In the write group

> Joining an authors club will not only put you among like-minded people but also help you get your manuscript published

wet behind the ears in publishing.

Authors are encouraged to share and exchange their knowledge and experience with aspiring authors.

What struck me was that many of these authors were not in the writing field like me, yet took the plunge to write.

At one gathering, one author stood up to say that he wrote for the sake of his children.

He said it was also to leave them with his legacy through his book after he was gone. I was moved by his ingenious plan to ‘talk’ to his children in this way.

Another said writing was a form of therapy for him, as he had just broken up with his girlfriend.

That break-up turned out to be a blessing in disguise, as his book became a bestseller in the local bookshops!

His advice to would-be authors? “Put yourself in an uncomfortable place, and push forward for your greatest fulfilment.”

One member said he healed himself from depression by writing an article about online marketing wizard Jack Ma, and got more than 2,000 likes on LinkedIn, while another described writing to be as therapeutic as gardening.

One incident that touched me was the strong camaraderie among members.

This was when they rallied round to help the wife of the late Danny Tan, who suddenly passed away, so that Tan could realise his dream of publishing his book, Given Up to Giving Up.

Chin Soon’s idea of setting such a club is getting more traction.

This is especially so with his encouragement not to be intimidated by a poor grasp of the Queen’s English, as there will be people who can help edit.

We will definitely get to read more books by and about fellow Malaysians from now on.

Jeff Yong, after making his mark in the twisty maze of mainstream journalism, has finally decided to enjoy what he does best – observing the unusual and recounting the gleeful. He can be contacted at lifestyle.borak@ gmail.com.