Craft your own short story
IF you have always wanted to write a short story but feel like you don’t know where to start, why not sign up for this year’s BookFest@Malaysia’s writing workshop?
In this two-day workshop that will be held in June, a panel of speakers will lead you through what it takes to make a short story work.
Learn from four industry experts – creative writing teacher, editor and publisher Sharon Bakar, publishing consultant, editor and author Kris Williamson, award-winning novelist and poet Bernice Chauly, and novelist and short story writer Tunku Halim – at BookFest@ Malaysia’s fourth Writing Workshop: Short Stories.
The workshop is held in conjunction with this year’s BookFest@Malaysia fair that will be held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) from June 9 to 17. The fair is organised by Popular Book Co (M) Sdn Bhd and the workshop is part of its “Popular Supports Local Authors” initiative.
Day One (June 10): Join Bakar in her session on what a short story is and the pitfalls you should look out for. What are the essential elements of a short story and what rules, if any, are there? How do you make your short story publishable?
Williamson will then take over with a session on inspiration. You don’t want to be stuck with writer’s block even before you start, so lean in close and listen well to his words of wisdom on how to get inspired, how to keep the flow going and how to stay on track from start to finish.
Day Two (June 11): Chauly will guide you on the finer details of finding your voice. How do you make your characters fit your story’s theme, plot and general direction? What kind of journey do you want your story to bring the reader on? What is your narrator’s voice and how does that change things?
The workshop will end with Tunku Halim’s sessions on creating realistic settings and dialogue, so as to be able to draw the reader into your world. He will also cover the process of rewriting and self-editing.
Writing Workshop: Short Stories will take place from 10am to 5pm on June 10 and 11 at Hall 5, Hospitality Lounge 5, of BookFest@Malaysia at the KLCC.
Participants must be at least 16 years old and have a passion for writing.
Registration is RM80 and includes an entry ticket to BookFest@Malaysia and exclusive notes from the speakers. Tickets can be purchased at selected Popular outlets; visit bit.ly/bfmww18 for the list. You can also reserve your seat at that website. For more information, call Carmen at 03-9179 6154 or e-mail prevents5@popularworld.com. – Rouwen Lin
BookFest@Malaysia 2018 will be on daily, from 10am to 10pm, from June 9 to 17, at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. Admission is with purchase of the BookFest catalogue at RM2.50 per entry or RM10 for multiple entries over the nine days. Catalogues are available at all Popular and Harris bookstore outlets nationwide and also at the event’s entrance. Entrance is free for students who are 18 years old and below and for senior citizens aged 60 and above. For more information, visit facebook.com/BookFestMalaysia. Star Media Group Bhd is a media partner of BookFest@Malaysia 2018.