First of all, I just want to say a Big Thank God For You!
I'm very encouraged by your enthusiastic interest in this fresh little adventure that we're planning to step out... to step out into the super-sized footprints of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien, who, about half a century ago, had come together to bemoan the declining standards of contemporary fiction, especially children's fiction, then.
But they didn't sit there and just complain! They knocked their fine heads together (I guess that explains their balding pates), grabbed their pens, and started writing away. And so we saw the births of the beloved chronicles of Narnia and the epics of LOTR, among other things
To be fair, they weren't the only members of the Inklings, an informal literary discussion group dedicated to - just some of the more prominent ones. :)
To quote from the Great Wikipedia,
The Inklings were literary enthusiasts who praised the value of narrative in fiction, and encouraged the writing of fantasy. Although Christianvalues were notably reflected in several members' work, there were also atheists among the members of the discussion group.
"Properly speaking," wrote Warren Lewis, "the Inklings was neither a club nor a literary society, though it partook of the nature of both. There were no rules, officers, agendas, or formal elections."
So, it's in that spirit of both impacting the arena of literature in Singapore and all over the world (hopefully!), and hopefully, invite other brothers and sisters from other churches too...
and who knows? maybe in time to come, as a special interest group for our more literary-minded non-Christian friends too. =)
We could also be a mutual support group, where we can help encourage one another in writing, trade tips and insights into the highly complex worlds of copyrights and publishers' contracts, etc... innovate for different types of platforms of new media.
Some activities we could have could be:
- Share our works with one another - both finished and unfinished.
- Poetry recitals...
- Do silly and amusing things...
- Pray for one another...
- Encourage one another, esp when it comes to that perennial bane of all writers: The Writer's Block.
- Write good stories together
- Share our passions and convictions...
- Talk cock
- KTV sessions / gaming sessions / sports... (hey not everything needs to be about writing, right?)
- ??? (feel free to throw in your ideas here!)
So... it's with that dream in mind that I invite you guys to the first-ever Writers' Circle... would this Saturday evening be good for you guys? =) Please RSVP ASAP.
Thanks and God bless!
Your fellow writer for Christ,
Yeu Ann
Haha wow, you got round to it! :P
ReplyDeleteThis sat I have svc till 745, but after that should be fine. How long'd it be?
*Wed, Apr 1, 2009 at 9:11 AM*
Hi Yeu Ann
ReplyDeletethat is wonderful to hear that you started this. I see that this is part of your dream list for God.
I happen to bump into a blog by owner/co worker for SKS book warehouse because I order some books there and happen to receive confirmation email from this bro.
http://benjaminchew110478.wordpress.com/
I was surprised by this blog because it was basically POETRY. haha
I am not able to appreciate them... probably your group can, so just like to share this to all of you. =)
It is encouraging to see such interest/passion group forming in church. Serving and inspiring one another on using God given gift and passion to you.
I hope to hear or see some of your works soon.... Hopefully it would be circulated at district, church or even national level. =)
Hope I can learn to appreciate words, poetry etc from all of you too.
Cheers
Gabriel aka HQ
(Ps: http://chewyfruittypassion.blogspot.com/ it would be wonderful if you can give me comments there to help me improve my blogging =p)
*Wed, Apr 1, 2009 at 10:36 AM*
Hi everyone,
ReplyDeleteI can't make it for the meeting this Saturday But I'm working on something and would appreciate comments and suggestions on how to make it better.
Do not let me read that devastating poem
Do not bring the sacred text before me
Its words rushing like warriors
To attack the stronghold of my life
I’ve been making do with small dreams
Grateful for half-miracles
Breakthroughs measured
To fall within an office cubicle mat
Now the visitors are here again
With their portentous parcels that weigh on my mind
And a song that stirs up discontent
I shout “I’m not ready! Wait at the doorway!”
Because when they knock again
I’m afraid, it will still be the coward who answers
*Wed, Apr 1, 2009 at 8:28 PM*
Hey hey,
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, thanks YA for starting this! You are the one to break through the mires of procrastination, eh?
I do not know some of you, I think, but I hope to know you guys soon :D I'm looking forward to this saturday; where shall we meet? *Jumps up and down* <--totally OOC
Anyway, I want to share a great book with you guys; I started work as a teacher just recently and came across this book which is used as a Literature text by my school. It is very well-written and brought me that much closer to dehydration when i read through it. Good thing I managed to control it as I was in the staff room(sure would be embarassing to be seen crying after just a few days of work). The book's title is called 'Red Sky in the Morning' by Elizabeth Laird.
