Xérès Éveillé, from CLN, had the pleasure of interviewing the talented author, SydPanda5. She is the author of several books on Wattpad including Rogue in Paris, Rivals in Madrid and several others

Hello SydPanda5, I'm Xérès Éveillé, an interviewer from the Crazy Late Nighters Community. You have been nominated for an interview by Editor_OfGREATBooks! I hope you're as excited about this as we are and that you're willing to give me some of your time! Let me know if you're okay with this and when you're free if you are.

Hehe I'm totally willing! I'm free now!

Great! So, let's start! But first what name would you like to go by and what are your preferred pronouns?

My name is Syd Mari (you can call me Syd), and I go by she/her.

Hey Syd, lovely to meet you! Can you tell me a little bit about yourself?

Sure! I am a graphic designer and author on Wattpad. My completed work is Rogue in Paris, which I intend to enter into the Wattys, and I love to write! I am also a dedicated musician and have been playing piano for about ten years, and the guitar for one.

Wow, you're quite accomplished! Why did you take up writing, Syd?

Well, I've kind of always been a writer. Ever since I was 5, I have been writing stories. I came to Wattpad about two years ago, but then I took a year hiatus and disappeared ... even abandoned writing! But then, I came back due to social distancing for the coronavirus, and wrote an entire book! I was able to find my passion in writing again, and I probably wouldn't have remembered it if it weren't for the corona virus ... I guess something good came out if it.

Thank you Covid - 19! I'm sure your readers must be so glad about this! What inspired you to become a writer, and at such a tender age?

Definitely my love for books, I've always been inspired by the amazing published authors out there, and my dream is to become one of them!

I wonder which amazing author in particular inspired you? And what was your favourite piece of writing by him/her or in general?

Well the author that inspired me to come back to writing, was Ally Carter and her book Series 'I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have To Kill You'. That book actually also inspired me to write Rogue in Paris; my high – stakes espionage novel!

Seems like I'll have to check her out then! Speaking of Rogue In Paris, I heard that the story won first place for Action in The Library Awards lately. How did that news make you feel? Did it change anything for you?

It did! I'm happy to say that I've been winning a lot of 1st place awards recently, which tells me that my rewriting of Rogue in Paris is definitely not going to waste! I wasn't sure if I was just making it worse or not, but these awards have upped my confidence level in writing and helped me realize that I'm doing the right things for my book!

That's wonderful, and congratulations! Are your characters based on real people?

Yes, actually. My main character, Harper Medley, is based on me with her confident and reckless nature, and her best friend, Amber Talle is actually based on my red-headed best friend too. For the other characters I based them off of what I would want them to be like in the role they play. For example, the main character's lover Beau Antario. I gave him the traits I would want in a boyfriend, such as kindness, humility, humor, and a charming air about him.

Ooh, call out to all of Syd's potential boyfriends! Do you have a specific writing style? What are three words you would use to describe it?

Haha, and I am told that I have a very character- descriptive writing style. In three words I call it; natural, subtle, and expository.

Interesting combo but it definitely works, as proven by Rogue In Paris! Moving on, how do you come up with the perfect title?

As for my answer, titles have always come so easily to me. I always used to name my stuffed animals, until the point where names just popped into my head, and the name for Rogue in Paris was no different!

Oh god, don't tell me about stuffed animals, mine were all thrown away! But never mind that! How long does it take for you to outline your story?

Oh yikes! As for my outlines... probably 2-3 days for the broad skeleton outline. What I did for Rogue in Paris, was that I outlined about the first half of the book, then came up with an idea for the ending, and just winged the rest of it. I'm both a plotter and a pantser!

At this age I swear everyone's like that! How long does it take for you to write up an entire proper chapter?

All I do is just let my fingers type the words and create the plot around what I type ... you know?

I definitely know! What genres or themes do you mostly dabble in?

I always write action/adventure, sometimes mixed with mystery and thriller, and other times mixed with fantasy. As for themes, I do love writing a dynamic duo between the main character and best friend. I also love adding in the theme that comes with my favorite quote; 'You can't fly without taking a leap of faith'.

I especially enjoy books of those genres! What was the proudest moment you have experienced as a writer?

Oh that's a good question ... probably the feeling of finishing Rogue in Paris. It took me on quite the emotion roller coaster when I was writing it, and I didn't even know if it was possible to finish it! But I did, and the feeling that came with that moment was pure amazement and accomplishment!

Aw, congratulations once again! What does your family think of your writing?

