All the political trouble we’ve been experiencing culminated in GMA leaving for Cebu and doing her work there - and Mr. Neil Gaiman coming over to Manila.
I just attended the Writer’s Forum. Saw a lot of familiar faces. But of course, there was Mr. Gaiman. All in all it was a very inspiring and educational talk. Especially interesting for me were the questions about writing.
Gaiman quirks (or putting it nicely, traditions) while writing would be using 2 fountain pains of different colored inks. Rushing into a quiet spot in a cafe to get Anansi Boys done and written.
As for writing tips, he suggested reading stuff that doesn’t jive with what you want to do. If you like fantasy for instance, read stuff that’s completely different. Read as much as you can. Steal from a variety of sources. Keep on writing. It would be nice if you could have a daily page count, but if you can’t, then just write. Another thing he recommends is working as a journalist (which he himself has done.) Helps with the brevity required for comic book speech balloons.
On the matter of choosing what form a particular idea should take, he said that generally comes from experience (”Sometimes you just know”). Whether an idea is right for a short story or a poem or a novel or a comic book - you can generally tell after writing a bit of your idea in the form of choice. If it doesn’t work due to pacing issues then switch to another form.
As for working with local artists, it was “possible”. But I got the impression it wasn’t likely - even when Neil himself was a big fan of artists Redondo, Niño, and Alcala to name a few. He had to split himself into two do it.
Major obstacle in writing according to him would just calling yourself a writer and just not writing. Aside from that nothing appears greater.
Took several pictures. Stayed behind to watch Elbert get interviewed by INQUIRER or some other media outfit. Met Yvette Tan and Yonina Chan - been a while seen I’ve seen them. Met up with Budjette, Tobie, Zach, Jac & Jonas. Even saw Patrick of Red Pumpkin Studios and Butch of OMF. Gerry Alanguilan, Dean Alfar, Charles Tan, Vin Simbulan, Andrew Drilon. Inkies Panch, Brian, Eric, and Herb. If I missed anyone it’s because I’m poor connecting names with faces. Oh and Carlo Hubilla (with someone from the League of Graphic Artists, I met her at FAME but I forgot her name), brother of Franco - taga landscape arki. Plus Meann and Meow fellow Anime@Arki viewers!
I’m quite glad I was invited and hope the British Council can help the comic scene in the Philippines (and vice-versa) further in other ways. Some photos to follow…. though I’m betting Azrael’s Merryland would have better shots.
