How to Become a Novelist

What do you think about someone that had been writing a novel? They must be genius hence they could narrative their mind and describe their imagination as well put on to their written. The Novelist like JK Rowling, J.R.R Tolkien, Stephanie Meyer, Andrea Hirata, Dewi Lestari seem only a few fine novelist that had written popular novels. According to The Oxford Companion to the English Language, ”The Novel refers to a work of prose fiction, usually 30,000 to 100,000 words in length” (qtd. Tom McArtur 711). The Novel is longer than a short story and usually written in narrative style. What types of novels that really attracted you? A few most common types of novels are romance, history, bibliography, horor, comedy, gothic, and etc. How many novel that you have been reading? Love to reading the novels is the asset if you want to write your own novel and become the novelist. These stages bellow, will guide you how to write your own novel and how to publish it.  

First of all, start writing. Before you start writing, you might be stuck what the first things that you need to write. The ideas may come from your own experiences, someone’s experiences, journey, and etc. You can find the plot from your ideas. The plot is a literary term defined as the main story line. For the amateur writer, making the outline from the plot is the essential tips. Hence the outline can direct you in the writing process and lead your written more structured.  Second, find some characters for your story. Occasionally there is protagonist (a main good guy) and antagonist (a main bad guy). You allowed apply the characters based on people that you have been met. Third, create the setting; weather it’s time and places. The setting time means set your time of story, is happen in the present time or past.  The setting of places consist the roads, home, buildings, rooms, parks and etc. Finally, decide the point of view. Point of view is the perspective of narrative. There are two kinds of point of view, the first person and the third person.  

Writing process is only the beginning. The next stages, is edit and rewrite your story. Try to become personal editor for your work because editing and rewriting is what makes your story, good. Do not pre judge your written and do not forget to save your first draft in a save place. You allowed to adding or replacing words and also sentences on your first draft.  Editing process consist substantive editing and content editing. The substantive editing includes punctuation, spelling, grammar, and word choice. Quality of written, completeness, and organization are included in the content editing.

 The last stage is how to publish your book.  Before you send your book to the publisher, you need to do research on presses.  What kind of publisher that appropriate with your written and make a list on them. The publisher is parable a home for your novel.  Do not be afraid if the publisher reject you book.  This process is also takes time until you book get published. Many popular novels were rejected in the beginning. Do not give up for only one or two publishers that unlike your story. Do not quit and keep moving submit your book to the next publisher on your list.

In conclusion, to write a novel and to publish it often takes time, effort, and also money. Both process weather it is writing process or editing process need a lot of trial and error. You might be a novelist and your novel become popular. However, you must take practice and hard discipline in process of writing, editing, and submit into publisher.

Mengejar Matahari Tengah Malam - Gravitasi

Kemana aku harus berjalan untuk pengampunan? Sedang aku seperti dekat dengan kematianku sediri. Aku yakin setiap orang pasti memiliki masalah dan jantung dosa yang tak pernah berhenti. Tuhan..aku bahkan tidak punya ruang untuk itu. Aku butuh psikiater tapi bukan untuk seseorang yang dengan mudah menjejaliku dengan obat-obatan penenang. Aku butuh bicara tapi aku tidak tahu apa lagi yang tersisa untuk dibicarakan. Aku ingin seseorang yang memelukku mengatakan segalanya akan baik-baik saja dengan tenang kepadaku. Kehilangan segala sesuatu yang penting dalam hidupmu dalam satu waktu, aku bertanya bagaimana itu terjadi pada seseorang dan dia masih bisa bangun seperti karang. Tak peduli betapa besarnya ombak yang menghantam dia masih dengan kokoh menantang matahari. 

Hujan..masih saja hujan. Suara tetesan, guyuran gerimis, dan hembusan angin yang mengiringi itu semua seakan terpantul bersamaan menurut pada gravitasi bumi malam ini. Berputar-putar lalu udara menjadi dingin, namun tetap saja tidak sedingin hati ini. Seingatku ini adalah bukan musim dingin yang dapat kapan saja hujan. Hangat..aku ingat seharusnya ini musim panas dengan pagi yang hangat. Kenapa aku berada di sini?

