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| Thursday, August 20, 2009
Three Things featuring Ronald Wong Writer: Ronald WongSandman Graphic Novels by Neil Gaiman Sandman was alluring; hauntingly so. A character so human, while being so aware of his unearthly powers and dominion, yet so conscious of his anthropomorphic personification of an existence, Sandman found himself caught in a complex web of histories, cultures, civilisations and legends - in an unquestionable quest of not trying to find himself. Hence, he had encounters with the Fates, had a heart-to-heart chat with Lucifer, battled with Beelzebub, had an affair with one of the twelve Muses, Calliope with whom he begotten a son, Orpheus, the mythical "Father of Songs", before further getting himself into trouble with more women (of various realms and planets). He apparently also inspired Shakespeare to write Midsummer Night's Dream and was subsequently responsible for the Bard's greatness. He had also advised Emperor Augustus, guided Marco Polo, and had a tiny part to play in the French Revolution, amongst other things. In spite of the myriad of stories that Sandman features, the thread that pulls together the series of graphic novels, which spanned across 75 issues in 7 years, is the credibility of the characters in an incredible surreal dimension. That is not to mention Neil Gaiman's collaboration with the various artists, especially Dave McKean. As one can tell, the effect of Sandman on me was most likely the realization that there is more to story-telling than a story. Some of the plays that I have conceptualized since the 'Sandman phase' bear styles similar to the narratives in Sandman graphic novels. Hence, I can say that Sandman ushered me into a new paradigm of narrative: of quixotic writing; of cheeky play of history, legends and fiction; and masterful use of the medium previously known to me as 'comics'. The Books of C.S. Lewis  C.S. Lewis : Image Source It is utterly difficult to escape mentioning C.S. Lewis since he is after all one of the most remarkable Christian apologists of the 20th century. In fact, his book, Mere Christianity, was probably what triggered me to reconsider Christianity in the first place.His influence is strong in my development as a thinker and writer particularly because of a little background story about myself. Some time ago, I entered a phase where I toyed with the Pandora's Box that is philosophy, including polemical writings such as The God Delusion. Engaging in philosophy sharpened my mind but made me unduly sceptical (and irrational scepticism can be handicapping). C.S. Lewis' apologetic writings however provided the counter-fire. Books like Miracles, The Problem of Pain, Weight of Glory, and The Screwtape Letters carried enough intellectual fodder to bring me on a quest to rediscover a horizon where I would end up succumbing to the wisdom of God. Lewis' books also had a profound effect on my subsequent writings. In retrospect, I realize that the bulk of my subsequent writings after this period of time were either Christian apologetic or expositional essays. Curiously, I discovered that my writings began to take on a form which 'attempt' to weave theological principles into lyrical prose. I do not know now though, what my writing style has devolved to. Perhaps picking up a copy of Weight of Glory would do me some good. Corrinne May's Safe In A Crazy World If I were to describe this album as a metaphor, I would call it a sincere, unsuspecting, child-like teenage girl finding her way around in a labyrinth. Most people listen to Corrinne May once and then forget her. Admittedly, I was such a person. However, two years after I first heard Corrinne May, I revisited her in this album and decided to sit down, and really listen to her. It was then I became captivated. I should begin with my criticism (to justify my forgetting her initially). Her melodies are gentle and almost pop-ballad like. The arrangements are definitely not flattering - simple yet easy to listen to. There are however a few songs which boasts of elegant arrangements. But here is what captivates. Her lyrics, simple as they are, ring so sincerely that when coupled with a voice which flows so smoothly from her heart, simply trickled past my mind, into my soul - like the sight of a little child running to her parent. The vulnerability of the singer's persona really cries out in the dark and draws you in to want to really listen. Songs like "Safe in a Crazy World", and "Every Beat of My Heart" continue to resonate loudly in my life as 'fate tunes' (to borrow a phrase from Vernon God Little). After pondering what impact she had on me, I realised that Corrinne May's sincerity, which had manifested itself in her song-writing and her voice, gradually formed the basis of how I appreciate and approach music, especially Christian music, and also generally what I call Contemporary Christian Media - including Contemporary Christian Music (CCM), Christian literature, and films amongst others. In a way, it has also pervaded through my approach to writing and creative work - subliminally crystallizing into an ideal I strive for: to sing in the voice of a child calling out to the Father, wrapped in the various fabrics of creative mediums. Ronald is an occasional writer, occasional theatre director/producer, occasional Law student, and a fulltime child of God.
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