Page 3.
Copyright © A. L. Junid.2000. New edition 2009.
Introduction.
This is a site whereby I will bring forth some great build up ideas that I have been working on this title for sometime. I have decided to add it into the Internet in a hope of giving the assistance to new writers and the changes in writing a first novel that I should have made.This is an example of a novel that should have been published but did not, and the reasons are many. The novel begins in chapter 4, but actually it could be chapter 1 or the opening chapter. Later on I will give the advices and suggestions to the making of a novel and thus helping those who needed a good first hand help. Let us begin!
Chapter 1.
“It is wise to have two or three men guarding twenty-four hours on the plot.I’m afraid the same pirates would come again any day…I’m not sure!” said Michael Sanders.
Having problems with the pirates was their greatest concern. “I remember how they did caused damage to properties, ransacking people’s home with rifles at hand and shot a middle aged man who came to inform you!” said Michael Sanders, a tall five-foot eight man aged twenty five.
“And they even managed to reach our little town that early morning around 3 a.m.Good Eden,it’s very fortunate that no one was injured.” Alfred Grumby aged in late 60’s was informing Michael about the episode that no one in the island would ever forget.
“If we have formed and trained our voluntary force just like we have just established, truly the pirates would get what they deserved. How many recruits are there that have the steady heads and hands?” asked Michael.
”Roughly fifteen men. Only five would carry the rifles and could shoot straight right in the eye. Another three of them could only fire the rifles but mostly missed the target by miles. And the rest were too frightened to have to do with guns,” announced Alfred.
Not far from them were the two boys whom Alfred called as his adopted sons. Indeed they have many happy episodes and misadventures in the island together.
“Look at those roses.They are beautiful!” said Happy aged 10 to his brother Magic, aged 9 walking next to him.There are plenty of roses up on the new opened half acre field belonging to Michael Sanders.
"I love roses," said Alfred, "the more.. the merrier. Good Eden, we could increase the price once the demand is great. And now that the garden have really shown its worthy blooming things."
Alfred and Michael were walking in the rose garden headed towards Alfred’s home followed by the boys. About them were eight workers, prunning and cutting trees since the morning hour. Fruit trees of various varieties have shown promises for the first harvest in that afternoon. The sweet smells of the scenes were truly enchanting.
" I do think you are correct...we should increase the prices as well as the products to be sold you brought to Singapore. These roses are truly much more larger than, than those they have seen. It is the new technique I have developed with the mixtures of fertilizers, utilizing the soil mixtures.. They would be delighted to know we have orchirds for them too!"
"Really!" exclaimed Alfred as they walked back to enter the house after spending almost two hours in the garden.
"Please Alfred, this time around, make sure you have all the informations correct. We don't want to get all mixed-up with that of other prices."
Alfred straightened himself. "I'll give the news to the R.A.F. and the Millitary personnels as soon as the time is right."
"Have you seen the new plots over the lowland at Dagu hill? Quarter of an acre of it, groomed for orchirds alone! Orchirds are much more profitable -- they are the classical flowers that everyone love to have.” Micahael still wondering if Alfred would suggest other material values that he found unsatisfactory. But there was none.
The workers are still planting the new hybrids, and Alfred could not see them as he viewed from the window of their home at that far distance. "What about your own project. The reality is that you have spent so much time and effort without any good suggestive locations for the Botanic Garden," said Alfred.
"To answer truthfully, I have drafted a suitable spot and part of the forest land... but I found that the forest here are too dense and that it will require enormous capital! Five acres at least for a start.And then the next phases."
"I think I have an idea that will cut some cost to a minimum. Why don't you begin on the downslopes of the hills which are less denser than the low-lying and water logged jungles? There will be less undergrowth and unwanted trees." Alfred felt exuberant with his ideas. "You will need less tons of weed-killers, and the new motored chained-saws that I once saw in Singapore really could do the fast tricks."
