I’m spontaneous. I get an idea and then just go with it. From there, the plot and character development seem to take on a life of their own. It’s really fun to see it all unfold. When the inspiration comes, there’s no stopping it.
Mark W. Sasse – 11 February 2013
The Back Flap
“My heart sank. I dumped my father’s ashes in the heart of communist Vietnam – over a thousand miles from the death of his comrades – over a thousand miles from the smile of that girl. How could I have been so stupid?”
Only the bumbling, overweight, thirtyish, stay-at-home Martin Kinney could have mistakenly flubbed his dying father’s request with such gusto. This thousand mile mistake awakens the ghosts of long-held family secrets and puts Martin on a fateful course with an unlikely romantic interest – a young, beautiful, yet troubled Vietnamese woman named My Phuong.
With its cross-cultural setting and unlikely romance, the 61,000 word novel Beauty Rising creates a powerful, unique voice in today’s literature. In a swift-moving, dialogue-driven prose which is funny, honest, tragic and unpredictable, Beauty Rising explores the depths of culture, family, and love as the Vietnam War, a generation removed, continues to hang on the periphery of society, cursing families and causing destruction.
About the book
What is the book about?
An American man and a Vietnamese women and their 12,000 mile search for purpose, hope, and redemption. As Martin travels to Vietnam to spread his estranged father’s ashes his wallet is stolen by My Phuong. Unbeknownst to both of them, this incident drastically changes the trajectory of both of their lives.
When did you start writing the book?
I started writing it in the spring of 2011 when the idea of Martin and his father just hit me. There was no turning back from that point.
How long did it take you to write it?
The bulk of it was written over a 5 week period in the summer of 2011. I then took six months for revisions and sending it out to some advanced readers for input.
Where did you get the idea from?
I had been writing plays for a number of years, but I really got the itch to write a novel. The idea of Vietnam was natural for me because I had lived there for about ten years. Anyone who knows me is not surprised at all that half the story is set in Vietnam.
Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?
Two parts were somewhat of a struggle. After Martin leaves Vietnam and goes home, the story shifts to My Phuong and she tells about her life in the first person. The problem was making believable circumstances in which a down-on-her-luck Vietnamese woman would have the opportunity and means to travel to America to once again meet up with Martin – where the end of the story takes place. I had to get creative to do it right, and I think I accomplished my goal. However, I’ll let the reader make the ultimate judgment. The ending of the novel was tricky, also. I knew what the climax would be – that was easy – but I wasn’t sure what to do after that. That’s when I added the final chapter called “Home” which brings some needed closure to Martin.
What came easily?
Actually, it flowed. The characters came to life in my mind and I knew exactly what I wanted each to accomplish. I was really happy with the overall process and how things came to together so smoothly.
Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?
The characters are entirely fictitious; however, I borrowed circumstances, places, events, settings from growing up in PA and from my time living in Vietnam. Anyone who has lived in Vietnam will recognize the characteristics of the wonderful Vietnamese people. I’ve had many people comment on how they love the taxi driver. I think he is a very real, believable Vietnamese character.
We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?
I suppose I’m a little odd. I don’t read much fiction at all. As an undergraduate, I was an English major and so I did a lot of reading back in the day. But now that I write, I really think reading is somewhat detrimental to me. I am constantly full of ideas for writing – my problem is time. I just need more time to write. I really don’t want my ideas to be influenced by what I read. I’m not sure if that makes sense or not, but that is kind of where I am at. I do read a lot of news and commentary on world issues.
Having said that, Hemingway has always been my favorite author. I always loved reading his dialogue driven prose – simple, to the point, plot driven. And so I say that I tend to write the type of books that I personally would like to read – fast paced, strong characters, short chapters, plot-driven. I never liked reading books where I could skip twenty pages of description and really not lose any of the plot. In that way, Hemingway influenced me.
Do you have a target reader?
