Singaporeans Abroad Writing Workshop
Saturday, 19 March, 11.00 am – 12.30 pm
Visitors’ Briefing Room, Level 1, National Library Board

For the avid traveller, why not turn your interesting travel experiences into exciting fictional stories? Writing about your travels is a great way to capture the experience and places you have been to and to share them with others. It entices readers to want to visit the places too!

Josephine Chia, author of seven published books in Singapore and the UK, will share her writing skills and how she creates stories out of her travel experiences. Her book Isn’t Singapore Somewhere in China, Luv? is a collection of fictional stories of Singaporeans and their experiences abroad. Based on this book, gain insights on some of the stories and how they were weaved together as well as the use of fictional characters in the places Josephine visited.

Bring along snapshots or collectibles from one of your most memorable holidays and we’ll show you how to transform them into a fictional story suitable for publication.

Please bring along writing materials! Due to limited spaces for this hands-on workshop, please register only if you can really make it here or access http://golibrary.nlb.gov.sg, ‘Singapore’.

About the Book
Isn’t Singapore somewhere in China, luv? is a collection of short stories
about Singaporeans who are abroad. The stories are not just about places
but also about the people who are travelling, in search of adventure and
emotional fulfilment. Characteristics of the majority of Singaporeans are
worked into the characters, their love of Singaporean food, their sense of
belonging in Singapore and their hardworking attributes.In the stories, these
characters are put into situations that are not their usual fare.

About the Author
Josephine Chia writes both fiction and non-fiction and has published seven
books. Her first literary break was when she was one of the winners of UK’s
Ian St. James Awards in 1992 for her short story, 'Tropical Fever', which
was subsequently published in an anthology by Harper Collins. Since then,
Josephine has won several other literary prizes and is a member of UK’s
Society of Authors and UK Society of Women Writers & Journalists. She
lives in West Sussex, England. 

Find out more at www.josephinechia.com.

Choi! Touchwood!
Saturday, 26 February, 9.00 am – 11.30 am
Information Counter, Level 1, National Library Building

Have you ever wondered why there are bat motifs in a Chinese temple? Or why is it that cactus is rare in a Chinese home? Join us for a walk through Singapore’s Chinatown – a journey into the Chinese traditions, superstitions, myths and taboos.

Based on the book Choi! Touchwood, this tour takes you through landmarks like Thian Hock Keng Temple, Smith Street, Ang Siang Hill and Sago Lane.

Based on their years of research and conceptualisation of Choi! Touchwood, designers of the book will reveal and share fun facts in the world of Chinese superstition at the heart of Singapore’s Chinatown. Explore how the book covered the contrasts of a modern society and traditional beliefs and remind you about your childhood days when traditions, myths and taboos were a big part of your lives. Bear in mind though that this is not a heritage trail! So come armed with your own stories and beliefs to share with the group.

For this tour, we bring you on the first part of the journey covered in the book and leave you to explore the rest on your own!

Check out www.choitouchwood.com for more information. This programme is jointly presented by National Book Development Council of Singapore (NBDCS) and the National Library Singapore.

As places are limited, registration is required at http://golibrary.nlb.gov.sg, “Singapore”. Or you can click here.

A Stroll Through Old Singapore
Saturday, 11 December, 9.00 am – 11.30 am
Meeting Point: Information Counter, Level 1, National Library Building

Join us for a relaxing stroll this December as we unwind and relive moments of old Singapore in a walking tour.

Based on the book A Stroll Through Old Singapore by Pugalenthii, the writer will bring you on a walking tour around the Padang. Chance upon interesting discoveries about places you thought you knew enough about as the writer reveals to you interesting facts about these places found in his book.

We will begin our journey from the middle of the Padang and make several stops, among some, Queen Elizabeth Walk, The Victoria Memorial Hall and the Lim Bo Seng Memorial. What stories do these places hold? What stories or memories do you have of them?

As places are limited, please register at here at http://golibrary.nlb.gov.sg, ‘Singapore’. Open to 14 years and above.

As this is an outdoor walking tour, please be in comfortable attire and footwear. The tour ends at the last stop around the Padang and participants will disperse from this location.

Making It New: Four Young Poets on the State of the Art
Saturday, 13 November, 1.00 – 2.30 pm
Imagination Room, Level 5, National Library Building

What does it mean to create “Singapore literature” in the 21st century?
How do local poets taking up the art today locate themselves in relation to their predecessors and to the larger world?

Join four young poets – Grace Chua, Koh Xin Tian, Teng Qian Xi and Zhuang Yusa – as they tackle these and other vital questions while relating their thoughts to their own poetic practice. The event, facilitated by Nicholas Liu, will include readings of poems by each of the writers, a panel discussion and a Q&A session.

This session is in collaboration with the National Book Development Council of Singapore (NBDCS).