Michael thought to ponder for a moment and said; "I think you are absolutely correct... at that. And I think the chained-saws would do the fastest job.I have seen them in some magazines that our Aussie's friends gave us six months ago. I think we should asked them to bring in some here. It would be a good idea if, if we bought them from Darwin, that is if the price is right. And the weed-killers."
An old house-maid brought them a tea-tray, leaving it on the table and left the living room. The hour was three p.m.
"I have made various notes on the number of plant lives on this island.And there are thousand of genus to be found. Some are rare," said Michael.He sat on the sofa to take a bite of the cake and finished off his tea. "I'd never realized there are so many of them good trees here.But one thing for sure... I do hope you could plant some fruit trees, especially bananas -- the Hawaian class-1. And some durians or pineapples."Alfred looking very bright with his ideas.
"I would have to work out the cost of all of it," said Michael and finished off his cake with Alfred looking on still standing.
" Well I'm off now, going fishing at the river with Happy and Magic. If you want me you know where to find me," said Alfred.
Michael watched Alfred and the two boys tread out. He still wondered about this marvelous man, who seemed more and more determined with his proposal. He wondered if Peter Vilch would be worried about his delay to send him news back at Cambridge University of his development. It was almost three months since he last wrote him. And that he thought Peter would not hesitate to slow down the fundings if he had not progressed well enough.Or late.Nevertheless part of the first grant of twenty thousand pounds were not wasted away as he had only used up roughly a small portion. And that with Alfred's help they have accumulated some good, wholesome profits from their own source of income. But the letter comes first and tonight he would write one to Peter. Alfred would sail to Singapore in three days time. He also thought of sending one congratulary letter to Lindon MacKayes for his contribution to the Rasah Island. And the balance of payment he had promise Lindon.
Michael remembered in early 50’s, Alfred told him that he loved to see the island prosper.How much Alfred would make him turned the tides with a good trickery motive.That was why, he remembered the two thousand pounds he gave him a year ago for the purchase of this island was a decoy to repay back the time he was saved by Happy and Magicand the islanders. Maybe Victoria was correct ---when she said she found " Alfred to be a bit croony, that Alfred would swindle you out with his trickery." Nonetheless everything is turning to his favours -- the ends did justify the means.There will be a pot of gold at every end of a rainbow, or a silver lining in every cloud if one truly search for it.
Their new home or rather Michael’s cottage up the low-sloping hill is just out at a distanceaway with the vast five acres of land.The new semi-bricked home came out of Michael’s own investment, just up on the hill almost halved constructed by the inlanders. They would have a very comfortanle home indeed when it is completed and ready to be inhabited by Michael and Alfred.For onecould view from Michael’s Cottage downwards to the surronding activities and view the town with satisfaction.
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"I'm sorry," said Alfred a long time ago one day during the end of the hot season. "Your five hundred pounds has been used up to buy these poor islanders a new fishing boat! But you still have been given a good bargain... with the chief here. For -- they would love to hear from you about your good donation.-- And that every thing you wish for from them will be given an open-hearted welcome." That was how Alfred recommended him for all the favours Michael was supposed to have done to the islanders.Only now he discover as to the reason he was invited by Alfred to this island. He was very annoyed with Alfred at first, but his temper cool off when Alfred said; " The chief, Larut Sohe wish to have an audience with you, now. This moment!"
They had an audience with the elders at Larut's lavish home that same day. He was asked what favors he had wished to convey. But truthfully he said instead; "My intention of coming here is to purchase a piece of land, roughly a hundred acres, and for a good cause."
"And what would that be ?" asked Larut Sohe with his first warm smile to Michael.
"Yes, we want to know for what purpose of measure of used for our land?" asked the thin-man with oval-face by the name of Neng Subari.
"Perhaps you have never heard a place that we called a Botanic Garden," said Michael.
"A Botanic Garden? Is it another business venture that Alfred will be carrying out for us?" asked Elong Subari, the plump-faced one.
