TAKING FLIGHT

What are your hopes and fears with regard to writers, the content they produce, and the publishing industry?

Censorship has always been an issue that weighed on my mind, especially as my writing often deals with difficult topics. I often find it challenging to balance between writing truthfully and not offending others. Of course, freedom of speech is not freedom from consequences.

What are your thoughts on the impact that digital publishing and audiobooks may have on what you do?

Ebooks and audiobooks have many advantages – they’re portable and convenient. As an author, I think they provide a great way to reach a wider audience. But as a reader, I still prefer the good old paperback. There’s a certain romance in holding a physical book that you can’t replicate using a digital device. At least, not yet!

To you, what role or purpose does literature perform?

My answer probably will change as I enter different phases of life. But at this moment, it’s an escape.

What do you feel people are seeking when they read books, especially books by Singapore authors?

I think most – if not all – readers are looking for the same thing: a good book. But each of us has a different definition of what makes a good book.

What are your criteria for a good book or story?

Reading taste is very personal. But if you ask for my opinion, a good book to me is the one that touches my heart. It can be anything – a heart-breaking scene, a beautiful description of a garden after the rain, or even a single sentence that grabs me and never lets go.

Why are you motivated to do what you do?

I have a one-word answer for this: passion.

Read the full interview on www.portfoliomagsg.com.