[Script Info]
Title: 
[Events]
Format: Layer, Start, End, Style, Name, MarginL, MarginR, MarginV, Effect, Text
Dialogue: 0,0:00:17.70,0:00:19.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Arabic) Peace be upon you.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:19.08,0:00:20.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Audience) (Arabic)\NPeace be upon you.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:21.95,0:00:26.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I was 17 when I finally\Ncame back to Libya for good.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:30.20,0:00:32.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Growing up in Switzerland,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:32.12,0:00:36.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I believe the worst thing\Nthat I found really challenging as a kid
Dialogue: 0,0:00:36.59,0:00:41.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,was how to spell the word "Switzerland."
Dialogue: 0,0:00:46.05,0:00:50.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Even now, decades later,\Nas an assistant lecturer,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:50.05,0:00:53.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I still despise writing that word.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:53.69,0:00:57.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,On my phone, I entered\Nthis word in shortcuts,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:59.16,0:01:05.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,using the English transliteration\Nof "Sweesra," which is the Arabic version,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:05.24,0:01:08.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and it would automatically\Nwrite it for me,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:08.05,0:01:10.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,so thank goodness for technology.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:12.15,0:01:15.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,There's so many daunting words\Nin almost all languages,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:15.82,0:01:20.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,either because of their spelling\Nor because of their meaning per se,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:20.76,0:01:26.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but still, that's not an excuse\Nfor us to not learn them.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:32.48,0:01:34.69,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Life is a school, they say,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:35.16,0:01:36.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and there are various elements
Dialogue: 0,0:01:36.82,0:01:40.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that contribute\Nto the formation of knowledge.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:40.73,0:01:45.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Early on in life, we learn\Ninitially from our parents,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:45.10,0:01:49.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but for certain mundane reasons,\Nthey just can't give it all.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:49.31,0:01:51.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And that's perhaps\Nwhy we need to go to school -
Dialogue: 0,0:01:51.73,0:01:57.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in order to learn from other individuals\Nwho specialize in this field or that.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:58.59,0:02:02.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Therefore, our language skills\Nare established
Dialogue: 0,0:02:04.41,0:02:09.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,by means of absorbing the words\Nthat float out of coarse materials
Dialogue: 0,0:02:09.35,0:02:11.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and the mouths of our teachers.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:15.14,0:02:16.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,With words we speak,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:16.76,0:02:22.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and through speaking, we express ourselves\Nand communicate with each other.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:22.08,0:02:25.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But not all of us are gifted speakers.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:25.33,0:02:28.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I for one am not an outspoken person,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:28.51,0:02:34.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,especially when it comes to expressing\Nmy inner thoughts and true emotions.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:35.69,0:02:41.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,As a child, I was a very shy person,\Nespecially with strangers,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:41.01,0:02:45.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and no sooner, I found comfort in writing.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:45.97,0:02:51.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In junior high school, I wrote\Na short composition about my childhood,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:51.48,0:02:53.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and at the end of that day,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:53.55,0:02:59.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I discovered that my teacher actually read\Nthat piece to almost half the school.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:00.26,0:03:01.69,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,He later on told me
Dialogue: 0,0:03:01.69,0:03:06.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that my career would definitely\Nhave something to do with writing,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:06.39,0:03:11.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and even at that time,\NI had a pretty good feeling that it would.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:13.25,0:03:19.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In high school is when I actually started\Nto read full-length novels.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:20.35,0:03:25.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,My first classic novel\Nwas written by Louisa May Alcott,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:25.66,0:03:27.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"Little Women,"
Dialogue: 0,0:03:27.16,0:03:32.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,followed by contemporary works,\Nnamely Mills & Boon's.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:34.06,0:03:38.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,When I was 14, \NI was obsessed by comic books,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:38.08,0:03:41.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,like almost any other teenager.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:42.24,0:03:44.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I used to read Nabil Farouk.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:44.73,0:03:51.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,He's the writer of "Adham Sabri:\NThe Man of the Impossible."
