Seap

Story

Book is the best friend and the best teacher for children. JS book production has continued for 10 years. It started to help children cultivated their emotion by reading good books include good values. Until now, there are over 200 books are published and most of the books are written by our writer, Mrs. Kol Seap. She started this job when she was 23 years old. At that time she was young and had a lack of skill at this job but she had a big dream. Now she became a respectable writer and great mother of 2 boys. Let’s meet her!

Q1 – When did you start to work with JSC?

I started to work with JSC in May 2005. It has been 10 years already.

Q2 – Why did you decide to become a writer for children?

At first, I did not have any ideas of my job as a writer and I never thought that I could do it. I was looking for a job after I finished my BA in Khmer Literature. On that time Sr. Denise who was the director of JSC was looking for someone who could create the stories for kids. Before, many of mobile libraries of JSC did not have enough books for children to read. She heard about me and we met. It was new project, but I decided to try it. And it was very successful. 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd book were printed. After then, I started to feel comfortable and passionate to write more stories. Especially when I saw children reading my books, they encouraged me a lot and made me feel so enthusiastic. With those real experiences, I began to love my job as a writer.

Q3 – Please describe your job.

My job makes me feel so enjoyable, inspired, supportive and playful. My job is the best opportunity to help children in my own country. Because it makes them read books. And we make books with ethical and instructive stories. So this job is very helpful for the education system in Cambodia.

Q4 – How is the process to make one book? Could you explain about it?

Different writers have different styles to make one book. For me, I try to think of topic and the theme that is related to real life of children. After I have the topic, I start to think of interesting characters. It can be a person, animals and anything like vegetables and cars. And I think about the plot of the story. In this level, I try to find a conflict or problem and how to solve the problem. This is not easy. So I need to change the way and rewrite so many times. I send my draft to many people to edit and also give it to kids to know whether they like it or not. After this, I ask the illustrator the illustrations. It helps to make an interesting book for children.

Q5 – Is there something that inspires you in your creations?

It’s really funny. I go to kids, observe kids and try to imitate them and act like them. When I am being with children, sometimes I find them reading a book. No word can describe my feeling at the moment. Children always motivate and inspire me.

Q6 – What is your priority in your creation of new story?

The Priority of the new story is if it reflects the situation in Cambodia properly. For example, when I make a story about the problem caused by mosquitos in the rainy season, I place emphasis on the way of practice that we can act in our practical life in Cambodia. This is really important. In fact, In Cambodia, There are many infection-carrying mosquitos. And also, these days, I want to emphasize the need to prevent children from becoming addicted to electronic equipment (computer game, smartphone, tablet PC…etc.).

Q8 – How is your child? Does he like reading books especially your books?

I have one 6 years old son and now I’m expecting 2nd boy in the middle of November15. My son is studying in grade 1 and he is now learning how to read. He likes reading books even he cannot read well yet. He keeps reading with pictures. Everyday, he asks me to read a book. I read books for him from many different writers. He said he most likes books from JS because there is my name at the end of the book. He always boast of me and the books from me to his friends. And also, he tells the story of the book he just read to the friends.

Q9 – What is your work plan for the future?

Of course I plan to write more interesting books for children. Now I’m trying to create better artwork in the book to attract children. And I wish the environment of reading is much developed. Now we are preparing more practical ways for these plans.

Q10 – What is your personnel dream of a future?

I hope to be able to help children in Cambodia with better books to read. And I hope to see the next generation improve the system of Cambodia and I wish my work could be a little good nutrient for the next, developed, better society.