Writing Words that will Strain as well as Fail to Rhyme

Why is usually the idea that will writers come to Bali to pen a novel, a poem or a memoir?

I simply don’t know, is usually the answer for me, although somehow I find myself returning ever more frequently to This particular paradise to put pen to paper. is usually the idea something within the air? The soothing trade winds? The scenery? Or is usually the idea the wonderful nature of the people who provide the inspiration? Each author has his or her own reasons, although whatever they are, Bali has been the setting as well as the venue for some remarkable books down the years.

Apart coming from some of the stunning local literature as well as Eisman’s insightful Bali Sekala & Niskala, books coming from some of the expats that will have settled here, have told their stories well. William Ingram’s A Little Bit One O’ Clock is usually a classic view of living using a Balinese family as well as is usually a must for anyone settling here.

Who can forget Colin McPhee’s classic, A House In Bali; the Canadian musician who introduced the magic of gamelan to the West within the 30s. Or indeed Louise G. Kote’s Our Hotel in Bali, written in 1936 when Kuta was although a poor fishing village.

The trend has never stopped when one thinks of Janet De Neefe’s Fragrant Rice, a tale of passion, marriage as well as food published in 2003 as well as a wonderful follow up to her Stern Men coming from 2000.

Bali has lured writers, painters as well as indeed all associated with the arts to its shores like a siren calling coming from the sea. However, not all methinks should be chaired around the island shoulder high.

For my money, Elizabeth Gilbert’s Eat, Pray, Love went a long way towards ruining Bali’s reputation. This particular trite novel of one privileged woman’s quest for self-discovery, while at the same time romanticizing poverty as well as oohing as well as aahing over the locals, was quite frankly embarrassing.

There are currently scores of women coming from the West who flock to Bali to emulate Gilbert’s so called “enlightenment”, with their expressions serene, their caftans expensive as well as their luggage Louis Vuitton. Some of these devotees are themselves embarking on a tome or two, cataloguing their mystic experiences.

Bali surely does not exist solely so the rest of us can seek pleasure as well as find our true deep selves?

Perhaps a better title should have been Eat, Pray, Leave!

the idea is usually the pioneering writers like De Neefe whom I admire the most. Apart coming from being a whizz within the kitchen, raising four children, running two restaurants with her husband Ketut as well as crashing out the odd novel, she manages to dream up an event like the Bali Writers Festival(in conjunction with Heather Curnow). This particular forum is usually a testament to the lure of Bali as well as an inspiration for could-be novelists coming from around the globe. If This particular is usually the sort of writer that will Bali produces, the idea is usually certainly her whom I wish most to emulate!

This particular brings me full circle to the beginning of This particular piece, about what the idea is usually that will attracts writers to This particular Island.

(as well as currently for a little shameless self -promotion.)

In 2010 I was fortunate to contain the opportunity to spend four months on Bali while my wife fulfilled a teaching contract at IALF. I had had an idea for a book as well as, with nothing to occupy myself, I decided to finally ‘have a go’.

Thirty- nine days later Final Diagnosis was written!

How could This particular be? Where did the daily inspiration come coming from?  I still ask myself that will question as at the time the words poured coming from me like water coming from a gushing tap.

The two follow up novels, Blowback as well as Counterpoint have needed a touch of Bali when they faltered as well as stumbled in various other climes.

So in essence I am not sure what the idea is usually. although whatever the idea is usually, I will keep coming back for more!

The views expressed are those solely of the author.

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Writing Words that will Strain as well as Fail to Rhyme

Paul V. WaltersOct 07, 2013Arts/Entertainment, Observations, various other 1

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Writing Words that will Strain as well as Fail to Rhyme