ITS Library Podcast: Being Attuned to Your Surroundings—The Key to Finding Inspiration for Writing

Surabaya — Inspiration for writing can be found in various simple things around us. Everything from what we see, read, and feel to our everyday experiences can be developed into a piece of writing. This was one of the topics discussed in the ITS Library podcast titled “Finding Inspiration for Writing,” which was broadcast live on the ITS Library’s YouTube channel on Thursday (September 17).

The podcast features Edy Suprayitno, S.S., M.Hum., a senior librarian at ITS and the Head of the ITS Library for the 2016–2024 term. In a conversation with Asri Fatihatus S., S.I.Pust., an ITS librarian, Edy shared his experiences with reading, writing, and turning ideas into works.

Edy explained that his passion for writing began in high school through the habit of jotting down his daily activities. In his view, reading isn’t limited to books but also includes the ability to interpret phenomena and the surrounding environment. Sensitivity and awareness of what’s happening around him are essential assets for generating ideas.

In the podcast, Edy also discussed the challenges of maintaining consistency in writing. He suggested that writers not force themselves to finish a piece all at once. Ideas can be jotted down first and developed gradually. When experiencing writer’s block, rereading previous notes or drafts can help you rediscover the direction of your writing.

Technological developments were also discussed. Edy believes that artificial intelligence (AI) can be used as an assistant to facilitate discussions and develop ideas when writers experience writer’s block. However, he emphasized that AI should be used as a tool, not as a substitute for the writer’s own ideas and thoughts.

To wrap up the discussion, Edy advised anyone who wants to write not to overthink whether their ideas are already perfect. Ideas that come to mind can be jotted down immediately, then elaborated on and organized into an outline to give them more direction. “Don’t just daydream—write as much as you can. Just start writing,” he said.

Through this podcast, the ITS Library encourages the academic community to be more environmentally conscious, to have the courage to express their ideas, and to draw inspiration from their daily experiences to create new works.