Writing passions

Listening to a professional talk passionately about their craft is a real joy. And that's what I took away from Tim Hallinan's hour-long workshop on writing at ACE last night, as well as a list of top tips to enthuse and guide would-be authors. Hallinan is a thriller writer who lives in Los Angeles and Bangkok, is writing a series of books about both locations, and who also spends time in Phnom Penh, where he says he can write without distraction. He's written over twenty novels, so he knows what he's talking about. And he is not afraid of dissecting his craft and passing it onto others in a way that is easy to understand. He does this through workshops like last night, he also teaches and his website is a fantastic resource for any writer too. If you are writing a novel now, thinking about writing or, like me, dabbles in writing but have never considered penning your own novel, have a look at his website and catch the buzz, I know I have. His words of wisdom are not restricted to novels either, they can be applied across the range of writing. Hallinan is also a workoholic, he takes a year to write a novel on average of about 100,000 words in length, but will be working on two others at the same time. He targets himself to write 2,000 words each day and says that he has good days and bad days. His own style is not to outline the book beforehand but to fly by the seat of his pants and let his characters decide on where they want to go. He admits his latest novel is giving him sleepless nights, but will get there eventually. I found his lecture fascinating, it opened a series of small doors for me personally and is a brilliant idea by Monument Books' William Bagley to get writers of his calibre to pass on their skill and knowledge to the budding authors of Phnom Penh. To read more about Tim Hallinan and his writing resources, click here. The book jacket above is A Nail Through The Heart and the first in the series of Hallinan's Bangkok novels. I am reading it right now.

A thriller at Monument

Thriller writer Tim Hallinan in signing-mode with the blog author

The reason I was late in the door tonight was because I attended a book-signing and reading at Monument Books by thriller writer Tim Hallinan, better known for his Bangkok-based books, though he resides in Phnom Penh for part of each year, as he says it's where he can write without distractions. Los Angeles and Bangkok are where he calls home but Phnom Penh has a special attraction for him as well. His latest book in the Poke Rafferty series, Breathing Water won't be released until August, so it was from his second book, The Fourth Watcher, that he read an extract to the audience at Monument. His first book, which I bought, is called A Nail Through The Heart and features a Khmer Rouge baddie. It was fascinating to hear about Thailand through Hallinan's eyes as he spoke about this particular series and was not joking when he said Breathing Water may signal his departure from the country if the authorities decide he's gone too close to the knuckle. A writer's workshop that Hallinan will hold at ACE in a couple of days should be a very interesting event as he certainly has a clear view of his own style and talent and an easy-going way of describing it. Roll on Thursday. Link: website.

Another signed copy by Tim Hallinan to a satisfied customer

Event highlights

There's a veritable bundle of exhibitions and stuff happening around Phnom Penh at the moment. Just in brief, here's the run-down on a few of the highlights. At Monument Books tonight there's a talk by thriller writer Tim Hallinan about his books at 6pm, and on Thursday at ACE he's giving tips on writing a novel. Count me in. Obviously there's a whole schedule of films, talks and whatever going on at Meta House. On Saturday they have
a double-bill from 7pm of Jim Gerrand’s film The Prince & The Prophecy and Norodom Sihanouk’s movie Shadow Over Angkor. The exhibition running there at the moment is called Intercities Phnom Penh-Lijiang and it features a range of artists including Ou Vanndy, Chhea Bunna, Ouk Chim Vichet and Sokuntevy Ouer. I should have a couple of documentary nights at Meta House in May so keep an eye out for them.
Over at Equinox (St 278) on Friday is an exhibition of drawings by Khmer artist Nasy Radet called Orphan Smiles which looks interesting, whilst I hear the Messenger Band are playing at Gasolina the same night. Reyum have got a Food in Khmer exhibition running at the moment, Paul Stewart's Ramsar Site 999 - The Flooded Forests of North Cambodia photo showcase began at FCC last night, and the Bophana Center still has its Still Water exhibits on show. Finally, please do not forget that Sunday 3 May will be the benefit screening of The Tenth Dancer at Bophana Center on behalf of Em Theay and her family. I should have this confirmed later today.

Hallinan at Monument

Talking of books and authors, whilst thriller writer Tim Hallinan hasn't written a book set solely in Cambodia just yet, he does spend part of each year here and has been persuaded to talk about his latest series of books in an appearance at Monument Books on Tuesday 28 April (6pm), and two days later, at ACE, will give a master-class in how to finish your novel, which should be an intriguing lecture, which I want to attend. Here's the flyer for the two events.