MEETING MY FAV AUTHOR: LEILA S. CHUDORI

            I was scrolling thru my facebook when I saw an event hold by Kepustakaan Populer Gramedia (KPG) – a book publisher, in FIB UGM on Jan 24^th 2018. It was no ordinary event, since they brought my fav author, Leila S. Chudori. Yes, it’s the one and only, Bu Leila S. Chudori. Without any hesitation, I signed myself up to join the book discussion for her new book entitled “Laut Bercerita”. As none of my close friends read her book, I ended up go to the event all by myself which wasn’t a big deal for me tbh.

source: @lautbercerita

            Following the discussion, there was also a movie screening for its short movie the next day. Unfortunately, I couldn’t attend it cos I had to be in one of my bestfriends birthday at the same exact time. It was the time where I wish I could make a cloning of my own self so that I could be in two different places at the same time! Lol.

source: @lautbercerita

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            After waiting for quite some time, the day had finally come. I decided to go there by Go-Jek cos I wasn’t too familiar with the place, and also cos I’m suck at reading maps. (Thanks Go-Jek!). In ten minutes ride, I then arrived at FIB UGM and asked the security which building the event was. Soon afterwards, I’ve already in the event’s room which was still quiet. I came early it seems. I looked around me, and it was the time when I spotted Bu Leila sat only like 10 steps away from me. Tbh, I was nervous and shaking af :( I wanna asked for her signature on my book, but I was too shy to ask… It took me around two minutes standing in the way to finally made my mind, and say fuck it! I did go to her and asked for her signature on my book.

            I was kinda shaking when I was talking to her, but hey, she is very nice in person! I asked her to write motivational words for me to finish my skripsweet. Rather than simply writing “Semangat ya Astri!”, she wrote this:

She says “Bebas” here means that I will be free from the thesis itself. Tho once it’s done, I will soon be facing the real life.

            Whilst signing my book, she was asking me about my thesis and stuff. I told her that I’m working on one of Murakami’s book. It was like a dream that I actually telling her about it… Like.. Is it even real?? Anyways, we chatted a bit about that thesis and also Murakami which was lovely. Then I asked her if I could get a picture with her which she said I could. It was really a dream coming true!

Bu Leila & I (that looked like a potato, but who cares?!)

            Once I got the pic, I thanked her and went to find a seat to rest my bum on. I sat on the third row from the front. There were three speakers that day: Bu Leila S. Chudori, Prof. Faruk HT & Dr. Farabi Fakih. Both Prof. Faruk and Dr. Abi presented their paper according to their study after reading “Laut Bercerita”. Not only them, but Bu Leila also presented of how she produced her writing. On how she makes her fictional characters and stuff.

            From this event I got to know a little more about how Bu Leila’s works are produced. It was such an amazing experience to hear from herself. Totally worth a time to spend!