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Vogue Singapore
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Vogue Singapore
Jemimah Wei on building a writing life
Does the great Singapore novel exist? If you ask Jemimah Wei, the answer is that it doesn't matter. 'I don't believe that there has to be one defining Singaporean novel,' she says. 'That type of thinking is competitive and not generative. It leaves no space for anyone else. It also reflects a Western obsession with hierarchy and power that I don't believe we need to subscribe to. I think we can afford to not only open the door, but to hold it open.' Wei has been careful to reiterate that her debut novel is a Singaporean story—not the Singaporean story. An intertwining tale of two sisters and their unconventional bond , The Original Daughter traverses time and space. Yet, it remains viscerally rooted to its core material: the poignant, everyday textures of life in working-class Singapore. Its characters are palpably real—as easy to root for as they are to rail against. A decade in the making, it's a novel cut straight from Wei's soul. A breathtaking literary debut, the release has already racked up a string of accolades, from being named a National Book Foundation's 5 Under 35 honoree to a Good Morning America Book Club pick. Chanel jacket, necklace and shoes; top and skirt, stylist's own. Lenne Chai At the time of our conversation, it is barely a week from the book's official launch on 6 May. How does this moment feel for Wei? 'The most accurate way I can describe it is the feeling is too big to step into. It might be a feeling that I haven't had yet. There isn't one word to describe it.' On launch day, Wei go on to do a reading at Yu & Me Books, the first fully Asian American-owned bookstore in New York City, followed by a fireside chat where she shared more about her journey as a first-time author. The latter was hosted by none other than acclaimed writer (and one of Wei's literary heroes) Roxane Gay, who also wrote the blurb for Wei's novel. 'A lot of my friends from Singapore flew in for this. They've been hearing about this book for such a long time and they're all excited to celebrate,' Wei says gratefully. 'It almost feels like a wedding.' Wei may have put the polish on The Original Daughter in the US, but the novel first took root in the depths of her mind as a young adult living in Singapore—sprouting from her concerns about the future. This is plain to see in Wei's prose—from her portrayal of the mind-numbing pressures of Singapore's education system to her reflections on the premature class-consciousness we develop under the looming idea of meritocracy. Even when sweetened with a welcome dose of nostalgia, her writing feels unmistakably live. 'I knew that I had to try and become the writer that the book needed me to be.' 'I wanted the book to be true to a specific experience in Singapore. One of the big concerns throughout my adolescence was witnessing boundaries of class and how they could solidify or become porous,' Wei muses. 'As a society, how do we account for people who fall between the cracks?' 'A big part of the book deals with the stress of being in the Singaporean education system, which is quite difficult to write because studying is boring to read about. If you think about the external visual of studying—you're struggling at your desk, then going to sleep, waking up, maybe crying, then going to school—it's not very interesting, yet it's important to represent accurately on the page. So a lot of the challenge, craft-wise, was to motivate those scenes in a way that would keep the reader interested.' The reason why the novel took nearly 10 years to complete, then, was Wei's innate desire to push her writing to a higher level. 'I started writing the book in my early 20s, when I wasn't in control of my craft the way I am now. So even though the skeleton of the book did not change—the big things that happen in it were always going to happen—I knew that I had to try and become the writer that the book needed me to be.' Chanel jacket; top and pants, stylist's own. Lenne Chai Wei's obsession with the art form of writing has long been on simmer. Millennials in Singapore might recognise her from her past life as a host on digital platforms like Clicknetwork and E!. As one of the country's earliest online breakout stars, it might have been news to her audience that, alongside her glamorous media job, she spent every spare hour writing. 'There's no other way to say it, those days I used to feel demented,' she laughs. 'I would wake up at 5.30am to go into the co-working space where I was renting a desk, and write for three hours before starting my freelance media work.' A turning point came during a 10-week creative writing masterclass taught by Malaysian writer Tash Aw, which Wei describes as a light bulb moment. 'It was the first time I had seen someone from our region successfully be a working writer. Tash had been on the Man Booker Prize long list twice. It made me realise—maybe this was actually possible.' This sparked a deep contemplation on what it would mean to build a life devoted to writing. 'When you're spending time in a room with writers, writing becomes a muscle. My growth during those 10 weeks felt exponentially greater than anything I had experienced before,' she says. Two years later, Wei pulled the trigger on her commitment to the writing life by moving to New York City to pursue a Master of Fine Arts degree in Creative Writing at Columbia University. At the end of her MFA came another life-changing moment: she received the Wallace Stegner Fellowship from Stanford University—one of the most prestigious writing residency positions in the US. The most magical thing about this, in Wei's eyes, was that they were essentially hiring her to write full time for two years. 