Syazwani Farahin Binti Jefferdin

A published writer, a pre-u lecturer, and a current PhD student. Has experience in teaching English language, English Literature, and Linguistics, creative and academic writing, literature research, attending workshops, giving professional feedback, and sub-editing. Well versed in various forms of teaching such as personalised learning, game-based learning, direct instruction, problem-based learning, creative learning, etc. Current research interest includes the novel; speculative fiction; fantasy and romance; Southeast Asian culture, religion and tradition. Dedicated tutor with strengths in student assessment, goal setting and mentoring. Offering excellent communication skills to build relationships with students of all ages. Adept working with individuals and groups of students.

Short Film Screenwriting, Bangor University, November 2018

• Part of a module assignment, pitches are chosen if qualified.
• Role included managing word and page limitation for a complex plot.
• Interlocking young adult fantasy with recent social crisis, such as, water pollution, for both fantastical and thoughtful experience.
• Understanding and differentiating the patterns of screenwriting from other creative content.

Writing an Academic Paper for Alfred Hitchcock Films, Bangor University 2019

• Watched and researched films, wrote and edited a merit article for three films- part of the Alfred Hitchcock module.
• Understanding expressions, the dark side of humanity and caustic humour in Hitchcock's silent film, The Lodger (1926) and his other mystery thrillers, Rebecca (1940) and Psycho (1960).
• Focused on the theme of invisible doppelgangers while researching on Hitchcock's experiment with superimpositions, dream sequences and unique colour tinting in his films.

BA Dissertation Writing and Research on Fairy Tale Adaption, Transformation and New Fiction, Nottingham University, Spring 2020

• Researched on fairy tale adaptation through writing, art and cinema, specifically on Charles Perault's Little Red Riding Hood.
• Creating a work that is easily recognizable as a retelling but also unique- new fiction.
• Focused on re-modelling the negative stereotypes of feminist accusations in fairy tales with feminine boldness.
• Illustrating feminine empowerment and complicity. Historical research on witchcraft and magic in 16th century Britain.
• Studying the encyclopaedia of spirits and ghosts in world mythology.
• Researched on postmodern fairy tales: gender and narrative strategies.
• Introducing anthropomorphism- big bad wolf.

Writing Academic Articles, Nottingham University, Sep 2020- Sep 2021

• Researched, wrote and edited distinction literature articles for the modules; English Literature and Popular 18th and 19th Century Literature.
• Workshopped ideas collaboratively for the texts chosen; Frankenstein by Mary Shelly, The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins and War of the Worlds by H.G Wells.
• Focused on the subject of uncanny, gothic and the overall psychological elements within three stories.
• Developed a specific interest and idea within the sub-genre of Gothic Literature of the 18th and 19th century.

MA Dissertation Writing in Post-Apocalyptic Speculative Fiction with Ecological Issues, Nottingham University, Summer 2021

• Scientific research on sea floods, global warming, engineering, building construction, air flow, water flow and sea phenomena.
• Building a unique but believable setting and system of living for post-apocalyptic survival with research about monarchy and other government bodies.
• Psychological research on trauma, abandonment issues and identity that relates to the characters.
• Understanding oceanology and doing homework on marine biology while incorporating the genre of fantasy.
• Introducing anthropomorphism- mermaids and sirens.
• Focused on narration and character introduction/development and dialogue.
• Researched on the uncanny of contemporary life in a non- contemporary setting.

PhD Thesis Writing in High Fantasy Genre with Malaysian Culture and Mythologies (God's Eyes- A Novel), Nottingham University, September 2022

• Cultural and mythological research on Malaysia and Southeast Asia.
• Building a secondary world setting with research about monarchy and other government bodies from Malaysia.
• Psychological research on the trauma in fantasy heroes.
• Reimagining Malaysian folklore in high fantasy- Nenek Kebayan, Mahsuri, Naga Seri Gumum, etc.
• Understanding the multicultural and multi-religion system in Malaysia and incorporating the perfect blend within my worldbuilding.
• Reconstructing high fantasy tropes using Malaysian elements.
• Delving into the research on demons, angels, and other religion subjects.
• Transforming female folklore characters and creating original female characters through the Feminist Political Theory.
• Focused on narration and character introduction/development and dialogue throughout the elements of magic and fantasy within the plot.

Online Publication with Wattpad and Archive on Our Own (non-profit), January 2013 - current

• Learning to manage and curate a social media/blog account for new beginner writers while finding the right demographic of creative ideas, genres and types of content writing. Pouring work, dedication and endurance- showing a passion outside capitalistic gains.
• Learning HTML, colour skim coordination, suitable username and profile picture to attract appropriate readers, font usage, time management and schedule management.
• Understanding the demographic of workplace and specific areas of publishing while building a community with other online writers.