My mom has been there with me every step of the way, and celebrating my little wins. My brother and father on the other hand ... well they get annoyed that I'm always on the computer to be honest.

Believe me, I know the feeling! What about your friends?

My best friend Mel was actually the person who pushed me to get back into writing. She's just as much as a writer as I am, and is one of my biggest cheerleaders. My other friends are always eager to read my stories and even help me edit them! I'm super lucky to have all of them!

That's so sweet of them! What do you do to overcome writer's block?

Well, I'll either read a book to help me clear my head or take a show to help me get my creative juices. Though sometimes, I just have to sit myself down and not get up until I've finished writing that chapter or even paragraph.

Whoa, that's sort of hardcore! Well, what do you like to do when you aren't writing?

Well, I also love to play piano and guitar and compose songs. But when I'm not doing that, I'm watching Netflix or YouTube and looking for anymore inspiration or ideas for my book or books to come!

Seems like your books are always on your mind! What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

Probably that I always have to be listening to music when writing, it helps me set the scene and create the right mood for my story.

How many books/stories have you written? Which is your favorite?

I've written a ton of books, but I'd have to say that my favorite is definitely Rogue in Paris. I love the characters, the setting, I love everything about it!

I'll be sure to pass on the message!! Here's a nominee specified question: Who is your favourite character in Rogue in Paris?

What was your very first project?

My first project ... I honestly don't remember the name of it, but it had to do with me being able to see the future ... I was ten at the time and it was horrible! I'm glad to see I've grown as a writer since then.

What was the inspiration for your first project?

As for inspiration, I can't remember ... probably just the fact of me being new to Wattpad and wanting to write a story. The want for that helped me come up with an idea to write about.

What is your work schedule like when you're writing?

When I'm writing, I don't really hold myself to a schedule, more like holding myself to the standard that I have to write at least a full chapter each day before I go to bed. That way I'm always producing chapters, and at a steady rate too.

Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say?

I do hear from my readers a lot, and they're always so encouraging, not to mention hilarious! I can look to them if I'm ever suffering from writer's block, or even just feeling down on myself. They always get so into the plot of my stories, that it's hard not to smile when I read their comments. As for what they say, they mostly comment their theories about what's going to happen next in my story, or yell at the characters for their foolish choices!

Okay, great and don't worry, all for a good cause XD! Besides you'll sleep better when you're more tired. What was one of the most surprising things you learned when you first began writing?

Well, probably the fact that when I was writing, I could write anything! I could write characters and have them do whatever, look however... I was the one in control, and it felt good to realize that.

Incredible discovery! Moving on, this is a question from @Editor_OfGREATBooks: Why did you leave for a year and what brought you back into writing?

Well, I left because I was starting a new school and had no time for writing, to be honest. I also thought for a little bit that maybe I wasn't cut out to be a writer, but then the pandemic happened, and suddenly I had so much time on my hands! After a little encouraging from my best friend and also fellow writer, I decided to step back into the role of being an author and wanted to see what I could do ... which I'm glad that I did!

Good to know and I'm sure all your readers must be so glad! She/He/They also asked who is your favourite character in your book?

Oh that's a good question ... I'd have to say my main character Harper Medley. Although she has a terrible past and a broken family, I admire how confident and witty she is. She always seems to be the life of the party, and brings a touch of fun wherever she goes! I would love to have her personality!

I'm sure you already are! Do you have a message for your nominee?

I would like to thank her for nominating me, and for being there with me since the beginning of my Wattpad adventure!

That's very sweet of you! What, in your opinion, makes a good story?

Honestly? A good romance! Call me crazy but I am a complete hopeless romantic, and I need my daily dose of romance, which comes from only reading or writing ... as of right now. I love the feeling of watching two characters fall into a carefully crafted romance ... it's honestly one of the reasons I love reading!

Haha, okay I can't agree with you on that but hey, each to their own! What message would you like to give to other aspiring writers?

I would like to tell them to not give up, even when it gets tough to write. They should know that writing is certainly not an easy way to fame... but a labor of love, and I do not use the word labor kindly. I just want them to know that if they really love writing, then they'll definitely make it into the writing world, whether that be as a Wattpad author, or a published author!

Such inspiring words! Well, that's all I have for you for now! Oh wait, what was your first impression of the community based on its name?

I thought it was a place for dark, weird, crazy internet – obsessed people.

Ouch, I'm hurt! Have you been proven wrong?

Nope! It totally is!

Haha, I wonder how your impression will be received by the community! Thanks for your time Syd!

It's more fun than I thought it would be to be honest. Thanks for the interview!

No problem and good luck!