Hello everyone!

Today we have MayTijssen, the writer of Once Upon a Curse and The Knight of Gold with us.

Warm regards May. Welcome to an official interview from @TheCRYPTIC_ . It's our honor to interact with an inspiring writer like you. We hope that you'll have a great time.

First of all, tell us how you stumbled upon Wattpad and when.

In all honesty, I've been on Wattpad for so long that I don't even remember the first time I stumbled upon the app. I know that I read quite a few books for a few months, but then I wanted to be able to be a part of it all and leave comments and vote on the individual chapters, so I made an account! That was on October 25th, 2012. I had just moved from the Caribbean to Holland, which was a big change, and Wattpad was my escape. 

Wow! So what do you think about THE CRYPTIC's theme? What are your views regarding dark fiction?

I just love it! I'm a big fan of dark fairytale retellings or darker twists of the stories we know and love. I don't read lots of fantasy with magic, but I do love stories with a dark storyline and fantasy elements. Life isn't all full of sunshine and rainbows, and I like to see that in the books I read.

What do you like to read? Do you have a favourite genre or any specific likes?

I read adventure and thrillers more than anything, but my guilty pleasure is fantasy. I'm just a very picky fantasy reader, so I don't read it as much as the others, but it is my favourite genre! I love fairy tale retellings as well, especially if they are based on Beauty and the Beast.

What compels you to pick up a pen and scribble down your thoughts? Do you have any inspiration or motivation?

My parents say I've been a dreamer since I was a baby. I didn't need much to keep myself busy, as I would stare out the windows for ages and act out entire stories with my dolls and teddy bears. 

Nowadays it has a bit more of a practical purpose - I dream very, very vividly, and these dreams drain so much energy out of me, that I'm not rested by the time I wake up. When I write, I don't dream as much, and it's my way of getting those pesky stories out of my head. 

Being a writer, what's the easiest part of writing and which aspect do you consider the most challenging?

Thinking up the plot comes so naturally to me! Maybe because I am constantly in the world I've created, or maybe because I'm just obsessed with my stories, but it always comes so easy! I often know exactly what I'm going to write when I start on a chapter, because I already have it jotted down in my head. 

The most challenging part is editing. I just don't have the patience! And when I edit, I have this major urge to do everything all over again because I find nonexistent faults in everything. 

What kind of environment do you prefer to write in?

I can write anywhere as long as I have my bluetooth keyboard with me or my laptop. I often write during school hours once I've finished an assignment, but I mostly write at home with my two pups and the heater on with a cup of tea at my side.

What's your first piece of writing, if you can remember? What thoughts does it bring to you when you look back at it?

My first real story was written for a school project. I made a sort of fantasy origin story for the Great Sphinx of Giza. I imagined that it came to life during a sandstorm to protect the little critters of the desert for the harsh winds. Then, at the end, when there was a storm that was so strong that it kept on falling and tippig over, it sacrificed itself and turned to stone so they could seek shelter by its side. 

I was 10 when I wrote the story. I'm still amazed by how well thought out it was, even though the writing itself was exactly as you'd expect from a kid that age.

Tell us about your growth as an author.

I remember my very first completed novella. When I look at the draft, I just sigh dramatically and shake my head. I made so many basic mistakes with my grammar, storytelling, world building and everything else. If I ever feel down, I just read that old draft and then it makes me laugh at how childish it all sounds. I wrote the story two years ago, and I have grown so much since then! 

I've learned how to plan my stories and keep track of it all. My grammar is also 100000000 times better. I've finally found my own voice in writing, and a good balance between description and dialogue. At first I struggled to write 1k words a day, and now (if I have a free day), I can easily write 7-10k words in one day. 

I still have a long way to go before I'm a full fledged author, but it's good to see that I'm growing. 

Do you have a favorite author or book?

That's a tough one... I really liked Maggie Stiefvater's Scorpio Races because she managed to capture the emotions of the characters so well, all the while keeping me enticed with an interesting storyline. I also really enjoyed Men Who Hate Women (Also known as The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo), even though the beginning was very slow. The ending was like a rollercoaster ride, and I look forward to reading the other three books in the series.

The stories that made the biggest impressions on me as a little kid was The Last Dragon by De Mari, Silvana. I loved the subtle fantasy of dragons and elves and a world that lost its colour so much that people don't even give horses or dogs names anymore. 

Wringer by Jerry Spinelli was a book I hated when having to read it in fifth grade, but I've really come to appreciate the story of a little boy who befriended a pigeon in a town that makes a sport out of wringing their necks. It's a book that still has me thinking about it so many years later. 

Besides writing, do you have any hidden talents?

I'm actually a really good swimmer. I was on the swim team of my school (officially, but I never went to practices bc I didn't see the point) and did the annual swimming contest. Placed first in all my races. 

Besides that, I'm double jointed and a reasonable gymnast (especially floor and competitive cheerleading as seen on Bring it On). Random fact: i can place my leg in my neck. 

I will also totally whop your ass on Mario Kart and Just dance.

You're sitting in front of a brand new aspiring writer, what do you say?

Read a lot! I learn a lot by reading books and observing other authors' writing styles. You also pick up the grammar rules that way (it's how I learned dialogue rules) and how to tell a story. That, and just keep writing. The only reason I am where I am is because I write every single day. 

What do you enjoy doing in your free time? Don't be afraid to tell us something funny, we won't tell.

I am glued to my laptop most of the time, so I'm either writing or making a cover or photo manipulation in Photoshop. I love my Ps <3 We're practically married. 

My guilty pleasure is watching Beauty and the Beast. I've seen the movie 35 times and counting. I'll watch it once every two months. 

Oh, and I watch every single Disney conspiracy theory video that there is. 

Now, the most awaited question of every young reader, do you have any childish habits? Do you like cartoons or chocolates?

Besides my Beauty and the Beast obsession? Hmmm... I'll rewatch the old Barbie movies every now and then when I'm bored, just because. Oh, I will shamelessly sing wherever I am. I don't have a bad singing voice, but it's not The Voice worthy either, but I just enjoy doing it. I'll sing anything from Disney songs (can you tell I'm an addict?) to Bryan Adams to Electric Light Orchestra. 

Do you prefer sweet or salty?

Definitely salty! I don't have much of a sweet tooth.

It was nice talking to you. Thanks for your precious time. We really appreciate it and hope you'll prosper leaps and bounds.

Ashley is cursed. Every day when the sun sets her beauty vanishes to reveal a monster by any norms. She lives with her brother in the Enchanted Forest, shielded from whatever prejudice and hate she would face in the outside world.

Prince Raymond has been kidnapped. In a desperate attempt to escape from his captors he flees into the Enchanted Forest, thinking the dangers there would be safer than the men who held him.

Reluctantly Ashley agrees to bring him back to his castle, but not just out of a pure heart. For her brother hopes that this time, after all the failed attempts, someone could love her for who she is and break the curse.