I embrace my culture, my Malayness, my tongue, as much as I embrace my love for the English language. I think I speak considerably good English and love reading books not because my parents are well to do and we come from an upper middle class background (because we don’t). My dad aint a sailor, … Continue reading On Love for Language
Romancitycise
And so here I am. Right in the thick of this moveable feast. Strange as it is, I love it all. The congested streets. The grime, the grit. Messy shopfronts, a prelude to the paraphernalia within. Shop owners coaxing unsuspecting tourists to get the best bang for their Baht. Tireless sellers carting wares balanced precariously … Continue reading Romancitycise
Why Self-Publish?
I received a few questions with regards to self-publishing your own material. I'll address this briefly here by sharing my personal opinions and hopefully will help you decide the best path for you to take in publishing. Before deciding whether engaging in an external publisher or going the self-publishing route, first determine the why. Why … Continue reading Why Self-Publish?
Diversity, Community & The Ways in Which Words Can Save Us
During the discussion panel on 'Why Diversity Matters in YA Fiction' at the Singapore Writers Festival this year, Nicola Yoon, author of 'Everything Everything', mentioned, Diversity is a personal thing - growing up, I didn't see myself in a book. It's always a white leading character. Diversity is not politics, but it becomes it. Now … Continue reading Diversity, Community & The Ways in Which Words Can Save Us
For Your Invitation
It was the season of a transition. I was doing my contract teaching for a couple of months while waiting for my acceptance letter into the teaching institution. I had no idea I was going to be doing my post-grad studies that December; I hadn't anticipated for my entrance to be that soon. So upon … Continue reading For Your Invitation
A Poem for our Children
i see you. shuffling feet. eager eyes. curious mind. creases on your forehead. growing hands not yet calloused by a careless world. a heart still beating with the purest of love. backs bent by the weight of knowledge, laughter echoing simpler wants & needs, a reckless optimism - something the world hasn’t yet stolen. keep … Continue reading A Poem for our Children
The Default State of a Writer
The default state of a writer isn’t a cigarette-smoking, alcohol-swigging, typewriter-banging character. It isn’t sitting by the window, admiring the flowers in fall, overlooking the blues and greens while waiting for a ray of inspiration to descend. It isn’t an inexorable flow of the pen. It isn’t picturing Bukowski and his cats, Murakami and his … Continue reading The Default State of a Writer
Better Broken
i like me better when i’m broken. i’d run to my prayer mat and pour my turbulent heart right open. beg for a miracle. beg you to listen. fix this for me. carry this for me. bring me out of this darkness and light up my path for me. tears fall easier. hands more steady … Continue reading Better Broken
Running With My Father
16th May 1976. My father is standing atop a building that was under construction at St George’s Road. The view overlooks May North Primary School, which has now been replaced with a sewage treatment plant. His vintage Ray-bans covers half his face as he smiles widely, looking away from the camera and into the distance. … Continue reading Running With My Father
How to Fika Like a Swede
Ask a friend out for a cup of coffee Stroll into a nearby cafe Order favourite coffee and get a pastry to go alongside. Choose from the assortment of confectionery - we recommend the kanelbullar (cinnamon bun), kardemummabullar (cardamom bun) or kladkakka (a sticky chewy yummy Swedish cake), or the chokladbollar (chocolate ball). Settle in … Continue reading How to Fika Like a Swede
The Book Jacket 