Last Thursday, the Indonesian Language and Literature Program at Bandung Institute of Education (UPI) held a public lecture titled “Creative Process in Literature,” delivered by Dr. Soe Tjen Marching, a lecturer at SOAS University of London. The event was held both in a hybrid format, in the Auditorium on the fourth floor of the Faculty of Language and Literature Education at UPI, and through a Zoom Meeting, attended by lecturers and students of the Indonesian Language and Literature Program.

The event was opened by Yostiani Noor Asmi Harini, S.S., M.Hum. as the host and moderated by Dr. Yulianeta, M.Pd. as the Vice Dean for Academic Affairs of the Faculty of Language and Literature Education at UPI. The Head of the Indonesian Language and Literature Program, Dr. Mahmud Fasya, S.Pd., M.A., gave a speech stating that “the creative process in literature can be an option for students’ final assignments, replacing the traditional thesis as part of the independent learning program.”

Dr. Soe Tjen Marching is an Indonesianist, writer, and feminist who earned her Ph.D. from Monash University, Australia, by writing a dissertation on Indonesian women’s autobiography and diaries. In 2017, Soe Tjen’s book on the testimony of victims of the ’65 genocide was published by Amsterdam University Press, titled “The End of Silence: Accounts of the 1965 Genocide in Indonesia,” which is one of her well-known works.

During her presentation, she explained that the creative process in literature can begin by reading other people’s works and learning about their writing techniques and style. Furthermore, she suggested incorporating one’s unique personal experiences into the writing, as everyone has their own individual experiences. This way, the work we write will have its unique character that other writers do not have.

“Inspiration for writing can come from anywhere. For example, from the story of Abraham in the Bible, which does not focus on the perspective of a mother when her son is about to be sacrificed, or the perspective of the child who will be sacrificed by his father at the command of God,” Soe Tjen said.

The event concluded with a Q&A session with several participants in attendance, both in the Auditorium and the Zoom Meeting. It was followed by the presentation of a certificate to the speaker and a group photo session with all the participants.