Reading, Writing

On reading

Raidah Shah Idil

When I decide to write in a set genre, one of the first things I do is to read only in that genre. Tunnel vision! I find that by doing that, I’m better able to find my voice when I write.

Here’s a list of some YA/coming-0f-age books which I read while writing Finding Jamilah:

Now that I’m working on my next novel, I’m delighted to finally be able to read some epic fantasy novels! A good friend of mine recommended C.J. Cherryh’s work, and I have been an avid fan of her work since her Morgaine Stories. If you enjoy a blend of sci-fi, fantasy, brilliant prose and horses (lol), read her work!

Now that I’m back to writing and reading fantasy, I’m happily devouring the second book from the Fortress Series, Fortress of Eagles, and I continue to be astounded by C.J. Cherryh’s masterful prose and vivid characterisation. And yes, Tristen is my favourite character. lol.

Audiobook-wise, I’m currently listening to Samuel Butler’s translation of The Iliad. (Audibly is one iPhone app you must have! Classics! For free!) I love the beautifully crafted language. Be warned, there’s a lot of blood and gore in the battle scenes. You can almost imagine yourself there, in the thick of battle, watching men fall beneath the slash of swords and spears.

But with all this reading, listening and pondering, what of writing? Ha. Procrastination has many forms!

Published by Raidah Shah Idil

Raidah Shah Idil is a student counsellor, poet, writer, and creative instructor with a passion for YA (young adult), fantasy, sci-fi and detective fiction. She was born in Singapore and moved to Australia at the age of 12. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (English) and Bachelor of Science (Psychology) from the University of New South Wales in 2005. After working as a marketing copywriter and studying the Islamic Sciences in Amman, Jordan for nearly two years, she returned to Sydney, got married, then moved to Malaysia. While working as a part-time tutor at Axiom Learning, she works as an online counsellor for Seekershub Global. She has completed her Diploma of Counselling through the Australian Institute of Professional Counsellors. Her full-time job is raising her baby daughter. Everything else is squeezed in between. Literally. Her writing has been published in The Feminist Wire, SISTERS magazine, Daily Life, Lip Mag and Venture Beat. Raidah’s poetry was recently published in the ‘Armed With Only Our Souls’ online DDFS chapbook by New York poet Caits Meissner. Her debut double-featured novel, “Finding Jamilah and the Story of Yusuf” was published by MyLegacy publications in early 2014. In her spare time (ha), she reads, listens to audiobooks, goes on walks, and is always on the lookout for tasty noodle soup. She currently lives in a green, leafy suburb in Kuala Lumpur with her husband, three small children and mother-in-law.

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