Mansfield Park / 曼斯菲爾德莊園

雖然我一直深受時尚插畫吸引，我的畫風卻不是以時尚為特色。要準備珍奧斯汀的「曼斯菲爾德莊園」插畫時，我突然想到時尚插畫是很好的起點，很適合奧斯汀筆下的女性角色。

I've always been into fashion illustration though my style is not fashionable at all. It occurred to me that fashion illustration would be a superb starting point when I was about to prepare the illustrations for Jane Austen's Mansfield Park because her ladies feel beautiful and want to be beautiful. 

        畫著畫著是很開心，不過這些模特兒非常有姿態，不僅身形美，眼神也都有故事。

     I had much fun drawing the models in the fashion magazine. They not only look beautiful but also make me curious about them. Their eyes tell stories. 

        她們寫字看書的樣子也好帥氣，就算和女主角范妮天差地遠，但我還是很高興可以做新的嘗試。

     I focused particularly on how women read and write. However, these models appear to be very confident of themselves. They are worlds apart from the protagonist Fanny, but it was still nice for me to take a new try. 

        這本小說到底在說什麼呢？簡單地說，就是乖女孩范妮從小寄住在有錢的阿姨和姨丈家，和乖男孩表哥艾德蒙青梅竹馬，不過長大之後因為新的角色出現在莊園裡，艾德蒙愛上了勢利女瑪麗，而瑪麗的風流男哥哥亨利則受到范妮的吸引，范妮看著自己深愛的艾德蒙被愛蒙敝，還要一邊抵擋亨利的猛烈追求，還好她的堅忍不拔最後換來艾德蒙的愛。

     What is the novel about? Simply put, the good girl Fanny was sent to Mansfield Park to live with her rich aunt and uncle when she was little. She grew up together with her gentle cousin Edmund. With the arrival of the new characters, her life began to change. Edmund fell in love with the beautiful but snobbish girl Mary Crawford while her player brother fell for the charm of innocent Fanny, who had to suffer silently from seeing her beloved Edmund blindfolded by love and make every attempt to resist Henry in the meanwhile. Luckily, her virtue and perseverance finally won Edmund's heart. 

        插畫比賽除了三張內頁插圖以外，還要設計封面，而且規格有嚴格的規定，其實剛開始我並不確定自己做得出來，不過我不想就這麼放棄，很幸運地友人幫了我一把，讓我可以達到目標。

     Besides the three illustrations for the story, every contestant was required to design the cover as well and meet some specific rules. In fact, I wasn't sure if I could make it, but I didn't feel like giving up either. I was blessed with Alex's help so that I could reach my goal. 

        范妮是內向壓抑的角色，在珍奧斯汀的作品中是較沒自信的女主角，不過我覺得自己很像她。

     Fanny is an introverted and repressed role. She is probably the least confident heroine in Austen's books, but I can relate to her because I see much similarity between her and me. 

        與其把重點放在她和其他角色的互動，不如把舞台都給她吧！她的慰藉除了艾德蒙外，就是書和花草，還有自己的書房。

     Instead of placing emphasis on her interaction with the other characters, I prefer to feature her only in my illustrations. Apart from Edmund, she took solace in books, plants, and her personal space, the East room. 

        像書裡說的，就算是快樂，范妮也安安靜靜地感受。

     As is said in the book, Fanny feels ecstasy in a quiet way. 

        做完插畫的那一晚，想到五年前在英國讀書的時候，急著想用自己以外的風格畫圖，老師問：你為什麼不用自己的風格呢？五年過去了，我終於可以用自己的風格，不論結果如何，我都感到欣喜，因為我嘗試了之前做不到的事。

     On the day when I finished the illustrations, I thought of the winter five years ago when I was studying in London. I was eager to borrow others' styles, so my tutor couldn't help asking, "Why didn't you use your own style?" Five years have gone by, and I am proud to be me when drawing. Whatever the outcome is, I am joyful all the same because I achieved what I couldn't in the past. 

Neil Gaiman says / 尼爾蓋曼說

「我希望在新的一年裡你會犯錯，因為如果你犯錯，那意謂你在創造新的事物、嘗試新的事物、學習、生活、自我推進、自我改變、以及改變全世界，你在嘗試之前沒有做過的事，而更重要的是，你正在做某件事。

不管你害怕什麼，採取行動。

明年及永遠，不停犯錯。」

旁觀者的意見：非小說選─尼爾蓋曼


"I hope in this year to come, you make mistakes. Because if you are making mistakes, then you are making new things, trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing the world. You're doing things you've never done before, and more importantly, you're Doing Something.

