Works for Archipelago from Writer Asma Nadia

Jakarta has many talents who excel at national and international levels. Asma Nadia, is a well-known writer whose works are known throughout the country and even abroad.

When I was in grade 2 at SMPN 78 Jakarta, I had written articles

Born in Jakarta on March 26, 1972, she has written many works. Even, dozens of them were appointed to the big screen. Some have also been made into television screens such as the novel Jangan Bercerai Bunda (Don't Divorce Mother), whose soap opera is currently being aired on television.

Indeed, since childhood she has been familiar with writing or art activities because her father, Amin Usman (Amin Ivo's) is known as a famous songwriter. Some of his songs, such as Kau Bukan Dirimu dan Kini Baru Kau Rasa (You're Not You and Now You're Feeling) sung by Dewi Yull, as well as many other famous singers such as Broery Marantika, Christine Panjaitan, Iis Sugianto, Andi Mariam Matalata, and other artists.

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Then her mother also really liked writing because she always kept a diary. Even, her sister, Helvy Tiana Rosa also often writes and her works have already been published.

"So, I got carried away from there. At first, she made song lyrics when she was still in elementary school. When I was in grade 2 at SMPN 78 Jakarta, I had written articles, including short stories, but at that time none of them had been published," she expressed, Tuesday (6/20).

After high school, she increasingly pursued writing. When she first started attending college, she took part in national-level short story writing competitions, one of which was in Annida Magazine until she won.

The first work published in Annida Magazine was entitled Surat Buat Asasullah di Surga (A Letter to Asadullah in Heaven). This paper was written starting from the story of the death of a friend's child who was deemed as her own nephew.

"Because I missed it, I wrote a letter, which my sister sent to Annida Magazine. After that, I was even more enthusiastic about writing, thus it could be published in Ummi Magazine, Horizon to Republika," she explained.

In 1999, she met someone who wanted to publish a book with her sister, Helvy Tiana Rosa which tells about extraordinary ordinary people.

Unfortunately, after the book was published she was not satisfied with how it looks. So, she learned more about the cover of books and others.

"For me, this incident is a turning point that for an author it is not just a book to be published. However, there are other supporting aspects that are no less important to attract people to read, namely the shape of the book, including the cover," she continued.

In 2000, her book was proposed by two publishers namely Mizan and Syaamil (Sygma) and that year ten of her books were released. Two books each are collaborative works with Helvy Tiana Rosa, also Isa Alamsyah (her husband) and one other with Boim Lebon.

"My first book was titled Rembulan di Mata Ibu and Serenade Biru Dinda (later republished with the title Pertama Bilang Cinta). The book Rembulan di Mata Ibu became the best youth book and I won the Adikarya IKAPI Award as First Place. The book entitled Derai Sunyi/Bidadari Berisik in 2005 also won an award from the Southeast Asian Literary Council as the Best Work," she explained.

Bidadari Berbisik was created after she was invited to take part in a writing lesson from the Bengkel Menulis Novel (Novel Writing Workshop) in 2001 from the Southeast Asia Literary Council.

"It was the first writing workshop I attended," she admitted.

Thanks to her persistence in writing with extraordinary works, she continues to achieve achievements, such as the award for Best Author from Mizan, Figure of Change from Republika, Figure of Islamic Books and in 2023, she received the Indonesian Women Champion award from the Indonesian Women Champion Foundation.

"Together with Ms. Helvy, Alhamdulillah (thank God), we are included in the 20 Indonesian Muslims whose names are listed in The World's 500 Most Influential Muslims 2023 from The Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Center (MABDA), a research institute in Jordan," he expressed.

Until now, around 80 of her books have been published, including digital versions or e-books that can be read on the KBM App. There have been 12 books which have been adapted to the big screen, including Emak Ingin Naik Haji, Assalamualaikum Beijing, Jilbab Traveler, Pesantren Impian, Cinta Laki-Laki Biasa, and Surga Yang Tak Dirindukan 1-3.

"If the total works reach 107, as there is also an anthology published by the Jakarta Arts Council, drama scripts which also won awards. Insya Allah (God willing), this year there will also be a film from my book entitled Jomblo Fi Sabilillah (Warna Pictures) and Pertualangan Anak Penangkap Hantu (MNC Pictures)," she continued.

There are several works, According to Asma, which were very memorable for him. The work is namely, a novel entitled Surga Yang Dirindukan 1. This is because it takes up to seven years to complete the writing. The fruit of that perseverance was not in vain because in 2015, it was filmed and dominated the first position in Indonesian box office films.

Then the short story Emak Ingin Naik Haji is also the most memorable because it is her first work to be filmed. In 2013, she brought this work when she was invited to be a guest writer at the Iowa International Writing Program, which is known as the most prestigious residency among writers.

Another work that is very memorable is Cacatan Hati Seorang Istri. The reason is, through this book I, who is usually only known as a religious writer, can also get attention from non-Muslim communities.

"The novel entitled Surga Yang Tak Dirindukan has sequels and all of them were filmed, even though Surga Yang Dirindukan 3 did not make it to theaters due to the pandemic. I'm also grateful that Emak Ingin Naik Haji has received positive appreciation from other countries, as well as Assalamualaikum Beijing 1 which was broadcast in Okinawa. Meanwhile, the book Catatan Hati Seorang Istri managed to bring women of all religions closer together, this work was also made into a soap opera and achieved the highest rating at that time on television," she concluded.

She invited children in Jakarta to be able to pursue the world of writing. There is no problem if the work has not penetrated the publisher because now there is room for building existence and even earning large amounts of income by writing in writing applications. She does not hesitate to share her knowledge, one of which can be accessed through the KBM App.

"I hosted an event called Belajar Dari Bintang on that app. The event is free every Wednesday night via Zoom. Incredibly, this KBM App is the work of the nation's children and is a trust. Interestingly, this application can also motivate writers because they provide very good royalties. There are about 10 writers here who, as far as I know, have earned hundreds of millions, even though they are new writers," she added.

This graduate of SMAN 1 Budi Utomo welcomes the Jakarta Provincial Government through the Library and Archives Agency, as well as other regional libraries and Education Ministry to hold workshops and reach out to remote areas, by utilizing modern methods.

"If there's a podcast, that's fine too. I think even established writers will be very happy to succeed in their efforts to reproduce or regenerate writers," she added.

To increase people's interest in reading, she founded the Asma Nadia Foundation which oversees the Asma Nadia Reading House. This reading house is a picture of a noble heart and good deeds that she always does because this library is focused on mustahik (reicipient). Currently, there are 229 Asthma Nadia Reading Houses in the country.

"This is part of the literacy struggle. I have a goal to open 1,000 reading houses for Asthma Nadia," she hoped.

Jakarta Library and Archives Agency Head, Firmansyah expressed his high appreciation to writers from Jakarta who had made a real contribution to Indonesia. Moreover, many of these works have inspired positive things.

"My appreciation and gratitude to Ms. Asma Nadia and friends who have contributed to the archipelago. Hopefully, there will be more writers from Jakarta who excel. We will make new breakthroughs, thus we don't run out of great writers. So, this is Work for the Archipelago. Success Jakarta for Indonesia," he closed.