Publication with Partridge Publishing Singapore, January 2014

• Successful collaborative work with Partridge Publishing Singapore- novella content and cover editing. Both online and paperback publication.
• Rewarding reviews from prestigious book review companies- BlueInk Review.
• Strengthened and developed ability to identify big ideas and interesting angles for content while understanding the target market readers.
• Elevating high school status from Sekolah Berprestasi Tinggi to Sekolah Kluster Kecermerlangan.

Publication with Bangor University Seren Magazine, February 2020

• Collaborative interview writing, featuring international students and their struggles and journey away from home.
• Lifestyle, Travel writing and Biographical writing.
• Educating local UK students regarding international students, including Malaysian students, about culture, language and environment differences.

Publication with Cape Magazine, May and August 2020

• Artwork publication for the first Halloween issue, Stigmas, Taboos, and Sins.
• Poem publication for the second issue with the theme of Freedom; Kill Your Masters. Contributed creative ideas for upcoming issues.

Contributing to Hominum Publication, Early 2021

• - Contributed three separate poems that inseminate the theme of depression, loneliness, anxiety and abandonment issues into aesthetically pleasing stanzas.
• - Focused on bringing out the emotions within readers with word and format play.

Contributing to the Commonwealth Short Story Prize 2022, November 2021

• Contributed a short story for the November deadline which focuses on the uncanny/sublime genre using the motif technique.
• Used the motif of space and light to invoke the uncanniness within the story.
• Focused on the efficient usage of dialogue and brief description to further increase the disturbing atmosphere in the writing.

Publication with Teaspoon Publishing Company, November 2023

• Short story publication titled, Flowers Fell, in A Spoonful of Magic: A Malaysian Anthology.
• Collaborated alongside twelve other authors, panel speaking, book launching at GTLF (Georgetown Literature Festival).
• Researched into Malaysian culture and mythology within the genre of fantasy.
• Proficiency and passion in research for writing. Both online and paperback publication.
• Rewarding Reviews from well-established authors and book reviews- NetGallery Reviewer.
• Decolonising the fantasy genre by inserting SEA and Malaysian elements into the creative work.

Contributing to Narrative Magazine Publication, November 2023

• Contributed and took part in the 2023 Fall Writing Contest with Narrative Magazine.
• Submitted a novel extract comprising of 14k words- a part of my master's creative thesis.
• Intertwined post-apocalyptic themes, fantasy elements, and environmental issues within worldbuilding of the plot.

Volunteering with Greenpeace, February 2017

• Gathering up signatures at Ecohill Mall for 'Saving the Artic' and 'People vs Oil.'
• Self-education on the importance and preservation of the environment.
• Strengthening bonds with other fellow peers during team building exercises.
• Enhancing social and public speaking skills.

Hike Volunteer with Team March at Bukit Tabur East, July 2016

• Team building exercise. Strengthening bonds.
• Understanding the importance of health and working as a team.
• Tolerating as a group, building character through strengths and weaknesses of individuals.
• A lesson on life and time keeping.

Volunteering to Teach English in a High School Alongside Program Kembara Ilmu Jalinan Kasih, April 2015

• Gaining the skills and experience of teaching high school students while being monitored by teachers.
• Understanding and sympathizing the struggles of students without access to inner city resources for their education.
• Coming up with creative ideas to both teach and learn in a classroom with the latest technology of the year.

Attended the 30th Iligan National Writers Workshop (INWW), December 2023

• Attended and participated in workshop sessions from Dec 4-9 as a writing fellow for Fiction (English) at MSU-IIT, Iligan City, Philippines.
• Participants and panellists of all shades of the language sphere- English, Taglish, Ceblish, Creolized languages of Southern Mindanao.
• Submitted work was critically and creatively discussed among writing fellows and professional critics and panellists.
• Evaluated and engaged in reading and analysing other written works of writers while learning new skills to develop my own writing.

Attended the International Transdisciplinary Conference, Blurring Between Boundaries, Fiction vs Non-Fiction, February 2024

• Attended and participated in the International Transdisciplinary Conference hosted by London Arts Based Research at Cambridge University, UK.
• Submitted and presented PhD thesis that focused on fiction writing and reading and the take on English language and the genre of fantasy within the bounds of Malaysian culture.
• Participated in active QnA sessions regarding submitted and presented work.