Aku seperti tersesat di dunia yang berbeda. Semua dan segala sesuatu yang pernah aku tahu, hilang. Begitu juga dengan kekuatanku. Dan dengan semua eksistensiku, aku mati rasa. Kemudian aku berjalan mencari dunia yang aku tahu tapi aku tetap tidak menemukan siapapun. Terkadang aku dapat melihat orang-orang yang aku kenal dan orang-orang dengan wajah tanpa nama tetapi tetap saja aku tidak bisa menyentuh mereka. Aku berusaha bicara tapi kata-kata seakan tidak bisa keluar dari kerongkonganku. Aku merasakan sebuah bahaya. Aku tahu ini sebuah bahaya karena aku melihat semua orang menatapku seperti aku adalah seorang yang asing. 


[Arman's Confession (P. 26). Diambil dari Novel "Mengejar Matahari Tengah Malam" By: Mei Aulia]

Jakarta and the Problems

Jakarta is a big city. Jakarta is the capital city of Indonesia. I live in Jakarta since I was born. I do love, and I am proud of Jakarta. Jakarta has always been growth very fast until now particularly the urban people. Jakarta has so many good buildings, roads, mass transportations, stations, park and other kind of public places. However, Jakarta nowadays is not pleasant and health like many years ago. There were so many factors that make Jakarta became unpleasant place.   

The first factor that makes Jakarta upleasant place is the population. Jakarta was very crowded. Every year, the population in Jakarta is increasing significantly. The popolation caused by The uncontrolled urbanization. Urbanization happens for the consequences of growth of rural people whereas the rural development increased slightly. For instance development the of employment, the education, and also entertainment. That were the reasons why people move from their original place into Jakarta, and make Jakarta so crowded.    

The second factor is the traffic. Traffic was being a familiar symbol for Jakarta. The fast growth population of people in Jakarta made the traffic being worse. People usually use their own vehicle than mass transportation, and abviously can cause the traffic. The traffic drains productive time of many people due to they must spend longer time to reach their places. Traffic also can easily trigger stress and caused some illnesses. This traffic reduce the quality of life for people who living in Jakarta.  

The last factor is the sanitation and the health issue. The pollution in Jakarta was very bad, wheater it’s air pollution or it’s water pollution. The air pollution most caused by the corbon monoxide that resulted from cars and motorcycles. The  High level of air pollution in Jakarta caused so many illnesses for instance asthma, lung diseases, and some respiratory infections. Water pollution caused by the rubbish and garbage from industries and also from household. This pollution strongly impact the balance of nature. The rain acid caused by water pollution as well. This bad sanitation can make people who living in Jakarta become unhelth. 

In conclusion, nowadays Jakarta has become the unplasurable place because of some problems. The high growth population in Jakarta that caused by the urbanization, bad traffic, and unhealth sanitanion. These problems need serious attention not only from the government but also from civil people as well to realize Jakarta into better, comfort, and lovely conditions.   

Cambridge IELTS 5 Test 2 – Writing Task 2

In some countries young people are encourage to work or travel for a year between finishing high school and starting university studies.

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages for young people who decide to do this.

In recent years, taking travel for a year or starting work after finishing high school become popular among young people. Some people called it as a gap year. They were postponed their studies in university for a year. These activities have been attractive for some reasons. There are advantages and disadvantages for young people who decided travel or work before continue their studies. 

The advantages from young people taking work, they become early independent in financial. Obviously from working they can earn money, gain experiences and skills. In addition they could build the good network during that time and possible to settle down more faster.  At the same time young people who decided to travel for a year can increase their horizon and their independent. They will see a lot of different perspective from various people that they have never been met before. They also can learn another cultures and languages and can appreciate the differences. 