Whatever it is you're scared of doing, Do it.

Make your mistakes, next year and forever."

The View from the Cheap Seats by by Neil Gaiman

Stone Soup study club 10 / 石頭湯讀書會之十

石頭湯讀書會第十場的講者是著名的童書作家兼畫家：王金選老師。老師的「紅龜粿」在台灣兒童繪本史上已經是屹立不搖的經典，書中收錄的台語創作詩謠也是學習台語很好的入門。

The tenth speaker of the Stone Soup study club is the renowned Taiwanese author and illustrator, Mr. Wang Gin-hsuen. The book Red Turtle Cake, a collection of children's poetry written in Taiwanese written by Mr. Wang, is a classic in children's literature here in Taiwan. In fact, the book is also a great way to learn basic Taiwanese. 

每一位學員進門時，老師都在門口迎接，問大家的名字，我和老師說之前去參加信誼頒獎典禮學到的東西，因為老師也在場，便和我聊到自己的經驗：老師一開始以畫圖為主，他覺得自己的文字很弱，所以刻意練習，尤其是童詩書寫，想不到進入文壇的第一份作品居然是童詩寫作，接下來老師又嘗試以台語書寫童詩，引起很大的迴響，但同時老師都沒有放棄畫畫，慢慢地終於有機會為自己的作品繪圖。這再次讓我學到，我應該要多方嘗試，不要拒絕各種可能性。

Before the speech, Mr. Wang welcomes every guest at the door, asking what our names are. I mention the lessons I  learned while attending the award ceremony of Hsin-y Children's Book Foundation in April. Since he was also there that day, he immediately shares his own life experiences with me. Mr. Wang says that he's loved drawing since childhood, but meanwhile he was aware of his weakness in writing, which inspired him to practice, especially writing children's poetry. Amazingly, his first book is actually a collection of children's poetry. Then, it occurred to him to write children's poems in Taiwanese, and his works received rave reviews. However, he never gave up drawing, and as time went by, he finally had opportunities to write and illustrate his own works. The talk teaches me that I should try different media whether words or images instead of excluding any possibility. 

王老師一面分享自己的創作經驗，一面教授寫作和插畫的基本技巧，是很激勵人心的一場演講。以下我將重點分成勵志和實用兩大類。

During the talk, Mr. Wang focuses on his career as a writer and illustrator and teaches us basic skills of writing and drawing. I have to say that this is certainly an extremely inspirational talk. I am going to divide the key points of his talk into two main categories: 

勵志類：
一、不斷寫、不斷畫，我就是純粹喜歡。想到什麼寫什麼，小筆記本裡寫滿了文字。
二、學會縮短難過的時間，要檢討失敗的作品，下次再努力，越挫越勇！
三、要讓人感動就要很投入，除了畫面外也要投入心思。
四、把握機會：老師說到曾經為了參加比賽，四天畫兩本繪本！
五、人只要受到鼓勵就會有繼續的力量！
六、求進步方法之一：研究別人的作品。

Inspirational:
1. Never stop writing and drawing. I do it simply because I love it. I fill my journal with words because I write down whatever comes to mind.
2. Don't brood over my failures for too long. I go over my works to see how I can do better, and I'll work harder next time.
3. If we want to move people, we have to be involved. It's important for the viewer/reader to feel our sincerity.
4. Seize opportunities: I once created two picture books within four days!
5. As long as we are encouraged, we can go on and on and on!
6. One of the best tips in making progress is researching others' works.

