ThatShitItTearsMeUp

1) "Name?"

Hi, my name is Maria Elizabeth Dela Riva Castillo.

2) "Age?"

I've recently turned 20 years of age, in May.

3)" What are your hobbies?"

My interests are a bit all over the place. But mostly, I enjoy writing, whether it in my journal for myself only or for my books. I also love singing; my favorite genres being shoegaze, indie pop and some psychedelic rock. I don't think I'd be a writer if I didn't like reading lol.. Currently reading The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle. I recommend it, especially if you're into spirituality. I like to think of myself as an artistic being. Even though, I just doodle. It is quite refreshing to use my hands and get messy with ink and paint. And lastly, I love binge-watching some good romantic Korean dramas to help me out of writers' block. Currently watching Romance is a Bonus Book. Again, I suggest you to check it out.

4) "When did you start writing and why?"

Well, I like to believe that I have a very imaginative mind. I love being able to express that through my writing and art. The first time I wrote was in an old, very girly journal, which consisted of deliciously painted on donuts as its cover. It had a variation of book and movie scenes that I loved, making it into a jumbled up mess of drama and romance, with a kick of action - depending if I had been reading or watching an action packed scene with my journal in hand. I believe, it was around 2010 when I had this small journal. Meaning I was around the age of eleven and/or twelve when I'd write some quite steamy scenes between the two main characters.

5) "Which was your first story generally?"

Oh my goodness, my first story is quite old. It wasn't necessarily on paper but rather in my mind. If that makes any sense lol.. The story has evolved and changed multiple times, but never the character and its personality. I wish I could say more, but I'm actually working on said story alongside my younger sister. We are creating this au into a three/six book series. As you can tell, it's still under construction. It'll take lots of coffee and patience for us to finish it. More details on the story to come when we have the first ten chapters done!

6) "Do you write in some other website except Wattpad?"

Believe it or not, I actually have Sweet Assholes written on Quotev. But it hasn't been updated after its third chapter, still having its old cover from months ago. I should definitely go back to it and update it.

7) "What has given you motive to keep on writing?"

One of my biggest motives has been my own mind. I truly feel that if I were to hold myself back, and quit writing I'd be left with nothing. Writing is an escape that I know I need. I enjoy reading what the readers have to say about my books too. They, themselves, can really be a huge motive for me to go on; as well as my closest friends and sisters, they push me to continue doing what I love. I have so much gratitude for those reasons, I don't think I'll ever stop writing.

8 )"Have you ever wanted to give up everything? (writing I mean)"

Of course. I have given up a few times, actually. With my first few books on Wattpad. I had about 3+ works that I believed weren't good enough, deleting them off my works. Still this fear attacks me with each new chapter that I publish, but now I've gotten used to it. Actually using it as fuel to keep me going, feeding my motivation the scraps of fear.

9) "Which is your favorite story on Wattpad?"

I have so many!

The first book that I read on here was a story called The New Girl (A One Direction Story) by @paislydot13 Which, unfortunately, was also discontinued. Either way, that book will always be in my reading list.

The Bad Boy Stole My Bra by @Cherry_Cola_x

Infatuation // Harry Styles by @juliaxwrites

Home by @frannyclouds as well as its sequel Again

How To Save A Life by @frannyclouds

Just For Show by @rayelliswriter

Half Bad // Harry Styles by @juliaxwrites

Elastic Heart by @frannyclouds

I'm currently reading Code Blue by @bizzlesbluntss and despite the fact that I haven't finished reading the first chapter, I have already fallen in love with the writing. I can't wait to catch up with the rest of the readers.

10) "Have you gained any friendship from Wattpad? If yes, which are your Wattpad friends?"

Fortunately, and unfortunately, I have gained only one friend, @frannyclouds .. I had a few more before, but sadly I haven't really stayed in touch with them. I'm open to making more friends on here for sure, though!

11) "Do you relate with any of your characters from your books? If yes, which one and which characteristics are similar?"

I hate admitting that I'm a bit of a people pleaser, at times. And Elena from Sweet Assholes definitely has some issues with that. It's the fear of getting someone upset that ignites that obnoxious trait of mine. The old version of Valentina, which had the main character being very shy and scared of talking to people. I wouldn't say I'm afraid of talking to people, but rather very anxious to say the wrong thing. Which, makes me get into my mind and become very quiet. Elena also holds in a lot of herself within her mind, I don't think she really knows who she is or what she wants. It's my fault, honestly. I feel that I could know, but I don't have the guts or the confidence to care or even try. It's definitely something that I am working on with myself only. I also love my way of thinking. Which resonates a bit with Elena, but mostly with one of my nameless characters for my supernatural story.