On the other hand, some jobs require university qualifications. If they want to catch the higher position, it is better they forward their studies first. Travelling before starting the new degree can distract their academic desire. They may think studies at universities not always become necessary.  In addition, taking travel for a year need a lot of money and mostly only the rich young people that can choose this decision. 

In conclusion, among the advantages for young people taking travel for a year and taking job before they continue their studies at university, there also some disadvantages that need to be considered. However I believe that the advantages can make the great different vision for young people about the life. 

          

I tried several writing task 2 in Ielts test, here two of them,,:-)

Compare the advantages and disadvantages of three of following as media for communicating information. State which you consider to be the most effective.

The information was very important in our life. We have been surrounded by the information since we were born. Information can be interpreted as massage. There are so many media that brought the information into us, for instance; television, radio, film, theatre, books, comics etc. I do believe every media has each advantages and disadvantages.

There are some advantages from television, radio, film that can be explained. These electronic media were very effective for share the information. The massages that come from media electronic were often very powerful effected the people. People often very fast take in the information from television and film. Similar with the radio, television, and film, theatre was also very touchable to share the culture and education through the live shows. In addition book and comics are very effective to spread the good ideas. Books also played the essential role in human history. While the books provide the massages from the sentences and story, the comics send the massages trough the picture and animation.     

On the other hand, television, radio, and film have some disadvantages. Some programs that provide in television were very hypnotizing and it can drain productive time when people spent a lot of time to watch. Hence it very powerful to effecting people, so many violence and criminal act have also resulted from the television and films. Even so some books and comics have some disadvantages. We need to be focus to read the book for hours. Several comics only give the entertainment instead the useful information.

In conclusion, in my opinion the television, radio, and film are most effective because the massage could be taken easily than the books and comics.   

Be Strong Like a Rock

          It has been a long time since I wrote my last posting, about Bliss..days turning into something I never imagined before. Indeed so hard. Allah gave me so many real examinations in my life. Bliss never exist without wound. Laugh never so graceful without tears. Smile never so bright without sadness. Anyone you never knew before become so precious when you feel lonely. The hardest step must be faced with all guide that you have always asked from God. I trying to believe I can rise into something new. Fighting to be someone who always graceful by her self. When you think there is not something that can help you, believe Allah would sent you the troops to make you strong and said "You're gonna be all right." All you need to do is defend your faith although I knew  that never be easy to be strong like rock.
          Last night I was called my friend, she was the former editor Sinergi. From her voice and story I know that she's more than all right. She's so happy and graceful with her self. When I told her about my worries she said that almost didn't believe that. She said she was happy and so graceful because of me. I'm very shock with her declaration, in fact I didn't do anything as I remember for her. I told her that I haven't full of guts since several month ago like she was remained about me. She said
           "Mei, I've always envy you and all the time I've wondered why you so enthusiastic and cheerful. I've learned so many thing from you. It was very unusual that now you tell me that you have no passion. Stand up, Mei! Be cheer up!"
          "I've been sick." I said. "Please remember me in your pray." I asked her.
          "I have..I always have prayed for you."
          "Thank you."
          "Just be cheer up as I remember about you."she said.
          Suddenly I'm very graceful that I still have someone that remain me as that much. Maybe jewel and diamond never exist if the rocks never hit and burned over and over again. Be strong and never surrounded by the hardest hit. Keep your faith that you're gonna be all right.

Bliss!

Bismillah,,

Kayaknya udah lama banget nggak nulis sesuatu di blog. Kayak ada sesuatu yang masih ngeganjel di hati kalau belom menyempatkan diri untuk menulis sesuatu tentang perjalanan hidup (Beuhh!!)

