Helmy Parlente Kusuma was born in Palembang, Indonesia and spent 18 years there. He went to Jakarta Jakarta
I know you write romance; perhaps you’d you give us some insight into “Memento of Mai” in a few sentences.
I was introduced to a gorgeous lady on my trip to Vietnam
How did you come to write this particular book?
Look at answer no 1.
If you have a favourite character in your novel, why that particular one?
Very obvious: Mai.
Where and when is this novel set and why did you make these specific choices?
May 2010 – October 2010. Look at answer no 1.
Where can people buy your book?
What qualities does a writer need to be successful?
I think he/she should have a deep passion to share his/her story. Everything else will come naturally. With hard work, of course.
What’s your working method?
I sketch a diagram or a concept. Then I daydream about that sketch until an ending is acquired. Afterward I write scene after scene – of the imagination video – to generate a draft. From here mundane things follow: edit, edit, and edit.
What’s the single biggest mistake made by beginner writers?
Not enough editing. Usually this is a result of eagerness to publish. Please submit your work to at least five layers of editing.
To what extent are grammar and spelling important in writing?
Very important. I found out the hard way. Enough said.
How much do you revise your MS before sending it off?
Ten times or more.
As a writer of romance, to what extent do you think genre is useful in the publishing world?
Genre is supposed to be the yard stick, but I find it quite limiting sometimes, especially for contemporary work. Is it science fiction or romance? Is that fantasy or erotica?
Many authors see marketing as a bind. What's your opinion on this, and how do you deal with it?
As indie author you have to be comfortable with doing marketing or there will be no sales. I do marketing AFTER I finished my draft, not before. Because it will be too distracting.
How do you know where to begin a given story?
Once I have completed the video in my mind, I will view it from various perspectives.
This enables me to pick a place to start.
What sort of displacement activities keep you from writing?
Browsing, of course.
What support, if any, do you receive from family and friends, or a writing group?
They serve as pre-release reviewers.
Do you think presentation of the MS is as important as agents and publishers suggest?
Yes.
How long does it take you to write a novel?
Six month plus.
Who or what inspires you?
Myself mostly.
If there’s a single aspect of writing you find really frustrating, what is it?
Creating bridges between actions/tensions.
Is there a particular feature of writing that you really enjoy?
Describing an event or an environment.
Do you believe writing is a natural gift or an acquired skill?
Acquired skill, but, you’ve got to have passion.
What are you writing now?
My second novel, but not in English. I am hoping to sneak a short-story collection, in English, in between writing my second novel.
Do you have a website or blog readers can visit?
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Given unlimited resources, where would you do your writing?
Sitting in front of my cottage somewhere in a mountain top, overseeing a vast valley ahead.
Where do you actually write?
In my room, sitting on the floor.
