Wattpad Filipino Block Party 2021

marialea'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 can say that because of my college course, mas nag-mature ang mga pinipili kong topic for my stories. Mature not in a sensual way, but topics that need addressing or those that I want to educate my readers about. Like how to fight misogyny in society and topple the patriarchy one step at a time.

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

I've always wanted to write a series ever since I started writing in 2015, but serialized novels don't seem to want me, char. I only write what I can do at the moment which is standalone stories, but it's my dream to write a series in the future.

3. How do you motivate yourself to keep writing?

I think about my readers. I lose motivation now and then but I am a passionate writer, so I'll just remember that people were waiting for my stories to be told.

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

The last chapter of my published novel and Wattpad paid story, Bleeding Love. I had a hard time writing the last chapter of all of my stories really, but Bleeding Love was the most difficult because I was anxious that people might not like the ending and as expected, I was bashed for it. They didn't like it, but I am the author, so my story, my ending. I'm thankful, though, that I pulled off that kind of twist.

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

Nasagot ko na sa number 4, pero sa epilogue talaga ako nahihirapan. Kasi for me, mas madaling mag-catch ng attention, which is magagawa mo sa simula, pero nakaka-pressure magbigay ng resolution or ending sa isang story na usually ilang buwang inabangan ng readers ko. I always had this feeling na kailangan kong maibigay 'yong ending na deserve ng characters ko kaya madalas nasa isang linggo kong sinusulat ang epilogue.

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

It would be Gerard from I'm Yours to Keep. I've wrote him to be an imperfect yet ideal man. He was so mature to the point na you would think hindi ka niya ipaglalaban at i-le-let go ka na lang for your own good, pero in reality, he would exhaust all his efforts just to make sure that you two will end up together. But he also knows how to respect your decision, so when you tell him it's over, he's going to respect that. He's the type of person that I want to be in my life or even in other people's lives. Just say you want him to fight for you, and he will.

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

Ginny is the "fictional version" of me, so she's closest to my heart. She was like me but in a romance-drama novel. She wasn't perfect, she's got her fair share of mistakes and she's emotionally unstable, but she's trying her best to be kind and be the version of herself that she will be proud of.

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

I would love to collaborate with Juan Miguel Severo. Hindi siya puro kilig lang; hs politics is good, he writes very well and just like me, he uses his platform and his art to bring awareness to various social issues.

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

Harry Potter Series, so I could edit out all the misogynist scenes, then I'll make Sirius Black and Snape live (huhu). Other than that, the HP series is legendary.

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

I'm planning to self-publish soon, pera na lang kulang, char. Also, I would love to enter into writing contracts, because I believe I deserve compensation for my work. Every writer does. #NormalizeWritersGettingPaid

BONUS: Please leave a message for your readers.

Hello, Marians! Pasensya na kung mag-iisang buwan na akong naka-hiatus. Busy sa acads at habang sinusulat ko 'to, nagmi-meeting kami ng groupmates ko haha thank you for patiently waiting. Promise, magiging worth it ang paghihintay niyo kapag nakabalik na ko. Mahal ko kayo palagi!