisah-kisah yang dilihat dan dibaca.  Ada juga kisah yang diambil daripada pengalaman sendiri dan orang lain. Jika peristiwa itu kita sendiri mengalaminya dan ditulis, kisah itu pasti ‘hidup’.

                     

Karya manakah paling sukar untuk anda tulis/hasilkan?

Setiap cerpen yang dihasilkan sukar pada awalnya. Apabila sudah masuk ke dalam penceritaan ia akan menjadi mudah. Cuma pengakhiran setiap karya juga menyukarkan. Namun cerpen saya yang bertajuk “3030” agak sukar semasa menulis sebab kisah itu adalah gabungan antara cerita rakyat dan futuristik.

 

Apakah projek penulisan terkini anda?

Tidak ada apa-apa dihasilkan setakat tarikh wawancara ini. Namun beberapa kisah sentiasa bermain di minda untuk hasilkan cerpen.

 

Apa yang anda suka lakukan selain membaca dan menulis?

Kebanyakan masa dihabiskan di laman sosial, menonton filem di Netflix, berjalan (senaman) selain waktu kerja yang panjang.

 

Apakah pandangan keluarga tentang penulisan anda?

Mereka rasa bangga dan ada antara ahli keluarga menjadi penulis.

 

Bagaimana anda menangani masalah writer’s block?

Untuk menangani masalah ini saya akan membaca buku mengenai penulisan dan menonton YouTube dalam topik yang sama.

 

Jika satu daripada karya/buku anda wajar diterjemah kepada bahasa Inggeris, mana satu yang akan anda pilih dan mengapa?

Saya akan memilih cerpen saya yang bertajuk “Demi Revathy Kutty” untuk diterjemahkan ke dalam bahasa Inggeris. Cerpen itu adalah mengenai pergolakan seorang wanita India dari estet yang berhijrah ke bandar sekitar pertengahan tahun 80-an.

 

Bagaimana anda mempromosi/menjual buku anda?

Buku-buku saya dipromosikan dan dijual secara dalam talian seperti Facebook dan WhatsApp.

 

Tarikh: 24 Mei 2023

23 May 2023

Writer’s Block? Fret about it. Then ignore it!

Daphne Lee is the consulting editor at Scholastic Asia, a division of Scholastic Press, where she champions the creation of Asian content by Asians. To this end, she helped develop and is an advisor to the ongoing Scholastic Asian Book Award and Scholastic Picture Book Award, which have their home at the annual Asian Festival of Children’s Content in Singapore. Daphne is also a writer with a particular interest in Asian folklore. She is the author of Bright Landscapes: A Short Story Collection (Laras 99); and the curator and editor of Malaysian Tales: Retold & Remixed (ZI Publications) and Remang: An Anthology of Ghostly Tales (Terrer Books). Her current works in progress are a novel and a fictionalised memoir.

Daphne was part of the Malaysian Writers and Readers Get Together event on 14 May 2023. She shares her creative experience in an interview conducted by Uthaya Sankar SB.

 

What was your ambition as a child?

There were a few: Artist (the sort that uses paint); vet; witch … I have a photo from a kindergarten concert in which I’m dressed as a witch: We were supposed to dress in the costumes/uniforms of our future professions! (There was also a boy dressed as ‘Tarzan’, hahaha.)

 

When did you first realise you wanted to be a writer?

When I was three or four, I ‘wrote’ stories in my head at bedtime to help me fall asleep. I never thought about being a writer though. Even now, I wonder if I am a writer. I often feel I’m too lazy to be a writer.

 

Who are your favourite Malaysian authors?

My top three: Ridhwan Saidi, Sufian Abas and Shih-Li Kow.

 

Where do you get your ideas or information for your writings?

From life, for example, conversations I have with people, or situations in which I or others have been; and folklore, especially supernatural beliefs.

 

Which was your hardest book/piece to write?

Well, I have written only three books and, so far, only one (Bright Landscapes) has been published. I’ve also curated and edited two collections. Editing those collections was hard and revising my novel is hard too.

 

What’s your latest writing project?

I’m not good at focusing so I am revising my novel and working on a fictionalized memoir. I’m also thinking about various folktale projects.

 

What do you do when you are not writing or reading?

I’ve always loved watching films. At my present stage of life, I prefer watching films to reading.

 

Tell us about your full-time job.

I am the consulting editor for Scholastic Asia. My job involves advising on editorial matters. I read submissions; do developmental, line and copyediting for projects; and generally, work with the various departments to get books ready for publication.  

 

What does your family think of your writings?