Sudah sebulan saya mengundurkan diri dari kantor penerbitan saya. Banyak hal yang saya temui dalam sebulan ini yang cukup mengguncang kewarasan saya. Tapi sama sekali bukan karena pekerjaan. Entahlah, saya merasa tepat memutuskan untuk mengundurkan diri untuk menjalani rencana saya selanjutnya.  Fokus dengan tulisan saya yang akan saya terbitkan Insya Allah tahun ini dan Fokus untuk menyiapkan rencana master saya ke luar. Hanya saja Allah selalu memiliki rencana lain untuk siapa saja. Bukan hidup kalau mudah tertebak. 

Terlepas dari masalahnya apa, saya sempat menjalani hari-hari saya dengan sangat depresi satu bulan terakhir ini. Mencoba mempertahankan kewarasan saya dan tetap berjalan pada jalur yang benar. Saya belum katakan kalau saya berhasil, hanya saja perasaan sakit, menangis diam-diam, tidak bisa fokus dalam apapun, tidak memiliki selera untuk berbicara, makan, nonton, baca, atau bahkan memperhatikan orang lain sudah tidak saya rasakan belakangan ini. 

Sebelumnya saya mau berterima kasih buat teman dan sahabat saya yang masih menganggap saya waras dan masih selalu berusaha menarik saya untuk tidak keluar dari jalur yang sedang saya tekuni. Hidup akan selalu berarti jika kau masih mau mendengarkan kata-kata mereka.

Terima kasih buat Nadia (my best friend ever, my travel mate, my annoying ego female friend) yang udah tahu banget watak baik buruknya masing-masing dari kita. Dia yang pertama kali terpikir oleh saya ketika saya menceritakan semua rasa sesak yang rasanya tidak bisa diungkapkan begitu saja. Pelukan jauhnya selalu membuat saya tenang dengan kata-kata yang meski dia juga terkadang tidak tahu harus berbuat apa, tapi bercerita semuanya padanya lebih sering membuat saya tenang dari waktu ke waktu. Hadapi kenyataan meski sepahit apapun. 

Terima kasih buat my friend Lutfi Indris yang tidak suka dengan semua cerita negatif (Meski bagi saya tidak semua negatif itu buruk) tapi ketika saya ceritakan tentang satu kata negatif ‘Depresi’ dia mengajukan saya misi 21. Ide yang cemerlang meski tidak tiap hari perbedaan itu ada di kehidupan selanjutnya. Tapi kata-katanya selalu terngiang tentang berusaha melakukan sesuatu yang berbeda setiap hari selama dua puluh satu hari. Tujuannya biar kita kembali hidup dan sangat menghargai nikmatnya hidup. Tujuannya pasti agar kita bahagia tentunya. Tapi Mario teguh malah pernah mengatakan kalau orang yang memiliki tujuan bahagia maka orang itu tidaklah pernah berbahagia. Karena bahagia itu bukan tujuan tapi mengiringi. Tentu saja saya menyetujuinya.

Terima kasih juga buat my dear friend, Tung (Nurika) yang udah mau nemenin jalan-jalan ke kebun binatang Ragunan (Haha). Saking bingungnya nyari tempat alam di Jakarta. Buat Rika Nathania yang masih bisa memberi jawaban kalau saya orang yang cukup ceria ketika saat itu sulit sekali menyembunyikan kalau ada sesuatu yang nggak beres di diri saya (ngerasa depresi, tidak percaya diri, tidak berminat melakukan apapun). Satu kata positif yang belum mampu juga mengangkat diri saya saat itu.   

Kemudian saya pun berpikir tentang arti kebahagiaan sebenarnya. Mempertanyakan kembali apa sebenarnya kebahagiaan itu? apakah seseorang yang sudah berkeliling dunia bahagia? Apa orang yang paling pintar dan cerdas mereka sudah bahagia? Atau orang yang memiliki kekayaan dan harta yang berlimpah juga sudah bahagia? Lalu bagaimana dengan orang yang memiliki wajah tampan dan cantik di jagad raya ini dan semua orang mengakui  juga bisa berbahagia dengan itu semua? Atau mungkin seseorang yang lahir di sebuah tempat yang sangat indah dengan kekayaan yang dahsyat bisa berbahagia dengan itu semua. Padahal jika ada pendatang yang sedang mendatangi tempatnya dia bermimpi ingin seperti dia.

