Le Quang Trang: 9X writer leaves mark in children's literature

Belonging to the generation of young writers born in the 90s, Le Quang Trang does not hesitate to experiment with many literary genres: Poetry, memoirs, essays, novels... In every field, he has created the mark of a young writer from the West, energetic, rustic and very gentle.

Mr. Le Quang Trang

There have been many works written for adults that have been loved, but recently, Le Quang Trang has suddenly attracted attention when he was the owner of the Children's Literature Award - Vietnam Writers Association in 2023. The book was also honored by the Ministry of Culture - Sports and Tourism as one of the 10 best books of 2023 on January 13. He said that in fact, the first pages of literature he wrote for children were the hidden stream that still flows in this pen.

• YOUNG WRITERS HAVE GREAT MOTIVATION WHEN STEPPING OUT INTO THE WORLD

- Your love for the West is not only evident in your writings, but you and some of your fellow young Western writers are making efforts to create a mark for young Western literature. In your opinion, what is unique about young Western literature today, and what are the difficulties in creating your mark?

I feel happy that Western literature in recent years has begun to flourish, worthy of our trust and expectation. A series of young writers have appeared, they are enthusiastic, passionate and have a passionate work, very much appreciated. With a rich indigenous culture and nature, a community with many "special" things, it is a treasure trove of inspiration and rich materials for young writers to explore and create. The flow of time and society always opens up new waves for the West, after each wave - the fates and stories are exposed for young writers to observe and create. However, from there also show some difficulties for writers. Food, clothing, money, precarious jobs, the flow of the majority of young people in the West to the city to work as workers... is both an opportunity to observe but also a challenge for young writers. However, the literary history of this land has shown that if young writers have enough talent, work ethic and courage, they will stand firm and build for themselves a solid position in the literary world and among readers!

- Currently an officer of the Provincial Cultural and Arts Center, with plans, documents... heavy administrative work, does it make it difficult for you to maintain your creative work - which requires a sense of freedom and romance?

I think it depends on the time arrangement of the agency's work and writing. I work in a public service unit, so it is not too heavy in terms of paperwork, besides, I have direct contact with actors, musicians and especially folk artists, artisans of Cham and Khmer ethnic groups... From here, I have the opportunity to penetrate reality, learn more deeply about national cultural values. I feel excited about this, it has supplemented my knowledge, perspective and inspiration for writing.

I think it is difficult to make a living from royalties just by writing. So in our country, most writers have another job. Many writers work in other fields but still write well, and I think the important thing is still the courage, talent, morality and how to arrange work and time. For me, on the bus every time I go on a business trip, I still read books, ponder, that is the gestation process so that when I have quiet time at the office or when I come home, I sit at the desk and "give birth to words"!

- Not long ago, Le Quang Trang participated in the Vietnam - Korea literary exchange program. What did you share about that program? Does stepping out into the world of exchange mean anything to a young writer?

At the 5th Asian Literature Forum held in August 2023 in Korea, I gave a speech on the issue of urbanization - challenges and opportunities for young writers. I shared the difficulties, advantages and potential of Vietnamese young literature today, as well as international integration. Delegates from various countries expressed their excitement and interest in urban culture as well as the vitality of our country's literature, especially the generation of young writers who are taking steady steps towards international integration.

I think that stepping out to exchange has a great meaning and motivation for writers, especially young writers. There, we will easily see part of the position and role of writers (individuals and the country's literature). The literary views and working methods of writers will give us more opportunities to both share and learn from experiences. I think those are useful experiences to apply and enrich our own writings.

Le Quang Trang is a writer who has won many literary awards such as: Fourth Prize in the Ministry of National Defense 's Literary and Artistic Creation Campaign in 2017, Fourth Prize in the Army Literature and Arts Magazine's short story contest 2018-2019, Fourth Prize in the Literature and Arts Newspaper's short story contest 2015-2017, Young Author Award of the National Committee of the Vietnam Union of Literature and Arts Associations in 2016, A Prize - the 6th Huynh Van Nghe Literature and Arts Award, Children's Literature Award of the Vietnam Writers Association in 2023...

Published works: Poetry collection “Putting your ear to the ground”, short story collection “Light of dust”, memoir collection “The person carrying words across the river”, novel “Cá linh đi học”, “Leader of the wild duck gang” and most recently, essay collection “Thousand miles of mud particles”...

• I ALWAYS HEAR THE ECHOES OF MY CHILDHOOD

- Writing poetry, memoirs, essays, short stories… children’s literature seems to have come late on your literary path. Why did you choose to write children’s literature after experiencing many other genres?

Actually, the first pages of my life (when I was 13-14 years old) were children's writings. But because at that time I did not have enough opportunities and my writings were still immature, when I started writing in a way that I temporarily thought was "adult", I started to have published works and I have followed that path until now. However, during more than 10 years of writing, I always hear the echoes of my childhood, the hidden feelings, the writings that I had not written yet at that time, urging me to come back. Sometimes when I feel so sad, I think I should "practice rewriting" children's writings, luckily those writings are well received by readers. When I write for children, I feel like I am young again, at that time I transform into a boy, sitting and telling stories that I see through the eyes of a child. I - a boy saw a duck that could speak human language, it told me many sad and happy stories - those are stories from my childhood years that I imagined and only now have the opportunity to tell...

- After the lovely story of Ca linh goes to school, the work that won the Children's Literature Award of the Vietnam Writers Association, what message does the author want to convey to the readers?

Growing up by the river, witnessing the joys and sorrows of the river, I was heartbroken to see nature increasingly damaged. I was in pain when I saw electric nets stretched across the river and schools of young fish dying prematurely. A little boy went to the market with his mother and asked her, “Why don’t people let young linh fish go to school? Why do people catch them to eat?”, which made me think, I should write something!

I tell the story of linh fish, the story of river culture and ecology of my hometown, I hope those beautiful things reach a wide range of readers so that they can appreciate and love nature as well as the land that I love so much!

- Will you continue to stick with children's literature?

I think I will stick with children's literature for a long time, because I feel that I still have many things to say, to share with readers through this genre of literature. I feel that children's literature is like a fresh shower for my soul and writing; and until now (maybe even longer) I always hear the whispers of the characters, so clear and lovely... They are still waiting for me to build them a roof, a playground or a tolerant and generous river!

- What topic are you working on now?

I am currently writing a children's novel, still in the fairy tale genre, but I want to break out of my comfort zone and tell a story in a new, more unusual way. I am still questioning and constantly thinking every time I sit down to write!

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