EMIRATI AUTHORS NOURA AL NOMAN, SULTAN AL AMIMI CALL FOR BETTER EVALUATION AND CRITICAL APPRECIATION TO GROOM NEW WRITERS
There is no dearth of opportunities for new Emirati novelists and authors as there is a growing demand for fiction in the country and novel is one of the most popular literary genres among young readers. However, new writers need to be put through exacting tests by good critics and editors to refine their skills.
This came at the final session of Sharjah Ramadan Majlis held Thursday at Al Majaz Amphitheatre on the future of modern Arabic novel.
Speaking on the occasion, Noura Al Noman, popular Emirati science fiction writer and Director of the Executive Office of HH Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, said: When you have a country like UAE that encourages literature, writing and exchange of ideas and cultures, it creates great avenues and opportunities for writers.
She said that the Emirati fiction is at a strategic turning point right now and there are enough opportunities. However, what is missing is the right education and training for new writers. We also need good editors, as editing plays a huge role in refining writing and bringing out the best in a particular work of fiction. We need to focus on this, she added saying there are not many opportunities to teach good editing skills and training in the UAE.
There are many young and promising writers in the country. However, their talent needs to be honed and nurtured with good criticism and evaluation, she said, lamenting that there is no concept of healthy criticism in the UAE.
Whatever gets written gets published by newspapers and publishers without critical evaluation and without judging whether it's good or bad. Most young writers in the country do not understand the concept of critical evaluation and do not like criticism. They do not know that a novel requires a plot and structure. We need to focus on these aspects if we are to see a qualitative improvement in Emirati fiction, Noura Al Noman asserted.
Underscoring the importance of healthy criticism for good literature, she said writing is like cooking. If you do not honestly tell a cook how bad or good is his/her dish is, you are likely to be treated to the same dish again and again, she added.
She lamented the fact that there is not much scope for competition among writers in the UAE, saying just like in any other field, competition is essential and brings out the best in writers. Competition helps us improve and excel, she added.
Sultan Al Amimi, eminent Emirati author and Director of the Academy of Arabic Poetry in Abu Dhabi, agreed with her saying the UAE offers plenty of opportunities to new writers with its numerous publishers and book fairs etc. The number of writers have multiplied over the past few years in the country.
The future for Emirati fiction is bright. There is a future for modern, popular fiction. Current generation of writers are expected to inspire their readers in tune with contemporary Arab fiction, he said.
Al Amimi also called for spreading greater awareness about the role of critics and critical appreciation in refining and polishing a work. He pointed out that most prominent writers today have their own dedicated editors. If you do not accept criticism, you cannot really grow as a writer, he emphasised.
Explaining the creative process and underlining the importance of constant effort for improvement, he said: When an author writes first draft, its gets reviewed at least five or six times before it goes to publishers and has to be reviewed again by critics and peers.
He said fair criticism is essential for Emirati fiction to grow and bloom. If an author only expects praise, he will never grow as a writer, he emphasised.
Al Amimi also regretted the fact that criticism is not valued much in the UAE and universities do not teach courses like literary criticism and editing skills.
The speakers also touched upon the importance of using the classic Arabic parables and stories in modern fiction as the UAE is home to a treasure trove of such historical legends and stories.
Al Amimi pointed out that many television series in the West are based on such popular legends. One such classic parable was narrated by an Emirati woman on the occasion to the delight of the audience.
Noura Al Noman, who remains a pioneer of science fiction in the UAE, regretted that while there is no dearth of ambitious young writers, many write even before doing their share of reading.
The final session of the Ramadan Majlis was presided over by Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Chairman of Sharjah Media Council. The last session was moderated by Reem Saif, presenter and host of Sharjah TV. The Ramadan Majlis sessions were co-hosted by the Sharjah Government Media Bureau and Sharjah Media Corporation as part of the Emirate's efforts to promote a culture of dialogue and understanding in the country.
