Su kien tieng Anh

Kaleidoscope
(15-07-2007)
by Anh Thu

‘Writing is like farming’

He may be no writer but 62-year-old farmer Ngo Phan Luu’s works have become well-known after he won the first prize at the national Short Stories Writing Competition 2006-2007 organised by Van Nghe (Literature and Arts), a prestigious weekly magazine.
Luu’s two creations, Buoi Sang Bien Mat (Disappearing Morning) and Com Chieu (Evening Meal), evoke the lifestyles of rural people. His style is simple but no less profound for that. "Not many writers can achieve it," the judges said while declaring him the winner.
His short stories beat more than 1,700 others, including many submitted by professional writers, to the title.
"For me, writing is like farming," said Luu, a resident of Phu Yen Province who began writing in 1997. To pursue his dream he had to face many difficulties, but he didn’t give up. He once implored his wife to sell their only cow to raise money for publishing his first collection of poems. He ended up losing money.The amateur writer now contributes to several newspapers and publishing houses, earning enough to support his family.