They’re verbally supportive and have bought my books, including those I’ve edited, but I’m not sure how many of them have read my stuff.

 

How do you handle writer’s block?

Fret about it. Complain about it. Ignore it.

 

If one of your pieces of writing/books should be translated into Bahasa Malaysia, which one would you choose and why?

Once again, I only have one book (written by me) that has been published, but I think it’d be cool to see it in BM. It’d be interesting to see how a translator interprets the stories and whether anything new is revealed in the translations.

 

How do you promote/sell your books?

Mostly on social media: Instagram (@daphneleemeilin) and Twitter (@daphneleeml).

 

Date: 23 May 2023

22 May 2023

Tinkering Humour, Gelotology, and Limericks

PL Weng (Weng Poh Leng) hails from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and recently dabbled into the creative writing scene. Her (English language) works can be found in Burning House Press and Eksentrika. While her other works can be found in Peluru Aksara (2020), an anthology of short stories and poetry and her latest Rumpun Luhur (2022), an anthology of poetry. She contributed several articles and journals in the scientific world, and is currently exploring themes of morbid juxtaposition and dualism in poetry and in art.

Weng was part of the Malaysian Writers and Readers Get Together event on 14 May 2023. She shares her creative experience in a short interview conducted by Uthaya Sankar SB.

 

Who are your favourite Malaysian authors?

There is an infinity pool of talented Malaysian authors out there. I hate to pick favourites as all have merits in their own right. Some who showed me another side of town are Adibah Amin, A. Samad Said, Teme Abdullah, Perevenia Shan, Qurratul ‘Ain, Ismin Putera, Yanna Hashri, Ellen Lee and my list continues to grow. I am all about supporting the local scene.

 

Where do you get your ideas or information for your writings?

I like the idea of ideas come when you least expect, example sitting on your throne performing symphony for the no. 2. Or while you are stuck in traffic and you happen to chance upon an interesting signboard with brilliant copywriting. Listening to podcasts also bring in fresh ideas and information.

 

What’s your latest writing project?

Currently I am working on ideas for spoken words poetry; it is an interesting space with raw, intense creative energy. I am also experimenting with writing poetry in another language as I was inspired by José Manuel Oñoro upon reading his work titled “Sueños abajo, arriba el cielo”.  I am also tinkering humour and gelotology with limericks.

 

What do you do when you are not writing or reading?

Keeping a good BMI by walking, swimming and skating. I am a big fan of experiential learning, like Confucius’ quote – “I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand”. Watching movies, doodling and daydreaming. I also have a day job on the side, to put nutritious food on the table.

 

What does your family think of your writings?

Grateful that my family supports and accepts the idiosyncrasies of my writings. Especially when it is in the language that is foreign to them. They have always been open to ideas and sometimes would chip in and contribute as well, providing their perspectives and enriched experiences. Their feedback fuels and encourages my works.  

 

How do you handle writer’s block?

Drawing from Dato’ Rahman Shaari’s views on marinating one’s work and letting it sit, soaked in the flavours of life until it becomes Michelin star rating. Putting it aside temporarily and revisit the work later helps me to improve the body of work. Letting the brain ruminate and process in the background rejuvenates the spark of creativity.

 

Date: 20 May 2023

5 May 2023

Projek Transkreasi Cerpen

Sejak tahun 2000, saya menerbitkan sendiri buku-buku saya menggunakan konsep “modal sosial” (social capital) di mana rakan-rakan, sama ada penulis atau bukan penulis, tampil membantu menampung sebahagian kos penerbitan. Langkah ini turut membantu saya lebih mengenali khalayak yang berminat menyokong dan membaca karya saya.

Buat masa sekarang, saya sedang mengusahakan projek terjemahan 10 buah cerpen saya ke dalam bahasa Inggeris untuk diterbitkan. Sekali lagi, saya menerima sokongan rakan-rakan yang memang sedia maklum tentang proses swaterbit menggunakan modal sosial. [Rujuk – senarai nama]

Bagi kerja terjemahan pula, beberapa rakan turut menawarkan diri untuk membantu. Saya amat berpuas hati dengan kualiti terjemahan mereka. [Rujuk – biodata penterjemah]

Malah, apa yang dilakukan bukan sekadar terjemahan (translation) tetapi transkreasi (transcreation). Hasilnya, karya asal saya menjadi lebih sesuai dan selesa untuk dinikmati khalayak pembaca karya bahasa Inggeris.

(Petikan rencana “Elak Dana RM20j Hasilkan Karya Cincai” di Utusan Malaysia, 6 Mei 2023)