I never knew that I would ever get to say, " Hey, I wrote a book!". Well, now I can. I truly can! And it had all started without a plan. All it took was a backpacking trip to Lombok Indonesia and 'voala'! 'Tuti And I' was born in March 2010. Well, it was not as easy as that of course! But I did it. And many people did it together with me so kudos to everybody who had a part to play in 'Tuti And I'.'Tuti and I' was officially launched in Kuala Lumpur at the KL International Book Fest 2010 in March. It was really ideal since my book was published in Malaysia KL. Al-Ameen, my publisher did a great job at getting the book out.
It was nerve-wrecking because I did not know what I was supposed to do at the launch. I mean, I was a baby in this world of authors and books and still very much is. Nobody told me exactly what to do either. Some said all I had to do was sit behind the table and hard -sell my book. Some said I had to give a short speech in a private room to a small audience, nothing formal. 'Some' said a lot of things! BUT NOBODY told me I was to get on stage, in the middle of the exhibition hall to give a speech!!
It was nerve-wrecking because I did not know what I was supposed to do at the launch. I mean, I was a baby in this world of authors and books and still very much is. Nobody told me exactly what to do either. Some said all I had to do was sit behind the table and hard -sell my book. Some said I had to give a short speech in a private room to a small audience, nothing formal. 'Some' said a lot of things! BUT NOBODY told me I was to get on stage, in the middle of the exhibition hall to give a speech!!
Well, it was too late to do anything then except to get up there and share with whoever was interested to listen to the journey I took to achieve 'Tuti And I'. I think being an educator, I usually have no problems speaking with ease in front of a crowd. I trembled a little and maybe stammered a little at first. I was nervous! But I guess as I started to speak from my heart, as the memories of Lombok, Tuti and Mount Rinjani flooded my mind, I spoke as if I was talking to the world! Before I knew it, I was done!
That special day was graced by my mum, my dad, my sis and my in-laws. Honestly, I did not think the audience was made up of anyone really interested in my book except for my family. However, albeit the less-enthusiastic crowd, I was more than grateful to those who love me and those whom I love were there to give me their support.
The main players in my team who worked so hard on 'Tuti And I' were Iman, my wacky illustrator and Mokhs, my ever supportive husband, All these would not have happened had it not been for God's tug at my husband's heart to tell me that I should pick up my pen and start writing and get it pulished. All these would not have happened had it not been for my publisher who accepted my manuscript and published my wor
k with full confidence in me. All these would not have happened had it not been for Iman my illustrator who had put his heart and soul into creating the colourful and lively illustrations. He did an awesome job in putting 'Tuti And I' into a visual art for children and adults alike. 
Thank you everybody! 'Tuti And I' can now make its debut and hopefully make its journey into the hearts of many, inspiring each and every beating heart to forge true and strong friendships with the beauty that surrounds us.
I thank Allah first and last for without His Mercy, nothing is possible and nothing is blessed.
All praise and thanks be to Allah, My Lord. - Jaslina Yassin
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