Wattpad Filipino Block Party 2021

rejmartinez's Author Interview

The Wattpad Filipino Block Party 2021

Questions and Answers:

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

I started writing when I was starting my college life, too. That was way back 2016 or even earlier. Because of this, kaya pahinto-hinto rin ako sa pagsusulat noon. Minsan sobrang natatagalan bago ako nakakapagsulat uli. But I can say na I never really stopped writing. Minsan mabagal, nawawala but I still keep on writing. Right now reading my old stories napapailing nalang ako, natatawa, nalulungkot sa mga pinagsusulat ko noon. Not that perfect na ang mga sinusulat ko ngayon. But sabi ko it's okay. I realized na over the years may nababawas o nadadagdag sa mga sinusulat ko na stories o naiiba kasi nag-iiba rin ang pananaw ko sa buhay. After all yung mga sinusulat ko naman kasi related din siya sa mga personal life experiences at lessons ko.

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

Depends. I have both standalone stories and also stories in series. Depende sa kung ano ang naisip kong plot. Kung ano yung kailangan ng story o mga stories. Kung okay na ba na standalone story lang siya o need na nasa isang series siya dapat. Really depends sa need ng sinusulat kong story.

3. How do you motivate yourself to keep writing?

I write for myself first. And then para sa readers na I hope I can inspire through my stories especially kapag relatable yung story para sa kanila. I have so many thoughts running around my head. I have different opinion on things, in life. Na siguro reason kung bakit ako nagsusulat. I think writing has become my way to express my own thoughts and opinion. Through the stories that I write. So no matter what I just really continue writing.

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

Difficult scene, maybe sad or tragic scenes that I have to write despite ayaw ko minsan but needed kasi siya sa story. We might wish for just happy things but in reality life just doesn't work that way. And nandun kasi sa part na yun na masakit madalas yung lesson sa isang story. Yung learning. Although I think madalas light lang naman yata yung mga nasusulat ko. Kasi nga ayaw ko sa mabigat na mga pangyayari, haha. But like I said need pa rin siya isulat despite it might be difficult to write to deliver yung goal ng story.

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

Although medyo challenging na rin for me yung epilogue kasi usually point of view na yun ng main male character ko after chapters na pov ng female lead lang. For me mas challenging pa rin ang pagbuo ng first chapter. Kasi dun mo parang kukunin yung attention ng reader, e, if continue pa ba sila sa pagbabasa until last parts ng story na sinusulat mo o sinulat. I think.

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

I think si Tristan from my story Mistakenly. Kasi siya yung parang ideal man ko. When I was writing the story I made this character as someone who's responsible enough. He's not perfect but I love it about him na responsable siyang tao. Someone who's responsible enough to face the consequences of his mistakes or past actions.

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

Maybe Hestia from my ongoing story Aftermath. Feeling ko lang kasi medyo pareho kami mag-isip. Feeling ko lang naman. And parang ramdam ko kasi yung pagod niya minsan sa buhay. Seriously, parang yung thoughts kasi ni Hestia is parang direct na yun din thoughts o magiging opinion ko. Unlike my other characters na parang they have they're own thoughts kasi. Si Hestia parang pareho lang kami mag-isip. If that make sense.

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

I think I could collaborate with any author naman. As long as he or she would like to collaborate with me, too, s'yempre. I'd like to work with co-authors, too. I think I'd grow more as a writer with the experience.

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

Maybe works of Jane Austen? Also Little Women of Louisa Alcott. I think I also like stories about women? Kaya meron na rin ako in my drafts. Hopefully.

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

Wala pa siguro in particular right now. Basta I know I will keep writing. And of course open sa opportunities with my writing.

Message for my readers:

Thank you very much for reading and appreciating my works! Being appreciated is a big thing for me. You keep me going and keep me doing what I love! I love you! I consider you as one of my blessings in life.