Not really. I try to write enjoyable stories that have strong themes which make people think. Hopefully, that includes most people.
About Writing
Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?
I’m spontaneous. I get an idea and then just go with it. From there, the plot and character development seem to take on a life of their own. It’s really fun to see it all unfold. When the inspiration comes, there’s no stopping it.
Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?
I do not outline. I jot down notes and ideas of where I want the story to go but by no means do I spend time plotting out each and every detail. For me, it would be a waste of time. My ideas are generated in the moment – during the writing itself. I have these “ah-hah” moments and then tear off in a new direction. Writing for me is about discovery and not necessarily about destination, if that makes any sense.
Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?
Yes, I do edit as I go, to some degree. I might whip off a few paragraphs and when my ideas have died down, I’ll go back and look how I can reword things better. I have realized what many other writers have, no book is ever “finished.” But we must finish it none-the-less.
Did you hire a professional editor?
I have been very fortunate to have a group of readers who , in themselves, could be professional editors – and perhaps someday will be. With this group of readers, and with my English background, I have an approach to the editing process which I have a lot of confidence in. I realize how frustrating editing and proofreading can be. I will never stop improving a manuscript.
Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?
I love listening to music, but I do not do so when writing. I will say that walking and listening to music really helps get my creative juices flowing and I usually come home with a few ideas to write down. Some of my favorites include House of Heroes, Burlap to Cashmere, Proto-Kaw, & Phil Keaggy.
About Publishing
Did you submit your work to Agents?
I did submit my work to many agents, and, frankly, it was a disheartening proposition. I call them the “gatekeepers” – they hold all the keys to the traditional publishing industry and if your ideas don’t quite line up with their thinking on any one day of the week, then too bad.
What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?
After about a year of shopping Beauty Rising around to various agencies, I decided it was time to get it published. The biggest factor was that in the meantime I had already finished my second novel. So I may start shopping my second one around as I promote Beauty Rising as an indie author.
Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?
I did a basic mock-up for my cover and then my friend, who is a professional graphic artist, put the finishing touches on it. The lake on the cover is actually my own photograph from when I lived in Vietnam. It’s a picture of the actual lake which plays a prominent role in the story.
Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?
I do have a marketing plan. I’ve mapped out what I want to do over the first 4-5 months after release and then I’ll re-evaluate and see where I go from there. I do know that I’m not going to give up. It’s a very competitive market, but I believe in my novel so I’m going to give it everything I have.
Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?
Don’t be intimidated. If you love to write, just write. Writers put themselves in very vulnerable positions but if you have the passion, do it for the love of it. I went many years not writing because I felt like my skills weren’t good enough. Well, I learned that skills improve by using them. Don’t fall into my trap!
About You
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in the countryside of Butler County – western Pennsylvania. I went to Knoch High School in Saxonburg, founded by John Roebling – the man who built the Brooklyn Bridge.
Where do you live now?
I live in Penang, Malaysia. I’ve been here for six and half years teaching history and directing drama.
What would you like readers to know about you?
I speak Vietnamese fluently. This is a by-product of living in Vietnam for 10 years teaching English. I have 2 MA degrees, one in TESOL and one in Humanities/History. In the spirit of self-disclosure, my MA Humanities degree is pending approval from the committee which is currently looking at my thesis. Please accept it!
What are you working on now?
Many projects. I’m putting the finishing touches on my latest play which I co-wrote with some young writers. It’s a multi-cultural comedy called Grandparents’ War. I’ll be directing it at my school this semester. I will soon be publishing Fifteen 10 Minute Plays for the Stage. As I mentioned earlier, I have some advanced readers looking over the manuscript of my second novel. Lastly, I’ve started my third novel – one I’ve been putting off for years but am now getting around to. It’s going to be a challenge. I call it my last, great Vietnam novel. It’s set in two different time periods. Should be a lot of fun.
Thanks so much for having me on IndieViews!
End of Interview:
For more from Mark visit his blog or his Goodreads page.