Dialogue: 0,0:03:51.100,0:03:56.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I also used to read the Archie comics.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:57.45,0:04:02.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I was inspired by the character\Nof Betty Cooper to write diary entries,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:02.89,0:04:05.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I still do so till now.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:05.41,0:04:07.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,When I started college,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:07.09,0:04:12.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I discovered that there was a sort\Nof lacking in my writing techniques,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:13.22,0:04:17.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,namely in organization,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:17.80,0:04:21.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,sentence structure and also focus.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:21.84,0:04:27.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now at that point,\NI thought I had been an avid reader,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:27.46,0:04:30.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and that shouldn't be a problem for me.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:30.86,0:04:37.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But that actually urged me\Nto change my approach towards reading.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:37.95,0:04:40.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I started reading as a student,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:41.56,0:04:44.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,which means not just reading for pleasure
Dialogue: 0,0:04:44.58,0:04:50.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but also learning the tricks\Nof the trade from the masters.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:56.98,0:05:01.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,With further motivation\Nby my late colleague and mentor,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:01.72,0:05:05.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Mrs. Sabah Kareem - God bless her soul -
Dialogue: 0,0:05:05.48,0:05:09.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I decided to do\Nmy masters degree in writing,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:09.94,0:05:12.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and by the end of 2010,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:12.92,0:05:18.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I received my degree in writing\Nfor performance and publication
Dialogue: 0,0:05:18.27,0:05:20.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,from Leeds University.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:21.73,0:05:23.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I had the greatest chance there
Dialogue: 0,0:05:23.81,0:05:29.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of exploring my ability\Nin writing short stories
Dialogue: 0,0:05:29.19,0:05:32.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,as well as writing for stage and screen.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:34.60,0:05:38.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Creative writing honors imagination,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:38.37,0:05:43.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,so why does it seem\Nlike a secluded area or zone
Dialogue: 0,0:05:43.22,0:05:45.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that we hardly delve into
Dialogue: 0,0:05:45.40,0:05:51.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in order to give it the space\Nto thrive and to flourish?
Dialogue: 0,0:05:51.91,0:05:57.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Allow me now to talk about my experience\Nteaching creative writing here, in Libya.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:58.09,0:06:00.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I say Libya as a whole
Dialogue: 0,0:06:00.46,0:06:02.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because I believe
Dialogue: 0,0:06:02.55,0:06:08.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,this is an issue that prevails\Nin almost all regions here in Libya:
Dialogue: 0,0:06:08.08,0:06:13.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the problem of learning\Na foreign language and actually using it.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:16.44,0:06:18.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In early 2010,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:20.10,0:06:22.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,shortly after I came back from the UK,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:22.44,0:06:27.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I introduced creative writing\Nfor the first time in Misurata University.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:28.36,0:06:31.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I was so excited about the whole thing,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:32.48,0:06:35.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but apparently, the students weren't.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:36.06,0:06:40.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Only one student\Nenrolled for that semester.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:41.50,0:06:45.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And therefore the course\Nhad to be canceled.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:46.52,0:06:49.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But the next semester was quite promising;
Dialogue: 0,0:06:49.25,0:06:52.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I had 11 students - not bad -
Dialogue: 0,0:06:52.96,0:06:54.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,followed by 50,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:54.59,0:06:58.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and then a whopping 80 at one semester.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:58.96,0:07:04.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now, for creative writing,\Nthe number of students can be problematic,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:04.30,0:07:10.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,especially if they are crammed\Nin a classroom of 35 students or so.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:10.88,0:07:15.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The real difficulty, however,\Nis when you realize
Dialogue: 0,0:07:15.07,0:07:17.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that they actually don't get it.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:18.21,0:07:19.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So how's that?
Dialogue: 0,0:07:20.89,0:07:25.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Regardless of the many occasions\Nin which they come to me
Dialogue: 0,0:07:25.04,0:07:28.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,quite frankly and say, "We hate writing."
Dialogue: 0,0:07:29.32,0:07:35.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I believe the dominant reasons\Nbehind this hatred, in their opinion,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:35.13,0:07:40.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is because "I don't know how to write,"
Dialogue: 0,0:07:40.22,0:07:44.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and "Why should I? I don't have to."
Dialogue: 0,0:07:47.60,0:07:52.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So "How do I write?"\Nversus "Why should I write?"
