The Local Writer

It is really easy to trip yourself up, especially when you were not brought up in the culture you want to write about: Even if it is your own culture.  [You can watch a video version of this post here .] Today I want to talk about avoiding the misrepresentation trap. I am luckier than most indigenous writers because the Ibans already have a strong oral history and storytelling culture by the time Sarawak was colonised. The customary laws and rules of conduct were already firmly in place, mainly through oral storytelling. Trade has been happening since a few generations earlier, so there was a strong sense of tribal identity. How you go about doing your research will depend a lot on the type of materials that are available to you right now. From my own experience, I relied a lot on past memories, conversations with older folks, and books. Always understand the perspective of the writer when you are getting materials from literature. Journals, diaries and log books are especially dan...

I love reading new stories, especially ones that will make me see a group of people in a new light. I have one complain though: Why is it that bookstores only sell sad, depressing stories of non mainstream cultures? I have read folklores from many cultures online, and they are fun. I understand that these sad, depressing stories are important, but I also feel that it is important to make young indigenous readers feel hopeful, strong and proud through cultural stories that are heroic, adventurous or funny. Maybe this is the reason why many indigenous cultures are being side-lined by the younger generation, because they could not relate. For example, poverty is a horrible thing. My family had a roof over our head when I was growing up, but my parents worry about putting food on the table almost daily. John Keats' Meg Merrilies  gave me hope during those dark days. Maybe that was the reason why I love visiting my grandparents' farm, because there I could get a taste of how Meg liv...

[The video version is here. ] My writing journal is just a standard notebook. I cannot find any of those fancy numbered journals in Sibu, so I had to make do with this one. Make sure you like the notebook you pick. This may seem silly, but if you do not like the feel of the paper, or the colour of the lines, it will annoy you because you have to use it so much. At the very least, make sure that you feel neutral about it. This post will only be discussing how I use this journal to prepare for my writing. I will not be talking about the word count tracker or writing logs or even how to track your submissions, because I am only interested in showing you what kind of basic information I need before I start writing, and why. I really recommend using this system because it has helped me stay focused as well as helped me pick up where I left off. For this post, I will be using examples from a new adventure that I had planned for Ratai. I had to stop writing it in December last year because I ...

 [Watch a Video Version of this post.] Have you ever tried explaining to a foreigner how good durian is? Or about the mouth-watering smell of salted fish frying in a pan? Even as I say this, I know that it is easy for you to imagine someone wrinkling their nose as you brought out these delicacies for them to try. Every culture has a dish that could only be described as an acquired taste. The Europeans have their blue cheese, we in Malaysia have our cencaluk and a wide variety of delicious fermented food. Even between generations we have our differences. The modern idea of beautiful teeth is pearly white. Once upon a time betel-stained teeth was considered good, even cultured. Iban lovers used to help each other stain their teeth black with soot and resin. Find Common Ground Via Emotions You have an idea for a historical fiction, or historical fantasy that is just absolutely romantic. Except that the lifestyle, food and ritual practices are just a tad shocking. It does not feel ri...