實用類：
一、練習寫童詩：寫作技巧─找出兩件不同的東西之間共通的特性，寫完試唸。不論是用哪種語言書寫，可以先排出韻腳字。童詩可以和童謠、兒歌、打油詩結合，要兼顧淺白、親切、活潑、生動、自然。每次老師收到寫一首童詩的邀約，總會先寫很多首練習。
二、趣味性：兒童文學的文字不能太白，要有趣味性。
三、兒歌是童話的大綱：把兒歌進一步發揮成有主角、情境、對話的故事，背後隱藏教育話題就是童話。但童話和繪本的寫法是一樣的，都必須有起承轉合。
四、繪本可以帶入生活的場景和內容、人的心態和情感加上童話的想像。
五、在圖像的表達上，文字提到的及文字沒有提到的都可以放進去，並且畫附近相關的場景。
六、世界上所有的圖像都可以用幾何圖形表達。
七、兒童圖畫書的圖像不一定要講究技法高超，因為圖像是以說明性的功能為主，帶著畫者手繪的拙趣和個性。
八、畫圖講究的是美感和耐心，技巧不好可以用耐心打動別人，該寫實的時候寫實，該放鬆時放鬆。

Practical:
1. Try writing children's poetry: First, look for what's in common between two objects which appear to be different. Read a poem aloud after finishing it. Whichever language we write in, it helps to look for the rhyming words. We can derive ideas for children's poems from children's folk rhymes, children songs, nursery rhymes, and doggerels. It's essential to make sure if our writing is easily understandable, approachable, lively and natural. Whenever I am invited to write a poem, I'll write several as part of the exercise.
2. Fun: The key spirit of children's literature is its fun.
3. Children's songs are the outline of children's tales. Develop the songs into stories with main characters, settings, dialogs and educational value. Yet, the skills of writing tales and picture books are the same--there has to be a beginning, rising action, climax and resolution.
4. We can insert life experiences and add imagined plots in the creation of picture books.
5. When it comes to images, they can tell stories whether mentioned or not mentioned in the text. Also, we can draw the settings.
6. All the shapes and forms in the world can be broken down into basic geometric forms.
7. The images in picture books do not have to be especially sophisticated in terms of skills. In fact, the pictures are explanatory, and they should come with the idiosyncratic qualities of the illustrator.
8. Drawing is about its aesthetic value and the patience of the artist. If we are not good, our patience can move the viewer as well. When it's time to draw realistically, we should go for it. Nonetheless, we should also know when and how to relax.

老師不吝和大家分享自己作畫的過程，在底稿之前都是無盡的打草稿和練習，其實在老師積極樂觀的演講背後是很謹慎、充滿耐力的創作精神！

Mr. Wang doesn't hesitate to show his originals. Before the final draft, there are always endless trials and errors. I can feel behind his sunny optimism lies a super self-demanding and persevering soul. 

聽完演講之後我和老師說，老師人生故事的前半段就是我的經歷，老師鼓勵我一直畫下去，我因此得到很多能量！

After the talk, I tell Mr. Wang that I am experiencing the first half of his story, which is full of frustrations and failures. He encourages to keep drawing, which really gives me loads of positive energy!

Stone Soup study club 9 / 石頭湯讀書會之九

石頭湯讀書會第九課講者：蔡幸珍老師，主題是導讀大陸作家沈石溪所寫的「狼王夢」，這是一本探討虎媽式教育的小說，融合作者對於動物心理的了解，雖然在場的大人只有一人讀過這本書，但光聽介紹便使人著迷。

The speaker of the ninth Stone Soup study club is Ms. Tsai. The topic is on the novel Dream of Being the Wolf King written by the Chinese author Mr. Sheng. This is a book that discusses the tiger mom style of education. Being an expert in animal psychology, the author depicts the story in such a fascinating way that merely by listening to the plots interests us all. 

        更重要的是，老師用全副心力說故事，當天我精神相當委靡，但是聽著老師描述分析故事，我也跟著走進狼群的世界當中。我用生命所有的力氣說故事嗎？這是我要自問的問題。

More importantly, Ms. Tsai tells the story with her whole being. I am not especially upbeat that morning, but she cheers me up and leads me into the world of the book with her vivid description verbally and physically. "Do I also tell stories with all my might?" This is a question I should constantly ask myself. 

Stone Soup study club 8 / 石頭湯讀書會之八

第八次的石頭湯讀書會邀請到邱各容老師，老師是兒童文學界中重量級的編輯，56歲那一年才去念兒童文學碩士，這對我有很大的啟發，只要我們想做一件事，年齡不是限制。

In the eighth lesson of the Stone Soup study club, the speaker is Mr. Chiu, a heavyweight editor for children's literature in Taiwan. However, he didn't go for an MA degree in children's literature until he was 56, which really inspired me. I've learned that as long as I am determined to do something, age is really not a problem. 

