writing – Page 2 – Reading Rachel

A quick plug about my upcoming events at the Singapore Writers Festival. I’ll be speaking at two sessions, and both are free.

On Saturday, I’ll be reading for the kids—a different chapter of Tea in Pajamas from my previous readings. Joseph Tey, the book’s illustrator, will be conducting a live drawing demo in the second half, and we’ve scheduled in more time for that so more children can join in the fun. Kids, come dressed in your PJs, and you might walk away with some exclusive merchandise and freebies!

At Sunday’s event, I’ll be reading an excerpt from my ongoing series, Everything Takes Forever, and sharing how writing helped me through a difficult time. This is for an older crowd (teens and up) as it tackles weightier (no pun intended) issues like body image and self-confidence.

Click on the images for more details

SATURDAY 12 NOVEMBER, 4.00–5.00pm

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SUNDAY 13 NOVEMBER, 3.30–4.30pm

So after languishing in limbo for months and months, at least since this last entry, it’s time to spring into action once more. Just this week I received the good news that I received a modest grant from the National Arts Council for Tea in Pajamas!

The letter arrived at a time when I hadn’t been giving this project a whole lot of thought, or any at all. Since submitting the grant application in June, I’ve switched jobs, and like any newbie, it takes awhile to find your feet. So between that, and keeping up with the demands of raising two young children, opportunities (and inspiration) to write have been few and far between.

In truth, I sometimes even forget that I’m a writer—or why I even started. Or that it is one of very few things that makes me inexplicably happy.

This grant approval letter couldn’t be a sweeter reminder.