The Wattpad Filipino Block Party 2021

QUESTIONS / MGA TANONG

1. How did you adjust your writing in your stories, may naapektuhan ba because of work/acads and life?

- Medyo nalito ako sa tanong. Hahaha! Bangag lang siguro? Well, definitely my work affects the momentum of my story, especially if I'd have a busy week ahead, and what I usually do is make a draft as early so I'd have a guide when I come back to writing. There was also a time that I had to take a break from writing for a while because life happened. But I've been writing since I was young and it has already become a part of who I am, so hindi rin nagtagal kaya bumalik ulit ako after 3 years of hiatus.

2. What do you prefer to write: Series or Standalone stories? Why?

- I have tried writing in both and as for my experience, while both have perks, I find writing a series that can also be read as standalone or can be seen as individual story more recreative, and stirring. And I also like to write stories where I can interconnect or associate one story with the other. Pero hindi iyong mga tipo ng Harry Potter, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pant and the likes. I like moving on to another plot after finishing one.

3. How do you motivate yourself to keep writing?

- Before, like 4 years ago, the support I get from my readers really kept me motivated. It was the time na naging inspiration ko iyong number of reads, votes, ranking and comments. (I won't be hypocrite about that. Hahaha! 😂) Kasi through that, I saw the readers' acceptance of my work and of me as a writer. But I soon realize that it wasn't really a healthy one, kasi madali kang mawalan ng gana kapag hindi mo naabot iyong expectations mo from your readers. Now, what motivates me to keep writing is my set of goals, maliit man o malaki, and though discipline is not my strongest pursuit, I try to reach them in my own pace. So when I get disappointed, it's only about myself.

4. Among your stories, what particular scene is difficult for you to write?

- My male leads' POV. Always. Feeling ko nagiging girl iyong head voice nila. Hahaha! Pangalawa, iyong mga kilig scenes. When I write certain scenes na gusto ko magpakilig, it doesn't come naturally for me. I'd cringe at it, tapos napapaisip ako kung effective ba or not. Hahaha! 😂

5. Saan kayo mas nacha-challenge sa pagbuo ng first chapter o sa epilogue?

- Epilogue! Sa First chapter kasi, andoon na iyong excitement mo to start the story. The ideas are flowing. Of course, you have to make sure you grab the readers' attention in your first few chapters, pero pagdating sa epilogue, there are a lot to consider. Aside from the fact na kailangan mong bigyan ng closure ang story, you also have to give justice to your characters and tie some loose ends to avoid loopholes. But that was just me. 😊 Sa tagal ko kasing mag-update minsan, may nakakalimutan akong parts ng story. Lol.

6. If you can bring one of your characters to life, who will it be and why?

- Sage, please! I'm aware that my male characters are too unrealistic, hahaha! 😂 But if I can conjure up one of them, I'd certainly pick Sage! Because he's too good to be true!

7. Among your characters, who's the closest to you? Why?

- All of the Steeles siblings. I've been writing their stories for almost 5 years (3 years of hiatus not included. Hahaha!) I started the first story of the series way back 2015, at ngayong taon ko lang siya mukhang matatapos. Good gracious! Hahaha. 😂 So yeah, they grew roots in me kaya I treat them as the closest to me. ❤️

8. If you could collaborate with any author (local man or international), who would it be and why?

- As a person, I'm more of an introvert and I find comfort in isolation. Hehe. It's also the same with my 'writer self', that's why collaborative work doesn't work for me. But recently, I was just invited to be a part of a collaborative series (Brooklyn Love Affairs Series) between 15 authors, including me. It's my first collaboration and it's been interesting so far. But if I could do more collaboration, locally I'd like to work with gems I know like greatfairy, midge alejo, because I think we could blend well and share the same wavelength? Sa akin lang naman. Haha! And of course, with my favorite authors like xxakanexx and jonaxx, kasi iyon nga, lodi ko sila. Internationally, I'd dream a collab with Collen Hoover and Nicholas Sparks. I grew up reading and watching Nicholas Sparks works and I love how his plots always tugs at me. And maybe Olivia Rivers, too. I was obsessed with her stories, Tone Deaf and This is What Goodbye Looks Like. Pero sa pangarap lang naman. Hahaha! 😂

9. Anong famous story (be it classic or contemporary Literature) ang hinihiling mong ikaw ang nakapagsulat? Bakit?

- Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. Ambisyosa lang? Hahaha! 😂 I think it has surpassed literary excellence the way it was written especially in that era where literature was not entirely welcoming to women. Yes, I did a research about this period to better understand the setting and the characters and the more I learned, the more I realized that it was almost the author's life I was reading. Nakakalungkot lang na hindi nagkatuluyan si Jane at ang fiancé niya, but at least Elizabeth Bennet got her own Mr. Darcy. (Still heartbroken for Jane, though.) I just adore her as a classic author! Among other stories that Austen have written, I particularly fell in love with this story and I wish I could write a version of it, if not the story itself.

10. What are your future plans in your writing career?

- Nothing much, I guess. I just stick to my goal, which is to finish a book one at a time and write more stories as much as time will allow. For now, I'm happy that I'm a part of Wattpad Stars Program and to have my story (Sensuous Gamble) be a part of Wattpad Paid Program. I'm also doing a project with KPub PH as of now, which involves self-publishing my stories (Scandalous Affair and Mysterious Heart) soon. And if it becomes a success, I would probably self-publish my other stories as well. But let's see. 😊

BONUS: Please leave a message for your readers.

Thank you, Pandas!

For staying, for understanding, and for everything—thank you. I'm just writing and doing what I love and for my spirit to be carried by your support, I am truly grateful. ❤️

Someone asked me recently kung may fandom raw ba ako. It got me thinking, kasi wala akong maisagot. Hahaha! I don't think I have a fandom, I just call people who read and follow my stories simply 'readers' or Pandas—iyong mga readers ko na simula pa umpisa. But even that I can't really call a fandom.

Announce ko na rin, for those who wants to have a copy of Scandalous Affair, July na po iyong start ng pre-order until August. And then hopefully sa September na po iyong release niya. For further more details and updates, you can catch me on my soc med accounts (fb: Ayami Lu).

Thank you, stay safe and God bless! 😘