        今天上課的內容較偏台灣兒童文學史的簡介，不過對我也有很大的幫助，我因此寫了一長串待讀的書單。而其中有一位特別激勵人心的例子，是現今知名的少年小說作家鄭宗弦，老師說鄭作家光去年就出版十七本書，但他也是小學老師，非全職作家，我不禁自我反省，也許我有多於目前所發揮的潛力。

   Today we focus on the development of children's literature in Taiwan. I've thus written down a long list of books to read. One of the most inspiring writers is Mr. Cheng Zhong-hsien, a very popular teenage writer. He published seventeen books within a year last year. More amazingly, he's not a full-time writer. Instead, he has to juggle between being an elementary school teacher and a writer. I can't help wondering if I've really explored all my potential. 

        邱老師的建議如下：

一、如果你要在兒童文學界嶄露頭角就要多角化經營，如林良先生。

二、什麼比賽都參加！

三、希望能看到台灣本土的作品。

四、用母語寫作是相當有潛力的市場。

Mr. Chiu gives several useful pieces of advice: 

1. If you'd like to make a name for yourself in the world of children's literature, you should try everything. For example, don't just write a certain genre of books. 

2. Don't miss any contest! 

3. We need works written by Taiwanese authors instead of translated books. 

4. The market of works written in dialects is full of potential. 

Stone Soup study club 7 / 石頭湯讀書會之七

在石頭湯讀書會遇到的作家或繪本家都有共同的特色：大家都是很樸實的創作者，儘管過程不一定平順，但是每一個人總是認真地追尋自己的夢想。雖然陳肇宜老師已經出版許多少年小說，但他就像鄰家叔叔，婉婉道來寫作路上的挫折和契機，並且還帶了師母自製的茶葉蛋和前來的學員分享，讓人打從心中感受他的誠懇。

The authors or illustrators I've run into in the Stone Soup study club all share one thing in common: Everyone goes for their dreams with their full hearts. Though there  might be ups and downs along the way, they never give up their dreams. Though Mr. Chao-y Chen, a well-known Taiwanese teenage novel writer, has published many books, he's just like a next-door neighbor, never hesitating to share his life stories. He even treated us to home-made tea-stewed eggs prepared by his wife. I certainly felt his touching sincerity. 

        上老師課已經是一個半月前的事了，所以於此我想簡錄老師的經驗和智慧：

一、唸「文學作品讀法」可以教我們如何賞析作品，說得出作品的好處。

二、大量閱讀，唸「國語日報」很有幫助。

三、老師小時候覺得很孤獨，常胡思亂想，而我想這對於蒐集靈感有益。

四、一篇文章必須有爆發力。

五、老師說：「我不是有天份的人，但寫小說是我比較會做的事。」

六、多方位的寫作計畫、多參加比賽可以帶來更多機會。

七、確立寫作風格。

   It has been one and half months ago since I went to Mr. Chen's talk, so I'd like to excerpt some helpful quotes: 

1. Reading analyses of literary works can help us to see and say the beauty of a piece of work. 

2. Read as much as possible. It's especially helpful to read The Mandarin Kids, a newspaper written for children in Taiwan. 

3. Mr. Chen said he used to be a lonely child and that he often daydreamed, which I believe is rather beneficial in writing. 

4. There should be an amazing climax in a piece of writing. 

5. Mr. Chen said, "I am not talented, but writing is one of the things I am good at." 

6. Writing in different styles and participating in contests can bring more opportunities. 

7. It's essential to form a personal writing style. 

The 26th Award Ceremony of Hsin Yi Picture Book Contest / 信誼第26屆幼兒文學獎

上次參加信誼幼兒文學獎頒獎典禮已經是五年前的事了，現在回想起來，其實有沒有入圍或得獎都要來看一看才行。

Last time when I went to the award ceremony of Hsin Yi picture book contest, it was five years ago. Now when I look back, I feel that whether I've won or not, I should come for a look. 

        典禮上邀請到許多兒童文學界重量級的人物和入圍的諸多年輕藝術家，是令人很振奮人心的場合。

   Many heavyweight figures in Taiwan's children's literature circle were invited along with many super young selected artists. I felt so moved to be part of all this. 

        事前便知道我沒有得佳作或首獎，但是我一點也沒有感傷的心情，，看到很多好作品就很開心了。

   I knew that I didn't win the final award  beforehand, but I didn't feel upset at all. In fact, I was more than happy to see so many wonderful works. 

