Dreams Come True!

Growing up, I always enjoyed anything about romance. From fairy tales, comics, romance movies, telenovelas, pocketbooks and novels. My brain was full of cute scenes of the hero and heroine, falling so deeply in love and living happily ever after. I remember during high school; I wrote the dialogues at the back of my notebooks and one of my teachers got to read them. He embarrassed me by reading the lines in front of the entire class.

I started reading romance pocketbooks when I was twelve years old. First, the high school stories of 'Sweet Valley High', Then I explored novels, like Barbara Cartland, Daniel Steele, Sidney Sheldon, Robert Ludlum, etc., until I read a Mills & Boon/Harlequin romance pocketbook.

I became so addicted to Mills & Boon/Harlequin that I spent a portion of my allowance every week to buy a pocketbook. My dad used to complain a lot, of wasting too much time reading romance novels instead of studying my lessons. He scolded me I would achieve nothing in life by reading useless stuff.

But no one could stop me from my happiness. I continued reading stories and collecting pocketbooks until I got married and had my family.

Fast forward to ten years ago, I was working as an Emergency Nurse in a Tertiary Hospital. I dealt with different patients every day, mostly in critical condition. During weekends, I had my Master's Degree class.

Yeah, my life was stressful, working towards a goal (getting enough nursing experience in order to work abroad) which I was not very passionate about. I had no choice, because the money was tight. I had to do it to achieve financial freedom for my family.

I needed something to keep me happy with my stressful life, so I wrote stories whenever I had time. Because buying pocketbooks was not an option anymore since we had a rigid budget.

My daughter, Nicole, who has always been my best friend, and is very supportive of me in everything, told me of an app she discovered, Wattpad. She said that it's great for me because I love reading and writing stories (feel-good and funny romances with such sexy, ruthless and passionate heroes that make every girl's toes curl).

I was kinda sad because I was trying my luck in submitting a Ten-chapter manuscript, 'My Possessive Billionaire' for the Harlequin Romance Book writing contest, but unable to do so. I had a problem with the payment option, which I could not provide because I did not have a credit card.

So, she showed me the Wattpad app and instantly I fell in love with it. I registered on December 29, 2012, and started reading stories.

Wattpad is a very user-friendly app and so it was easy to get around. I posted the unfinished manuscript of 'My Possessive Billionaire,' three chapters a week and engaged with the readers in the comment section. I also joined a community forum on Wattpad where I learned writers' techniques and strategies in posting stories.

My story started gaining more views, and my followers kept on growing. I remember, in three months' time, I got 60,000+ followers, and after a year, I had six million reads of 'My Possessive Billionaire.'

After I finished 'My Possessive Billionaire,' I made sequels, and that's where the Monteiro Series was born.

I also started my story, Exclusively Mine, the first of the Petrakis Series, that got too much attention from readers. The main characters' son, Eros Petrakis, got introduced.

The noise continued especially when I wrote the sequel, 'Catch Me,' where Eros was the villain/antagonist of the story.

I received invitations from publishers to publish my stories, but I was hesitant because I still have doubts about my writing ability. Am I really a writer? The question bugged me. Besides, I was still working as an ER nurse and focused on the goal of working abroad to earn more money.

In March 2014, I met a publisher who was in partnership with Wattpad. So, they published 'My Possessive Billionaire' in January 2015.

Adaptations of hit Wattpad Stories started in movies and on TV. I wished my stories got adapted as well. The dream inspired me to come up with a superb story, and that was back in October 2014. I wrote The Girl He Never Noticed (Petrakis Series #3). The expected story of the villain/antagonist, cold and ruthless, Eros Petrakis and the nerdy Jade Collins by my readers.

I felt motivated to write the story, waking up at four in the morning to write a chapter before going to work. I made sure that I updated three times a week and continued to engage with the readers in the comment section and social media accounts. The reads continued to grow to millions until it got the attention of Wattpad in April 2015, and they invited me in the Wattpad Stars Program.

Being in the Wattpad Stars Program advanced my writing career to the next level. Wattpad supported me by giving aid and tools to hone my craft. They also helped me open doors of opportunities. I got a film deal and brand partnership deals. And the most amazing thing was my participation in the Futures Program, where I got to earn while doing the thing that I love most - writing.

In February 2016, my publisher published The Girl He Never Noticed in the Philippines. The story continued to grow more readers on Wattpad, increasing its popularity. I continued writing sequels of the Petrakis series and other series, making the sweetdreamer33 characters' world grow.

I got invitations to write in other apps, and on different platforms like digital/mobile games, audiobooks, etc. Then, I got a film offer for Netflix in 2018. At first, I was ecstatic because that was my dream, but I declined, because I always wanted my projects to be in partnership with Wattpad, and that Netflix offer was not. I have my trust and loyalty only with Wattpad. I feel I'm in safe hands with them.

Eventually, Wattpad launched the Paid Stories Program. It was an opportunity for us writers to earn monetarily from the support provided by our Wattpad readers. I took part in the program and had some of my stories included.

I never stopped writing on Wattpad, especially during the pandemic. It was my solace during stressful situations. My readers were also increasing because they found comfort in my writings.

More blessings arrived for my megahit story, The Girl He Never Noticed. I got a Polish Publication deal from Helion S.A. Publishing for Book 1 and 2. it overjoyed me with happiness because it was my first international publication. When I got hold of the copies, I really jumped with joy. Then, an audible deal in India followed, which made me feel happier.

I really did not expect what came next. At the start of 2022, I got bigger news from Wattpad Creator Manager, Ryan. He told me to brace myself first because his news would surely shake me. He was right! Inside me, I was screaming!!! I cried of intense joy when he told me about The Girl He Never Noticed TV/Digital series adaptation by Singapore's media conglomerate, Mediacorp! I was so ecstatic at the thought of seeing my book and characters come to life.

Dreams really come true. With perseverance, dedication and discipline, anyone can achieve their goals in life.

On June 22, 2022, my daughter, Nicole and I flew to Singapore to visit the set of The Girl He Never Noticed and meet the cast and crew. My Wattpad Creator Manager, Ryan, joined u. He guided me every step of the way with my dealings in Singapore.

We took a lot of photos and videos on the set, especially with the main characters, Marco Gumabao, who played Eros Petrakis and Tess Pang, who played Jade Collins. I'll tell you about my exciting experience in meeting them in the next chapter.

So dreamers, see you next Wednesday here in my little corner on Wattpad. It's a date!