dragonwritesthings: Tell our readers a little bit about yourself and what you do on Wattpad.

angeIbl00d: wawkunis, inish wanisha wawintotutmay- that was hello, i'm alaya :). i'm a fifteen year old native american writer and here on wattpad i've been mainly focusing on poetry in different forms- storytelling format, stanzas, etc. 

dragonwritesthings: How long have you been writing?

angeIbl00d:  i've been writing since i was in first grade. back then, i wrote super weird short stories mainly about talking animals haha. but we all start somewhere, i suppose.

dragonwritesthings: That IS definitely a start. What inspired you to start writing?

angeIbl00d: i never really read until i was in fourth grade, so mainly for me in the beginning it was because my teacher really praised me and made me proud of my work. plus writing was super fun and it was a way to pass time and become something else- a tiger, or a reindeer (i remember writing stories about both).

dragonwritesthings: I can definitely relate to becoming something else, I guess that's one of the big appeals of writing, it kinda gives you an escape. What do you think are the most important elements of good writing?

angeIbl00d: it depends on the type of writing you're going for. here are the top three types of writing i read/write and the elements i look/go for in them:

-in fantasy, it's thorough world-building, steadily paced plots, and complex characters.-in poetry i look for raw emotion, flow, and unique use of language. -in literary fiction the two important elements i try for is flawed, compelling characters and an interesting plot that is driven or pushed by them.

dragonwritesthings: Those are amazing points! In a similar vein what do you consider more important, plot or characters?

angeIbl00d: i consider characters to be more important, as they are the backbone of what i believe makes a story interesting. they are also the gears to make the plot work :).

dragonwritesthings: What inspires you to write? 

angeIbl00d: authors like tommy orange, sherman alexie, and marie mailhot inspire me. for writing poetry going back to richard siken's book crush really gets me in the poet set of mind haha.

dragonwritesthings: Okay, for something more personal, what do you do in your free time?

angeIbl00d: in my free time i can be found doing homework, doodling, scribbling random poems, or just scrolling through my phone.

dragonwritesthings: Have you ever coauthored a book? How do you feel about the concept of it?

angeIbl00d: no, i haven't. i don't dislike the concept, as i have only read one coauthored book (sleeping beauties by stephen and owen king, i loved it), and that was my only experience with them. so i guess i'm pretty neutral on the subject.

dragonwritesthings: How much do you draw on personal experience for your writing?

angeIbl00d: not at all, actually. i guess i've never really thought about doing that.

dragonwritesthings: How does negative feedback affect your writing?

angeIbl00d: if it's constructive, it just makes me strive to be better :). i don't really let unhelpful negative feedback bother me or affect my writing. if they have something they want me to change i'll apply it, analyze the change, and decide if i like it or not.

dragonwritesthings: What do you hope your readers take away from your work? 

angeIbl00d: i hope they take away that writing unique, sometimes even slightly repulsive details/imagery is okay and fun to do, and is a good way to express yourself. thinking outside the box, drawing outside of the lines, and really establishing your own voice in poetry are key in that.

dragonwritesthings: How do you pick titles for your books?

angeIbl00d: i pick titles from themes in the book, or a word/a few words that represent or symbolize what i'm going for.

dragonwritesthings: Is there anyone you go to for feedback on your work a lot?

angeIbl00d: no, but i'm certainly open to having someone willing to be that person !

dragonwritesthings: How do you cope with writer's block?

angeIbl00d: i don't really believe in writer's block :). but when i'm having a harder time writing, reading is something that always helps the creative juices to start flowing again.

dragonwritesthings: Do you have a favourite character that you've written? If so, why?

angeIbl00d: my favorite character would be an old one, a 15 year old boy named jude, because of his resilience and strength.

dragonwritesthings: Okay! I'm gonna have to let you go, but it was so much fun talking to you :)

angeIbl00d: okay, bye-bye :)

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