"It is more than a business venture or anything else that you have ever heard... It is a place, a large garden where we keep special trees in a serial plots of land and that required a good hand and money to upkeep them, to protect them." Michael said exclusively hoping that they would understand and to agree. "I wish to buy a hundred acres of your best land with all the price you could offer."
They looked at each other with perplexed eagerness. "Well..." said Larut, "we have to make our own discussions, Michael. And that would take about...a week or so. I do hope that you will have a nice weekend here as our guest. You are staying with Alfred, are you not ?"
"Yes I am . But I do hope everything will come out all to your favors."
"We will see about that," said Larut hurriedly.
It was very quick when the decision was made. Michael was called upon for their answer within two days. The six elderly men consisting of Larut Sohe --the chief, Neng and Elong Subari -- the two brothers who owned twelve provision shops, Gambir, the head fisherman of the island, Iko---the vegetable trader, Tawi, and Raden Jasman, their religious leader.
"We have our long discussions, and for many hours," said Larut opening the meeting.. "We have come to a conclusion that --- we could not offer you the hundred acres of land that you want to buy!"
Michael was totally stunned by the answer he did not expect. He felt he could not breathe the air at that moment of such inconclusive answer.He had to left very thing rather than he had to be in that stuffy office of The Daily Journal, and worse of all he has to be with Aunt Gloria. It was not as easy as he thought. But things are happening for him in a good prospective…..
"But,"continued Larut, "we have also come to a very decisive, agreeable solution...that is if you accept this offer, we will give all the support to assist you."
"I'm not sure I understand what you mean by that offer or support," said the bewildered Michael.
"Well...if you agree to our proposal, we will lease-out the land for the...the garden you wish for… about ten acres!You can choose any plot that is suitable and uninhabited, even the other three smaller islands. We offer you this with good faith, that you have to pay us two-thousand dollars in Straits currency...each year. If you accept this offer, we will also want you to develope this island which was agreed by Alfred beforehand --- that is if you accept.Do you accept our offer?"
They were all observing Michael's reaction and answer. Their attentions were focusing on him.
Michael wanted to ask Alfred if he had promised them such of the supposed prerequisite agreement for his behalf, but declined in favour of this one opportunity he could have. He believed then, that whatever Alfred had promoised to them, must be his own way of persuasion ---
"Yes, I accept your offer and your terms..." answered Michael looking jubilant but a litlle puzzled.
"Then the offer is yours to have as long as you wish to have it," said Larut while the others nodded their heads with graved-satisfaction.
"And about the agreement.---We have to write it all out and each of us should hold to the said papers with good faith,"said Gambbir.
"You do all the writing Mishael,"suggested Alfred, looking very friendly, "and start tonight with my typewriter.Later you can have all their individual signatures."
"Then we all agreed on that term then!" said the exuberant old Larut. And rest nodded in agreement. They shook hands with Michael and then Alfred and dinner was duelly served soon after.
It was a simple, easy process of agreement made, and Michael was feeling the pride of the accomplishment that any successful man would be proud to have. The lease on the fifty acres of land to him could last a lifetime or till in the future and generations after him. And they would all be benefited from it.
There were numerous trips to Singapore which he had in mind. He thought of procuring the structural ideas from the Singapore Botanic Gardens which he had frequented often, and had a few acquintances with staffs there.Mrs Williamson the secretary and librarian was one of them. And also Professor Ernest Tham.
The foundation structure at the gallery there were numerously informative.He had to personally do the biddng of buying seeds and young plants to supplement the garden.Or he could just tried out whatever he found in his research here and that if sufficient he would have to forgo anything else. But to depend on Alfred entirely would be a mistake, for Alfred do not have the required knowledge.
But the thought of landing in Singapore hurt him, firstly because he did not wish to meet anyone familiar, or the old scar with his aunt would ripen again.Not that he trully hated her, or he would be send back to the old stuffy place in the Daily Journal.Forgiveness could easily be done when he wished for.All he had to say to Victoria, he was trully sorry, and that he regreted the things he had done. But it was not like that at all.