'That's the beautiful thing about writing—you write to understand.' 'When I was living in Singapore as a freelancer, planning my schedule around my writing was difficult because I never had foresight into what the next month would look like. My time was dictated by the opportunities that came my way but also the things I say yes to. So even if I wanted to set aside time to write, would I be able to say no to a job, which would pay the bills, to stare at my manuscript instead?' The Stegner, Wei reveals, was the first time in her career she knew that she had a reliable source of income for two years to come. 'It created this psychological safety for me that made it possible to take The Original Daughter past the finish line.' I ask what it was like writing something so intimately tied to her hometown while being so far from home. Did her imagined audience for the book change? It was quite the opposite, Wei attests. 'Going farther from Singapore solidified my vision that this novel had to be read by a Singaporean audience. I remember thinking to myself that even if the whole world loved it, I would still be heartbroken if people at home were like, 'This sounds like she's writing to an American audience, right?'' This manifested in Wei's writing through a deliberate pull back on explaining her local references. 'During my MFA, I read so many books written by American authors filled with references that I didn't know prior. It didn't reduce my enjoyment of those books. I felt the need to do the same for The Original Daughter ,' she says. 'Of course, it is helpful for the reader if you scaffold their understanding a little bit because, at the end of the day, your job is to keep the reader engaged. So I would meet the reader at a certain point, and if they don't go beyond that to make a leap of understanding, I'm not going to spoon-feed. I don't think it's that difficult to guess what a void deck is—it's literally in the name,' she adds with a chuckle. So, I ask half-jokingly, when can we expect her next book and what will it look like? 'I don't think that I have it in me to write a book that's not about Singapore in some way,' she says. 'Even if I set a book in a galaxy far, far away, Singaporean sensibilities and considerations will still bleed into it in some form. 'One of the things I've been thinking about recently is what it means to live in community with each other and go through a big crisis. I've also always been concerned with the idea of freedom and agency. I don't mean it in the sense of 'Yes, freedom is great and we should all move towards it'. What does individual freedom mean? What agency do we have over our personhoods while living in society? 'That's the beautiful thing about writing—you write to understand. Writing serves a testing realm for certain questions, which then becomes a controlled environment where these questions can be explored.' She breaks herself out of reverie with a wave of her arm and a chuckle. 'But hopefully, the next book will not take nine years. I think the first one has taught me a thing or two.' Welcome to Vogue Dialogues, a new series by Vogue Singapore in which we spotlight key writers, poets and literary voices driving change for good through groundbreaking work. Vogue Dialogues is presented with the support of Chanel. A long-standing patron of arts and culture around the globe, Chanel has deep roots in the literary world, led by key initiatives like The Literary Rendezvous at Rue Cambon which brings together writers to discuss important themes like female empowerment. With their support of Vogue Dialogues, Chanel joins Vogue Singapore in celebrating our local and regional literary scene, as well as amplifying the voices of Asian and female writers all around the world. Associate lifestyle editor Chandreyee Ray Director of photography Lenne Chai Gaffer Timothy Lim Sound Jenn Hui Chia Camera assistant Kinleung Lau Post-production AMOK Production Producer David Bay Styling Nicholas See Hair Winnie Wong Make-up Victoria Hwang The June issue of Vogue Singapore is available online and on newsstands now.
Express Tribune
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
'Adabi Rabtay' shines at NBF event
National Book Foundation (NBF), under the auspices of the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training (MoFE&PT), successfully hosted the third instalment of literary event 'Adabi Rabtay' at its esteemed Ahmed Faraz Auditorium on Tuesday. The event was graced by the presence of Muhammad Hameed Shahid, a distinguished intellectual, acclaimed fiction writer, and respected literary critic, as the chief guest. Guests of honour included celebrated poet, writer, humourist, and sketch writer Salman Basit, renowned poet Abdul Qadir Taban, prominent poetess, writer, and humourist from the younger generation Dr Fakhira Noreen, and emerging writer Bushra Ayub Khan, said a press release on Tuesday. The event was hosted by Nazia Rehman. The opening remarks were delivered by the Secretary NBF, Murad Ali Mohmand. Managing Director of the NBF, Dr Kamran Jahangir, expressed gratitude to the chief guest, guests of honour, and the participants of the event. He also shared details about the NBF's current and upcoming projects. Abdul Qadir Taban recited two splendid ghazals and also presented his poetry in melody, receiving great appreciation and setting a captivating atmosphere in the gathering. Dr Fakhira Noreen presented three poems that were highly praised for their significant themes. The second part of the programme featured a wonderful musical session, where Salman Adil and Qamar Babar mesmerized the audience with their musical talent.
