Wattpad Filipino Block Party 2021

shadesofdrama's Author Interview

Wattpad Filipino Block Party

QUESTIONS / MGA TANONG

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

Since the pandemic started, I had more time to write pero dahil sa acads, hindi ko pa rin nagagawang maging productive ng todo kasi hati ang atensyon. Things are tough also when it comes to life in general, kasi sa panahon ngayon hirap ang lahat. Some are struggling with their mental health, finances, physical health, academics, and even time management—myself included.

I decided to work on things that I could control. I started managing my time efficiently—knowing my priorities and working on my goals one by one. I actually got to finish an 80k words novel last May which I started writing at the start of 2021. It took me five months to finish it offline but I must say that I found the balance between acads and writing with this project. Ngayong nagka-pandemic, I don't pressure myself to finish my stories immediately. I am taking my time. I view this time as a moment to reflect also and I do it while writing. At this point, I could say that it's still a feat because I am not missing out with acads and writing. Despite the struggle and distress that this time has brought to us, I realized it's possible to still keep doing what you love if you dedicate time to it because now, we already have time to do so.

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

I don't usually get to decide if I am writing a series or standalone stories at the start of the writing process. I mean, madalang lang akong magdecide na sadya talagang gumawa ng series. I already finished writing almost 5 stories and I observed that I only get to know whether to make it a series or a standalone one if the stories/characters call for it. As of the moment, I think I would prefer writing standalone stories yet I am not closing doors for writing a spin-off of the standalone stories that I already finished writing. Hindi ko pa nasusubukan magsulat ng series na nakumpleto ko talaga kaya medyo mahirap para sa 'kin. Maybe because things should be planned ahead for a series to work because each story included in the series could be a reference for another.

Baka in the future I would really commit to writing a series. But for now, I prefer writing standalone stories since hindi naman buong oras ko ang nakalaan sa pagsusulat kasi may ibang bagay pa na kailangan atupagin. Kapag standalone stories muna ang magiging focus ko, I'm sure I could finish it and put the effort and attention the story needed at this point in time.

3. How do you motivate yourself to keep writing? 

As writers, I think we already know that inspiration and motivation don't always come our way. Hindi naman palaging nagpaparamdam ang muse, minsan pa madalas tayong ma-stuck sa sinusulat natin. I recognize this fact and acknowledge it. Sa totoo lang, sobrang sarap sa pakiramdam na magsulat na motivated and inspired pero aminin, hindi ito nangyayari always, kaya hindi ako nag-aantay ng motivation. During these moments, I rely on discipline. I always have reasons why I write. Each story that I've written means something to me. Kaya nagagawa kong magsulat at ipagpatuloy ang pagsusulat kahit minsan walang motivation o inspiration.

I think, by having a reason why I started writing in the first place, by holding onto it and allowing that meaning and reason to grow inside of me, I am motivating myself to continue to write. S'yempre kasama na rin ang displina, dedication, commitment, at persistence. Ang pagsusulat kasi ay journey of hard work and enjoyment. Kailangan may gawin tayo upang magpatuloy at hindi maisipang sumuko na lang. Minsan rin pala binabasa ko ang mga stories na naisulat ko na. I would visualize how things have been since the first day when I started to write. Marami nang nagbago, may iilang achievements na rin ako at readers din. I would be reminded to be grateful. I will read some comments in my stories and allow these things to fuel me with hope and motivation that I am writing stories that means something to other people—that I am doing something right. Then, I should probably continue!