I was interviewed on Jessie Cahalin’s Books in my Handbag Blog:
During a visit to Singapore, I arranged to meet Ivy at the East Coast Lagoon Food Village. We sat beneath a canape in the busy food hall. Although warm, there was a refreshing sea breeze. The aroma of fish oil, garlic and seafood combined to make my stomach rumble: the choice was overwhelming. I wandered from one stall to the next unable to make my choice. I ordered a prawn noodle dish and Ivy chose seafood laksa. She wore white shorts and a halter neck lime green top and her bag was a leopard print mini backpack…
In it I discuss how Middlesex University helped me find my writing voice:
Jessie: Growing up in Malaysia then studying in Middlesex must have presented a contrasting experience. What were the main differences?
Ivy: Middlesex University was an eye-opening experience. I went in there thinking I was going to be Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, George Eliot et al but Middlesex made me who I am today. I found my writing voice there. I was given a reading list consisting of books I would never read in a million years. I became aware that I could and do have a totally unique narrative. I became Ivy Ngeow the writer. And this narrative was what has made me stand out amongst 1500 entrants to win the Middlesex University Press Literary Prize of 2005.
Read the whole interview here.