All of his life he did not bother much about food or clothings that the young man of his age in the early nineteen-forties should acquire. For the truth is, he needed a sense of belonging, a touch of love more often and the pride of achieving his dream to materialize.In London once he had a woman acquintance, so charming as she was to his eyes. But something just did not work out between them.And then his parents who had to be transferred to the hospital further up north of England left him with Victoria for the rest of his adolescent.Victoria had groomed him up to be a gentleman, always bothered about his looks, and clothes or food he ate. Trying to be more than the man like Michael could take.Nonetheless they have been able to live together as a family of a sort. Victoria's late husband had left her a huge inheritance in stocks and bonds. And of course the Daily Journal Newspapers in Singapore.
When it was time for her to take control of the lots from her late husband she humbly begged Stephanie to allow Michael to be with her as she herself did not have a child of her own. When Michael completed his University degree in Botany, he was shuffled through hurriedly to Singapore in case Michael would decide to follow up his own course of career.For in Singapore there could befound the same leisured times as in London, she had told Michael.
Back in Laondon Gloria chesterfields was reluctant to meet her good old friend of her late husband. Though ie would be a welcoming reunion, she would have to come out soemthing special and persuasive to entice for her asking his good friend Webscome to assist her and firstly in her business but of course in assisting her. But unknown to her Malcome was already wel inform about her visit. It was done by Larry Lee in his letter to him a month ago. She was well received at his office and was told about her visit.
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There are more than a hundred inhabitants in the deep jungle on the Rasah island---the remnants of the early natives they called the 'orang dalam'. Before the influx of a new immigrantsp who make up the five thousandat present and whose ancesters arrived from Palembang from the island of Sumatra, who had followed the ousted king of the last Sri Vijaya nasty --- Parameswara, the founder of Malacca ( the Malay King who had converted the whole region to Islam). Many had wished to remain on the Rasah Island for they could find peace and plenty of games for themselves and their familes.
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Chapter 2.
That Wednesday morning the 7th. 1989 at 8.30 am, Victoria Chesterfield gave her briefing in the office. She look very, very charming in light blue dress,Although she was 65, she looked much, much younger.The eight remaining staffs of the Weekly Journal were very attentive as she spoke.
The front office was the scene of her many lectures and deliberations, announcements.There she stood upright while her eight staffs on cushioned chairs fronting her.
She said," I have made my decision to go to London, not for pleasure or holiday, but to meet my good friend to obtained financial support firstly. And secondly to seek his assistance to search and find Michael Sanders, you Manager in charge. Nonetheless I am very hopeful to get the financial backing in London. But my priority is finding Michael whom you know was being tricked or so by that no good out of bound man Mr... or whatever his name was."
Her staffs were listening attentively. Joseph Lee, sat very next to Syed Yazid, Amin Sahab the new young reporter, Linda DeSouza an assistant to Joseph Lee and five other staffs.
Ammin Sahab interrupted to say--" Pardon me a thousand times, but I must thank you for helping me get my works published."
The rest in the office were amused at his remarks. Syed Yazid interrupted to say, " Ami Sahab is just like me ten years ago when I got my first article published..lah".
It was a kind of a humour from Syed Yazid that made many gatherings lively.
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Write the novel you love to read in a novel.
This is a continuation of the proposed novel I would now give the elementary criticism to my own novel, view of the tremendous hardship I have already encountered just trying.
Quite frankly in the '40 onwards was the most difficult task and I could not maintained the background.And that I have to make my own iniative research about everything from books, magazines, T.V. Not only that I have to write them all down and it did take more hours of my time theI could imaginne.So the best thing for me to do is to abandon the previous backgound and try to create the background that I am in, that is namely the '50s onwards. In another words I am going to write all the familiar rather than the unfamiliar.
