What does it mean to be Malaysian Chinese?
I told you I started writing a novel about my aunt’s salon back in the 70s and 80s but I’m beginning to wonder if I can pull it off without producing another cliche.That era is so over-written, especially in Malaysia where people seem to LOVE stories set in that era, including ads (I mean, look at all the Leo Burnett ones) or anything remotely connected to the past. Is it because so much more seemed to be happening then, that we can’t find anything exciting to write about the now?
Granted I’m a few thousand miles away and am the last person to be writing about life back home. I wasn’t gone that long. So why is it so hard to describe what it means to be Malaysian? Or Malaysian Chinese, without sounding as if I’ve heard it a million times before?
Also, I find it really challenging to peg down what it means to be Malaysian Chinese. Almost everything I can think of is a cliche (like not being able to read or write Chinese aka being a “banana” but not really because BM is actually our first language and not English). Really, what distinguishes us from other nationalities? And what distinguishes us from other Chinese? Or other Malaysians even?
I am currently reading Elif Shafak’s Bastard of Istanbul and I envy her ability to identify the nuances of being Turkish and Armenian AND Turk/Armenian American. Do other Turks and Armenians think of her descriptions as being cliched? I wonder.
It’s sad I don’t have much to write about that I don’t think is 1) overwritten; or 2) interesting enough to write about.
This is depressing.
Technorati Tags: Malaysia, writing, short stories
Posted in Imperfect Writer
April 25th, 2008 at 11:40 am
Maybe your issue is intended audience rather than content. I can honestly say that an introduction to the lives of Malaysian Chinese couldn’t seem cliche to most American readers.
Your subject sounds interesting to me. Would you be interested in writing for an American audience?
April 25th, 2008 at 1:47 pm
You’re right, Adrienne. But I don’t wanna write another Falling Leaves or Joy Luck Club you know (not that I’ll ever be THAT good! Didn’t mean to sound arrogant). But I am concerned about writing another Asian story in English that will make Asians cringe (I know I can’t read another migrant novel having now finished Justin Ong-Bates’ Midnight at the Dragon Cafe) because really when I started writing, I realise shucks, a Malaysian Chinese’s life is not so different from a China Chinese life, or a Malaysian Malay life. And why is my story so hinged on these nuances? For instance, would you want to read another dustbowl novel set at the end of the Depression era, some kind of epic ending at post 9-11?
But rule #1, write what u know. Beginning to realise I know very little about my “culture”!
April 26th, 2008 at 8:22 pm
heheh i like the goofy shots. the first photo, lokes looks like one of the hong kong movie star. don’t know if you remember the movie “Ace go Places”, with Sam Hui in there, and one “kong tou lou” as well. of course the difference lokes got much more hair laaa
April 27th, 2008 at 8:42 pm
I know it’s hard to write, esp with what’s out there. But my view is this: you write what is in your heart. The novel will take a life on its own. Readers will relate to the way you write, dear, no matter what the content in a way.
go for it, I mean it
April 28th, 2008 at 7:26 am
I don’t think a subject/topic/era can be overwritten. Each author has their own perspective and “voice”. You have a particularly unique one, that is why I keep coming back to your blog.
I remember that you said your Aunt would vote for BN b/c it was practical… write about that… not many people write about that kind of political insight/nuances. (that’s just an example… you have lots going on in your blog that you can draw from).
By the way, I’ve noticed your “branding” of your Imperfect Categories… perhaps that should can use that as an idea for your “imperfect novel”? Just an idea.
April 28th, 2008 at 7:34 am
Sorry for the second comment… I forgot to say that perhaps it is not your responsibility to “solve” what it means to be Malaysian Chinese or Chinese Malaysian. Perhaps that is for your readers to try and figure out… to journey with you through your novel.
Being in a Canada, I also sometimes struggle to explain what a Malaysian is. People don’t quite comprehend that there are multiple Malaysian identities… they expect a “Thai identity” or “indonesian identity”… like identifying a certain type of food to eat.