Writing in Difficult Times: A Bilingual Essay Anthology

Eleven young promising writers from Hong Kong share their struggles and thoughts during the global lockdown and personal hardships in Writing in Difficult Times. The personal essays are available in both Chinese and English, building a timely and genuine connection with readers.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 196 pages
Publication date: 30 April 2022
Publisher: The Chinese University of Hong Kong. Department of English. Cart Noodles Press

Writing has always been a challenging subject to discuss, let alone writing an honest account about how one's creative process is complicated by global lockdowns and personal hardships. In Writing in Difficult Times, eleven young promising writers from Hong Kong delve into some of their most confusing and troubling moments in life, sharing their struggles. How do writers committed to crafted language maintain a dialogue with themselves? How does the dense urban living space affect creative outputs and thoughts? How do writers reflect on and evaluate gender roles, motherhood, and time? What roles do memories play in writing, if memory's language is not allowed to communicate? Each personal essay in this collection is available in both Chinese and English, hoping to build a timely and genuine connection with its readers, regardless of location and cultural background. Each word is a courageous sharing that makes a significant contribution to bilingual Hong Kong literary writings today.

Introduction:
Writing has always been a complex and personal endeavor, but it has become even more challenging during the global lockdowns and personal hardships that have affected us all. In this collection, eleven young promising writers from Hong Kong share their experiences and struggles in their personal essays. These essays delve into the complexities of the creative process, the impact of urban living on creativity, and the roles of gender, motherhood, and time in writing.

The Creative Process:
One of the central themes of this collection is the challenges that writers face in maintaining a dialogue with themselves during difficult times. The lockdowns and personal hardships have created a sense of isolation and disconnection, making it difficult for writers to stay motivated and engaged with their work. However, these writers have found innovative ways to overcome these challenges, such as using social media to connect with other writers and sharing their work with a wider audience.

Urban Living and Creativity:
Another important theme is the impact of urban living on creativity. Hong Kong is a bustling city with a rich cultural heritage, but it can also be a challenging environment for writers. The crowded streets, noise, and constant stimulation can be overwhelming, making it difficult for writers to find quiet spaces and focus on their work. However, some writers have found ways to harness the energy of the city, using it as inspiration for their work and incorporating it into their writing in unique and innovative ways.

Gender Roles, Motherhood, and Time:
Gender roles, motherhood, and time are also important themes in this collection. The writers explore the challenges and complexities of these roles, as well as how they impact their creative process. They discuss the pressures of societal expectations and the need to balance work and personal life, as well as the challenges of motherhood and the impact it has on creativity.

Memory and Writing:
Memory is another key theme in this collection. The writers explore the role of memory in their writing, particularly in the context of a world that is constantly changing and evolving. They discuss the challenges of capturing the essence of a moment or a person in a way that is both true to life and meaningful to their readers.

Conclusion:
Writing in Difficult Times is a powerful and thought-provoking collection that offers a glimpse into the lives and minds of eleven young promising writers from Hong Kong. These essays are a testament to the resilience and creativity of the human spirit

Writing in Difficult Times is a powerful and thought-provoking collection that offers a glimpse into the lives and minds of eleven young promising writers from Hong Kong. These essays are a testament to the resilience and creativity of the human spirit, and they provide a valuable contribution to bilingual Hong Kong literary writings. The writers in this collection have faced numerous challenges during their creative process, from isolation and disconnection to the impact of urban living on creativity. However, they have found innovative ways to overcome these challenges and continue to produce exceptional work.

The collection explores the complexities of the creative process, including how writers maintain a dialogue with themselves during difficult times. The writers discuss the importance of finding quiet spaces and focusing on their work, as well as the challenges of balancing work and personal life. They also explore the roles of gender, motherhood, and time in writing, discussing the pressures and complexities of these roles and how they impact their creative process.

Memory is another key theme in the collection, particularly in the context of a world that is constantly changing and evolving. The writers discuss the challenges of capturing the essence of a moment or a person in a way that is both true to life and meaningful to their readers. They explore the role of memory in shaping their writing and how it can be used to create powerful and evocative narratives.

Overall, Writing in Difficult Times is a must-read for anyone interested in the art of writing and the human experience. The essays in this collection are a testament to the resilience and creativity of the human spirit, and they offer a valuable insight into the lives and minds of eleven young promising writers from Hong Kong.

Weight: 250g
Dimension: 195 x 138 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9789887564614