Writing in the small kitchen

Her working corner is not a private room, but a table next to the small kitchen. On the bookshelf next to it are valuable old books and documents, things that she has spent many years collecting and researching. That was the first impression I had when I arrived at the house of Mrs. Tran Thi Minh, a member of the Literature and Arts Association and also a member of the Provincial Journalists Association.

Mrs. Minh's working corner is right next to the small kitchen.

Right in the kitchen, I leave the computer on all day. When I remember something while cooking, I sit down and write it down. Whenever I write an article, I often think about it until it is submitted and published.

Ms. Tran Thi Minh shared.

Starting out as a teacher, she had the chance to pursue a career in writing and journalism. Even at retirement age, she still works hard at a simple computer next to her small kitchen, continuing to write and seek the beauty of people and life.

Author Tran Thi Minh has been writing since she was in junior high school. At that time, she had an article published in the Thieu Nien Tien Phong newspaper, and later an article was printed in the magazine Hoa Bao Phu Nu Lien Xo, an international publication that was very rare in Vietnam at that time. It seemed that a literary career had come to her, but after a period of working inthe education sector, Ms. Minh once "relented" as she herself said.

Mrs. Minh reviewed her work published in the newspaper.

It was not until 2002, when she heard that Lao Cai city (formerly) was organizing a writing contest about the city, that she tried again with a short story, and unexpectedly won the prize. From then on, she wrote more regularly.

In 2003, her children's story published in Lao Cai Literature and Arts Magazine continued to win awards and marked a turning point, she became a member of the Provincial Literature and Arts Association.

In addition to writing, Ms. Minh also writes for newspapers.

“The milestone that moved me the most was when I wrote a report about contract kindergarten teachers in Thai Nien commune (now Bao Thang commune). I went there, observed the teaching hours, listened to the confidences of the young teachers, saving every penny of their meager salary in the hope of being hired. The article was published in Lao Cai Literature Magazine, just 2 months later, Bao Thang kindergarten teachers were supported with an additional 50,000 VND per month, a small amount but with great spiritual value. I don’t know if it’s a coincidence, but I still believe that literature and journalism can change something for the better,” Ms. Minh shared.

Books are precious possessions to her.

From memoirs, she switched to writing memoirs, notes, portraits and even short stories. Her works are inspired by life, with a humanistic perspective. She often writes about education, culture, people in the highlands... almost every article she sends is published. Every year, her works win awards from the Provincial Literature and Arts Association.

The first work of author Tran Thi Minh published in Lao Cai Newspaper was an article in the column "Good People - Good Deeds", about a teacher in Pho Lu (now Bao Thang commune) who devotedly took care of her disabled husband.

I was very excited after that article was published. I think the column “Good People - Good Deeds” in Lao Cai Newspaper introduces such examples to let everyone in the province, even many people in the country know, is really good,” author Tran Thi Minh shared.

Now retired, she has more time to write. As a former writer who switched to journalism, Ms. Minh recognizes many advantages but also many difficulties: “Writers often have a rich lifestyle, a profound and emotional way of expressing themselves. However, that is also a barrier. Many people write long-winded, literary, not going straight to the point, making the article diluted. Besides, literary authors also have less conditions to rush into the field like professional journalists, easily missing out on current news.”

Author Tran Thi Minh has won many awards.

However, the experience between the two streams of literature and journalism has helped her create works that are both emotional and reflect reality. She always emphasizes the principles of journalism: Must be honest, write correctly, do not embellish or blacken reality. As for writing, it can be fictional, but the ultimate goal is still to aim for humanity.

Writing or journalism is a way to tell what you observe, understand and sympathize with. Author Tran Thi Minh has a relationship with both genres not because of the title, but because of her love for writing and for the good things in life.

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/viet-giua-gian-bep-nho-post648040.html