Dialogue: 0,0:07:52.36,0:07:57.100,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now, with regards to the first question,\NI will not touch upon illiteracy,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:57.100,0:07:59.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because definitely,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:59.68,0:08:04.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,anybody who has been through\Na considerable amount of schooling
Dialogue: 0,0:08:04.95,0:08:08.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,would definitely know\Nhow to put pen to paper.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:09.56,0:08:14.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,With creative writing,\NI am dealing with writing short stories.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:15.35,0:08:19.69,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And for that, you will need\Nto come up with ideas.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:19.69,0:08:23.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Normally, ideas come from inspiration,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:25.20,0:08:30.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and the thing that seems to hinder\Nmy students is limited muse.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:34.89,0:08:39.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They have confined, or limited, themselves
Dialogue: 0,0:08:39.21,0:08:45.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,into a very limited, basically,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:45.87,0:08:49.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,range of topics and themes,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:49.45,0:08:54.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,let alone a list of inadequate\Nwords to choose from.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:55.30,0:08:56.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now, personally,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:56.93,0:09:02.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I'm not very talented\Nin creating or conducting surveys,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:02.73,0:09:09.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but according to my experience\Nteaching creative writing for three years,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:10.46,0:09:16.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I believe the dominant topics and themes\Nthat I have come across are as follows:
Dialogue: 0,0:09:17.75,0:09:19.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So we have five columns.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:20.98,0:09:22.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We'll start with poverty,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:23.98,0:09:28.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,poverty as a means\Nto actually lead the main character
Dialogue: 0,0:09:28.89,0:09:31.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to take up jobs that are quite demeaning.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:31.68,0:09:35.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,For example, he has to cook in a kitchen,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:35.61,0:09:37.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or he has to be a house cleaner,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:38.27,0:09:41.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or maybe he becomes a thug.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:41.75,0:09:42.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The second one -
Dialogue: 0,0:09:42.83,0:09:45.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,which is quite popular\Nby the girls, by the way -
Dialogue: 0,0:09:46.22,0:09:47.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,marriage.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:47.86,0:09:52.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The main character\Nhas to leave the one she loves
Dialogue: 0,0:09:52.25,0:09:55.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in order to, you know, marry someone else
Dialogue: 0,0:09:55.53,0:10:01.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,who is either richer or has some kind\Nof higher influence in society.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:02.55,0:10:05.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Cancer seems to be the winning ailment
Dialogue: 0,0:10:05.25,0:10:07.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,whenever there is a chance
Dialogue: 0,0:10:07.51,0:10:11.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,for them to talk about someone\Nwho gets ill and later on dies.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:11.77,0:10:18.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So this is the easiest way,\Nthe easiest route, towards death.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:18.76,0:10:20.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And then car accident.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:21.33,0:10:23.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This is quite surprising to me
Dialogue: 0,0:10:23.06,0:10:26.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because every time\Nthey want to kill the parents,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:26.28,0:10:30.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,they have them killed in a car accident.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:31.82,0:10:35.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Social disputes are namely inheritance,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:35.73,0:10:38.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the ever-evil uncle
Dialogue: 0,0:10:38.61,0:10:42.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and the love triangles\Nthat happen at school.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:44.63,0:10:48.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now, some of you might think\Nthat this is actually fine
Dialogue: 0,0:10:48.97,0:10:51.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,given the students' background.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:51.50,0:10:52.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It actually is fine
Dialogue: 0,0:10:52.89,0:10:58.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because people tend to write\Nabout things that they know truly well.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:58.14,0:11:03.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But the problem is when they write\Nabout things or stories
Dialogue: 0,0:11:03.75,0:11:07.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,they believe is what other people\Nexpect from them.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:07.70,0:11:10.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This is where the limitation lies.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:12.13,0:11:15.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now, imagine, if we go back to this box,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:15.70,0:11:22.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,imagine this is the structure\Nof our culture - these five columns -
Dialogue: 0,0:11:22.32,0:11:24.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,incredibly limited,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:24.35,0:11:27.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and at the same time,\Nit really gets tiring
Dialogue: 0,0:11:27.15,0:11:29.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,when you're subject to it every semester.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:30.31,0:11:35.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,There was this one semester\Nwhen I firmly announced to my students,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:35.06,0:11:38.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"Please don't kill the parents\Nin a car accident.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:38.80,0:11:44.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,If you don't want them in the story,\Nthen just keep them home, safe and sound,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:44.85,0:11:48.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and then move on\Nto something worthy of telling."
