Shannen Ho
Leondrea Tan is a second year English and Creative Writing student at the University of Warwick and an aspiring poet. Since receiving a typewriter as a gift from her friends, she has used it as a platform to publish her own writing, readers’ submissions and her favourite quotes. Her unique engagement with readers and her honest style of writing have helped her to gain considerable attention since the release of her Facebook page, L.T, in July 2013.
Why do you write?
I can't remember when I realised that I wanted to be a writer, but I believe my interest was sparked by my love for reading. I love how books are able to speak to the reader, and how reading can make one feel less alone, as words speak of experiences that are often felt, but seldom spoken. Books are friends that will always be there.
How did the L.T initiative come about? What motivated you to publish your poetry using the typewriter and social media platforms?
'L.T' are my initials. I wouldn't hurry to class what I write as poetry; just writings, for now.
There is a famous typewriter poet, Tyler Knott Gregson and I believe that he is one of the pioneers in introducing typewritten poetry on social media. I saw some of his works on Tumblr, and thought that it was an interesting initiative. I had never thought about actually going into it myself until very recently when I received the typewriter as a gift from some close friends. The many fragments of writing have always troubled me greatly. I was reluctant to get rid of them, but at the same time, I could not think of what to do with them. That was what motivated me to share these snippets in the hope that they would speak to readers, and that readers might find them relatable.
What does the typewriter mean to you as a poet and writer?
The typewriter represents the moment. When I am free-writing on a typewriter, there is no option to delete sentences or change them. Everything materialises on the page, every mistake, every thought in that moment. (You can't really have that on a computer, because you have the option to backspace and delete, to always return and reshape your words.) I find that in some way, it reminds me of life.
When we commit mistakes, they are there. No matter how our memories may selectively filter them out over the years, it does not change the fact that it has happened, and that something in your life, no matter how seemingly insignificant, has shifted. I can easily type over a misspelled word, or run a line through it on the typewriter, but the imperfection will always remain. I find that beautiful. Perfection is really, unpretentious imperfection - unconstructed, free, spontaneous.
(Of course, as a writer, you can't ever move away from the physical act of writing. Putting a pen to paper is a satisfying act that can't ever be replaced.)
Who are your major influences in writing?
At this stage I would say that I am still finding a voice. I am still experimenting with different forms, so there are quite a few poets and writers I look up to. Sylvia Plath, Ezra Pound, Lorine Niedecker and Maya Angelou are a few of my favourite poets.
How would you describe your poetry style?
At this stage? Minimalist, I guess. I am trying to say as much as I can with as few words as possible. I used to think that poetry was all about poetic language, about beautiful words and rhyme schemes. Of course, I have come to realise that there's more to poetry than these qualities.
Where do you get your daily dose of inspiration?
From free-writing, mainly. I don't really get a 'daily dose of inspiration'. In writing, it is just that. Writing. There is a romanticised image that writers sit at their desks, waiting for inspiration to come. Sometimes, yes, a thought will occur to you, and you branch out from there. Other times, you just have to keep writing, and in the midst of it all ideas will emerge.
What are the most positive or negative comments that you have received so far regarding your works?
I am my greatest critic. I have learnt a lot in my course, and one thing that really stuck is that writing is about rewriting. The writing is never really finished. I find myself constantly going back to my past works, and more often than not I find myself cringing at what I had written and then sitting down to rewrite them. Everyone else has been really nice and encouraging, and I am greatly humbled.
One of the unique things that you do as a writer is acceding to writing prompts and requests, which means that sometimes you end up publishing typewritten posts that are not of your own. How has it helped in any way in terms of connecting with the readers or your growth as a writer?
I find that opening the Facebook page up to requests allows me to get a better feel of my readers. It bridges the gap between writer and reader; it allows me to know what kind of writing speaks to them, and from it, I learn. Most requests are for quotes from notable novelists, and these also allow me to grow not just as a writer but as a reader, for it exposes me to literary figures and works that I may not have heard of, or read before.
I also get requests from people who write. The page sets up a friendly environment, encouraging followers to be writers as well. I have had some really good writings sent to me from followers, and I share them on the page on their behalf.
A piece based on a request from one of Leondrea's readers.
As a writer, how optimistic are you about the literary scene in Singapore? Also, what are your hopes for the local literary scene?
I find that the literary scene can be quite selective in its audience. International readers may find local literature difficult to grasp, especially if they are not familiar with local culture. But that is also what gives local literature its flavour. It is unique. We have to work at keeping it. In this modern age, reading has its own competition against technology. Amongst readers, few people read works by local writers and poets, as compared to the literary pieces on the international bestseller lists. Of course, I hope that that will change.
As an aspiring writer, I find that the literary scene in Singapore, because of how small and in a sense, specialised it is, it can be a little intimidating. The thought of putting your work out there to be read and critiqued is always scary. What people have to remember is that although it is small, it is still growing. My hope is that people will be more open to local literature, both as readers and writers, for I believe that it captures a part of our heritage and will, eventually, be a part of our history.
Any advice for aspiring poets and people who want to pursue the arts in general?
Don't ever stop learning. Don't be afraid to take criticism. Don't be afraid to express. Be a free spirit.
