If you are a teacher or workshop provider or have attended a Singabout event in the past and loved it and would you like to reduce the cost of attending an event soon would you like to reduce the cost of attending that next event? Or would you like to get paid for referring people to these events?  Of course you would!  

We decided that if you have had an amazing time at one of our events in the past and would love to tell others about it you could be rewarded for your efforts. And really what is the better advertisement? An expensive advertising campaign or YOU? 

Press submit. 

An interview with PYBA and Jan Cornall.

Pitch Your Book Australia (PYBA):  What do you think about the Pitch Your Book competition?

Jan Cornall (Jan): It’s a good way of getting writers to think about presenting their idea in a visual way. Bringing it down to the central question, describing the story arc and identifying the elements that will draw the reader in - these are all useful exercises for writers at any stage of their writing.

(PYBA): Through Writer’s Journey you come in contact with many writers. What are some tips you can give about generating marketable novel ideas?

Jan: I think you have to write the story you are really burning to write, then see where it fits in the market.  Somehow writing for the market without a level of emotional truth doesn’t seem to work, unless you are very clever. It is always good to be aware of the market, to see what’s out there, and where the gaps are. When it comes to pitching your book this information is essential. If you can compare your work to a best seller and at the same time show how it is different, it will help the publisher place your work and assess its market potential.

(PYBA): How does going to a foreign place help with your writing and idea generation?

Jan: Many of the great writers have done their best writing in exile from their home countries. Travel gives you the perfect distance you need for contemplation, looking back, dreaming - all of which are important for writing.

(PYBA): How much should social trends influence your book idea?

Jan: Again I think you have to write the story you really want to write regardless of social trends. That said, there are lots of new genres and sub genres giving voice to new writers due to social trend. So if you can ride one of these waves and situate your work in the right place at the right time, it could be most helpful.

I was talking to a friend recently who was struggling to find time to write a book whilst holding down a job and a busy life, then that same day I stumbled across this old post by Claire Scobie written in 2011 on the same subject. I love it when that happens! 

I think this article is just a relevant today as it was back in 2011 so I decided to share it with you today. I hope you find it helpful.  

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Ok I'm living in Indonesia and here is one of my all time favorite versions of Gado-Gado that I found online! It's so good I had to share it with you, it's by Wil and Wayan. 

Gado-gado is one of Indonesia’s most famous dishes, and with good reason– it’s delicious! The combination of sweet, spicy peanut sauce with crisp vegetables and soft potatoes or congealed rice really is something a bit different the first time you try it, too.

There is no set way of making gado-gado. In fact, the word ‘gado-gado’ has another application in the Indonesian language for talking about things that are ‘a bit of a mix’. For example, if someone speaks a mixture of Indonesian and English in one sentence, people might jokingly refer to is as ‘bahasa gado-gado’ (gado-gado language).

So, in keeping with the spirit of gado-gado, please see this recipe as flexible. Once you have the peanut sauce, try using it on other vegetables, too. The only rule is to keep the vegetables crispy and have something else soft in there to soak up the sauce!

Ingredients

Vegetables:

250g beansprouts

250g green beans

100 gr cabbage

Peanut Sauce:

125g roasted or fried peanuts

1 small chilli

2 cloves of garlic

25g palm sugar (or 2 tbsp brown sugar)

2 kaffir lime leaves

2cm kencur (white ginger – if you can get it)

salt and pepper (to taste)

Nice things to mix it up with (any or all of the below):

boiled new potatoes (quartered)

lontong (congealed steamed rice)

fried tofu

fried tempe

boiled egg

Instructions:

1. Either blanch in boiling water or steam the vegetables then leave them to one side.
2. Fry the chilli, garlic and kencur over a medium heat for a couple of minutes then remove from the heat and grind in a pestle and mortar, slowly adding the peanuts and continuing to grind until it is ground finely. Mix this mixture with two cups of water then transfer it back to the pan.
3. Bring the mixture to the boil then add the kaffir lime leaf, palm sugar, and salt and pepper then simmer until thickened slightly, stirring constantly.
4. Once the mixture has thickened, remove it from the heat and leave for at least a minute to cool.
5. To serve, put the vegetables in a bowl along with the other ingredients you would like to add (potatoes, longing, tofu, tempe, egg) then pour a good few spoonfuls of the peanut sauce over the top and mix it all together.

This can be served warm or cold but always make sure you add the peanut sauce just before you serve it. A sprinkle of fried shallots or peanuts on the top gives the texture a little more interest and a handful of prawn crackers gives it a real authentic touch. You could also drizzle some kecap manis over the gado-gado for a bit of extra sweetness or add some sambal (chilli paste) for a bit more punch.

Salamat Makan.

Click here for more recipes from Wil and Wayan >>

Email us if you would like to learn Balinese cooking with experts in Bali (and all there is know about making the perfect cup of coffee!)>> 

Lyrics to the wonderful South African song 

Shosholoza

Thula Baba is a popular Zulu lullaby.

This lullaby is sung by a mother to her child, as they await the return of their husband/father who has gone away to work. It’s a beautiful song with a powerful message.  

This lullaby is sung by a mother to her child, as they await the return of their husband/father who has gone away to work. 

A final rehearsal of 'Lilly in the Valley' at Montestigliano before they gave it out to the waiting audience of 200+ gypsies and local Tuscan's. They shared the stage with Ginevra di Marco and her band. A truly wonderful night.

 Don't they all look gorgeous?

Tony joins us again for a wonderful week in Italy, check out the deets

Singabout is so very proud to have Anita Daulne directing our Singing in Bali week in November this year. We still have a few places left so get in quick if you would like to attend.

Check out this little documentary below of Anita at the end of a Summer African Polyphony Workshop in Europe.