An invitation to "Readings from Readings 2" KL launch

I think about you while I work. It’s funny how you keep appearing on my mind, no matter how fixated my attention is on something else. Right now, as I cauterize a bleeding vessel, the smell of charred meat reminds me of how you scrunched up your nose when the waiter brought us steaks hard as bricks. I smiled then as you gave the maitre d’ a tongue lashing, and I smile now behind my hypoallergenic mask.

“What are you smiling at?” Kak Tijah, the scrub nurse, asks.

“How can you tell?”

“Your eyes. They’re smiling, too.”

I cauterize another vessel and irrigate the brain tissue. “What else would I be smiling about?”

“Your wife? While operating?” Her mask lifts a fraction. She’s smiling, too.

“My wife. While operating.”

They love to tease me, the nurses. But you know that. When I’m with you, I like talking about my workplace family. Just as I like talking about you when I hang out with them in the pantry. But I don’t mind the teasing. I don’t mind the jokes at my expense. After all, they make me smile, and they make me think of you. And I love thinking about you.

 

* * *

 

Thus begins my story, "Picking Up the Pieces", on page 18 of the paperback Readings from Readings 2, edited by Sharon Bakar & Bernice Chauly. This is my first locally published story in print, which is almost funny, because I have been published internationally first before doing it locally. I can give you a reason why this is so, but this will make me a diva.

Seriously.

However, it is safe to say that I wasn't aware of other calls for submissions for anthologies before this, and because Sharon Bakar and Amir Muhammad have been extremely encouraging locally, I jump at any opportunity to be published under their wings. Let's leave it at that, shall we?

Anyway, my writings are varied, from general fiction to contemporary young adult to fantasy and science fiction, to award-winning horror (to my surprise). My general fiction, however, tends to lean toward medical drama, because why wouldn't I tap into the myriad of possible stories my day job has to offer?

Like all stories I write, "Picking Up the Pieces" has a beginning, a middle, and an ending. My protagonists usually have character arcs. What can I say--though not formally trained, my style is more traditional; every story has to have a beginning, a middle, and an end, and the main character must have a complete arc. This one, however, is special. The main character's arc is not apparent in the story, but it shows how a doctor is affected when a loved one falls ill, how that confidence slips away, how everything familiar becomes alien.

I'm going ahead of myself, aren't I?

I'll let the story speak for itself. I do hope you'll support me and other local writers by buying this book. It's already on sale at Kinokuniya KLCC, but if I'm not mistaken, MPH and Times will carry the book as well.

OK. The book has been launched during the George Town Literary Festival last month, but the KL launch will be tomorrow between 20:30 and 23:30. Here are the details:

Venue
Doppel Kafe
Lot 2.04, Mezzanine Floor,
Central Market Annexe,
Jalan Hang Kasturi,
50050 Kuala Lumpur.

Dress Code
I have no idea.
Anything presentable and comfortable, I guess.

Admission
FREE!
The book will be sold at RM25 (retail price: RM29.90)

I shall read a short excerpt, if Sharon lets me. So. See you guys there!

 

Next: A whole book, with my name on the cover and the spine. Watch this space!

Comments

[Breanna Teintze]

Kept trying to comment on Facebook, and it wouldn't let me...so I'll say here: You know I'm with you in spirit. Knock it out of the park!