Dipka Rai: Writing Workshop at SAS
Post date: Apr 08, 2011 5:30:53 AM
Dear Network Members,
Please feel free to Contact John Johnson at the Singapore American School regarding opportunities for teachers/ librarians to participate in the writing workshop and author visit. Dipika Rai was featured in the Life Section of Straits Times on April 3rd.
Regards,
Kate Brundage
Dipika Rai author of the multi-generational, intensely involving and evocative debut novel Someone Else’s Garden, will visit Singapore American School for a book signing and creative writing workshop in the High School Library Theater on Wednesday, 13 April from 3.30 to 5.30.
Her book will be available at the event, and at Singapore bookstores. The novel supports literacy and a portion of the proceeds of the book goes to Partham, the largest NGO for educating under-privileged children in India.
For any questions, or more information, please contact John Johnson, High School Librarian.
Someone Else’s Garden transcends geographical divides and cultural chasms to expose the commonality of the human condition. Set against a backdrop of caste divides, banditry, female prejudice and vigorous colour, it is more than just Mamta’s personal story. It is also a story of redemption—of belief in the power of that hidden higher self, which stays true no matter how crippling the circumstances or how great the loss. Mamta’s story is truly one of uplifting hope. In reading this book, we will be compelled to seek answers within ourselves to questions that have remained unchanged over time: Is life random? Do we have a destiny?
WRITING SEMINAR
GETTING STARTED AND STAYING COMMITTED
HOW DO WRITERS LEARN TO DO SOMETHING THAT ESSENTIALLY CANNOT BE TAUGHT?
· The importance of reading
· The importance of journaling
ELEMENTS OF WRITING:
WORDS ARE YOUR RAW INGREDIENTS
Example: Shipping News
Exercise: 1
NARRATIVE VOICE
Example: Sophie’s World
Exercise: 2
A WORD ABOUT OBSERVATION: YOUR WHOLE LIFE, EVERY EXPERIENCE IN YOUR LIFE, IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO WRITE (FICTION).
Exercise: 3
POINT OF VIEW
Example: To Kill a Mocking Bird
Example: Sophie’s World
Exercise: 4
COMMITMENT TO THE CHAIR, COMPASSION FOR YOURSELF AND PATIENCE
Example: Harry Potter
ELEMENTS OF PLOT
Example: Sophie’s World
PROTAGONIST
CONFLICT
CHANGE
Exercise: 5