Her Stories

I’ve always enjoyed the company of women, a necessity at the outset growing up in a household with three sisters. Today, breakfast is often grabbed with a close female friend, and dinner with another. There is not so much ego in the way, better conversation, more thoughtful thoughts and none of that macho jockeying for position. Sure, there can be drama, but most of the time I keep myself in check.

This edition of the magazine, I’m proud to say, is a celebration of women and literature, from the band of female writers whose daring works gave a fresh perspective to the formerly stuffy local literature sphere, to writer May-lee Chai finding her personal avenues of self-expression. There is also an exploration of the phenomenal success of Elizabeth Gilbert, thanks to her Bali-nuanced Eat, Pray, Love (bolstered to no end by the Julia Roberts’ film), and the stereotypes of the Asian woman in literature.

The WEEKENDER has relied a great deal on the contributions of a band of talented women over the past three years, from main contributing writer Maggie Tiojakin, art director Lucynda Gunadi, former copy-editor Imogen Badgery-Parker, our very talented stylist Ananda Adityasanti, regular columnists Devi Asmarani and Triski Nurani, writers including May-lee, Indira Pintak and Sri Owen, as well as those making their mark such as Kate Lamb and Hana Miller. As with the male writers, photographers and illustrators who have given their best to the magazine, I am proud to be in their company.

- Bruce Emond

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