       今年的首獎從缺，有三名佳作，兩名獲獎人是二十多歲的年輕女孩巫宇庭和林潤芃，最後一組是雙人創作，左邊的許智偉先生說他參加好幾次了，這真是很鼓勵人的話語啊！最棒的是頒獎人是永遠的小太陽林良老師。

   This year there was no first place. There were three winners of second place, two of whom are young girls in their early 20s. As for the third group, the winners said they are not that young.  Mr. Hsu on the left encouraged us by saying that he had participated several times. Best of all, Mr. Lin Liang was there too. He is the father of children's literature in Taiwan. 

       主辦單位認為這幾年的作品圖勝於文，所以今年徵件的項目恢復圖畫書文字獎，希望可以有好故事讓插畫家來詮釋。

   The judges have the impression that the works over the past few years have been more impressive in terms of pictures. Most artists can work on their story-narrating skills. Thus, there's the category of picture-book narratives in the coming competition. Hopefully, there will be more good stories for illustrators to work with. 

        感謝我的好朋友們蕙玲和美燕來陪伴我，很貼心的主辦單位還安排了美麗美味的下午茶，我們在我的小恐龍家庭前留影。

   I would like to thank my good friends Huiling and Meiyen for being there for me. Hsin Yi prepared really yummy afternoon tea for us to enjoy. We took a picture in front of my dinosaur family. 

        而頒獎典禮之後有小野先生的演講，主題是如何說一個好故事，雖然小野沒教任何的寫作技巧，我們卻在他說的無數故事裡又哭又笑，這就是說故事高手的功力吧！

   The famous writer Hsiao Yeh was invited to give a talk on how to tell a good story. Though he didn't teach any writing skills, we laughed with tears during the whole speech. He definitely showed how a good story-teller should be. 

        今天過後我要更加努力，一輩子都要寫故事和畫故事！

   This is such an uplifting day. After today, I will definitely work harder and dedicate my life to writing and illustrating stories! 

Stone Soup study club 6 / 石頭湯讀書會之六

每週六去參加石頭湯讀書會總會有各種不同的驚喜，因為我對台灣兒童文學創作家的無知，造成我現在的幸福，上完課總有發現新大陸的感嘆。

Every Saturday there are always surprises in store for me in the Stone Soup study club. My ignorance for Taiwanese children's literature writers results in my immense bliss now. I always end up feeling like I've discovered a new continent every weekend. 

        今天的講者是知名的兒童文學作家林世仁老師，老師高高瘦瘦的，很像長腿叔叔，說起話來真誠開朗，就像春天的好天氣，令人意猶未盡。不過當老師被問到這些年以來的創作對他有何影響時，他回答說，其實他在小學四年級前是外向的孩子，還參加過演講比賽，但是上了國中之後變得很內向，透過創作，他才得以回到小學四年級之前的樣子，並且保持生理和心理上的青春。

   The guest speaker today is Mr. Shi-jen Lin, who is a renowned writer in the children's literature in Taiwan. He instantly reminds me of Daddy-Long-Legs. When he talks, I feel his sincere and communicative personalities, right like sunny spring days. However, when asked how writing has influenced him, Mr. Lin says that he was an outgoing kid before 10. He even participated in speech contests, but in his teens, he became introvert and withdrawn. Through writing, he has managed to return to the young self before 10 and stay physically and mentally young. 

        老師雖然是文字工作者，但是有藝術研究的背景。在今天的演講中，老師不斷提到和插畫有關的議題，讓我收穫良多。他以最新出版的童詩作品：古靈精怪動物園為例，和我們分享創作童詩的過程，基本上他是慢型的寫作者，可是這本書的靈感來自「謝爾叔叔的古怪動物園」一書，老師在一個晚上靈感泉源，當時便創作了十幾首詩，儘管如此，這本書卻花了五年才出版，而最特別的地方在於他和好幾位插畫家的共同合作，老師說，他最期待的部份便是看插畫家如何詮釋他的文字。除了藝術家的觀點，老師對於圖面也有他自己的想法，同時編輯和美編也加入他們專業的建議，因此產生許多火花。

   Though Mr. Lin is a writer, his background in art history also plays a crucial part in his works. In the talk today, he keeps sharing the process in which he and the illustrators cooperate, which really offers  an insight into how writers and illustrators work. Take his latest work My Dear Animals for example. It is a collection of 50 poems inspired by Shel Silverstein's book Don't Bump the Glump!: and Other Fantasies. Though he tends to be a slow writer, he was inspired one night and wrote about 15 poems about animals that he created. Despite so, he didn't get to have the book published until five years later. Something most special about the book is that he got to work with several illustrators. In fact, he was really looking forward to how they might interpret his imagination pictorially. Apart from the illustrators' viewpoints, Mr. Lin had his own idea regarding the images. Meanwhile, the editor and art editor also assisted by providing their suggestions. Thus, there are many interesting visual presentations in the book. 