The Sharjah Ramadan Majlis every year attracts top UAE ministers, officials, scholars and intellectuals and a select audience turning the spotlight on issues and challenges before the society.
Africa Stories
18/04/2024
Prison Journalism: April's experiences of black boudoirThabo Mthembu was incarcerated in Pollsmoor Prison from 2014 to 2019. Read Thabo's story
by Tha...
18/04/2024
Prison Journalism: Can gangsterism and violence be reduced in prison?Dean Mashimbwe, a Zimbabwean migrant residing in Cape Town, was incarcerated at Pollsmoor C...
18/04/2024
Software making music: How DJs are doing itSoftware plays a big part in music production, recording, and performances. Here's what DJs are using, and how yo...
18/04/2024
Tonight on House of Zwide: Zanele later blindsides an unwitting Faith into meeti...
18/04/2024
Debut author stuns with international bestselling thriller Anna O'Matthew Blake burst onto the book scene with his bestseller Anna O', a deliciously d...
18/04/2024
Skeem Saam: Wednesday's episode, 17 April 2024 [video]Missed an episode of Skeem Saam? No problem! Watch the latest episode of your favourite South African ...
18/04/2024
Watch: Trailers for the best Afrikaans movies ever madeDon't know what to watch? Here are some of the best Afrikaans movie trailers ever made, including Too...
17/04/2024
Tonight on Scandal: Dintle reels in the line but it seems she's the only one...
17/04/2024
Trailer debate: What's the BEST South African movie?The trailer debate is on! We'd like to spark the debate What's your favourite South African mov...
17/04/2024
Tonight on Skeem Saam: Lewatle and Pax are punished for their misdeedsDon't miss Wednesday, 17 April's riveting episode of South African soapie Skeem Sa...
17/04/2024
Tonight on House of Zwide: Isaac tells Funani he has no leads on Nkosi's hij...
17/04/2024
Ster-Kinekor to cut 236 jobs, close THESE nine cinemas in South AfricaSter-Kinekor has announced plans to lay off almost a third of its 728 employees and close ...
17/04/2024
Disney and National Geographic celebrate Earth MonthDisney's storytelling prowess merged with National Geographic's legacy of exploration to celebrate E...
17/04/2024
Prison Journalism: How have you changed as a person while in prison?Jeffrey Shockley is a writer serving a life sentence in the State Correctional Institution-F...
17/04/2024
Tonight on Smoke and Mirrors: Thandiswa is determined to solve Dikeledi's su...
17/04/2024
Smoke and Mirrors: Tuesday's episode, 16 April 2024 [VIDEO]Stay up to date with the latest episodes of your favourite South African soapie on The South Afri...
17/04/2024
Skeem Saam: Tuesday's episode, 16 April 2024 [video]Missed an episode of Skeem Saam? No problem! Watch the latest episode of your favourite South African so...
17/04/2024
Scandal!: Tuesday's episode, 16 April 2024 [video]Stay up to date with the latest episodes of your favourite South African soapie on The South African websi...
17/04/2024
Sibongile and The Dlaminis' gains first position on DStvRhythm World's popular telenovela Sibongile and The Dlaminis' is the most-watched TV show o...
17/04/2024
House of Zwide: Tuesday's episode, 16 April 2024 [VIDEO]Stay up to date with the latest episode of South African soapie House of Zwide on The South African ...
16/04/2024
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an agency of the Department of Sp...
16/04/2024
Tonight on House of Zwide: Zanele feels Sandile's not a true friend anyway i...
16/04/2024
Tonight on Skeem Saam: Evelyn learns about the full scale of her son's troub...
16/04/2024
Tonight on Smoke and Mirrors: Caesar and Jaxon finally receive the moment they h...
16/04/2024
Smoke and Mirrors: Monday's episode, 15 April 2024 [VIDEO]Stay up to date with the latest episodes of your favourite South African soapie on The South Afric...
