BUDDING writers should immerse themselves in “trial and error” of every literary genre to determine which one works for them.
This was the message of Thomasian writers during the 7th UST Authors’ Series last Oct. 18 at the Tanghalang Teresita Quirino.
Cristina Pantoja Hidalgo, director of the UST Center for Creative Writing and Literary Studies (CCWLS), urged students to explore different literary genres.
“Try writing in all genres. Structure it in a way that you get to try every genre in each semester,” she said.
Chuckberry Pascual, CCWLS fellow, said one should know the difference between literary genres in terms of language manipulation.
“Madaldal ka ba o kaya mong i-condense yung gusto mong sabihin? Kailangan mo malaman ang relasiyon mo sa salita, kung saan ka magaling iyon ang magtatakda,” he said.
John Jack Wigley, former director of the UST Publishing House, said writers naturally develop their preferred writing style in time.
“You do not choose the genre, the genre chooses you,” Wigley said.
The event served as the launching of “Carnival of Hate,” “Ang Nawawala,” and “Lait (Pa More) Chronicles” of Augusto Aguila, Pascual and Wigley, respectively.
“Ang Nawawala” is a collection of seven short stories about the life of Brigido or “Bree,” a gay barangay hall receptionist, which function as a “short story cycle,” or stories that are different yet interconnected through one central character.
“Carnival of Hate” is a short story collection that revolve around “hateful” subjects such as sexual transgressions and academic scandals.
“Lait (Pa More) Chronicles” is a sequel to Wigley’s “Lait Chronicles.” Both are creative nonfiction works containing humorous anecdotes.
