Interviewee: LizSorora

Requested by: The Stay Gold Gazette Team

- Interview -

How long have you been writing for? And how did you begin your writing journey?

"On the Wattpad platform I have been writing for around seven years now. In general, I used to write even prior but not stories. I used to write poems and short lyrics. My writing journey begun in a time period of emotional difficulties for me and as I was in need to express myself somehow the art of writing came to my rescue. It didn't last though but after a while, I entered the BTS army and got to know people that we readers. They became the reasons of my writing journey in this platform."

Which of your books is your favourite so far and why?

"Honestly it's difficult to choose for each book holds an emotional significance to me. There's Greek books such as "Apartment Affairs" that carry my love for friendship and many unforgettable memories I shared while writing it and there's books that I have pour in them emotionally too much and as thus the bond is strong. However if I was to pick one as a must, I will choose "The eyes behind the wall" for the sole reason of beautiful vocabulary and fantasy."

What is your trick for coming up with a plot line and characters? 

"I don't think there exists a trick. The mind comes up with scenarios and scenes every day. Anything can be a snap of making my imagination create something. I believe however that a good plot and character formation lays on the author's judgment on how much the idea that crossed their mind, is actually worth writing. There's ideas that can entertain your mind only and others that are visible ideas that could run a long way. Distinguish what your aim is, makes a difference"

If there was one thing that you wish you hadn't done on your writing journey, what would it be? 

"I would have liked to say that I have none but unfortunately I have one. Though every step I went through has taught me a lot and is one of the reasons of my development, if I was to change something it would be the fact that at the beginning I used to write for others. I used to write about what the person I had in mind would like to see, and not write what I truly felt like or what the story felt like going. It wasn't a bad experience, it was just something that on the long run made me confused over my own writing and emotionally exhausted."

What would your #1 advice be for people who are looking to improve their writing?

"There's no better advice to improve writing than write. Practice improves. Write whatever you want to write, don't look at numbers or anything else. Write for the sake of entertainment, for the sake of writing. Read things that strike you, not things that you want your writing to look like, cause you may get influenced instead of finding your own color. Keep at it and your writing will inevitably transform. "

Are you a writer by profession? Or is this something that you just love doing on the side?

"Being a professional Writer is my dream and I would like to be optimistic and believe that someday I will reach it. For the moment I am teacher and writing isn't something I do on the side as a hobby, even though it may be considered though cause there's no income from it. Writing for me is a life goal"

What message would you like to tell your readers right now?

"Times have been difficult for many. Including me. And on those times I catch myself thinking, how my readers may be. Times I can't update and help them in my small ways, I worry the most when they are silent. I really hope my dear Lolanths are okay and no matter what I hope they never forget, they are one of the reasons someone is alive"

What is your criteria when publishing a new chapter for your readers to see? 

"I have a thing for feelings, and I function emotionally. So my only criteria is on what level a chapter reaches me emotionally. If it manages to capture me one way or another then I am sure it can manage to do so with a reader too"

If you were given the opportunity, would you publish your books into the real world? And what would that mean for you? 

"Who wouldn't want to be a published author? Seeing your creation coming to life on a concrete form, is like a miracle. Especially for someone like me. I have broken down many times at the thought only so when it happens, better believe those will be the first tears I shade with happiness as the reason"

If you are in a slump with writing, what do you often choose to do?

"Slumps happen unfortunately and I have went through quite a few. I personally have decided the best thing to do is not fight them. Pressure is bound to bring more emotional charges to an individual. So instead I try to push my guilt aside, and let the days pass through until something in me, is peaceful and rested enough to take a step forward and write again. Time may not always be optional but it sure is needed."

Where do you usually get your inspiration from? 

"Anything can be an inspiration, a song, a cloud looking like something, a situation you witness or even a mare word someone can say. However so far I believe for me music has been the one that makes my mind swirl in ideas the most."

Are there any writers on this platform that inspire you?

"There's many books in here and unfortunately after starting writing myself I have barely had time to be a reader. So I don't have a certain someone to mention. But there's plenty extremely talented writers in this platform and on the fanfiction community which I respect for the way they bring their thoughts to life."

Fan: Makuna_Hatata 

When you write a book , you have the rough draft , overview ready or you go with the flow as the story goes on. I mean to ask if you have all the incidents, moments that happen in the story already planned or you come up with them as you continue writing the book? 

"The only thing I usually have down is the main plot. And the beginning conflict. As in what caused the story to begin. Other than that, scenes, situations character development, everything comes as I write. The story drives you more than you drive it"

Are there certain things you don't like as an author about the reading community?

"Unfortunately there are things I dislike even though to my luck so far I have encountered good readers. I have had a small portion that made me realize there's things I dislike. I dislike judgment. Quick judgment. I am a person that believes that none has the right to judge another for none is better than anyone and I try to corporate that in my characters but readers often judge characters without a second thought. And yes they may be made up characters but witnessing how easily some speak when they aren't involved themselves makes me realize a lot of things about people. It's a bit disappointing"

Do you often feel pressure to update the story?

"The most pressure comes from me when it comes to updating for I am constantly aware someone is waiting on me and I don't want to let anyone down. But usually that pressure makes me unable to write even more and if i write my writing shows emotionally lacking to my eyes. I create best when it comes from the inside. These days I have had some outer pressure for updates too, but rather than getting stressed I just feel guilty. Regardless I always try my best to produce content the best way I can as frequently as I can."

Thank you so much for accepting our interview! Keep being the awesome person you are!

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Make sure to check out some of  LizSorora's amazing works! Here are some for you to see below: