My Writing Inspiration - Meeting with Mas Iwan Setyawan

Several weeks ago, I had a dinner with my friends and Sampoerna Foundation team. I was glad get to see my friends yet there was a really nice surprise during the dinner. I met with Mas Iwan Setyawan, the inspiring writer of 9 Summers 10 Autumns book (you can buy the book here: http://www.amazon.com/Summers-10-Autumns-Apples-Apple/dp/9792275959)

I could not deny that he is one of the most inspiring people I ever met. If you might have recalled, I keep writing because I would like to inspire my readers (read: http://chtimw13.blogspot.com/2013/10/my-pleasure-from-writing.html). Meeting him was like a reassurance for me that a story or a writing could change people’s live. 

The dinner with Mas Iwan Setyawan - He sat right across me!

His story was very touching; coming from a very very humble background from a small town in Indonesia, he made it big in New York through hard work, tenacity, and a will to achieve. He told me a story when his inspired reader finally achieved his dream to go to New York and took a picture with his book in front of Lady Liberty. He told me that it is not the fame that makes writing of the book very special, but the feedbacks he received from his reader. Deep in my heart, I might not have a book but I would love to inspire people as much as he is doing.

Currently Mas Iwan is running his own analytics firm in Jakarta which made me ask him a question, what encouraged him to come back to Indonesia?

“Because life in Indonesia is more meaningful, coming back to the place you were nurtured and inspire people. Living in a third world country means there are a lot more people needs help. And your life would be more meaningful when you are able to brighten people’s lives.”

His answer struck me deeply.

As a promise, I would keep writing with a wish that one day I will inspire at least one person to reach their dream.

Me and my friends and colleagues with Mas Iwan!