I've been writing poetry when I was still in tenth grade. But what got me into writing novels and stories was the urge to express my emotions and thoughts more than the means of writing poetry with rhythm and rhymes. I've been motivated to write after receiving a lot of hurtful words from my classmates during certain times in the past and in hopes of finding comfort, I turned to writing longer prose. Since then, writing stories have been my outlet to express myself and be honest with myself. I know that I will continue to create stories for as long as I can write.

I've been a fan of Ebook when I was still in elementary school. When I reached high school, grade 7, I discovered Wattpad from one of my friends. And then things started to change, and new technology started to emerge too. Nauso na ang android phones. O baka matagal na talagang nauso ang android phones at noong panahon na 'yon ko lang nalaman. Anyway, I started reading Wattpad stories. Uso pa noon ang high school love stories. Gangsters pa at bad boy ang usong themes. But I enjoyed every moment of it. Naki-fangirl na rin ako. At marami akong nakilala na katulad kong readers. May nakilala nga ako noon through a story at kaibigan ko pa rin siya hanggang ngayon. Those times were worth to cherish indeed.

As of now, I've only finished 4 stories, others are still on-going but among these, I think I'm most proud of Drops of Rainfall. Kasi itong story na 'to, isang taon na nanatili sa isip ko dahil hindi ko pa agad maisulat. I've been writing two other stories that time kaya hindi ko muna sinimulan ang DOR. Binalikan ko na lang siya after a year at tsaka isinulat at nagawa ko naman. Hindi nawala si Raine at Kester sa isipan ko. Ang tindi ng kapit nila sa utak ko kaya hindi ko talaga sila nakalimutan. At ilang beses din akong natulala at nahirapan habang isinusulat ko 'to. Ang pinakamahalaga sa lahat, natapos ko siya at naglakas loob pa ako na isali ang Drops of Rainfall sa Wattys 2019. Humugot na ako ng lakas ng loob at sinubukang sumali kahit hindi ko alam kung mananalo ba ang entry ko. But DOR actually won! At nakatanggap pa ako ng offer na maging parte ang Drops of Rainfall ng Wattpad Paid Stories Program.

A lot of doors opened for me since then. Hanggang sa naging parte na rin ako ng Wattpad Stars Program. Raine and Kester, the main characters of Drops of Rainfall, have been part of it all. At masaya ako na may ilang mga mambabasa na naantig sa kuwentong isinulat ko. I'm proud and happy because I've shared a story that doesn't just circulate about love, but also tackles about having the courage to rise up from the ground when life knocks us off our feet. At kahit bumuhos man ang malakas na ulan, mananatili tayong matatag. Titila din ang bawat unos. Matatapos din ang bawat sakit. "Because life is filled of wonderful colors, we just have to appreciate its shades and tinges," a quote from Drops of Rainfall.

I remember myself making friends with a lot of people online. Ang sarap lang sa pakiramdam na makausap at maging kaibigan ang mga taong katulad mo ng interests. When I started writing, I made friends with other writers too. Hanggang sa hindi na lang tungkol sa pagsusulat at pagbabasa ang napag-uusapan namin. We've established a deeper connection. At alam kong ang pagkakaibigan namin ay hindi basta-bastang matitibag. Hindi ko makakalimutan ang experience na 'yon. At syempre. . . hinding-hindi ko makakalimutan ang mga naging kaibigan ko.

Most of my stories have realistic themes like love, friendship, family, trust, courage, etc. Noong nagsisimula pa lang ako sa pagsusulat, gustong-gusto kong magbasa ng mga stories na may touch ng reality at hanggang ngayon, ganoon pa rin. I want readers to witness and feel the other aspect of life and reality through the shoes of my characters. While I write stories, I want to inspire them too. Give them hope and courage.

I want readers to remember reality when they read my stories. I want them to cherish and appreciate life itself. Na kahit fiction ang binabasa nila, may matututunan pa rin sila . Gusto kong iparating na hindi man perpekto ang buhay, katulad ng mga kuwentong isinusulat ko, may pag-asa pa rin. We have our own kind of journey, like the characters in my stories. And we just need to have the courage to continue. . . appreciate life and everything along the way.

To writers we are just starting out on Wattpad and those who are just starting their journey, hold on to the reason why you really wanted to write so you won't feel lost when troubles come along your way. Never limit yourselves. Allow yourselves to invest in improving your skills and mastering the craft. The making of a good writer doesn't happen in just a few glimpse. Practice, persevere, and give effort. Have something to tell and deliver it with heart and soul. Polish your craft. Readership and opportunities will come when the time is right. Have patience and just continue to write. Keep believing in yourself. You got this!

Lucid Dream by Aly Almario (alyloony)

What I like most about being part of Stars program is that I get to mingle with other writers on our discord channel. I also like how the Stars Team keep us organized and informed whenever there's something going on in Wattpad such as issues in the server etc. The environment is just amazing, comfortable, and helpful.

Wattys 2019 Winner - New Adult Category (Drops of Rainfall)

Checkout shadesofdrama's stories here on Wattpad for your next favorite read!