Dialogue: 0,0:11:52.63,0:11:58.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We need to think\Noutside this cultural box.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:58.28,0:12:00.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,A foreign colleague of mine once said,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:00.88,0:12:05.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"We're dealing with students\Nwho haven't really experienced life."
Dialogue: 0,0:12:05.99,0:12:07.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And he was right.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:07.90,0:12:11.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,How can we expect creativity from students
Dialogue: 0,0:12:11.78,0:12:18.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,whose experience range is probably\Nthree out of five of these columns?
Dialogue: 0,0:12:23.78,0:12:28.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That is when we need\Nto put a book in one's hand.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:28.74,0:12:32.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Reading not only makes you\Nbecome a better writer:
Dialogue: 0,0:12:32.75,0:12:36.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Through living the lives\Nof fictitious characters,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:36.67,0:12:41.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we learn from how they deal\Nwith abnormal circumstances
Dialogue: 0,0:12:41.14,0:12:44.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and learn from their mishaps.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:45.18,0:12:49.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We also delve into the various\Ncultures of life, of the world,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:50.22,0:12:52.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and there's our free ticket:
Dialogue: 0,0:12:52.10,0:12:55.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we have successfully broadened our minds,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:55.42,0:13:00.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and we're practically ready\Nfor the extraordinary.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:05.61,0:13:09.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So if we go back to this box
Dialogue: 0,0:13:09.13,0:13:13.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and imagine that we have students
Dialogue: 0,0:13:13.84,0:13:19.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,who have read books that actually relate\Nto these topics and themes,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:20.32,0:13:21.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,What are the possibilities,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:21.71,0:13:27.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,what are the creative possibilities\Nthat they will be able to present?
Dialogue: 0,0:13:29.14,0:13:35.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So here we have the five topics\Nthat I mentioned earlier,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:35.91,0:13:40.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the five things that seem to be on repeat,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:40.23,0:13:45.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and examples of novels\Nthat deal with these themes.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:46.29,0:13:51.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"The Hunger Games" is a very good example\Nthat talks about poverty,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:51.74,0:13:53.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,by Suzanne Collins.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:53.24,0:13:58.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The main character\Nis forced to enter a tournament
Dialogue: 0,0:13:58.57,0:14:02.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,where contestants actually\Nkill each other in order to win.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:03.52,0:14:05.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,There's an idea.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:05.45,0:14:06.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The second one,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:06.51,0:14:09.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"Pride and Prejudice," by Jane Austen.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:09.39,0:14:14.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now, this is a novel that's been written\Nalmost 200 years ago,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:15.39,0:14:17.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,two centuries ago.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:18.21,0:14:24.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The thing that makes it long lasting\Nand still alive is because -
Dialogue: 0,0:14:24.12,0:14:28.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I mean for this specific\Ntopic of marriage -
Dialogue: 0,0:14:28.08,0:14:31.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is because the main character,\NElizabeth Bennet,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:31.45,0:14:34.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,actually opposed social code.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:35.28,0:14:38.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Imagine that happening back then.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:39.74,0:14:41.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"My Sister's Keeper"
Dialogue: 0,0:14:41.57,0:14:47.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,has brilliant issues\Nor cases of health issues,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:47.35,0:14:49.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,by Jodi Picoult.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:49.06,0:14:53.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We have more than one, which is cancer.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:53.23,0:14:58.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We have acute promyelocytic leukemia,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:58.06,0:15:02.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,which is blood and bone marrow cancer.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:02.90,0:15:09.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We also have drug abuse in this novel\Nand a case of epilepsy.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:11.81,0:15:16.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I will not comment on the car accident:\Nplease don't kill the parents.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:16.80,0:15:19.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, moving on to social\Ndisputes, the last one,