Express Tribune
19-03-2025
- General
- Express Tribune
Exhibit celebrates Islamic culture through art
The Punjab Arts Council (PAC) organised a remarkable exhibition showcasing the artwork of renowned painter and calligrapher Azeem Iqbal especially in consideration of the blessed month of Ramazan. Azeem Iqbal's work centres on Islamic civilisation and culture. His artworks include calligraphic paintings, wall hangings and sculptures featuring Islamic architecture and other token items which he represents through the use of mixed mediums. Azeem Iqbal's calligraphy exhibition has previously been displayed at the Pakistan National Council of Arts, Lok Virsa, National Book Foundation, Allama Iqbal Open University, Quaid-e-Azam University, and various embassies, where his work has been highly appreciated. Renowned calligraphers Khawaja Muhammad Hussain, Ghulam Muhammad Zuberi and other artists praised Azeem Iqbal's work, stating that his art beautifully reflects Islamic culture and serves as an inspiration for the younger generation. Among the distinguished personalities attending the exhibition were Dr Kamran Jahangir, Managing Director of National Book Foundation, Dr Jalal Ahmed, well-known poet Anjum Saleemi, civil officers, women and a large number of individuals associated with fine arts. The exhibition was inaugurated by Member National Assembly Malik Abrar Ahmed, who was also the chief guest. Former Director Waqar Ahmed, Naheed Manzoor, Director Sajjad Hussain and Deputy Director Muhammad Shakoor were also present on this occasion. Speaking at the event, the chief guest stated that an exhibition of calligraphy based on Islamic culture and civilisation is a commendable initiative that not only promotes art but also encourages other artists. He further emphasised that there is no shortage of talent in our country; however, it is essential to provide opportunities to skilled individuals from all fields so that they can further enhance their abilities. Former Director of PAC, Waqar Ahmed also shared his views, stating that such exhibitions provide a platform for young artists to refine their skills. Prominent cultural figure Naheed Manzoor, who also attended the event, remarked that the promotion of Islamic arts is crucial for the preservation of our cultural heritage. PAC Director Sajjad Hussain highlighted that the Council is making every effort to promote young talent.
Express Tribune
27-02-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Federal government orders 8,000 Chromebooks for public schools
Listen to article The Federal Ministry of Education and Professional Training has placed an order for 8,000 Chromebooks for its public educational institutions, Express News reported. The order follows an online tender process facilitated by the National Book Foundation, where representatives from 11 companies participated. Ten companies submitted financial bids, and the contract was awarded to the company offering the lowest price. The Chromebooks are expected to be delivered within two months, with strict quality control measures in place to ensure the standards of the products provided. This initiative is part of the government's efforts to improve the quality of education in public schools by introducing digital learning tools. Earlier, The Federal Directorate of Education in Islamabad had announced changes to the operating hours of educational institutions in the federal capital for the winter season. According to the notification, schools on Fridays operated from 8:30am to 12:30pm. Morning shift institutions opened at 8:30am and closed at 1:30pm. Schools in the evening shift were open from 1:30pm to 6:00pm. These adjusted timings aimed to accommodate the shorter daylight hours during the winter season, ensuring a more efficient schedule for both students and faculty.
Express Tribune
18-02-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Saudi Arabia renews $100m monthly oil support for Pakistan
Listen to article Saudi Arabia has renewed its $100 million monthly deferred oil payment facility for Pakistan for another year, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif confirmed on Tuesday. Speaking at a federal cabinet meeting in Islamabad on Tuesday, the PM shared details of a letter from Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, confirming the extension of the Saudi Development Fund's support. "We are deeply grateful to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the Saudi leadership. Saudi Arabia has always stood by Pakistan in difficult times," he stated. The cabinet was briefed on the digitisation of government operations, with officials reporting that 98% of federal divisions had adopted the e-office system, with 100% implementation in 39 divisions. Additionally, 21 divisions have fully adopted inter-ministerial digital communication, while 176 government institutions have also implemented the system. PM Shehbaz directed the complete digitisation of all federal ministries by March 20 and called for improvements in digital services for overseas Pakistanis. Moreover, the cabinet approved Pakistan's participation in a United Nations convention on protecting marine resources in international waters, which is expected to benefit local fishermen. Additionally, it approved the appointment of Kamran Jahangir as managing director of the National Book Foundation, six nominees for the National Commission for Human Rights, whose names will be sent to the prime minister and opposition leader for final approval, and revised request for the registration of Watim Medical College Rawalpindi, as per Islamabad High Court directions. The cabinet also endorsed the Economic Coordination Committee's decisions from its February 14 meeting, as well as those from the Cabinet Committee on Legislative Cases on February 17. The cabinet approved an addendum to Pakistan's agreement with Somalia on its National Identity System. The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has been assisting Somalia with its national identification system. The addendum includes provisions for verification services, a mobile enrolment application, an official payment gateway, and infrastructure development. The cabinet further approved a commission of inquiry into alleged irregularities in the Pakistan Engineering Council's governing body elections following a request from the Ministry of Science and Technology. Additionally, it approved amendments to the Inland Revenue Appellate Tribunal rules and reaffirmed previous economic and legislative decisions made earlier this month.
