Experience Singapore Literature

Is mini fiction the writing of short stories? Why is it more popular in the Chinese community especially in Singapore? Do you know mini fiction also exists in the west?

Writing Mini-Fiction with Xi Ni Er
Saturday, 21 August 2010, 11.00am – 1.00pm
The POD, Level 16, National Library Board

Click here for related resources.

A well-known author in Singapore, Chia Hwee Pheng or better known as Xi Ni Er through his various works is a master craftsman in the experimentation of mini-fiction writing. His book ‘The Collection of Xi Ni Er Mini-Fiction is a collection of mini-fictions chronicling the light and difficult moments over forty years of Singapore’s nation building.

Join Xi Ni Er in this session as he shares his experience in writing mini-fiction especially against the backdrop of Singapore and the different styles of writing through his various works. This programme is suitable for the appreciation of mini-fiction and for aspiring writers who has a keen interest in the area and would like to start writing mini-fiction. The author would also provide tips and guidance how you can start writing by selecting the subjects of your own mini-fiction.

As places are limited, please register at http://golibrary.nlb.gov.sg ‘Singapore.’ As this form of writing if more relevant to the local writing scene. the session will be conduced in Chinese.

About the Author
Chia Hwee Pheng writes under the pseudonym Xi Ni Er (希尼尔). He has twice received the Book Awards from The National Book Development Council of Singapore (NBDCS) (1990 & 1994). He was the recipient of the Cultural Medallion in 2008 and the Southeast Asia Write Award in 2009. He has published 8 books including “The Stretched Credulity” (poetry), “The Unbearable Heaviness of Life” and “The Collection of Xi Ni Er Mini-Fiction” (mini fiction). He is currently the President of Singapore Association of Writers.

Check out these recommended resources!

Related resources for ‘Writing Mini Fiction with Xi Ni Er’ happening on 21 August 2010.

List of works/resources for Xi Ni Er (Chia Hwee Pheng):

Fiction:
《生命里难以承受的重》 （微型小说，1992)
《认真面具》（微型小说，1999）
《希尼尔微型小说》（微型小说，2005）
《希尼尔小说选 : 新加坡当代作家作品选》 （2007）

Poetry:
《绑架岁月》（新诗，19 89)
《轻信莫疑》（新诗，2001）
《希尼尔短诗选》（新诗，2002）

Resources accessed and provided by ASK! services of the public
libraries on 30 July 2010. For more, check our catalogue at
http://catalogue.nlb.gov.sg or email ask@nlb.gov.sg

Related to programme ‘Early Settlements’ with Cultural Medallion Winner Isa Kamari happening on 22 May 2010.

Resources accessed and provided by Reference Point @ National Library
Singapore. For more, check our catalogue at
http://catalogue.nlb.gov.sg or email ref@nlb.gov.sg.
Related to programme ‘K Kanagalatha in The Women I Murder’ happening on 17 April 2010.
 
Singapore women re-presented / Audrey Chin, Constance Singam.
Successful women in Singapore : issues, problems and challenges / Low Guat Tin.
Half the sky : turning oppression into opportunity for women worldwide /  Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn.
Resources accessed and provided by ASK! services of the public
libraries on 31 March 2010. For more, check our catalogue at
http://catalogue.nlb.gov.sg or email ask@nlb.gov.sg
				

Check out this programme organised by NBDCS.

The Singapore Book Club – Join author Hidayah Amin as she discusses “Gedung Kuning”.

3 September 2010, Friday @ 8 p.m
Venue: Living Room @ The Arts House (1 Old Parliament Lane)

ADMISSION IS FREE. ALL ARE WELCOME!
For more information or to register, email info@bookcouncil.sg with your contact details.

Gedung Kuning or the Yellow Mansion was home to the family of Haji Yusoff ‘Tali Pinggang’ from 1912 to 1999. It was acquired by the Singapore government in August 1999 under the Land Acquisition Act. What used to house six families is now preserved as a historic building under the Malay Heritage Centre.  Hidayah Amin, one of Haji Yusoff’s great-granddaughters, revisits her childhood home and takes readers beyond the gate guarded by stone eagles, through rooms with big mirrors and marble floors, and shares interesting anecdotes growing up in Gedung Kuning. Through 28 short stories, readers get a historical narrative detailing the lives of people living in Gedung Kuning and the Malays of Singapore from 1850s to 1999.