Local author, Sarmukh Singh, tells chatty tales of events in his 1960s childhood in West Malaysia, where his police officer father’s postings meant the family was often shuttled to new homes in urban or rural areas. The incidents related of his experiences and dramas uncover vivid insights into ways of childhood thinking and family life of the recent past, which probably differ substantially from those of today.

8flo: What inspired you to write this recount?

Singh: Well, I had been doodling around with pencil in hand for a long time trying to find a subject to write about.
I started with a few short stories and showed them around. A friend of mine from the film industry liked them and and asked me to write a script for a local film. I did that , and it reached the stage where we were interviewing actors for the film. But then, one of the recessions came about and I lost my sponsor.
That was the end of that phase.
So it was back to doodling and mooching about until I met up with my Family in Kuala Lumpur and many tales were told of our school days.
It was only when I got back to Singapore, on one of my lull days, I realized that I had enough material, just in my family, to write 3 books of the growing up years!
So I sharpened my pencil and began scribbling. That’s when I found my writing was not fast enough for the memories pouring out of my feeble brain.

8flo: Who is your target audience?

Singh: My audience includes everybody, from pre-schoolers to octogenarians, whoever has attended school, since my anecdotes cover 3 generations. Most of the problems the main character, Sam, faced in his school days still exist, and readers will be able to identify with the stories and characters in the book.

8flo: Why did you choose ‘Short Pants No Underwear’ as the title?

Singh: The cover explains itself. Mainly it is to catch the readers’ eye. Once they pick up the book, they should realize that it relates to the days when boys went to school with wide baggy pants and without wearing any underwear! Older generations will identify with this. Younger generations will question their Fathers or Grandpas whether it was really true!

8flo: Is every account in the book real?

Singh: Hey, it is all real! I have used my writer’s license to embellish, of course. But everything happened the way it is told.

8flo: Why should someone read the book?

Singh: For simple enjoyment. This book is written so that it can be picked up and read chapter by chapter, as and when you like. As I said, older generations will remember their own school days. I have already been contacted by several who want me to include their stories in my next book, if I get down to it. Younger people want to really know what went on in those days, especially the capital punishment dealt out by the teachers. The teachers may be indignant that I make some sweeping remarks about teachers, but I mainly praise them (in the book). People always pick out the negatives. That’s why newspapers sell well by bringing bad news.

8flo: What were some of the challenges faced in writing this recount?

Singh: The biggest challenge came when I had the draft almost completed and I had rewritten it almost 15 times and my computer crashed! I had not made a back-up, I lost it all. Being computer illiterate and a 1 finger typer, it took me 2 years to pick up my hand written notes and start all over from scratch! Luckily I am a paper hoarder, so I still had the raw manuscripts. The other challenge I had was in editting. I think that is a very important part, to gell all the stories together and ensure a smooth flow.
Took a lot of time, but I did it.

8flo: Any advice to give to aspiring writers who have yet to make the first move?

Singh: Pick a sharp pencil, a note pad and start doodling. An idea should come to you. Don’t start by limiting yourself and saying, ‘Í am going to write a detective novel’ or a ‘romantic novel’. And if you do get an idea and start something, don’t give up. When you start writing, AND start enjoying yourself when you are writing, carry on.

8flo: What can we look forward to in your upcoming book?

Singh: A lot of fun, something about the antics of Flight Crew on their night stops. Enough said.

‘Short Pants, No Underwear’ retails at local bookstores such as Times, Harris and Kinokuniya for $18.95.

Tags: Sarmukh Singh, short pants no underwear, Singapore history, Singapore Literature

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