Oh, Betsy, is the poem the one you said you are working on? Not too sure if its meant as a quote or the actual poem. But I can feel what you are getting at; though I'm pretty sure it's not finished yet (:p) *not too sure to what extent you want the comments to be, so I'll stop here first.
Uh, oh yeah, hi, I am Bart ^^/
Nice to be here and looking forward to meet you guys.
*Thu, Apr 2, 2009 at 4:54 PM*
Thanks Bart. Yes the poem is in second draft and v raw.. I was interested to see how the comments could shape the poem :S
ReplyDeleteIn the spirit of sharing resources, poetry folks might want to check out www.poets.org
*Thu, Apr 2, 2009 at 9:24 PM*
I'm so sorry to spam you guys.... there's another draft and I'm so curious to know the feedback :S will rein my enthusiasm until we meet
ReplyDeleteBATTLEFIELD OF THE MIND
Do not read me that devastating poem
Do not bring its sacred text before me
Whose words are cloaked emissaries
They have hidden daggers in their sleeve
They have staked out the territory
Ready to overturn the country
I have built with half-miracles
And whittled-down dreams
Do not read me that devastating poem
Do not bring its sacred text before me
It has raised an army, guerillas
Who assail the stronghold of my beliefs
The assailants, they are at my doorway
Bearing parcels whose portent
I dread to decipher
For when they knock again
Will it still be the coward who answers?
*Thu, Apr 2, 2009 at 11:00 PM*
Betsy: Wow! I like this draft a lot. The theme is meaningful, and the imagery is powerful =) Can see you've got what it takes, sis... and very blessed by your enthusiasm haha...
ReplyDeleteTips-wise, well, I think the meter and the stanzas can be more polished, but 'course it's a draft lah... Never mind! Next meetup, you shall recite it to us, can? :D
Somehow I have the feeling that I've seen another poem somewhere that uses a similar structure and style... were you inspired by another poet, sis?
KW: Haha... "You are the one to break through the mires of procrastination, eh?" Haha... noooo ... i was merely being strategic... wait for the right timing... LOL. Thanks for being such a faithful supporter thru it all... actually it was your heart to write for God that inspired me to start this Writer's Circle...\
Bring that book along too!
Gabriel: http://benjaminchew110478.wordpress.com/ is a great blog man... =D hahaha... thanks so much bro, appreciate your warm support lots!
All: In the spirit of sharing, here's a little poem I wrote for fun... it's gross lah. don't read this if you're eating...
I Rue The Day I Met A Grue
I rue the day I met a grue
His nose was red, his face was blue
('Cos he had a bad case of tummy‘flu)
He ate one of my shoes, size ten it was too
Chomp, chomp, chomp, he did quickly chew
As though it were finest Cordon-bleu.
Ah! Then he went and hogged my loo
And he dumped in full view
All his glorious poo, of every colour and hue!
I hadn’t quite the tiniest little clue
Of what one should in this case do
How does one shoo a grue from a loo?
So it seemed that I had met my Waterloo
For the grue was now slurping up some glue
That made his poo one icky-sticky brew.
Well, now it seems I'll need to get a new loo
For apparently his butt got stuck well and true
And it does seem, he drowned in his own potty stew...
Ooh, I rue the day I met a grue!
Gruesome, yeah? =P Any aspiring illustrators? haha...
Resource for all ye budding poet laureates: http://www.rhymezone.com/
I think we need to start a facebook page or a common blog... or twitter? 'Else everyone'll get spammed here... no violent objections?
"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." Colossians 3:17
Yours thankfully,
Yeu Ann
Hi everyone.
ReplyDeleteSorry I am unsure of who exactly is on this mailing list... I can only identify Peter, YA and Linda. I don't know which is Kinwee's email (Kinwee is Bart?) and really sorry to Betsy & Denise if I don't really know you guys.
Brief introduction about myself: I am Joy from NG4B4, owner of email kat10jc@hotmail.com ;D I am in the same CG as Peter and same Unit as YA. Used to like writing, reading and analysing literature, however I kind of lost touch with it after my JC and Uni days, due to a change in focus to business report writing (for my degree) and lack of perseverance in finding literature that interests me... any suggestions??? Am very open to read as long as the genre doesn't bore me :P
So why did I include myself in this mailing list? Well, a string of occurences led me to think that I should try to grow my interest in this area again.