Dialogue: 0,0:15:19.47,0:15:24.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"In the Country of Men,"\Nwritten by our very own Hisham Matar.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:24.66,0:15:29.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Here we have a story about political chaos
Dialogue: 0,0:15:29.83,0:15:36.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that actually affected a domestic life
Dialogue: 0,0:15:37.22,0:15:42.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,as a result to what was going on\Nhere in Libya back in the '70s.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:46.69,0:15:49.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, before I move on,
Dialogue: 0,0:15:49.19,0:15:54.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I'd like to quickly acknowledge\Nsome of the previous works of my students
Dialogue: 0,0:15:54.87,0:16:00.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,who have been able to come up\Nwith extremely creative stories.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:00.44,0:16:07.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,One student wrote a story\Nabout an American who converted to Islam
Dialogue: 0,0:16:07.01,0:16:12.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,after living among a group\Nof Tuaregs here in Libya.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:12.41,0:16:16.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,A second good example is -\None of the students wrote about
Dialogue: 0,0:16:16.66,0:16:23.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the struggle of a man who's trying to flee\Nthe Rwandan Civil War in the early '90s.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:24.60,0:16:27.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The third example\NI'd like to present to you
Dialogue: 0,0:16:27.25,0:16:32.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is about a creature\Nwho's created from mist,
Dialogue: 0,0:16:33.44,0:16:36.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and he's the last of his kind
Dialogue: 0,0:16:36.17,0:16:41.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and the only one who's able\Nto stand in the face of evil.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:42.30,0:16:46.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This was written by the translator\Nthat's translating to you, by the way.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:51.01,0:16:54.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, going back to those two questions.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:54.86,0:16:56.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,How do I write\Nnow that we've read,
Dialogue: 0,0:16:56.96,0:17:00.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,now that we've broadened our minds?
Dialogue: 0,0:17:00.67,0:17:01.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Well, of course,
Dialogue: 0,0:17:01.92,0:17:07.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,you need to start reading books\Nthat might be of interest to you
Dialogue: 0,0:17:07.35,0:17:10.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and for authors who are actually -
Dialogue: 0,0:17:11.50,0:17:14.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,whose style of writing\Nyou find interesting.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:15.55,0:17:19.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And then you start putting pen to paper.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:19.66,0:17:20.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You scribble.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:20.86,0:17:22.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You draft.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:22.09,0:17:24.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You redraft, maybe 100 times.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:24.81,0:17:26.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And then you're done.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:26.93,0:17:29.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The second question - why should I?
Dialogue: 0,0:17:29.22,0:17:31.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Well, actually you don't have to write
Dialogue: 0,0:17:31.64,0:17:33.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,unless you're one of my students -
Dialogue: 0,0:17:33.28,0:17:35.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,then you just have to do it.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:38.84,0:17:41.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Storytelling is an art;
Dialogue: 0,0:17:41.91,0:17:45.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it allows you to translate\Nyour inner thoughts
Dialogue: 0,0:17:45.34,0:17:48.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and perhaps your philosophy in life.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:49.13,0:17:53.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And that's actually why\Npeople enjoy reading.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:53.19,0:17:56.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,There's a literature\Nthat needs to be conveyed
Dialogue: 0,0:17:56.53,0:18:00.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,for generations to coexist and intertwine.
Dialogue: 0,0:18:01.57,0:18:06.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I'd like to conclude\Nwith a quote by Elif Shafak,
Dialogue: 0,0:18:07.37,0:18:09.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the author of "The Forty Rules of Love."
Dialogue: 0,0:18:17.10,0:18:18.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Okay.
Dialogue: 0,0:18:18.50,0:18:23.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"Isn't connecting people to distant lands\Nand countries and cultures
Dialogue: 0,0:18:23.96,0:18:27.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,one of the great strengths\Nof good literature?"
Dialogue: 0,0:18:28.13,0:18:29.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Indeed, it is.
Dialogue: 0,0:18:30.30,0:18:33.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So let's start thinking outside that box.
Dialogue: 0,0:18:33.58,0:18:35.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Thank you.
Dialogue: 0,0:18:35.02,0:18:36.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Applause)