With Writer Friends…Kuala Lumpur International Book Fair 2009

“I am Hamdy!” said someone as soon as I arrived at the stall.

“So, you are Hamdy! We have been emailing and motivating each other through mailing lists and text messages,” said I, looking at Pak Utih, another writer friend and a qualified trainer, sitting in front of a pile of his book, "Suami Memimpin, Isteri Mengurus" (The Husband Leads, the Wife Manages). He was seated at the other end of the table.

“Yes! He may sound very gruff and brutal in his emails but actually he has a very kind heart!” said Pak Utih, casting a broad smile. Hamdy roared with laughter.

We were at the JIMedia stall, or to be more exact, Readnetworks. A publishing company owned by Bro. Wan Mohd. Zukri or better known as Abu Syamil, who is also in charge of publishing quality reading materials for JIMedia.

“Where is Roha?” I asked.

Roha is our Sis who was given the responsibility to compile our latest book project – the third one, entitled, “Ibu Madrasah Pertamaku” (Mother – My First Lesson Provider) under Women’s Wing for JIM. I have contributed one chapter in this third endeavour. The first project which was entitled, “Bagaimana Akhirnya Saya Bertudung” (How I Finally Wore the Hijab), 2 chapters of my writings were included there and while I have given one chapter for the second effort, “Mengapa Saya Bekerja” (Why I Work), both of which were compiled by Madam Ir. Hajjah Endok Sempo M. Tahir.

“I think, she cannot make it today,” said Hamdy or his real name is Haron Mohd.Yusof, writer of Rancang Hidup Rancang Wang (Plan your Life and Your Money) and many more.

Just then, there was the sound of greetings from another writer friend of ours, Dr. Harlina Haliza Siraj, leader of Women’s Wing, JIM Central Committee, whose face has graced Malaysian TV and newspapers.

We had our pictures taken with our editor, Mr. Wan Muhammad Wan Ibrahim, a youthful father of three, who works full time with JIM and another with Dr. Har.

“I want to stay low in profile,” said Hamdy with a chuckle, disappearing behind a pillar.

I shook my head.

And there we were that Saturday, the 25th. of April 2009. Sitting and promoting each and every one of our books at the stall. Our books i.e. mine "Jadi, Anda Mahu Menulis"(So, You Want to Write?), Dr. Har "Citra Wanita Kontemporari"(Aspirations of Contemporary Women), Pak Utih "Suami Memimpin Isteri Mengurus"(Husband Leads Wife Manages), Hamdy "Rancang Hidup Rancang Wang Remaja"(Plan Your Life, Plan Your Money for Young Adults) was published just the night before. Very fresh from the oven! We sat, signing our books with readers and getting know them for about a few hours.

It certainly was fun!

My newest book....

Snippets from the book...

What Inspired This Book to be Written?

In February 2009, I attended a workshop – "Effective Writing for Mass Media", organized by the Media Committee, JIM HQ in Kuala Lumpur. While we were there, a group of trainers, including myself, sat and discussed about the possibility of having the materials in our workshops to be made into modules.

On my way back home up north, my mind was stirred up by one fact which surfaced during one of the workshops which I conducted at Kota Bharu, Kelantan. The chairperson, Madam Alawiyah Abdullah who headed the organizing committee of the workshop on behalf of JIM (Women’s Section) Kelantan put forward a question to all of us.

“Are we aware that the second Surah (after the first Surah Iqra’ – meaning ‘Read’) that was sent down by God was entitled The Pen (Al Qalam)?” and then she began reciting the verse:

“NuN*, the pen, and what they (the people) write, you have attained a great blessing from your Lord; you are not crazy.” (Al Qalam: Verse 1)

Madam Alawiyah then went on to say, “This verse is the 68th surah in the al Quran and has 52 verses altogether. Look at how great the emphasis is on writing, in the life of a Muslim,” said she, reminding us all who were present during the workshop.

I was jolted too! I suddenly remembered that I had come across this fact years ago but I had forgotten about it entirely.

And so, I was very motivated and keen to start on this book project. I began compiling the materials which I had emphasized again and again to participants of my writing workshops. And all the little but valuable experiences which I had jotted down throughout the course of my own journey as a writer….

.............................................................