Occurence 1- Recently, my sheep showed me a play that she is reading for her musical theatre audition. It's called "The Woman who cooked her husband". Don't be frightened off by the title. hahaha ;P Flipping through the pages, it reminded me of the days where I enjoyed reading plays... sigh!
Occurence 2- Came across an article I wrote in Uni days where I was covering an event for Uni ministry. Could not even recognise that it was written by me :( Sad right? But it reminded me that I once had the capacity to do such articles!
Occurence 3- YA sms-ed me to see if I am interested to join this writer's circle. Thanks YA for even considering me. I have my concerns, one of which is whether I am able to contribute given my current lack in capacity. But I decided to be open to it and see where this takes me...
Actually I am very curious why Peter is on this list. I suppose I have never seen him in the light of writing... ha ha ha... sorry bro, no offense, just that you are usually lauded for your IT/designing skills rather than writing. ;) well maybe YA or Peter would like to share more...
ABout Red Sky In The Morning, I read it when I was in secondary 1 or 2... not much recollection of the main plot at the moment. Perhaps it did not have the same effect on me as it did for you. It didn't strike me as that moving, but I appreciate the honesty in the narration of the experience of the main character. Perhaps you can share more about what moved you? :)
As for the poem... sorry Betsy! I feel immensely inadequate to comment on it cos' I have not done that in ages :P Though it does inspire me greatly to see how eager you are to hear comments about it and wanting to put your feelings into beautiful poetry. I must add that it is due to Bart and Betsy's willingness and openness to send an email that has led to me drafting this email in seemingly proper language to share a bit more about myself. I tend to type in singlish many a moment. Perhaps this is a good starting point for me to get back into the zone of writing or reading, at the very least.
Cool limerick YA! :D Reminds me of Roald Dahl! Awesome :D
I support the blog more as we can all share thoughts and poems and what-nots in a reader-friendly format. I'm not a big fan of facebook (don't hit me!!) but I am ok with it if it is more user friendly for some of you.
PS: I will get back to you again on whether i am joining in for the 1st mtg at 630pm at National Lib. Pretty apt huh? Nice location for the starting point of this Circle. ;)
God Bless u!
*jOy*
*Fri, Apr 3, 2009 at 12:58 AM*
A blog sounds like a good idea. I dont mind facebook as well. :P
ReplyDeleteBetsy: For the first poem, the imagery is there. But I think like what Yeu Ann said, the stanza could be more polished. Understandable though, its still a work in process. Maybe can cut a few words here and there to stream line.
Also, I felt that it was very narrative.. but if that’s what you’re going for then hey its there! hehe
I liked the second poem!! J Wow its better draft upon draft.
I think you’re very brave to email your poem and ask for evaluation. Must learn from you in this aspect.
Yeu Ann: Haha you are really suited for the children’s ministry. Can really see the illustrations coming to life..
I thought this would be interesting to all: http://www.nac.gov.sg/eve/eve08.asp . It’s a national writing competition, and the submission deadline is 29 May 2009.
Anyhow, on another note I have this inkling that I’m the youngest around. I’m currently in Tertiary group, going onto Year 3 later this month.
And oh yeah Joy! I suggest The Time Traveler’s Wife! It’s a really fantastic book. To a God unknown by John Steinback is good too. J
Okay I should stop here. The email is really disjointed.
Cheers!
Denise
*Fri, Apr 3, 2009 at 10:52 AM*
Thanks for your comments! I guess the consensus is the second one is better than the first!
ReplyDeleteGreat to have a community of writers to bounce off ideas with.
Was thinking also of doing poetry readings, either our own work or we could read from poems we like.
Yeu Ann - love your poem too! it's a lot of poo...wahahahaha, v enjoyable and the language flows quite smoothly
*Fri, Apr 3, 2009 at 9:41 PM*
Hey guys.
ReplyDeleteChanced upon this blog when I was checking out some of the clicks to my blog.
The literary world in Singapore is indeed alive and kicking.
Was surfing around for fellow local poetry blogs - they're hard to come by, although poetry in Singapore is quite alive indeed - Felix Cheong, Alvin Pang, Cyril Wong and the great Edwin Thumboo (Prof. Emeritus, NUS); to name a few. =)
You can check out some contemporary Christian writers as well, such as Walter Wangerin, the late Madeleine Engle and Luci Shaw. They dig some nice poetry, esp. Engle and Shaw.
Cheers
Ben