12) "What did you study /are you studying/do you want to study?"

I want to continue improving my writing, study literature, work on getting my GED, and study either nutrition or beauty.

13)" Describe yourself in 3 words."

Compassionate, humorous, and optimistic.

14) "What do you advise new writers?"

I still consider myself a new writer.. Lol One thing I always try to remind myself is that if what I'm putting out doesn't feel right to me, then I'm doing it all wrong. I believe that you have to be 100% in love with what you're publishing, if not go back to the plotting board.

15)" Questions based on ' Sweet Assholes' :  How were you inspired to write this story?"

The movie The Break-up Plan, despite having deleted and changed this book so many times.. I still gain inspiration from that movie.

I know that the movie and Sweet Assholes are nothing alike, but remember that I've changed the plot so many times that it's nothing alike to the movie now.

16)" Who's your favourite character in the book and why? "

Believe it or not, my favorite character is Zayn. When I write in his point of view it's like he takes over my hands and writes the chapter himself. His personality is all over the place, and I feel that that's what I like..

17)" Have you decided the end of the book? "

YES!! I am so excited to get to that point of the book. To have it completely done and out there gets my adrenaline rushing, makes me feel anxious. I don't know whether the readers will like the ending or not...

18)"If you were asked to publish your book , would you do it?"

100% YES!! I think that that's almost every writers' dream. To have their body of work in people's hands, enjoying the content, crying and laughing at the scenes in the book. I'd like to believe that one day Sweet Assholes will be in someone's book collection.

19)"Which is your favourite a)  funny,  b) dramatic,  c) romantic, d) sad scene in the book,  until now?"

(Α) My favorite funny scene would be around the beginning of the book... Zayn bothering/threatening Elena about Carlos.

(B) When Emilio caught Zayn in Elena's bed and literally kicked him out.

(C & D) My favorite romantic scene is actually a sad one as well... It's one of my most recent chapters, actually. Elena not being able to stop herself from denying Zayn's touch. It's quite saddening and romantic. Despite how hard she tries to remember that he has Rebecca, she gives in.

20) " A phrase or a scene that you write and you'll never forget.(and why)"

Zayn walking out on a crying Rebecca... Here's the scene because it speaks for itself - I really don't mean to hurt her. I've never seen her like this, and would never want to see her like this again. But what comes out of my lips in that second, says differently. "Well, care for me less." I hiss, walking past her and out the door. - I feel that almost everyone has said something they have regretted, something that they weren't able to take back. Despite not wanting to have hurt her, he continued to do so... Truthfully, it's a scene that I'm quite proud of which is why it'll always be one of my most unforgettable scenes.

21) " How much time did it take to plan the whole plot? Are we near the end?"

A LONG WHILE. I'd say more than three years. And we're barely getting into the plot twist, maybe 10-15 more chapters to go before the end.

22)" How many unpublished and half-finished books do you have?"

10+ in total... But I'm doing them one at a time, so I don't stress about it too much.

23) "Any spoilers for future plans?"

For Sweet Assholes?

Well, the next chapter will be in Rebecca's point of view; which will be the first time I do her P.O.V. I'm excited about it! And writing-wise, my next book will be in a different genre than Sweet Assholes, but nonetheless still having that romance that I love.

24)"  Are you planning to publish a sequel?"

I've thought about it, truly. But I've yet to decide that. If I do, it'll be much later after I've published my next book.

25) " Choose- 'challenge' two writers that you want to know about to do this interview like you."

@onelove1583 she used to read one of my old works, being my first reader... and I haven't talked to her in about four years, I'd like to see how she is now. Truthfully, I don't know if she has updated anything since I last talked to her.

@thewiredperson is my youngest sister, she is an angel and I'd love to get to know her writing-wise.

CRITICAL QUESTIONS

1) "What is the sexiest and least sexy name?"

I don't know.. Lol. Angelina is quite sexy, as well as Zachary. A least sexy name would be Bertha, though I actually named a plant that name and find it quite cute.

2) "What secret conspiracy would you like to start?"

Ooh, this is a fun one! We all carry the same amount of powerful energy as the one that was used to create us all...

Thank you so much ThatShitItTearsMeUp !! ❤❤

All the love,
M.