The initial intention in writing this book was that I wanted it to be of everyday use, to be always referred to, as a fountain of ideas for those who aspire to be writers and wish to live as one.

This book is about writing. Therefore, as a reader and an aspiring writer, do not confine yourself to just reading the pages. Instead, use it often. Flick through it, roll your eyes over the words, move your fingers across the pages, fold over its edges so you may remember where you suddenly pick up some important points. Make full use of the book. Let the pages be limp with use. Then, don’t forget to write!

Dr. Umi Kalthum Ngah

PS. This book is a 90 page book, written in Bahasa Melayu, the Malay Language. Price is RM 10.00. Published in conjunction with the Kuala Lumpur International Book Fair 2009. Will be available from Wednesday 22nd. April 2009 onwards, at the JIMedia Booth KLIBF'09, L2 & L3 (booth beside ReadNetwork Booth) directly in front of the main entrance KLIBF'09 (http://klbookfair.com/index.php/)

Sustaining the environment’s natural beauty (2)…

“Have you heard of Beatrix Potter, the author?” said the English lady, full of enthusiasm.

“Yes! I love her books! Books written for children. And her drawings! Simply enchanting!” I said.

“Indeed! She is the lady I am telling you about! Imagine the path that led her to eventually make a turning point in her life. It took on a new beginning and a new meaning from then on.”

“A new beginning?” said I, a bit puzzled.

“Yes! Something happened which made her decide to start a new life at the Lake District. The beautiful place preserved as it is, till now!”

“What did she do?” I said, turning in my seat, so I could look straight at the english lady’s face.

“She followed her heart and moved to the Lake District. Settled down at a quiet place called Hill Top Farm. Then, because the region was threatened to be taken over by industrialists keen to develop the surroundings, she involved herself actively in the meetings held in the midst of the community. When she realized that the farmers were in grave danger of being wiped out of their livelihood, because of their poverty, she began purchasing the plots of land. She even paid the farmers to work on the pieces of land she acquired so they may continue with their farming.”

“She has a good heart,” I said.

“Indeed! She bought more than 4,000 acres of land through the royalty which she received from her published books. When she died, she bequeathed all her takings to the National Trust, an indepedent body entrusted to preserve the beauty of the area. Up to this present moment in time,” said the english lady sitting beside me in the coach.

“No wonder, the Lake District is as beautiful as it was in her times and remains a popular tourist spot to this day.”

“Exactly! Why don’t you watch the movie Miss Potter. A film based upon her life!”

I was quiet for a while. It has never crossed my mind that through writing, a woman can single handedly sustain a portion of our beautiful earth. Beatrix Potter has left a legacy. To be enjoyed by future generations, for years to come.

I got hold of the DVD during my sabbatical leave that year. These words by Miss Potter continue to haunt me. I would like to share them with you here:

“There's something delicious about writing the first words of a story. You can never quite tell where they'll take you. Mine took me here, where I belong.”

~Beatrix Potter~ (1866-1943)
(quote from the film ‘Miss Potter‘)

(PS. The first image was taken from here.)

The battle of greens and blues…

“Let us have our dinner out? Too lazy to cook!” said I to hubby Sunday evening, just now.

“All right! But where to?” said he.

“How about the ikan bakar (grilled fish) stall, towards the Changkat Jering toll?”

“Okay then. Get yourself ready!”

We were off on our way, the old road towards Simpang Empat, Taiping from Parit Buntar. Serenity. Peace. Then slowly, the atmosphere shifts its gear. Suddenly, the air was electrifying!

Colours everwhere. Vibrant flags. Green and white encircling. Occasionally, light turquoise blue. Then, dark blues with patches of red and symbols of the keris (malay weaponry). Dancing in the breeze. Hoards of people everywhere. Vehicles. Of various shapes and sizes.

Police personel were everywhere too. Left right, back and in front of us. Seemed like they already set camp months before. Blue trucks, red trucks. High end motorbikes and patrol cars. Like they have all swamped to the small town from elsewhere around the peninsula. I smiled to myself when my eyes chanced upon a police van with the words “Mobile Police Station” written on its side. I grew up at police stations in areas of the north, when my father worked as a police constable in the 60’s right to the 80’s. And all along, I have never seen a mobile police station unit as the like.

“It would have been fun if we had the opportunity to live in one like that!” I was saying to myself.

