The Bahrain Writers’ Circle (BWC) has been a prominent organization in Bahrain that nurtures creative writers and poets, and encourages them to progress in their journey to make a niche for themselves in the world of writing. BTW speaks to Rohini Sunderam, the Founder Member and Director of the organization to know more about BWC and the author’s involvement with this unique group of creative talents.
Tell us briefly about yourself: where you were born and raised, any special childhood memories?
I grew up in several different parts of India as my father was in the Indian Air Force. Soon after I was born, my father was posted to the UK. My earliest childhood memories are of London. I remember going to a beach where a large wave turned me upside down.
What is your educational and professional background (in a nutshell):
I earned a B.A. (Hons) Degree in English Literature from Delhi University and became a copywriter. I’ve worked with ad agencies in New Delhi, Bombay, Calcutta and Bahrain. In Canada, I wrote ad copy and special features for the provincial newspaper – The Chronicle-Herald – in Halifax. When we returned to Bahrain I rejoined my old agency – Fortune Promoseven and eventually retired from full-time copywriting.
What have been your published works as an author?
My very first paid piece was a story published in The Statesman, Calcutta where I first saw my name in print as an author. The next time I enjoyed that pleasure was at The Chronicle-Herald, where I wrote a featured gardening column under a byline. I eventually picked up the courage to send a piece to the Globe & Mail – a major Canadian national paper. When it was selected I felt I had arrived. Now I have an independent UK publisher who has published two of my books: Corpoetry – a collection of light-hearted poems about corporate life available in Jashanmal’s and on Amazon, and Desert Flower – a romantic story based in 1930s Bahrain, also on Amazon, published under the pen name Zohra Saeed. A novella is awaiting final edits.
How long have you been here in Bahrain? What about the country appeals to you the most?
Altogether I’ve lived in Bahrain for 24 years. What appeals to me most about the country is that life here is easy. People are friendly and easy-going. Amenities are easily accessed, and almost everything is home-delivered.
Briefly tell us when and how the Bahrain Writers’ Circle (BWC)was founded. What are its goals and missions?
Bahrain Writers’ Circle was formed in early 2011 as the brainchild of Robin Barratt a successful writer of several true crime novels. He wanted to start a group to encourage writers of all abilities and ages based in Bahrain. Our mission and vision is to welcome anyone and everyone interested in the written word.
What programmes and initiatives have been adopted by the Circle to encourage/train members to write?
All meetings aim to encourage and improve writing or publishing. Our general monthly meetings feature guest speakers who have talked about everything from self-publishing, to members’ publishing journeys, legal advice on copyright and intellectual property, to blogging and social media. Our poetry group, The Second Circle, has an annual poetry festival – the Colours of Life – that motivates poets to participate and present their works to the public. Every third Monday of the month a Creative Writers’ Workshop explores the craft of writing – plot lines, character development, opening lines and more. We run a monthly challenge in which members’ stories are sent to established authors around the world who provide free critiques and reviews.
Any achievement/award received by the BWC so far?
Our members have been published in several anthologies produced by Robin – My Beautiful Bahrain, More of My Beautiful Bahrain, and Poetic Bahrain. Our member Muna Rabieh published a children’s book in Arabic – The Magical Ostrich that’s done exceedingly well and she’s been invited to speak and present her book to children at several schools. Noor Al Noaimi’s story The Pearl Thief is earning accolades all over Bahrain – she’s been invited to speak at the Royal University for Women, the Multinational School – Bahrain and private book groups. Glen Stansfield published his book Fishing for Stones – now in print at Jashanmal’s, Chandan Sengupta’s Bahrain-based WWII spy story Land of Two Seas is flying off the shelves at Jashanmal’s. Gordon Simmonds – our latest success – has published a poetry collection War & Remembrance. We are pleased to have encouraged so many writers to achieve their dreams and that is reward enough.
How has the Colours of Life Poetry Festival evolved over the years?
We started out with 15 poets and this year we had 19. Our youngest poet in 2012 was 18 years old; this year he is 11! We want to increase the Arabic component of the poetic contributions and are gradually getting there. Our poets are experimenting with presentation and props to add to the entertainment value.
Where do you aim to see BWC in the next 5 years?
I hope it will continue to attract a diverse mix of members and encourage younger members to join. Some day I’d like to see a prestigious Bahrain-based award for writers in English and Arabic under the aegis of the BWC, but what shape or form it would take is still nebulous. And of course at the moment our funds are purely from membership and almost all of it is spent supporting our Colours of Life, our website and a few small other items.
What is your message to the budding authors of Bahrain?
Write from the heart. Write some more. Read prolifically and join the BWC.