Mira W

Writing

74 years old

Biography

Mira Widjaja (Wong), or Mira W. (b. 13 September 1951), is a highly popular Indonesian author. In spite of her background being an ethnic Chinese of Cantonese extraction from the Peranakan Chinese diaspora community, her work now reaches audiences from the entire country. Her father, Othniel, was among the pioneers of the Indonesian movie industry. She writes in an accessible genre, and deals with topics such as romance, crime and hospital life. She was a medical doctor before establishing herself as a writer. As of 1995, Mira has published over 40 novels, many of which have been cinematized, including Di Sini Cinta Pertama Kali Bersemi, Ketika Cinta Harus Memilih (When Love Must Choose) and Permainan Bulan Desember (Games in December). In total she has contributed the story to twenty-three films, making her debut as screenwriter in 1973's Jauh di Mata, directed by her brother Willy.