Bhutan has only had TV and internet since 1999, but they’ve taken to technology like stray dogs to a meat shop. One prime example is kuzuzangpo.com, a web forum for writers in or about Bhutan. I recently found out that it’s run by a young Bhutanese man studying in Bangkok, and has members throughout Bhutan and possibly the world.
I came to know about this because I’ve been organising a writing group in Thimphu. I find it difficult to get inspired to write when the only feedback I get or give is by email, but kuzuzangpo.com is the only alternative locally. I put the idea out there and got positive feedback, so last night we met at my favourite local restaurant. Only four of us turned up, but one of them drove all the way from Paro for the event. He’d never met one of the others, though they knew each other’s work. The last person was an editor at one of the new newspapers.
Two of them wrote a variety of things, but as Bhutanese tend to only read love poetry, they don’t submit much of their work to kuzuzangpo.com and were excited to have another, more open, forum for sharing their work. And so it became more a group for sharing than discussing, but it’s a start.
I have written “Shadow Around The Lamp” and “Living the Bhutanese Ways” and another book relating to stories about local deities have just left for publication.
As a writer, I have gone through many nightmares and continue to face a lot of problems.In fact, there must be at least some hundred other people who want to get published but cannot find a publisher. Those who gets published are paid a meagre amount of money and as such, it is not enough to meet the expenses incurred and let alone encourage them to write more.
I feel that there should be some institutions to help publish Bhutanese books so that young people can take up writing not only as a profession but also as to motivate others.
Tshering
I wish I could help, but this is a complaint young writers in any country have. I’ve only recently managed to get a short piece published and struggled for years to find an agent or publisher for my Japan book. I believe that if you want it enough to keep improving your writing and keep submitting, you’ll eventually find a way. Isn’t that part of the Bhuddist doctrine?
From what I’ve read, few writers ever make enough from writing to live on. We mostly do it for the love of writing. Take heart from people like Kunzang Choden (Dawa), Soenam Soenam (from Dept of Livestock, the name of who’s book I can’t recall) and the soon to be published Tshering Tashi. It can be done.
It might even be worth talking to the Voluntary Arts Studio Thimphu, who don’t focus much on writing now, but are interested in all forms of art. Good luck!