I was very much amused at the posters on display.

From the dark blue team, “Oppositions make use of children!” appeared on one, with pictures of children holding up placards saying, “Say NO! To I.S.A”.

From their opponents, “U.*.*.O…Ever since before, now and forever…always the same! BRIBERY!!” a dollar sign in place of the letter ‘S” for the equivalent word in the malay language.

“There it is! The stall,” I pointed my thumb, watching my hubby driving the car so patiently.

We parked at the side of the road, beside a police patrol car, written with the words ‘Crime Investigation Team, Kuala Krai’. Kuala Krai, Kelantan, the east coast state?

“Why come all the way from Kuala Krai?” I said, puzzled.

“Beats me!” said my hubby, his steps already reaching a glass container filled with fish placed under mounds of ice.

“You have jenahak?” hubby asked.

“No, bro! Only sea bass,” said a young man manning the stall.

“Grilled?”

“Afraid not, for today! Too busy. How about ‘tiga rasa’?”

Hubby lifted his eyebrows to me.

“Seems we are out of luck this time. But, never mind! It is okay with me,” I said, moving to the serving tables.

At the other table, next to where we were sitting, a group of young men were waiting for their menu.

We could not help overhearing.

“It is quite a challenge this time,” said one of the young men.

“Why do you say so?” said another, his jacket emblazoned in green and a white circle at the centre.

“Too much money has been thrown around. That does not include bicycles gven away for free, big packets of rice, batik sarongs and what nots!” said the first young man.

“Don’t you worry! The people right now are a whole lot smarter than of the yesteryears. They take whatever that is given. But when it comes to voting for their rights, they know what they want!” said another one of them sitting beside the first one.

“Never mind. It means we have to work even harder. Whatever, let us eat first. Refuel ourselves. Before we set out to intensify our efforts, out there!” the young man with the symbol on his jacket said, just as soon as their platters arrived.

My hubby and I could not help smiling to each other as we listened to these bravehearts, amongst the future leaders of our nation.

Talking about colours, green has always been my favourite, even since I was little. Very soothing, very refreshing…

Green. Always and forever…How about you?

Sustaining the environment’s natural beauty (1)…

“Beautiful, isn’t it?” said the English lady sitting beside me.

Jolted from my daydreaming, these words gushed from my lips, “Yes! Captivating! The Peak District has hardly changed at all!” My eyes roved to the lady, who may have been in her late thirties.

“You have been here before?” said the lady sounding very interested.

“Yes! I used to study here about 30 years ago. It is only now that I am able to come back.”

“You are very lucky!” she said.

We were on our way from Manchester to Sheffield. The train tracks between the two cities were under repair. Passengers going down south from Manchester needed to board a coach from there. Then change onto trains midway i.e. upon reaching Sheffield. Along the journey, the coach meanders along the mountainous beauty of the Peak District. I was mesmerized by the exquisite scenery. The undulating fields, foliage and living things.

“You, a tourist?” asked the lady again.

“Not actually. I am on leave but still engaged in some work,” said I. Noting the frowns on her forehead, I let out a laugh and then said, “I am on leave from my normal work back home but am presently doing some research here in this country of yours. How about you?”

“Is that so? I am on my way back home. Actually, I was attending a Christian convention until I received a phone call saying that my mum has suddenly taken ill. So, I decided to cut short on my stay and head straight home,” said the lady.

“Where to?”

“To Scarborough.”

“Oh! That reminds me of a song which I used to listen to when I was little,” said I jokingly.

“Yes! Scarborough Fair!” said the lady, laughingly tossing her hair around.

“Parsely sage, rosemary and thyme. By Simon and Garfunkel, right?” I said gleaming a broad smile.

“You should come to the place!” said she.

“If I have the time, then certainly I would try to.”

“There is one more place that you should pay a visit,” said the woman. This time, in earnest.

“Where would that be?”

“Lake District. A real beauty! Well preserved. Just like it was, a hundred years ago.”

“Yes! I was there once. But not this time though.”

“You want to know who played the most important part of sustaining and preserving the place?” said the English lady, turning her body around in her seat, as though wanting to tell me, face to face.

“Not really sure, but I certainly would love to!” said I, showing my interest.

“A woman. An author of children’s books. Here is the story…”

(To be continued...)