Wattpad Filipino Block Party 2021

MaxineLaurel's Author Interview

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?

I work during the day. So I have to do my writing in the evenings. At first, nahihirapan talaga akong isingit ang pagsusulat. But recently, I was able to come up with a writing schedule that I strictly follow.

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

It depends, actually. I like to experiment a lot when it comes to writing, so I do both. If I think that I cannot wrap up the story into one book, I would turn it into a series like my plans for LIRA.

For standalone series, it often happens when I fall in love with a side character. This is true for The Marriage of Inconvenience and Bloodlust series. Initially, I only wanted to write Abigail's or Elizabeth's story. But I fell in love with their best friend's character, so I decided to write a story of their own.

3. How do you motivate yourself to keep writing?

I always remind myself that our skill in writing is given to us by God, and what better way to show him our praise and thanks to Him than by using the skills and talent He had given us. Kaya kahit minsan, tamad na tamad akong magsulat o nawawalan ng gana sa pagsusulat, lagi ko lang sinasabi sa sarili ko na ipagpatuloy ko ang pagsusulat para hindi mabalewala ang ipinagkaloob na talento sa akin ng Diyos.

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

I like challenges in writing—I like to push myself into writing scenes that I have never written before. It is actually not difficult, but I do need to put extra effort in writing fighting scenes like in my story LIRA, MINE and CHERISH.

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

Sa pagbuo ng epilogue. Kasi sa epilogue, doon mo dapat maipadama sa mga
mambabasa na satisfied sila sa nabasa nila, na hindi nila mararamdaman na bitin ang kuwento.

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

The vampire Prince Nicholas Imperial from the book LIRA, because he is my
ultimate crush in all of my fictional characters. Hehehe.

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

Cassandra from The Forgotten Memories. I had channel my inner pain into her character. (The pain of breaking up, losing the one you love, etc.). Kaya medyo hirap akong isulat ang kuwento niya kasi madalas akong maluha noon tuwing isinusulat ko ang story niya.

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

For international authors, I would say Kresley Cole for adult fantasy and Holly Black for YA fantasy. I love, love, love their books and they were the ones who inspired me to venture into writing fantasy.

If it's a local author, I would say Martha Cecilia but I know that would be impossible now. If not Martha Cecilia, I would really like to work with Jonaxx. For me, she's the Martha Cecilia of this generation and a Filipina version of Judith McNaught (also one of my favorite international authors). Jonaxx reminds me of Judith McNaught in terms of the way she delivers her characters' emotions when I was reading her earlier works.

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

Sana, ako ang nakaisip ng plot at nagsulat ng Harry Potter. Hahaha. Ang ganda ng plot at twists ng Harry Potter series. At ang daming mga naimbentong spells at mga mythical creatures. Sana balang araw ay makapagsulat din ako ng isang kuwento na kahalintulad ng Harry Potter.

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

I am planning to finish the Marriage of Inconvenience Series and Bloodlust Series this year. (Fingers crossed, I will be able to accomplish this.) Then I will finalize my initial draft of LIRA's world and 4 novellas. By next year, I am planning to start a new series (The Fallen Angels) and continue the Enchanted Realm novels.

I am also working on some additional special chapters for The Love Deal, which I am planning to self-publish soon.

BONUS: Please leave a message for your readers.

First and foremost, thank you to the Engagement Team of the Wattpad
Filipino Community for inviting me in joining Wattpad Filipino Block Party 2021. I would also like to express my heartfelt gratitude to my readers and followers most especially to those who had been with me since 2014. I am still here writing because of God and you.

Also, thank you to those who have purchased The Love Deal on paid stories.
You may not be aware, but you are already a part of my journey in saving up for self-publishing The Love Deal.

I hope that you will still join me as I continue my writing journey both here in Wattpad and in Pop Fiction.

Thank you, and I love you! Muchisimas gracias y via con Dios!

xoxo
MaxineLaurel