Syarisa Yasin

“I am so intensely passionate about bringing culturally diverse stories to life, mixing scripture, mythology, fantasy, folk tale, modern concepts/ideas about life and love and much more to reflect my state of mind and opinions about the world.”

Heartlines explores what it means to write – from the heart and soul – and where that writing takes us. Every writers’ journey is different, so we invite you to take a moment to read, pause and reflect on what it means to shape stories for the page.

Syarisa Yasin is a Boorloo-based aspiring multi-media storyteller and writer. She is passionate about bringing diverse and inclusive stories to life inspired by her Indonesian and Pakistani heritage. She aims to create work that speaks to women and femmes to capture the complexity of their lives, identities, and dreams. Syarisa’s all-time favourite things to do include dancing, singing, and watching endless amounts of South Asian films from Bollywood to far beyond.

Centre for Stories: What do you do outside of writing?

Syarisa Yasin: I wish I could say I was a productive person outside of writing, but it’s mostly
tomfoolery! I love singing, dancing/making dance Tiktoks for a very miniscule
audience, going out for brunch with friends, watching hours long YouTube video
essays and documentaries, cooking, and religiously watching and cataloguing films
in my Letterboxd account.

CFS: Why do you write?

SY: I think I write simply because I love to do it. I love the satisfaction of drafting a piece
from start to “finish” and focusing on the minutia of word choice, grammar, and
literary devices to communicate the never-ending monologue of hyper-fixations I
have going on in my head. I want everyone reading to step into my world for a
second, just as I love stepping into other people’s worlds.
Writing is also kind of like dancing for me—sure you can and should work on the
technical aspects of the moves and techniques and improve your flexibility and
dexterity, but to be truly good, passion and enjoyment are the first and most essential
qualities to have.

CFS: Who do you most want to read your work? What is your ideal audience and why?

SY: On instinct, I guess I’d say everyone! But definitely femmes/queer people/members
of my community culturally and locally. I truly hope that my writing can help people
like me feel a little bit less lonely and more seen in broader Australian society.

CFS: What inspires you to write?

SY: I am so intensely passionate about bringing culturally diverse stories to life, mixing
scripture, mythology, fantasy, folk tale, modern concepts/ideas about life and love
and much more to reflect my state of mind and opinions about the world. I also strive
to reflect my experiences of being a femme and queer person, and want to highlight
our mindsets, dreams, feelings, and desires. If I’m feeling brave enough, I tackle
racism and discrimination in my work, building on my own experiences, all with the
goal to make others feel seen and heard for their struggles, but also their strengths.

A particular “special interest” of mine would have to be different religions, and how
they make sense of the world and tackle certain aspects of humanity, which is
something I’ve done with my current poetry work and would like to do more of. Most of all, I want to be able to make connections between “different worlds” and interrogate the status quo to show just how much humanity shares in common rather than what makes us different, whether through religious, cultural, or personal reflections/written work, using elements of my Indonesian and Pakistani heritage and my personal experiences growing up in an Arab country to weave together stories of truly “epic” proportions.

CFS: What are you currently reading and why? Does this also serve as inspiration?

SY: I’m currently reading a version of Your Silence Will Not Protect You by Audre Lorde
that was collated and given a new introduction by Sara Ahmed. Lorde’s poetry work
addressing themes on feminism, intersectionality, civil rights, and philosophy has
become a great inspiration for me throughout this mentorship process with Centre for
Stories.

CFS: When did you decide to pursue writing and what triggered that decision?

SY: I decided to formally pursue writing in university studying a BA in Creative Writing
and Screen Arts, though I had always enjoyed writing prior. Simply and utterly, I’m
quite useless at getting motivation to do things I have no passion for—so biting the
bullet and studying writing seemed like the only option for me to be happy.

CFS: Can you describe your experience with the Centre for Stories program?

SY: My experience with the Centre for Stories has been a real period of growth for me. I
feel supported in my current and future endeavours and like I have a greater
perspective on what opportunities are out there.

CFS: What were your writing goals for the program?

SY: My writing goals for this program were to develop and define why I write and who I
write for, and to develop a body of poetry in line with this. I also just wanted to kick
myself in the bum a little and force myself to create work within a consistent
schedule, but to also let my creativity run free and let go of my need for “perfection”
when writing/submitting works.

CFS: Do you find that the program helped you achieve your goals?

SY: This program has greatly increased my writing quality and productivity, and led me
on the path to achieving my goals. Not only has my poetry mentor, Vuma Phiri, given
me technical advice that has increased the standard of my writing, but her advice
and practical solutions throughout this program has actually changed my whole
approach to life! Previously I was terrified of submitting any work I didn’t deem to be
“perfect” and it made me miss out on so many cool things, but Vuma made me
realize that it’s always okay to try.

CFS: What was your experience like being published? How did you work towards this
process?

SY: I technically haven’t been published for my poetry work, but I successfully
applied to a WA Youth Creatives Showcase opportunity by WhyNotAU , Project See&B, and PropelYouthArts that will be running at the Y HQ in Leederville from 5th -12th April.

Being published/accepted into a showcase program was fantastic. I think, as a
novice what gets me is the fact that I successfully applied to something and got it,
and I never want to take that feeling for granted. I found this opportunity through a
friend and through my mentor, Vuma Phiri, and applied last minute not thinking
anything would come of it—now here I am!

CFS: Based on your experiences in the writing industry, including at Centre
for Stories, what advice would you give to writers who are starting out or are unsure
where to start?

SY: This sounds completely useless (at first), but simply start. Take the risk. Dive into
opportunities now matter how small or how daunting. It can be so hard to feel unsure
about yourself/whether you’ve got what it takes, but there’s only one way to find out!
And nothing is ever the end-all be-all of your journey—so take every opportunity one
small step at a time and live in the present.

CFS: What will you be working on next?

SY: Other than the fact that it’ll definitely include poetry, I have no idea. I’m taking it all
one step at a time! I hope to write more screenplays/theatre scripts one day in the
future.

Syarisa Yasin is a Boorloo-based aspiring multi-media storyteller and writer. She is
passionate about bringing diverse and inclusive stories to life inspired by her
Indonesian and Pakistani heritage. She aims to create work that speaks to women
and femmes to capture the complexity of their lives, identities, and dreams. Syarisa’s
all-time favourite things to do include dancing, singing, and watching endless
amounts of South Asian films from Bollywood to far beyond.

Writing Change, Writing Inclusion is Centre for Stories’ signature writing program for 2021 to 2024. Generously funded by The Ian Potter Foundation, Australia Council for the Arts, My Place, and Centre for Stories Founders Circle, this writing program features mentoring, hot desk, and publication opportunities for emerging writers from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and/or Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander backgrounds.

These stories have been licensed to the Centre for Stories by the Storyteller. For reproduction and distribution of these stories, please contact the Centre for Stories.

This interview was published on 10 April 2024.