For the Love of Words – From The 1st ASEAN Literary Festival 2014

Mar 25, 2014

For the Love of Words – From The 1st ASEAN Literary Festival 2014

I read more of Indonesian literature books in 3 days than in years, while attending ASEAN Literary Festival 2014 from 21 to 23 March 2014 in Taman Ismail Marzuki, Jakarta. Thanks to the fabulous programs, from poetry reading performance by Krishna Pabhicara, Khairani ‘Okka’ Barokka and Sosiawan Leak (they are my favorites), have access to high quality Indonesian literature from the publishers’ stands, getting more info about Indonesia’s participation in Frankfurt Buchmesse 2015 as guest of honor, to finally meeting living legends in Indonesia’s literature world like Joko Pinurbo, Goenawan Mohamad, Remy Sylado and many more. Bravo to all team behind ASEAN Literary Festival 2014!

Lucky that Nulisbuku.com was invited to be part of this inspiring festival and showcase in a stand just in front of the main entrance. We had a great time talking to aspiring writers on how to help them self-published their books. It’s also very refreshing to walk around and eavesdrop on people talking about their progress in writing, editing, next plan of writing books… it was surely a writers heaven!

We asked people to write down their vision of their own books in #writingplan board. It was a moment of truth for some of them. They never articulate their dreams of writing a book. And when they were asked to write them down, they were shocked. But the results were amazing.

There were plans to write a book about kingdom of cats, something involving aliens and some other wanted to highlight their own culture and heritage. They wrote their writing plans with smile on their face. And I know soon, their writing plan is going to come true.

Among the visitors, I spoke more with Mr. Rahmat Ali. We accidentally met at the sego pecel stand for lunch and the next day, he brought his book with him. Turned out, he’s one of Indonesia’s talented and productive writers, he’s my senior! “Keep on witing…,” he said. We collaborate on the spot trying to create a poem and that was super fun.

I fall deep and deeper in love with words each day. I read and write at any possible time. I read 3 books this morning alone. I ignore my friends because I prefer reading ‘A Complete Idiot’s Guide of Creative Writing’ – even when I’m already writing 28 books.

I could see books in every person I met, see words in every decision made in my life, words make me understand what love really is, they make me understand who I am.