Apakah orang-orang bisa berbahagia dengan terkenal, memiliki banyak anak yang sangat membanggakan, memiliki banyak teman dan sahabat, bisa menggapai semua yang diusahakannya, mencapai Mekkah atau Negara-negara di Eropa, menulis buku-buku terkenal, bernyanyi, berkeliling dunia lalu menemukan seseorang? Lalu apakah orang akan bahagia jika sudah menikah, atau belum menikah. Sudah memiliki anak atau belum memiliki anak. Apakah orang sudah bahagia jika sudah mencapai menara Eiffel? Atau sudah berada di bawah patung Liberti atau Jam dunia di London? 

Saya pun akhirnya menemukan versi saya sendiri, dimana tidak  pernah ada kebahagiaan tanpa rasa syukur. Siapapun dia, dimana dia berada, sedang diuji, sedang dipuji, sedang di atas, di bawah, atau keadaan apa pun yang pernah kita alami selama hidup kita. Sesakit apapun yang berbahagia adalah orang-orang yang bisa bersyukur dengan keadaannya.

Writing for Academic

At the second time my teacher Pak Made gave us writing for academic exercise. We don't have to finish it at class and he gave us five days to write it down by our own ideas before we have to submitted on this Thursday. I admitted it's not easy because I used to write not for academic version. This is my first written of academic writing. However this task dare me to write and read more than I did before. I post my first draft here, next week Pak made will give my first draft with all the corrections. Good luck! ^_^

Do Language Help Mould the Way We Think

By: Mei Aulia

Language is media without boundaries (Wahyu Widhiarso, 2005). Language used by people in all life, education or work. Without language nothing could be done. Gorys Keraf (1997:1) said that language is the sound symbol that resulted from mouth. In addition language became the essential way to communicate with different people. For examples the teacher or lecture to give a lesson at class, the Boss that give some order to the workers or maybe the trader proffer commodity crucially need language for communication.

Language is also one of tools to express feels and thoughts. It indeed can help mould the way of thinking. Language used to the first thing that comes from the mind. In every single word’s language has been used for general purpose; to switch some information. Good language can facilitate someone to know person in socialize because can be part to create personalities as well. Language is also evidence of self and nation identification.   

In Indonesia, language was more about cultures. Bahasa Indonesia and vernacular used by local largely. Every culture in Indonesia has different language, custom, and habitude that shape different of thinking. And thoughts more shaped by our native language and native environment. Through a lot of researches and experiments that have done, language can affect the way of thinking. People who have lived in Jakarta definitely had different thoughts as a person who has grown up in Bali. However speaking in the same language does not mean thinking in the same way. Professor, lecture, trader, artist, politician or even the comedian definitely has different thought even if using the same native language. It’s because they have the background differs; utilize the same language yet at different communication of profession.

English language regarded as modern language that had spoken by current people. The application of English language shows a current class of social levels in Indonesia. Moreover from the evolution of reasoning create English language as modern reflection. The experience of English language as native language for everyone is different. Native language might be spoken by people that have their first language as a mother tongue.

As a personal experience, Bahasa is the main language even though English also has been taught. Particularly English taught as native language from kindergarten or the first grade of elementary school. Some private school often taught English and made for the main of daily language. From this wide dissemination of English it is sometimes eroded effect on local language.   

Farewell and welcome

 Bismillahirrahmanirrahim

Today was a fourth day from the 2012. Farewell and welcoming events are happen in front of our sight so fast. Time is just like a shoot of bullet. A year running just like a flash! Then what happen in a year of my life? I saw and go through so many occasions. Before I forward my steps, I'm trying to look back what just I have done along this year. 

