WRITE: A network for emerging young writers
Do you remember the days when you’ve created something beautiful, but had no way of sharing it with the world? That time when you felt so strongly about something, which you wanted to express, be it through a story or a poem but didn’t have a platform to? Well this is your chance.
‘WRITE’ magazine is a platform solely dedicated for budding writers between the ages of 16 and above, to publish their work. It was launched last Friday (11) at the Lakshman Kadiragamar Institute, Colombo 07.
“It is true what they say about your washroom being your thinking room,” the chairman of WRITE, Shehara Willie began. She explains that, just last year, the idea had hit her while she was in the shower. This was just following a weekend workshop on creative writing, which Shehara had attended.
“I called my good friend Oshanthaka Cabraal, who had also taken part in the workshop with me and he was delighted with the idea,” she recalls. The pair had met up on October 31, last year (2016) to set up the initial plan for the magazine. “This was the beginning of a long and beautiful journey.”
Their main objectives were to promote the field of literature as a path for expression and enlightenment and to inculcate a love for writing and the performing arts. Aside from these, they also hoped the magazine would become an islandwide publication, which creates a network of diverse individuals and connects the different experiences of Sri Lankans. “Basically a bridge between the differences and the path of diversity and reconciliation,” Shehara says.
The primary purpose of ‘WRITE’ is to “express, enlighten and empathise.” It features poetry, short stories, one act plays, monologues and open letters, all of which aim to fulfil this purpose.
Initially the team had received over 115 submissions, out of which two had been from Johannesburg, South Africa and Chennai, India. This had given them the idea to use the magazine to serve as a global network for writers one day.
Shehara
The first edition of ‘Write’ comes packed with 35 submissions that truly portray the talent of Sri Lanka’s younger generation. Here we find writers touching upon different issues, out of which the most common was the trauma associated with one’s self and their relationships with others.
The team behind the magazine comprises individuals from different walks of life, who have come together through their mutual love for English literature, we find out. They have been guided by Professor Maithree Wickremesinghe and Professor Rajiva Wijesinha.
As the team pointed out, Professor Rajiva himself had initiated a similar project in the past titled ‘The New Lankan Review’. The first edition of the magazine also features an interview with the professor, on the importance and status of English creative writing in Sri Lanka.
At the launch. Pix by Nilan Maligaspe
Aside from this, ‘WRITE’ also publishes a theatrical review on ‘The Taming of the Shrew’, which took place at the Lionel Wendt last month. This is a part of its ‘Reviews and Previews of Performing Arts’ section.
Shehara explains that they hope to publish the magazine on a quarterly basis. She adds that her team has also reached out to schools, universities and bookshops from across the country, calling out for writers.
‘WRITE’ magazine definitely seeks to fill out that void, which most writers face today and in doing so, it also encourages individuals to create more.
To submit articles for their next issue contact :
Email – write3e@gmail.com
Contact no- 077500838/0775180804
Address- No.60, Hill Street, Dehiwala.
The magazine is priced at Rs. 400 and could be purchased from Barefoot Colombo and Expo Graphic (Battaramulla and Kandy)