Acclaimed novelist visits College
Posted on Friday 13 October 2006
Tash Aw, the winner of the 2005 Whitbread Prize for a first novel, visits Farnborough Sixth Form Col
Tash Aw, the winner of the 2005 Whitbread Prize for a first novel, visited Farnborough Sixth Form College recently to speak about his prize-winning novel, The Harmony Silk Factory. Students studying A level English packed the lecture theatre to hear at first hand how the young author had approached publishers and how he had developed the theme of his novel.
Tash Aw recounted how he had studied law at university but had never really seen himself as a lawyer. He had then undertaken a creative writing course at the University of East Anglia where he had developed many of his ideas for his first novel. When asked what his parents thought about his writing Tash Aw said, "I think they do not really understand - they would like me to have a proper job!"
Tash Aw had been invited to speak to students by College tutor, Lisa Hart. She said, "It was wonderful for students to be able to meet a young author and bombard him with questions about the novel and about writing in general." The College is keen for students to engage with professionals in all walks of life to add relevance to their studies.
Tash Aw congratulated the students on their perceptive questions. He said, "I am really looking forward to returning to discuss my second novel which is set in 1960s Malaysia - but I haven't finished it yet!".