Then there is another aspect of choosing my background, and I have chosen the easier typical rural plus urban scenes of the Singapore in the fities, and that small island I called the Rasah island where the real story is and occured. Actually in this chapter (1) I did not make mention much about the background of the Rasah Island or any other things for that matter. It is because I have left out that part of scenes in the background into other chaters, and I hope it would succeed. I have to put in bits of other backgound, such as Michael Sander's and Victoria Chesterfield's London etc. And of course Alfred Grumby's home though I think he wont' mind to write he do not have any!"Good Eden....No! Not me," said Alfred.
Actually all you need to do in writing the background is to study and to know the bits and pieces behind the scene. Many of the great writers to my belief have been able to make the extra-ordinary scenes in the background by the simple methods of adding in whatever they could find. And indefinitely it all works.
"Characters In Making A Novel".
The most important in writing a novel is to create a life-like characters that every one would remember them for the rest of their lives. And this not an easy task. Characters in a novel evolves around the writers, that is you, and their own personalities and those whom he or she has accustom to and met. In other words, you are familiar with the characters you create "in and out".. Which means that you got to do research on Human behaviour, characters of every individual you wish to write.Just like a good breakfast, you have to utilize them, and to make your choice. And who are THEY?
I have made a simple synopsis of the characters in my novel.What better thing for a start with characters of hero and his associates/friends.
List Of Main Characters In The Novel.
Michael Sanders: 24 year old Englishman, of medium height with a degree in Botany from University of Cambridge.Father and mother moved up north to Scotland leaving him in the care of his aunt, Victoria Chesterfields. Has a very strong character and will take no for an answer once he had made up his mind (especially if he thinks he is correct).Favorite pasttimes:Classical music, game of chess, judo, reading, and Botany. Favourite phrases—If you can do it, do it.No manis an island…….etc
Victoria Chesterfields. Of 60 years of age.She wished very much to see Michael taking over the Newspaper ----The Daily Journal in Singapore, and the expansion to be the biggest daily papers in S.E.Asia.Return to England when Michael left her and left the business to Wilfred Lee. Formerly was with her late husband who owned a tea plantation in India but was destroyed by flood.Husband died.She went to Singapore and build up the Newspaper with Warren Hicks a good friend of her late husband and with the financial assistance of Douglas MacGogh, also a good friend to the family and the owner of the Oxxy Oil Exploration.She would go to the highest goal to succeed and to see that Michael did as she wished for, for she has no child of her own and had adopted Michael when he was at the age of nine.
Favorite pasttimes:reading, cooking, gardening,and office works, writingand gardening. Favourite phrase—Mind your words my young man.Do be careful whatever you do, wherever you are.I have told you a thousand times.Mind your manners my young man……etc
Alfred Grumby Former Royal Seaman, a bit croony, who left the Navy for adventure in S.E.Asia. Intended to migrate to Australia, but was cast off to the sea and nearly drowned , but was saved by two teenagers, Happy and Magic at the Rasah Island.Befriended and was much impressed by the islanders hospitality decided to stay and do good return to the Islanders.Bought for them a large fishing vessel after persuading Michael to part his money of $2,000 Straits Currency.First met Michael at the Daily Journal while putting an advertisement for his business for the islanders(banana, chicken, etc)Hobbies: Sailingand fishing, readig a bit of novel. Favourite phrases –Good Eden; I always remained the best, yes I am; Good Grief……etc
Amin Khan.
An Indian Muslim ,a reporter formerly with the All Delhi Post, India. Migrated to Singapore to follow his dream of a successful newspaperman.Manage to work in the Daily Journal in Singapore, and staying for a year with his uncle at South Bridge Road in Singapore.Wrote many interesting articles and was nearly jailed for writing words against the British Authority and their colonized activity. Was a good friend to an Arab Malay Nationalist-- Syed Yazid who is also a Journalist with the Daily Jour nal.Hobbies :playing cricket and jogging. Favourite phrases – Pardon me a thousand times.My dear Sir, I am opened to new ideas……..etc.
Syed Yazid.
