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'Fira dan Hafez': A writer's love story
For writers, there are always stories to share
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For writers, there are always stories to share.
Dwifira Maharani Wulandari Basuki, known as Fira Basuki, a talented novelist with a great storytelling style, chose writing to channel her feelings, including during her most testing time.
Known for bestselling novels such as Jendela-Jendela (Windows), Pintu (Door) and Atap (Roof) as well as Biru (Blue), Fira eventually decided to write her autobiography after the death of her husband Hafez Agung Baskoro, after aneurysm.
Hafez's passing away came all of a sudden to Fira. They were four months married and Fira was carrying Hafez's child. Hafez died on March 16 last year.
'When he was gone, I saw again faces from old times ' faces that I hadn't seen for many years. At that time, I had two options. I either went crazy or became extraordinary,' she says.
'I chose the second path, for my kids and everyone else,' said the 41-year-old during the launch of her latest book in Jakarta recently, Fira dan Hafez (Fira and Hafez).
As a prolific writer and editor in chief for Cosmopolitan Indonesia magazine, the book sees Fira intertwine stories, quotes ' either from real life or from Twitter accounts ' as well as her point of view in presenting her personal chronicles. She delivers the book with her trademark natural and inspiring style.
Each of the 24 chapters in the book begins with a quote, mostly from a Twitter account.
In the opening chapter - Akhirnya, Saya Menulis Ini (Finally, I write this) - Fira inserts a meaningful quote from her own Twitter account, @FiraBasuki.
'Saya tak pernah lupa. Tak akan lupa. Bagaimana saya lupa? @MrAmplitudo adalah separuh jiwa. Sampai kapan pun saya tak pernah lupa [I never forget. Will never forget. How can I forget? @MrAmplitudo is my other half. I will never ever forget.],' posted Fira on Twitter, mentioning her husband's Twitter account.
In the chapter, Fira tells the reason why she has written a second autobiography, after Wimar Witoelar: Hell Yeah! It was a biography about her best friend, who happened to be a columnist and spokesperson for former president Abdurrahman 'Gus Dur' Wahid.
The autobiography focuses on the love of her life, after her family, friends and fans encouraged her ' mostly via Twitter ' to do so.
'The book was written in five weeks. It was fast because I received so much support. In a way, I've been helped by a lot of people while writing it,' said Fira, adding that the book was supplemented by a one track CD, containing the song, Love You So Much, by Tantry, Hafez's little sister.
Fira already had a young daughter, Syahza, from her first marriage when she became acquainted with Hafez.
Despite her previous marriage, Fira said Hafez took her exactly as she was ' as a package that included her daughter.
Being ten years younger didn't hold Hafez back from being a great husband and leader for Fira.
Fira loved to be called sigaraning nyawa (other half in Javanese) by Hafez. When her husband passed away, Fira felt like she had lost the color in her life.
The writer is now busy taking care of her teenage daughter and Kiad, her second daughter with Hafez, besides her usual tight schedule working for a lifestyle magazine.
Fira says she continues to learn and accept everything she receives in life, depending solely on her Creator.
'I hope the book carries a good flow and for those who read to feel something. I hope it can relate to people, who I believe have gone through the feelings of losing and finding.'
'Fira dan Hafez'
Author: Fira Basuki
Publisher: Gramedia Widiasarana Indonesia, 2013
250 pages
