Parang maraming dahilan, pero parang wala rin. I find it hard to express negative emotions and feelings, and tend to invalidate them. Writing for me is a way to breathe, to express myself without invalidating myself, and to understand the negative things that I'm dealing with. It's often a mask, but it also frees me. It's often a secret, but I also spill. Medyo complicated, basta mahal ko ang magsulat.

I discovered Wattpad through my best friend. Avid siya ng platform and she recommended that I write here. 2011 o 2012 pa yata yun. Nag-register ako that time pero hindi pa talaga nagsulat until late 2013. 

Mahirap mamili dahil mahal ko at proud ako sa mga stories ko before, during, and even after I wrote them. Bawat story, may ini-explore din ako sa writing, sa voice ko, sa style ko, sa readers ko... Pero kung bawal walang piliin, siguro Anne-bisyosa, dahil yun yung first time ko na mag-Romcom na ang goal ay maloka ang magbabasa at gumulong-gulong sa tawa. Nung una, nag-worry ako na baka kulang ako sa humor o hindi ko ma-pull off, but fortunately, kaya naman ni Anne i-push sarili niya kasi 'if there's a will, there's a way', so ayern... nangulit lang siya nang bongga. Mukhang natuwa naman mga readers so worth it. 

I don't know kung puwedeng i-spill, pero favorite ko yung private dinner with Sir Dexter and Sir Allen. Una, shookt ako na kasama ako sa imi-meet, at ikalawa, natuwa ako sa purpose ng meeting at sa pinag-usapan. Dati ko pang alam na nakikinig ang Wattpad, lalo na sa mga writers na may gusto talagang sabihin o iparating sa kanila, pero yung moment na yun talaga yung nagpatunay ng vision at mission nila to really help aspiring writers make it through the publishing industry. 

The first goal of all of my stories is to speak to you, as readers, as people. My characters have stories they want you listen to, or in this case, read about. They have something to tell you. They want to relate to you and they want you to relate to them, kahit pa o kahit na, magkakaiba tayo. Minsan, gusto lang naming patawanin kayo. Minsan, gusto naming isama kayo sa sakit at hirap na pinagdadaanan nila. Most of the time, they just want to be understood--sa kabila ng pagiging iba nila sa inyo, sa kabila ng pagkakapareho, sa kabila ng mga bagay na hindi mapagkakasunduan. My characters want to be your friends, kahit hindi goals. My characters want to live through your head, your heart, and your imagination. I hope you give them a chance.

Find meaning in your words and your stories. Find purpose in why you want to be a Wattpad writer. Wattpad is here to help, but they wouldn't be able to, unless you have stories and unless you believe in yourself. It's tough out here, because there are already so many of us. But that's also the reason why the difficult is tolerable--because there are so many of us here and we're in this journey together. The writers before you are not your superiors and never your competitors. They help build Wattpad's community and milestones. Honor that. The writers after you are not your underlings and never your competitors. They will help us strengthen what is already built. Help them. We are all in this together. 

"Marahuyo" by JhingBautista, "So, This is Youth" by AnakniRizal and "The Boyfriend App" by phenomenalpen

The writing support from Wattpad Team!

I'm an author for Bliss Books (Wattpad's official publishing partner) and currently a Wattpad talent. I was part of the beta for Paid Stories program, and right now, I have 6 active stories under Paid. I covered the MIBF for Wattpad's IG account, and if my memory serves me right, I'm the first Filipino writer to do so. I have joined Wattpad dinners for writers. I also take part in Block parties, and other promotions.

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