As a medyo-medyo frail kid, I had to spend more of my free time indoors, or kung lalabas man ako para makipaglaro, complete gear lagi (meaning, long sleeves, pajamas, rubber shoes—ako lang naka-rubber shoes sa 10-20, kabogera). I needed to find something to do aside from studying, manood ng Filipino dubbed anime sa TV, o ng adapted or Filipino dubbed Korean series, at mangapitbahay (at makinood lang din ng TV ang ginagawa ko). Doon na ako nagsimulang magsulat. With writing, I didn't need to come outside the house and worry my parents about me getting wounded or having mosquito bites.

I discovered Wattpad through classmates around 2012 or 2013. Dahil nausuhan din naman ako ng cellphone at computer, naki-join na lang ako (haha). At least may iba na akong pinagkakaabalahan bukod sa Pet Society at Farmville. I like reading, pero mas gusto ko kasing magbasa ng school textbooks kaysa novels (Noon! Ewan ko na lang din kung saan napunta ang studious self ko). Wattpad offered a lot of choices, and most importantly, I didn't have to go to the book store (at pakiusapan si Mama na ibili ako ng libro, o paghintayin si Papa habang namimili ako) or pay. Plus, there's interaction with co-readers, with some eventually turning into friends, at kapag sinusuwerte, interaction with writers na din. 

As of writing, Fleeting Moments talaga. It has the cleanest first draft, and the characters felt so real (at least for me). Most importantly, although pressured, I had fun writing it. I didn't have to exhaust my brain cells to think of scenes pero hindi naman ako naligaw sa story, and I'm super thankful for that kasi hindi talaga ako nag-a-outline (haha). It also opened a lot of opportunities for me which I am very much grateful for. 

I'm not sure if she will remember, pero Ate Rayne (pilosopotasya) saw my first ever Wattpad account (writing account). She left a message on my message board, at hanggang ngayong nagsisisi akong nabasag 'yung phone kong may screenshot! I closed the account na rin, at wala na akong ibang screenshots, pero tanda ko pa rin 'yon HAHAHA. (Hi, Ate Rayne haha). 

I write for leisure, and most of the time, believe it or not, I don't take it seriously. I am a spontaneous writer. I don't do outlines nor plan things, but I ~know~ things. I know how things will begin and end, and I try my best to be consistent with my characters. At sa sasandaling makuha iyong satisfaction ng nakatapos ng novel, o habang nagsusulat, masarap siya sa feeling kasi I write what I want to write. The real sakit ng ulo starts post-writing xD, so thanks for getting through the messiest first drafts of everything. 

You don't have to be excellent on your first try. You don't have to be an expert before you start writing. You write and you try first before you excel, and if you would not try, you would not get there.

Also, Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino materials are free and can be accessed through the internet. If you want to practice on your English grammar, read and do your research. Talk to people who can help.

Write whatever makes you happy, but remember that it will always come with a responsibility. 

I'll always recommend The Most Painful Battle by Ate Denny (HaveYouSeenThisGirl). It's one of the stories na una kong nabasa. And after seven years, naghahanap pa rin ako ng closure ko with its ending haha. 

The people! I started writing on Wattpad because I wanted people to talk to me about my writings, and to have friends. Being part of the Stars program meant connecting with other creators. I like hearing their takes on things, and their (life) stories. Ang saya lang din kasi yong ibang akala ko masungit or nakakatakot, mabait naman pala (kahit papaano—hahahaha). I found writer friends through the Stars program, too. :D 

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