As places are limited, please register at http://golibrary.nlb.gov.sg ‘Singapore’. Alternatively, email Athena_AZIZ@nlb.gov.sg your name and contact details with the email header ‘Making It New.’

About the Facilitator and Poets
Nicholas Liu, a graduate of the National University of Singapore, has his poems published or are forthcoming in magazines including QLRS, nthposition, Stand Magazine, and Poetry Review (UK). He edited two issues of the NUS Literary Society’s literary review, Argot, and is currently editing the anthology Storm Glass: Singapore Poets Before Their First Books.

Grace Chua is a journalist with The Straits Times. She holds a B.A. in Literature and psychology from Dartmouth College and an M.S. in science writing from MIT. Her poems have been published in Quarterly Literary Review Singapore (QLRS) and the anthology From Boys To Men. Her first collection of poetry, ‘The Stamp Collector’s Wife’ (FirstFruits publications), was published earlier this year.

Koh Xin Tian was chairman of the NUS Literary Society from 2007–2008. Her writing has appeared in The Smoking Poet, Theatrex Asia and Softblow. She won second prize in the SPH-NAC Golden Point Award for poetry in 2009.

Teng Qian Xi’s first collection, ‘They hear salt crystallising’, was published by Firstfruits Publications in 2010. Her poems have appeared in QLRS, the Tangent, Argot, Softblow, BigO, Slope, on the London Underground, among others. She graduated from Columbia University with a degree in comparative literature.

Zhuang Yusa lives in Singapore. His poetry has been published in Asia Writes, Sargasso, The Toronto Quarterly, Ganymede, The Los Angeles Review, Softblow, nthposition and elsewhere. He is a founding editor of Walnut Literary Review (www.walnutliteraryreview.net).

“Low Crime doesn’t mean No Crime!” Sounds familiar?

This slogan might be one of the reasons why many people do not associate ‘crime fiction’ with the Asian novel. Indeed, very few Asian writers have successfully dipped their toes into the bloody bath of crime fiction writing.

A Life of Crime with Shamini Flint
Friday, 24 September, 7.00 – 8.30 pm
Visitors’ Briefing Room, Level 1, National Library Building

Have you ever come across the Inspector Singh Investigates series by Shamini Flint? Join her and Inspector Singh (“It’s impossible not to warm to the portly, sweating, dishevelled, wheezing Inspector Singh” – The Guardian) as she takes us on a journey through the back streets of Asia. Shamini’s latest book on crime fiction Inspector Singh Investigates: The Singapore School of Villainy set in Singapore will also be discussed in this session. Who knows, you might also pick up tips how to get started on your own crime story in Singapore!

As places are limited, please register at http://golibrary.nlb.gov.sg ‘Singapore’

Shamini Flint, an ex-lawyer, stay-at-home mum, environmental activist and writer, will also explain why she believes crime fiction is a great prism through which we can explore the tensions within modern Asian society.

About the Facilitator
Dr David Fedo is the Executive Director and Visiting Scholar at the Singapore branch of the Wheelock College (Boston, Massachusetts, USA) Center for International Education, Leadership, and Innovation. He has published a poetry collection, Carrots and other Poems and was on a panel at the recent Singapore Writers Festival that explored the works of contemporary Italian, Singaporean and American poets. His doctorate in English and American literature is from Boston University.

About the Author
Shamini Flint began her career in law in Malaysia and also worked at an international law firm in Singapore. She traveled extensively around Asia for her work, before resigning to be a stay-at-home mum, writer, part-time lecturer and environmental activist, all in an effort to make up for her ‘evil’ past as a corporate lawyer!

Her Inspector Singh novels are published by Little, Brown and have been translated into numerous languages. Shamini also writes children’s books with cultural and environmental themes including The Seeds of Time, an environmental fantasy and Ten, a tale of growing up and football (which was nominated for a Red Dot Award by the International Schools Library Network). Find out more about Shamini and her works at http://www.shaminiflint.com

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.

Film in Singapore

When we talk about Malay films during the days of black and white movies, P. Ramlee never fails to come to mind. One of the accomplished songwriters who learnt from him is Yusnor Ef. Film historian and critic, Yusnor will host these sessions in July to honour P Ramlee.

Black & White Affair of Malay Cinema: Then & Now
Saturday, 10 July, 9.45 am – 12.30 pm
Meeting Point: Information Counter, Level 1, National Library Building
Jalan Ampas Studios was where the production of Malay films in Singapore started. Now vacant, the place used to bustle with life and boasted a celebrated line-up of directors and stars, one of whom was P. Ramlee. What stories does the place hold now?