        這本書中收錄老師自創的五十種怪獸，老師在寫作的當下並未聯想到他們背後的意義，不過最後編輯建議把這些動物分類，讓讀者在閱讀時能有休息的空間，後來老師才發現原來這些動物代表的是各種人性中的弱點，雖然是虛構的動物，卻真實地存在我們心中，說著說著，老師把他們和人生結合在一起，我真的是心有戚戚焉。

   The book includes fifty poems about fifty kinds of non-existing monsters. While Mr. Lin was writing, he didn't think about the meaning of every monster. It was not until the editor advised him to categorize the monsters for the reader to breathe when reading that Mr. Lin realized that these animals actually symbolize human beings' weaknesses. Though the animals are fictional, they are more real than the reality and exist in each of us. Mr. Lin goes on to connect his creation with life, and I can't help nodding in agreement all along. 

老師說了好多可以供創作者參考的話，下午聽小野先生演講時，也說了幾乎一模一樣的話語，這裡我想引他的話：

Mr. Lin has said many great quotes which are very helpful to potential writers and artists. And I hear the same words while attending another speech by the famous writer Hsiao Yeh. 

「一本書的樣貌有很多可能。」

〈「同樣的故事可以用各種方式說。」─ 小野老師〉

"There are many ways to make a book." 

("The same story can be told differently." by Hsiao Yeh)

「開心的背後就有意義，有教育意義的故事不一定是好故事，但好故事一定有意義。」

"There's meaning behind a 'happy' story. Stories with educational significance aren't necessarily good stories, but good stories must have certain significance." 

「對於插畫的詮釋，有把握時就正面迎敵，沒有把握時可以畫故事發生前的那一刻。」

"About how to illustrate, when you are sure, you can illustrate directly what's said in a quote, but if you are not, you can illustrate the moment before the story happens."

「每個創作者都是小小的上帝。」

"Every creator is God in his/her own way." 

「寫童書要用小孩的心和大人的眼睛。」

"It takes a child's heart and an adult's eye to write books for children." 

「真正好的童書適合八到八十八歲的人閱讀，因為它有觸動人心的部分，提到人心的核心價值，讓人心頭暖暖的。成長是擴散的過程，但隨者長大，我們逐漸被苦惱憂慮所佔據，忘了核心的部分。」

"A really good book for children can be read for people from 8 to 88 years old because there is something that touches everyone. The part about core human value will warm our hearts. Growth is the process of expansion. We expand what we've already known, but with time passing by, we are preoccupied with worries and anxiety and forget what's really important." 

        老師也帶小朋友創作童詩，他的工作過程是帶孩子們讀幾首童詩，看相關的圖片，之後便放手，先讓孩子自由地拼貼一隻怪物，再給牠想個名字，想想牠的個性是什麼，把這些想法寫進詩中，有趣的是小孩會因此暴露弱點，並且把他們的情緒變成怪獸的樣子。老師說與其教，不如說是他陪著孩子們做這件事，把此時此刻的心情記錄下來。

   Mr. Lin also guides children to write poems. He will first make them read some poems and look at some pictures, and after that, he'll let them create freely. He usually asks them to do collage of a monster first, then name it, think about its personalities, and make these part of their poems. Interestingly, children will thus reveal their weaknesses automatically and turn their emotions into the monsters. Mr. Lin says instead of "teaching," he actually accompanies them to record their feelings of the moment. 

