Left of Write - July 17, 2008 - A Report

When I conceptualized and developed the premise for this workshop, I hadn’t the grimmest idea that some of my “students” would be authors with a fan following in their own merit, not to mention monstrous, thick-walled libraries at their service, willing to stock their “books.” Some of the little ones I interacted with in today’s workshop had had their stories chosen for “Young Authors” projects, some even laudable enough to bring in the awards.

Before Doris Lessing came to be well-acclaimed for her work, I humbly admit, I hadn’t as much as heard of her in literary circles. I then read her, was completely mesmerized, and I also read someplace that she didn’t think much of “creative writing programs.”

“I don’t know much about them,” she has said, “but they're not telling the truth if they don't teach, one, that writing is hard work, and, two, that you have to give up a great deal of life, your personal life, to be a writer.”

Although that is not counsel I’d regard highly to dole out at a workshop such as “Left of Write,” it opened my eyes to a new perspective of looking at the entire process of writing “creatively” for what it’s worth. Writing is hard work. And you do have to give up a great deal in order to become a good one. But what about these eager, ingenuous, innovative minds that were waiting to be harnessed? By enticing the children’s attention to my collaboration with Skipping Stones, I was able to generate some positive energy and the ripple effect from that was going to have to suffice for the interim. Perhaps when the stories spill in, one shall be able to, at the least, substantiate the effect of that positiveness and comprehend the power of having fashioned a basic framework on which rests the import of following a strict regimen.

There was this one particular girl in class - Rhea - who was daring enough to defy convention and proclaim that she liked “realistic fiction.”

“A lot of people wonder what the point of reading fiction is if its realistic,” she wrote, as part of her warm-up exercise (Cues: Group A (eight - 12) write a paragraph on your favorite person/ thing; Group B (13-16) - write a paragraph or two about an incident that made a difference in your life). “And I always say the same thing – I like the fact that the things in these books can actually happen. When I was little, I loved fairy tales. But when I was about seven, or eight, the fact that fairies don’t come to rescue you when a bully is around really bothered me. I told my parents about my concern, and my mom picked out some ‘realistic fiction’ books for me and I fell in love with them. Grumpy teachers who acted as villains so you could be the HERO, came from Frindle…I had first hand experience, and I loved reading…” she continued, concluding rather appositely with, “…I wish now that I could read a book or meet its author…”

Amazing, wouldn’t you say? I found that by endorsing the notion that a small thought, a sudden dream, a secret whisper…could trigger a story, and by breaking the ice in a class filled an eclectic mix of eight-16 year olds with a simple warm-up exercise, I was able to elicit some rather compos mentis reflections from these children. Some wrote at length about the intrinsic worth of being able to discern the wit in sarcasm, which makes it a rare quality in someone they admire, and some others about junk food, saints, brothers, dads, colors, and even unfortunate accidents.

From a motley of responses, mixed reactions, anticipation, to a feeling of triumph, a sense of pride, a fair idea of what should ensue, and then, until the stories pour in, the restiveness of waiting…what I felt and continue to experience is heavy. So many sensations, each folding into another…to say the least…I am truly overwhelmed.

I’d like to extend a warm thank you to Mr. Dheerendra, Mrs. Sharada Venkataraman, Mr. Rao, the children, Mr. Arun Toke, and last, but not least - my wonderful hubby, and baby D for making this happen. More workshops are in the offing, details anon…for now, here’s to looking at the world of contemporary, multicultural children’s literature from the more popular, more significant, LEFT side…here’s to being on the Left of Write!

Note to self: “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” is def worth talking about in forthcoming workshops. Not only is it a fun read, but it also ricochets Lessing’s ideology - writing is hard work; writing everyday in a diary, even so. But it doesn’t hurt when it becomes all the rage and every kid in town is scrambling to grab a copy. Yes, big kids included :)