After such vast modernisation in Singapore, are the places found in P. Ramlee’s movies still standing today? Join us on a discovery trail of these places in black and white. Mr Yusnor Ef lends his expertise and knowledge based on his years of learning from P. Ramlee and many more on education and research. Learn more about the actor, singer, scriptwriter and director from Yusnor as he shares his personal memories of P. Ramlee.

As we will be outdoors part of the programme, please be in comfortable attire and walking shoes.

Places are limited, so please register at http://golibrary.nlb.gov.sg, ‘Singapore’.

Black & White Affair of Malay Cinema: Language & Dialogue
Saturday, 10 July, 2.00 – 3.30 pm
The POD, Level 16, National Library Building
Marked as the icon in Malay entertainment, P. Ramlee’s works extended to the music industry and literary scene. Among some, his movies taught lessons of love, marriage, friendship and survival against the backdrop of community living in the kampungs. Still popular among modern Malay viewers, his movies were enjoyed by non-Malays.

Join us as we review and understand dialogues and language in some of Ramlee’s films from Mr Yusnor Ef as he brings insights into many of P. Ramlee’s films and the play of poetry, songs, dialogue and humour in the films.

To join us, please register at http://golibrary.nlb.gov.sg, ‘Singapore’.

Experience Radio Plays! With Ishak Latiff

Saturday, 12 June, 10.00 am – 12.00 pm,
Imagination Room, Level 5, National Library Building

If you’ve always been curious to know how radio plays are being produced, this is your chance to catch a radio play ‘live’ in action! Witness how the production team puts it all together – all in real time! You will also get the chance to provide alternative endings to the story and have a hand at recreating your own version of a radio play.

Conducted by prolific and award-winning writer, Ishak Latiff, get more insights to the interesting angles that the author visualise in his stories. The wittiness and twists present in his stories will hook you and never fail to surprise. The author will also invite you to create your own ending to his stories. Through the showcase of his play, ‘Sood Mahu Kahwin’ (’Sood wants to get married’), Ishak will explore the issues of singlehood and late marriages that are not just pertinent to the Malay community but to the Singapore society as a whole. What happens when the conventional Malay tradition is being challenged?

If you’re interested, do come down and participate with us as this session promises lots of interaction and fun! Places are limited, so please register by accessing http://golibrary.nlb.gov.sg ‘Singapore Memory’ or by emailing to Athena_AZIZ@nlb.gov.sg with your name, school(if applicable), contact number and email address with the header ‘Experience Radio Plays!’

This programme is conducted in both Malay and English.

About the Speaker
Ishak Abdul Latiff is a prolific and versatile Malay writer whose writing ranges from short stories to script writing for theatre, radio and television. He won numerous awards including the first (2001) and third prize (2005) in the National Arts Council (NAC) Golden Point Award. Other accolades include awards bagged from the ‘Sayembara Penulisan Novel Watan & Cerpen’ writing competition, jointly organised by Suria TV, Warna 94.2 FM and other Malay organisations. He was part of the writing panel, which produced Suria TV Drama, ‘Anak Metropolitan’ which won the best television drama in the local television award, ‘Pesta Perdana 2001′. Professionally, Ishak has taught Malay Language for 20 years in secondary schools before joining SOTA in 2008 to spear head the Malay Language Faculty.

Coming up from The National Book Development Council of Singapore (NBDCS)!

Want to find out more about Sir Stamford Raffles in the most humourous and insightful way? Or how to write historical fiction?

‘In the Footsteps of Raffles’ with Nigel Barley
Tuesday, 29 June, 7.00 – 8.30 pm
Possibility Room, Level 5, National Library Building

Nigel Barley is the author of twenty books, academic and popular, in genres as diverse as travel writing, fiction, biography and art history. ‘In the Footsteps of Raffles’ and ‘Rouge Raider’ are two of his books which have been written against the backdrop of Singapore and her history. In this session, Nigel will discuss some of the particular difficulties and satisfactions that lie behind various works, concentrating on those involving the history of Singapore and SE Asia. He will also tease out certain themes that have emerged increasingly over the years such as his motivation as a writer, his personal relationship to his subjects and the tension between randomness and structure.

This programme is held in collaboration with NBDCS and Monsoon Books Pte Ltd.

Places are limited, so please register at http://golibrary.nlb.gov.sg ‘Experience Singapore Literature or by clicking here.

About the Author
Originally trained as an anthropologist, Nigel worked in West Africa, spending time with the Dowayo people of North Cameroon and from here, his first book which is a witty and informative account of anthropological filed work among the Dowayo people, “The Innocent Anthropologist” was produced. He survived to move to the Ethnography Department of the British Museum and it was in this connection that he first traveled to Southeast Asia. After forays into Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Japan and Burma, Barley settled on Indonesia as his principal research interest and has worked on both the history and contemporary culture of that area. After escaping from the museum, he is now a writer and broadcaster and divides his time between London and Indonesia.