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Out several kilometres from the centre of Kuala Lumpur is a suburb called Petaling Jaya. In Petaling Jaya there is a house. 

Can you see the image on the wall? That’s the cover of my book, A Clash of Innocents. I spent a lovely couple of hours discussing my writing and my work in Cambodia with a small but enthusiastic crowd. There were lots of questions, lots of interest in Anjali House and my Writing Workshop there, lots of musings over how the pedagogy which I’ve used in Cambodia can be transferred to other children at risk in other parts of the world, such as Malaysia. I sold some books but, more importantly, made some new friends. 

It always amazes me how easily these connections can be made. Perhaps there is less competition for speaking slots here in SE Asia than in London or New York (or Manchester or Boston), but I don’t believe that. Certainly, Malaysia is full of wonderful writers, and many of them have been trained and brought together by Sharon Bakar who has served as my “agent” here, securing my invitations, paving the way for my introductions. And Jo, a talented actress, theatre developer and teacher trainer has created the organisation to bring people like me together with interested Malaysians. I am finding that these cross-cultural connections is more and more a part of my work as a writer. It feeds me both personally and professionally, and I thank everyone connected with the CHAI House event for bringing me into their living room.