Last year was so "Nano-Nano" as I called. Yeah, so many happen on that year such my father's heart attack on October 2011. That was very saddest moment for me and my family. I really never stop crying until one month through. But we must strong like my father was said to me. My dad spent two days on ICCU (emergency Room for cardiology). That was the hardest time for me and family. 

Even so we have always there for him and Alhamdulillah after my father's Doctor got an action for my father's ill, my father getting much better on his second day. That was sad story but when my father getting much better that was very our fortunate from Allah. I can say nothing but Alhamdulillah (All praise belongs to Allah). "God is master all of Plans" (Ar-Ra’du 13: 42)

 So tiny (lost almost 18 kilos) but he's getting much better, Alhamdulillah.
Love him so much!!

My partner at the office; Nengnong also took resign for current reasons on last August 2011. I admitted that was sad, unavoidable, and blur time for me. Not that easy but I tried to except maybe that was the right way that I must exceed. 

 Memories; at Jakarta Fashion and Food Festival

Live must goes on. It was very strength, when I have finished my novel only in a month after my partner left. I’ve tried to enroll writing novel competitions on one of National newspaper on October. It’s hard to believe but I made it. Thank God..:-)

 Miss our times "Mini-mini people" hahaha

My nephew Haidar was also took his first step in that year. On September 2011 he took his own feet to walk by his self.  

 

Haidar's curious face

 "Gaya bener siyh..:p"

Last year was also very pleasant with my Grammar class' friends on LBI UI. Rika and Lutfi were very delight friends. We such become good friends at time until now. Sometimes we hang out together for bowling, eating, attending education exhibition, and so on. We have a great time and fun together. Made a joke, laugh, shared, tell the truth, honest about embarrassing moments in our life, mock each other, and other. I’m blast to meet them. Our class was over on December 2011 but I hope our friendship never really over.  Thanks, guys! You had been color my days. 

 Outing play bowling

One of my attentions in 2011 was about Train, my daily transportation. Train KRL changes the system again on December 2011. It was called "Loop Line" system and that made me so miserable. Not only me. I bet, this system has been so inconvenience and so much troublesome. As passengers, nothing we can do except to accept it. Just choose; take it or leave it. All our curses just boiled away without serious consideration from KAI. My journey to office has been always hard. But God send me some friends. Recently I know Dini and also mba Maya. We have a good friendship along these times.

 My morning train "So rare"

By 2011 so many scene from my story of life just happen. On blessed March, I took vacation to Kuala Lumpur and Singapore for the first time with my travel’s mate Nadia. The first overwhelming go aboard.  We had a great adventures, cool happiness, and unforgettable moments there. 

 At Batu Cave Kuala Lumpur

Finally

The nearest time for my big decision happen on December 27th. I was gave my resign letter to my boss with other words I said to him; "Dear Boss, I’m quite."

That wasn't a new plan, honestly. I didn't do that in a hurry. As a note, all bosses at my office were very shock heard about my resign. It's not easy for them because there a negotiator still hope me to stay longer. 

I'm not the oracle that can read someone else's future, but if I still on that office, I can't see my future anymore. It seems to be blank! 

I can not to say that my office was bad. Not at all. I have no problems with all members in my office. Even all my friends and some trusted friends are out from here prior time. I have no problem with my co worker, the fellowship on fourth floor, and all people here. There is no big deal with my job. I love my job as editor. Editor has always running in my blood. I just not make this job right now as full time. As I said, I have to move on. 

 Always make a wish :-)

All I need is move; search bigger responsibility that I can't seize in my office now, quest person to complete me, and chase my dreams (Going to Sweden to study, being a great writer, wife, mother, lecture, entrepreneur, and traveler as well. Insya Allah, Amiiin). Don't say I'm not scared to release my job right now.  Really scared! But I can't found something challenging if I state on my editor career right now. That must be more scared!  Take a risk and you'll live. Insya Allah..:-) 
And then..2012
"Your very welcome..:-)"