        老師也提到他的另一本舊書重印：十四個窗口，這本書的書名來自於老師在不同的窗口寫不同的故事，舊版的插畫家劉宗慧用故事裡的元素來創作，而新版的插畫家六十九則是利用故事以外的背景，以老師在不同窗口創作的理念，利用窗前有的物品來作圖面的發揮，值得一提的是，六十九先生因為聽不見，心特別細膩，插畫風格很文學。

   Mr. Lin introduces another newly-printed old book of his: Fourteen Windows. The title derived from his writing each story in front of different windows. The illustrator for the old version of the book took the elements in each story to illustrate, but the artist of the new version based his concept on how Mr. Lin created the story and designed each illustration by using the objects found in front of the windows. The young artist named 69 can't hear, so Mr. Lin thinks that's why he is especially sensitive. His drawing style is literary. 

       老師最後分享他的另一本作品「宇宙魔法印刷機」，這本作品以老師對於「書」的看法，探討書可以以何種形式存在以及書的意義。沈從文說：我讀一本小書又讀一本大書。」我的人生目標則是：我寫一本小書又寫一本大書。

   In the end Mr. Lin shares another book of his: The Magic Printer of the Universe. It is a book that explores his idea on books, discussing in what forms books can exist and the meanings of books. The famous Chinese writer Shen Congwen said: I read a small book and a big book at the same time. My life goal is: I write a small book and a big book. 

Stone Soup study club 5 / 石頭湯讀書會之五

今天的主講者是著作等身的科幻作家黃海老師，因為我小時候對科學不是很有興趣，所以很少涉獵科幻類小說，但是聽了老師的講課，又再次明白，無論是哪一類的寫作，基本精神都是一樣的，而科幻文學的想像更是浩瀚，所以這兩個小時裡有好幾次下巴差點掉下來，老師舉的許多中外作品例子實在太有趣了。

Today our guest speaker is Mr. Hai Huang, who is a productive sci-fi writer. Not very interested in science, I didn't particularly go for sci-fi fiction. However, after the lecture, it dawns on me again that all roads lead to Rome. In whichever genre of writing, the underlying principles are the same. In fact, it requires even more imagination to write sci-fi fiction. My jaw is about to drop several times during the talk because the examples given by Mr. Huang are way too fascinating. 

        在科幻創作中，特別強調想像力的合理性，而許多科幻作品的想像後來都變成人類生活的真實，如果未能有科學的背書，就會較偏向奇幻文學。科幻常用的主題有穿越劇，包括時間和空間上的穿越，從以前的作家開始，就已經有旅行到外太空的想法，並且對於其他星球的生物有各式的想像；人和動物之間可以互相轉換形式，或者人類可以跨越生死的限制，身體和靈魂也可以分開。

   In sci-fi fiction, scientific logical reasoning is especially emphasized. As a matter of fact, many sci-fi novels later become the reality. Yet, if the idea is not backed up by science, then the work should be categorized as a fantasy story. Time machines are a main theme as well as traveling both inside the human world and to the universe. Also, since a long time ago, writers have had diverse ideas about creatures from outer space. Moreover,  men and animals are interchangeable in form, or human beings can cross the  boundary between life and death. Our soul doesn't necessarily have to dwell in our physical bodies. It can take its own adventures as well.  

        從古到今的科幻作品中，其實主要的理念不斷地被借用重複，每個作者加上自己的想法，黃海老師說：著作權法保護的是作者的表達方式，而非他們的觀點。這也是我去英國讀書時學到最重要的事，參考別人的作品不是抄襲，而是發展想法的過程。

   Some themes are constantly borrowed and re-developed throughout history. Every author comes up with their own perspective to create their version of story. Mr. Huang says: What the copyright protects is the author's way of expression instead of their viewpoint. This is also one major lesson I learned when I studied in Camberwell. It's part of the idea-developing process to collect information and references. 

        老師說話有種令人放鬆的風格，我不自主地畫起速寫，有些同學像我一樣，每週都來上課，我覺得特別令我敬佩的是帶著孩子的媽媽，而有些是選擇主題來上的人，這樣我們也上了五週的課。今年是很棒的一年，而參加石頭湯讀書會是最棒的事情之一，我因此更清楚如何讓想像力遨遊；兒童文學協會也有很多繪本的收藏，每週末我總會翻一些書來看，因而能更堅定我的目標。

   Mr. Huang has a very relaxing style of speech, so I can't help but start to sketch. Some people come to the gatherings every week like me. I find some young mothers very impressive for they always bring along their children faithfully. The others choose their favorite lessons and come whenever they'd like to. It's kind of hard to imagine that we've attended five weeks of classes. 