Worked as Freelance Jour nalist. He develop an ethic of always do it right .He is always on the move searching for good articles to write.Hobby:plaing footballand jogging. Favourite phrasses – I always learn somethig everyday;I know it all along…..etc
Other characters in the novel ….
a)Progonists =
Lindon Mackyae
Warren Hicks
Albert Mares
Richard Lee
Margerrete DeSouza.
Larut Sohe – the village headman and his five assistants.
The islanders village-volunteer 35 petrolmen.
Members of the village guardsmen for the island.
Etc…
b)The Villains-antigonists.
Asrew Lewgur-
Deiu Gegah
The pirate chief Jahi and his assistance.
The pirates.
Etc…
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(to be continued.)
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1. Silent inspiration.
>
> A moment that inspired him
> in a click of a button;
> the old man’s voice that rings his thought,
> the silent inspiration, dream, thought of the day
> the lover’s glance
> and everything becomes equal.
> The lover and the solitude in special beacon.
>
> Dressed in colourful sweats, never would dwindle
> the mingering of
> butterflies in dense forest and there were swifters
> of insects as they all seem so intense
> yet so quiet in pursuing
> their preys. The night are for resting my dear
> for comfort as with the love ones.
> No cars, no buses.
>
> Without doubt all creatures are at peace
> As a child in the dreamland.
>
>
>
> 2. Through the mountain and valley.
>
> Its not worthy the slave, the proud ignorence
> Who did but complaning and the minutes pass by
> The pride in their unproper conduct as if
> Their world is all of wealth unsurpased,
> Praising themselves in each pasimg hour.
> Some who did but stall for elements of evils
> Find lost in this world for befitting the good man.
> And then they felt they believe they succeed
> With their schemes.
>
> Travelling through the high mountain
> The valeys are deep below. There is a river flow;
> There is Peace. My grandmother knows much
> Love and Hopes. She save lives by a hundredfold.
> Mothers with kids love her.
> The vision for the revision one must
> take.
>
> That unknown and sometimes
> like known fantasy
> Its all in our
> imagination.Its terrible.
>
> “Good Morning Mrs. H, how are
> this morning!”,
> It was a sentimental greeting;
> good wish for her welfare.
> is only the overall eventful
> intention, it is cruel
> To say how bad and cruel she
> once was. The past
> Is nothing more but
> child’s playtoy.
>
> 1. Silent inspiration.
>
> A moment that inspired him
> in a click of a button;
> the old man’s voice that rings his thought,
> the silent inspiration, dream, thought of the day
> the lover’s glance
> and everything becomes equal.
> The lover and the solitude in special beacon.
>
> Dressed in colourful sweats, never would dwindle
> the mingering of
> butterflies in dense forest and there were swifters
> of insects as they all seem so intense
> yet so quiet in pursuing
> their preys. The night are for resting my dear
> for comfort as with the love ones.
> No cars, no buses.
>
> Without doubt all creatures are at peace
> As a child in the dreamland.
>
>
>
> 2. Through the mountain and valley.
>
> Its not worthy the slave, the proud ignorence
> Who did but complaning and the minutes pass by
> The pride in their unproper conduct as if
> Their world is all of wealth unsurpased,
> Praising themselves in each pasimg hour.
> Some who did but stall for elements of evils
> Find lost in this world for befitting the good man.
> And then they felt they believe they succeed
> With their schemes.
>
> Travelling through the high mountain
> The valeys are deep below. There is a river flow;
> There is Peace. My grandmother knows much
> Love and Hopes. She save lives by a hundredfold.
> Mothers with kids love her.
> The vision for the revision one must
> take.
>
> That unknown and sometimes
> like known fantasy
> Its all in our
> imagination.Its terrible.
>
> “Good Morning Mrs. H, how are
> this morning!”,
> It was a sentimental greeting;
> good wish for her welfare.
> is only the overall eventful
> intention, it is cruel
> To say how bad and cruel she
> once was. The past
> Is nothing more but
> child’s playtoy.
>
>
