The clock started ticking and I stared at the empty paper in front of me, desperately scouring my brain for ideas. I was also reflecting on the previous rounds of writing activity that we had. It was fun, refreshing and I particularly enjoyed what others wrote in just 5 minutes. What others wrote CREATIVELY, that is.
As a writer living abroad, uprooted from my origins in Malaysia in 2022, I had to start over. Well, it wasn’t really a bad thing, but the first few months of living abroad could easily send one down a spiral if not careful. Especially, when we are used to a life in our home country that was vibrant, busy and filled with activities and seasoned relationships.
I discovered the Doha Writing Forum by chance. I was on the verge of going down a negative spiral of settling down in a new country and began to feel like I was out of purpose. I joined the club in a heartbeat, albeit anxious about whether I was really cut out to be called a creative writer. I did it anyway because then, I saw it as the only way out.
Three years later, here I am still with the club. I made new friends, connected with many other writers who also happen to be in a similar setting to me. Far from their home country, making a living in Qatar and finding ways to keep writing. It paid off and it gave me purpose and a sense of community again.
Back to the writing activity.
We were given a prompt on the spot on what to write. One round we had to continue based on a one-liner by another member. In another round, we had to write something based on a word or a name. We then took turns to read out our pieces. I really enjoyed the activity, but after a few rounds, I began to consciously analyse how others wrote.
They are actually brilliant at making up stories. They could see beyond their lives and tap into their imagination, playing around with characters, giving them personality. They were able to tell a story that is utterly funny, entertaining, whimsical and sometimes mysterious and leaving you wanting to know more. Although it was only 5 minutes, the creative process was present. I was taken aback – in a positive way – and I realised that it is a skill that I am yet to unlock.
When I was in school, I did enjoy writing essays and short stories as part of my curriculum, but I grew to recognise that I have always been someone who enjoys writing descriptions or observations, listening and discovering things and documenting them in my writing. Even my own thoughts. Perhaps that was the thing that led me to take up journalism, or write real-life stories.
Creative writing is a totally different ball game, and I now understand why there is a whole faculty for it. And why it is an art form of its own. It’s not easy, but with training, consistency and the willingness to break out from the comfort of the real world (and a little oddity and quirkiness here and there), there’s much to be discovered in creative writing.
Will I ever write fiction? Will I ever become a creative writer? I contemplated taking up a course, but something always led me to the journalistic side of writing (perhaps it is me hanging on to my buried dreams of becoming a reporter). Or maybe I am just too opinionated, or too much of a listener/observer.
And then there is creative non-fiction. Maybe this could be the one I could dabble in? Or maybe I am already doing it?
I wonder.