16/04/2024
Skeem Saam: Monday's episode, 15 April 2024 [video]Missed an episode of Skeem Saam? No problem! Watch the latest episode of your favourite South African soa...
16/04/2024
Historic: House of Zwide' is the most-watched TV show on e.tvE.tv's fashion telenovela House of Zwide' beat Scandal!' for the first time sinc...
16/04/2024
Tonight on Scandal: Jojo's doing his best to make amends, but Phakamile worr...
15/04/2024
Scandal!: Monday's episode, 15 April 2024 [video]Stay up to date with the latest episodes of your favourite South African soapie on The South African websit...
15/04/2024
Tonight on House of Zwide: Isaac asks Bra Zakes for help with any information he...
15/04/2024
Tonight on Skeem Saam: Phomolo threatens Pretty in an attempt to save LehasaDon't miss Monday, 15 April's riveting episode of South African soapie Skeem...
15/04/2024
Tonight on Scandal: Dintle turns to an old friend to assist with her missionDon't miss Monday, 15 April's riveting episode of South African soapie Scand...
15/04/2024
Christianity: Four people who claimed to be JesusChristianity is one of the world's dominant religions, with more than 80% of South Africans following this ...
15/04/2024
House of Zwide: Monday's episode, 15 April 2024 [VIDEO]Stay up to date with the latest episode of South African soapie House of Zwide on The South African w...
15/04/2024
Die Antwoord's collaborators: What they're doing nowDie Antwoord is a controversial hip-hop group founded in 2008. As a duo, they've also collaborat...
15/04/2024
Tonight on Smoke and Mirrors: Thandiswa hides her turmoil and goes through with ...
14/04/2024
Afrikaans television shows make a comebackClassic Afrikaans television shows are making a comeback, according to the streaming service AfriForumTV. Here's w...
12/04/2024
Scandal!: Friday's episode, 12 April 2024 [video]Stay up to date with the latest episodes of your favourite South African soapie on The South African websit...
12/04/2024
Skeem Saam: Friday's episode, 12 April 2024 [video]Missed an episode of Skeem Saam? No problem! Watch the latest episode of your favourite South African soa...
12/04/2024
House of Zwide: Friday's episode, 12 April 2024 [VIDEO]Stay up to date with the latest episode of South African soapie House of Zwide on The South African w...
12/04/2024
Tonight on House of Zwide: Sandile changes his mind about telling Faith that Zan...
12/04/2024
Tonight on Smoke and Mirrors Season 1 finale!: Thandiswa learns that Mthetho and...
12/04/2024
Tonight on Skeem Saam: Babeile is shocked to find out who harmed SthokoDon't miss Thursday, 11 April's riveting episode of South African soapie Skeem Sa...
12/04/2024
Hollywoodbets introduces power couple as Brand Ambassadors, blending Sports and ...
12/04/2024
Smoke and Mirrors: Thursday's episode, 11 April 2024 [VIDEO]Stay up to date with the latest episodes of your favourite South African soapie on The South Afr...
12/04/2024
Prison Journalism: Gang operations in South African prisonsDavid van Nek was incarcerated in Pollsmoor Prison from 2013 until 2015 and participated in the resto...
12/04/2024
Prison Journalism: Challenges faced when released from prisonFawaaz Adendorff was incarcerated in Pollsmoor Correctional Centre and participated in a Restorativ...
12/04/2024
Tonight on Scandal: Dintle finds herself on the wrong side of the lawDon't miss Friday, 12 April's riveting episode of South African soapie Scandal! on ...
12/04/2024
Skeem Saam: Friday's episode, 12 April 2024 [video]Missed an episode of Skeem Saam? No problem! Watch the latest episode of your favourite South African soa...
EMIRATI AUTHORS NOURA AL NOMAN, SULTAN AL AMIMI CALL FOR BETTER EVALUATION AND CRITICAL APPRECIATION TO GROOM NEW WRITERS 