   This year is a great year, and coming to the Stone Soup study club is one of the best things. I have thus learned how to set free my imagination. There are amazing book collections, so every Saturday I'll read some picture books to remind myself of my goal again and again. 

        黃海老師一生都在筆耕，做了幾十年對於科幻總有無比的熱情，我也要一直這樣生活！

   Mr. Huang devotes his whole life to writing, and he's still full of passion for sci-fi fiction. I'd love to live in the same way too! 

Paris 3 / 巴黎 3

展覽/ Exhibitions

巴黎處處都有展覽可看，第一天下午我無意間走道市政廳，看見一堆人在排隊，原來有免費的多諾攝影展，我也跟著排，說這個名字也許你不知道是誰，但你一定有看過一對情侶在街上傾身四十五度親吻。多諾留下很多記錄巴黎的歷史照片，後來到布魯賽爾時發現當地有他的另一場展覽。

There are exhibitions everywhere in Paris. On the first afternoon, I come across Hotel de Ville, seeing people queuing up. Then I realize there is a free exhibition of Doisneau's photos of the Halles. Of course I have to seize the good opportunity. The name might not ring a bell, but you must have seen a black and white photo of a couple kissing with their bodies half bending on the street. Doisneau left a very important record of Paris' history. Later when I travel to Brussels, I find another exhibition of his going on in the city.

另一邊是我最愛的法國插畫家桑培的展覽，哇，他的作品之多，可以免費看到這場展覽，真是需要天大的運氣！

On the other side is the exhibition of my favorite French illustrator, Sempe. He has produced an abundant number of works! I must be really blessed to have found this free exhibition! 

凱特琳娜推薦給我的羅丹美術館和畢卡索美術館最近都閉館，雖然我一度弄錯龐畢度美術館休館的日子，最後還是去到了，看了我很喜歡的馬蒂斯展。

Caterina recommended to me the Museums of Rodin and Pablo Picasso, but both of them are closed for renovation. Though I go to Center of Pompidou on the wrong day when it's closed on a weekly basis, I still make it the next day and see the exhibition of my favorite artist Matisse. 

街頭藝術/ Street Art 

走在巴黎街上很忙，大街小巷就是有看不完的美景。

My eyes are busy when I walk in Paris because there are endless beautiful things to see. 

上面兩張是在龐畢度中心旁邊的風景。

The two photos (of the lip and the mural) are taken in the area of Pompidou Center. 

法國作家瑪麗呂哈絲說：讓一個字成為一個句子美麗的愛人。

The French writer Marguerite Duras said, "Make a word become the beautiful lover of a sentence." 

很多街景都是在迷路時拍到的。

I find much lovely streetscape when I am lost... 

街頭/ Streets 

一到巴黎就走進這家超棒的獨立藝術書店。

I walk into this really awesome indie art bookstore the first morning I arrive in Paris. 

經典的巴黎地鐵招牌。

The classical Parisian metro sign. 

每天都要去報到的郵局，市政廳分局的行員都認識我了。沒有電腦可用的日子我特別開心，因為我可以寄很私密的信給家人和朋友。

I go to the post offices every day. I believe the clerk working in the branch office of Hotel de Ville know me by face. I am especially happy on days when I have no access to the Internet because then I can send very intimate mail to friends and family. 

我不是很有購物慾望的人，這一年花的很多錢都是為別人買的禮物，可是在巴黎，每間服飾店都讓我想認真地看價錢，因為衣服都好美麗啊！

I am not someone with great desire for shopping. In fact, I have spent much money this year sending gifts home. However, in Paris, every boutique makes me want to seriously look at the prices. The clothes are SO beautifully designed! 

麵包甜點店真的會讓人看得目不轉睛。

Boulangeries/Patisseries will make your eyes and hearts fixed on the colorful window display as if you were under a magic spell. 

我也想擁有這麼一台亮麗的買菜車。

I'd love to own such a shiny rolling basket for grocery-shopping! 

餐廳的仿古菜單，應該也是很有歷史的餐廳，因為我的導遊羅蘭先生劈哩趴啦地對我說了數個小時的法文，來不及做筆記就過去了。

The retro menu of a restaurant with great history, I think. My tour guide Rolland speaks French to me for 3 to 4 hours, and without making notes, a lot of details just slip by. 

我的書什麼時候才會擺在這個櫥窗裡呢？

When will my book(s) be displayed in the same window case?