Writer's Profile : Su Chen Christine Lim

Su Chen Christine Lim is probably one of the most prominent female writers alongside Catherine Lim in the Singapore writing scene.

Born in Malaysia in 1968, Lim came to Singapore at the age of 14 and studied here. She completed her studies at the National University of Singapore, studying literature. She taught at a junior college and worked for the Ministry of Education as a curriculum specialist before finally resigning in 2003 to pursue her passion in full-time writing.

To date, she has written numerous novels, plays and children books that still remain a favourite among readers. Her works have also won her literature prizes and accolade, with Fistful of Colours being the most prominent of her novels.

Her notable works:

Ricebowl (1984)

Gift from the Gods (1990)

Fistful of Colours (1992)

- Awarded the inaugural Singapore Literature Prize (1992)

A Bit of Earth (2000)

Lies that Build a Marriage (2007)

Robert Yeo: A Profile

When author, Robert Yeo, came in to talk to our class he quickly caught my attention. He has so far lived through the entirety of Singapore's history as an independent state as well as some pivotal events in Southeast Asia's history. His poem "Out of Changi" that we read proved that his work reflected a personal passion and interest for the times he experienced, and his lecture showed that he wasn't afraid to be a little political.
Having never been to Asia before, and knowing very little about Singapore's history, I figured that Yeo's work would be a good place for me to start. So I picked up his memoir to read over Spring break and ended up engrossed in his view of what it means to be Singaporean.

The Man:

-Born 1940 in Singapore

-Has worked as a teacher, reporter, and lecturer

-Travels through Europe and Asia

-Received Singapore public Service Medal in 1991

His Works:

Poetry Collections:

Coming Home Baby (1971)

And Napalm Does Not Help (1977)

A Part of Three (1989)

Leaving Home, Mother (1999)

Drama:

Singapore Trilogy

Are You There, Singapore? (1974)

One Year Back Home (1980)

Changi (1996)

Second Chance (1988)

The Eye of History (1991)

Other:

The Adventures of Holden Heng (Novel, 1986)
Routes (Memoir, 2011)

Writer's profile : Alfian Sa'at

Alfian Sa'at's tangible presence in the Singapore Literary scene cannot be denied. As the resident playwright for the prominent theatre group W!LD RICE, his plays are a staple in the Singaporean play scene. As a writer, his contributions are even more impressive. With two short story collections under his name as well as two poetry anthologies, all published before he turns 35 - it is safe to say that Alfian is one of the frontrunners of Singapore literature in this millennium.In his works, he indulges in the stories of the minority races in Singapore (particularly Malays) as well as the maligned parts of Singaporean society. Despite dealing with severe issues, his works never fail to exude his wit and humour that never fails to make his work a joy to watch and read.

Name : Alfian Sa'at

D.O.B : July 18, 1977

Blibiography:

Plays

English

• Fighting (1994)
• Black Boards, White Walls (1997)
• Yesterday My Classmate Died (1997)
• sex.violence.blood.gore (co-written with Chong Tze Chien) (1999)
• Asian Boys Vol. 1 (2000)
• What's The Difference? (2001)
• Don't Say I Say (2001)
• poppy dot dream (2001)
• The Corrected Poems of Minah Jambu (2001)
• The Optic Trilogy (2001)
• 7 Ten: Seven Original 10-minute Plays: Not In (2003)
• Landmarks: Asian Boys Vol. 2 (2004)
• Tekka Voices (2004)
• Mengapa Isa? (2004)
• The Importance of Being Kaypoh (2005)
• Harmony Daze (2005)
• Confessions of 300 Unmarried Men: Blush (2006)
• Homesick (2006)
• Happy Endings: Asian Boys Vol 3 (2007)
• Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (2008)
• Beauty And The Beast (2009)
• Cooling Off Day (2011)

Malay

• Deklamasi Malas (Declamation of Indolence) (1997)
• Dongeng (Myth) (1997)
• Anak Bulan di Kampung Wa' Hassan (The New Moon at Kampung Wa' Hassan) (1998)
• Madu II (Polygamy) (1998)
• Causeway (1998)
• Peti Kayu Ibuku (My Mother's Wooden Chest) (translated into Malay from Kuo Pao Kun's translation of Ng Xin Yue's original Mandarin text) (1999)
• The Miseducation of Minah Bukit (2001)
• Tapak 7 (Seven Steps) (2001)
• Selamat Malam Ibu (adapted from 'night Mother by Marsha Norman) (2003)
• Keturunan Laksmana Tak Ada Anu (adapted from Descendants of the Eunuch Admiral by Kuo Pao Kun) (2003)
• Minah & Monyet (Minah & Monkey) (2003)
• Nadirah (2009)
• Pariah (alternatively staged as Parah) (2011)

Mandarin

• Fugitives (失控)(co-written with Ng How Wee) (2002)

Short Stories

English

• Corridor (SNP, 1999) 

Malay

• Bisik: Antologi Drama Melayu Singapura (Whisper: Anthology of Malay Singaporean Drama) (Pustaka Cipta, 2003)

Poetry

• One Fierce Hour (Landmark Books, 1998) 
• A History of Amnesia (Ethos Books, 2001)  

My take on Alfian Sa'at 
From his works featured in the anthology we are learning for SSA120, Alfian's voice as a writer is clear and resounding. His poem 'Singapore you are not my country' especially is my personal favourite. His harsh criticisms contrast with the poignant reminiscing of Singapore in a better time makes for a really satisfying read. Alfian in many ways likes his work to confront readers just like how 'Singapore you are not my country' managed to do with its confrontation of Singapore personified. This connection with the readers whether through his poetry or prose as well as with the audience in his plays is what in my opinion makes Alfian a truly gifted writer and a gem in our artistic community.

Profile: Toh Hsien Min

Toh Hsien Min is a Singaporean poet who has published notable collections of poetry such as The Enclosure of Love (Singapore, 2001) and Means To An End (Singapore, 2008). His work has been published in various periodicals such as London Magazine, Poetry Salzburg Review and Staple, as well as anthologies internationally.

He received the Young Artist Award by the National Arts Council of Singapore in 2010. Means to an End was also shortlisted for the Singapore Literature Prize in the same year. Hsien Min has also been a recipient of the Shell-National Arts Council Scholarship for the Arts.

Hsien Min founded the Quarterly Literary Review Singapore in 2001, the leading online literary journal in Singapore. It is a non-profit organization that aims to “promote the literary arts in Singapore, to stimulate the feedback mechanisms in the literary scene, and to develop Singaporean writers to international standards.” Such an endeavor seems to testify this poet’s dedication and commitment to the arts. The magazine also works with other notable Singaporean writers such as Heng Siok Tian, Cyril Wong, Yong Shu Hoong and Yeow Kai Chai.

Hsien Min read English at Keble College, Oxford, where he was also President of the Oxford University Poetry Society.

Hsien Min’s current professional occupation is in risk analytics in an international bank.

Credits:

http://www.qlrs.com/about.asp

http://pachome1.pacific.net.sg/~hsienmin/index.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quarterly_Literary_Review_Singapore

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toh_Hsien_Min

http://www.arsint.com/T_H_M_sm.jpg