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Mohamed Ould Mohamed Salem, the chairman of the club's cultural committee, expertly moderated the seminar, which featured critic Islam Abu Shukair and Dr. Omar Abdul Azis, the chairman of the board.
Islam Abu Shukair emphasised the importance of the book, pointing out its relevance for aspiring writers eager to delve into novel writing. He underscored the importance of skill over innate talent, often perceived as abstract and challenging to measure. He contended that achieving success in writing hinges on the mastery of skills that create engaging and impactful works.
Abu Shukair explained that the first section of the book, "Creative Writing," outlines essential skills, including storytelling, dialogue, setting, characterisation, and rhythm. He noted that training and practice can acquire these elements. The author presents a systematic approach, intending to deliver concrete guidance for writers while steering clear of ambiguity and broad statements. Abu Shukair noted that the book does not provide concrete examples or references to literary works that would allow readers to verify its ideas, aside from brief mentions of Chekhov and García Márquez.
In his commentary, Dr Omar Abdul Azis noted that the book addresses a concept in Arab cultural literature that has not received thorough examination. Although Western writers have thoroughly explored narrative structures and techniques, Arab critical literature has mainly concentrated on the analysis of texts rather than the art of storytelling. He highlighted the intricate nature of narrative, merging linguistic, descriptive, and poetic elements into a unified, captivating structure.
Dr Omar also discussed the Rafid E-Books initiative, which aims to publish concise works that are no longer than 50 pages, available in both print and online formats. The initiative emphasises capturing narration subtleties and delving into storytelling concerns in a concise and powerful way.
In conclusion, Mohamed Ould Mohamed Salem characterised storytelling as a deliberate and skilled endeavour, necessitating that writers arrange events, outline characters, and cultivate a distinct vision for their creations. He observed that, although the ability to adapt to changes while writing is crucial, having a clear vision serves as the foundation of a cohesive narrative. The ability to adapt allows writers to enhance their methods and progress on their path to a captivating conclusion.