Every piece of writing is never dead material. It shimmers with life while it is being read by someone, and then shimmers on in the reader's mind long after.

"The Business Times", Friday, November 28, 2014

Check out http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/lifestyle/wanted-professionals-and-execs-to-write-plays.

Never be dismayed whenever you feel that you must revise your work, no matter how often that will be.

A piece of creative writing is a living document.

Filipina poet Virgie Moreno has at least one poem that she revised after every time it was published, over a span of a decade.

Dramaturgy for Theatreworks: Ellie

"Hi Tony,

"How are you doing? Trust this finds you well.

I wonder if you could read a new version of my play  where the characters either sing or recite.

Same subject - using video to show the impact of the bird when it brings past and present together.

If it's not to much of an imposition, could you please let me know which version you think is best?

Brendan wants to have dramatize readings next year. I think this version has less explanations.

Please let me know if you can review this version. I appreciate any comments.

"Thank you so much,

"Ellie"

Hi Ellie!

As with Helmi in my message below, I will be glad to do so as soon as I find the time.

It is heartwarming to know that you are in a writing roll and that you have the fortitude to explore your subject matter in more ways than one.

As with painting, so with writing--your creative energy keeps you going on and on and on.

Dramaturgy for Theatreworks: Helmi

"Dear Tony, 

"I took all your advice and made the changes to 'My Mother Buys Condoms'. The one change I had difficulty making is the length of certain scenes: When Raju is learning to read, there are a few short scenes to show his progress. I find it hard to run away from that structure because we need to see the passage of time and how’s he’s improving. I can’t seem to get around that.

"Other than that, the other changes have been duly made. The dream sequence is gone, the obvious 'speeches are mostly gone, though I had to keep Gwen's because she's a lawyer and I think it feels right that she speaks that way. 

"Meanwhile, I was wondering if you could read another script of mine. It’s something I’ve been working on for some time. It's called 'The Globetrotter'. I’ve showed it to friends, but I get mixed reviews – from strong disgust to delight. My friends are smart but they’re not professional script readers. I was wondering if you could read it and give me your opinion. 

"If you can’t because a second script is outside the scope of your contract, I completely understand. I look forward to our session together and I sincerely appreciate all the help you've given us :-)

"Warm regards,

"Helmi"

Hello Helmi!

Your play is ready for rehearsing on the boards at this stage. Don't fret or over-write it--at this point, problems of timing and pacing will be solved by the director and the performers.

I will be happy to read your second play. I hope it is a sign that we have uncovered the lid of your infinite well and that you are going to be one of Singapore's most prolific playwrights. But, be patient with me, as what I do not have now is time: I am preparing syllabi for the new workshop for Theatreworks and for the Bangladeshi migrant workers, I am transiting to retirement after 36 years of service to the office, and my house is still being renovated!

Yes, I look forward to being with you again.

A writer is fulfilled to know that readers come to his works not just once but again and again.

Teaching creative writing is like teaching a martial art.

As the master, it is your responsibility to instill in your student the correct passion for writing, the right sense of discipline, determination, complete dedication, and persistence.

You have to know when to deliver the right blows--emotional, psychological, and spiritual--and teach your student how to fight, to survive, to excel--and then to surpass you.

For it is only when a student surpasses his master that a master is truly successful.

Never trust a first draft, because, over time, your mind rewrites and polishes your work in sequential layers--pretty much in the same way that a painting is sequentially layered until it becomes complete.

Before reading anything, suspend all of your biases. Otherwise, while reading, you will be listening to your own thoughts and not to the author's.

My Photos from My Trip to Talipanan Mangyan School, Oriental Mindoro (November 4 - 8, 2014)

"Writing from The Heart" in Talipanan Mangyan School, Oriental Mindoro (November 6, 2014)

Photos Courtesy of Filipinas Heritage Library

"Writing from The Heart" in Talipanan Mangyan School, Oriental Mindoro (November 5, 2014)

Photos Courtesy of Filipinas Heritage Library