Norman Ismail Discusses Inspiration, Soulful Writing and Wearing Many Hats

Writers are not just writers these days. Some decide to freelance on a part-time basis while some have full-time jobs wearing many different hats such as producers, coordinators and photographers. These are the people who can  make you think and inspire you in so many different ways. Isn’t that what we want? To be inspired by others on daily basis? Recently, I sat down with my friend Norman Ismail, a web content developer cum webmaster who is a writer as well. We talked about what inspires him.

Why did you choose writing instead of other things like photography?

I do both, actually. I am a photojournalist and a blogger. I didn’t choose- it’s just in me. I realized I like to write when I was around 12. I remember entering a lot of essay competitions and I won a few during my primary school days. Then during high school I always scored (well) in English and Bahasa Melayu (Malay language) thanks to my essay writing skills.

What inspires your writing?

Sometimes I want to write but when time is not on my side, I lose my muse and I get writer’s block. Normally I make a mental note on the subject I wanted to write (about). Then there are times during the drive home from work when I will try to recalibrate my mind. I use (the word) recalibrate because when I’m writing, there are two types of articles: what your editor wants you to write and what you know the followers of your blog want to read. When task one is done, I do task two. I write on what I really feel, not what others want. You can actually go on my blog and see what I mean so you can see (how) my writing can vary.

So for you, writing is more of what YOU want to write and what you feel at that time. Have you thought about writing a novel or a book?

I actually wrote a piece once. It was like 284 A4-sized pages and a true life experience love story. The manuscript was destroyed when the water tank at my old home broke. It was published in URTV (a local entertainment magazine) as a 12-part short series. When I got my first cheque, that inspired me to be a writer and frankly speaking everyone can write but not many can write a soulful piece.

Currently you’re a web content developer cum webmaster, so what is your job description?

What I do now is  manage three websites and I am also known as the Digital Owner of these three portals (ManggaOnline, ManggaTV and Ranggi.) It all starts from the beginning of the website development. I will sit down with the technical team comprising of designers, programmers and application developers. As an example, ManggaOnline is now version 2. Version 1 was dull and merely an entertainment news portal with no User Generated Content (UGC). I had to search for appropriate applications like social networking, comment, forum and chat engines. What we cannot develop, we buy. Currently, I am in the midst of upgrading ManggaOnline to version 3 with a better social networking engine similar to Facebook and Myspace plus upgrading some applications. I also have to find out what I can put on our sites that our competitors don’t have.

Did your writing experience help your website gain readers?

Yes it did. As the webmaster I also contribute articles whenever there is the opportunity. I have to stay ahead of my competitors so if I get the news first, it’s better for me to publish it  before everyone else once I verify that the news is valid. I wouldn’t want to face any lawsuits.

How does your audience respond to your articles?

Very well. My approach is not too tabloid but enough juices to drip on the side, if you know what I mean. It is simply because most celebrities I know confide in me because they trust me.  Believe me, it is not easy to earn the trust of a public figure. They trust me simply because I have never run the stories for my gain. I learned that from Juwie, one of the best entertainment writers in Malaysia and he earned the respect from celebrities. Juwie is my inspiration. His writings is superb; not too spicy but hot enough to make his readers wonder who he is writing about.

How did you feel when you were published for the first time?

When it came out I was 21and I just broke up with my girlfriend of five years so I didn’t really think anything of it at the time! But when I was a cadet writer with MPH Magazines I was ecstatic, excited and also afraid. I was so afraid of the reader’s reaction. Would they accept me? After a few issues, I got very encouraging emails so it got me going.

Do you have a favorite author?

My  favorites are Dale Brown, Stephen King, (John) Grisham and Tolkien. They can actually make me feel like I am the main character. Stephen King grips me, my hair stands on end whenever he describes a horrifying detail. That was what I meant by a soulful piece- a piece that makes you feel you are a part of the story. If it was a tear-jerker, you will shed a tear when you immerse yourself into the story. If it was horror, you end up reading it under the blanket. I was once terrified of clowns thanks to IT and also scared of black cats thanks to PET SEMETARY. I sometimes can even feel the pressure of the trigger of an M16 rifle as I am hunting a terrorist in the forests of Brazil whenever I read Dale Brown’s novels. Dale Brown is an ex US Air Force pilot and he turned out to be a better writer than pilot. His details are vivid just like Tolkien’s. They really put a lot of effort into details.

Do you have any encouraging words or advice for up and coming writers?

It is all about location, location, location. Choose a perfect location to find your muse. It varies for everyone. Some find solace over a cup of coffee at Starbucks or kopitiam (local coffee shop) and some find it easier to write while lying on their bed listening to songs. I can get(inspired) anywhere, anytime. It’s different for every individual.

Norman Ismail is currently working with  local Malaysian magazine Mangga as a web content developer cum webmaster. He has worn all type of hats and his plate full with words and photos.