" The decision to write full-time meant I couldn’t afford to buy a house. A friend kindly offered me the use of his apartment in a thirty-six-story building full of newlywed couples in the southern area of Jakarta. I didn’t like my working space at first, but the scenery and everything going on outside have worked their magic on me. "
- Andrea Hirata

In this passage, Andrea Hirata describes her decision to become a full-time writer as financially challenging, leading to an inability to purchase a house. Instead, she was offered temporary accommodation by a friend in a high-rise building located in Jakarta’s southern area, which housed many newlywed couples. Initially, Hirata was not fond of the living space provided.

Beyond its literal interpretation, this quote highlights the transformative power of one's environment on creativity and personal growth. The bustling life around her apartment windows, filled with young married couples starting their lives together, seems to have inspired and influenced Hirata’s work positively over time. This experience underscores how even challenging situations can lead to profound creative insights and serve as catalysts for artistic development. It suggests that embracing new environments and experiences can enrich one's writing and personal perspective.

Andrea Hirata is an Indonesian author known for her vivid storytelling, particularly in her portrayal of life on the island of Belitung in Indonesia through a series of books featuring the character "Majid." Her work often explores themes of social change, education, and coming-of-age stories, reflecting her own experiences growing up during a time of significant political and societal transformation in Indonesia.