Wattpad Filipino Block Party 2021

TianaVianne's Author Interview

The Wattpad Filipino Block Party 2021

QUESTIONS / MGA TANONG

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

Wala naman akong schedule for writing, kasi most of the time bigla na lang akong may naiisip na plot or scenario, so sinusulat ko agad 'yong draft, either direkta sa laptop or sa phone ko muna kapag hindi ko dala 'yong laptop. Simula no'ng pandemic, I had a lot of free time in my hands to do whatever I want to do lalo na't nasa bahay lang ako. So I had a lot of time to write lalo na no'ng lockdown. Pero no'ng nagpasukan na ulit, syempre mas priority ko ang acads kaya lagi ko munang tinatapos 'yong mga i-su-submit na requirements for acads, para kapag maaga akong nakatapos, more time for writing a novel.

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

I prefer writing standalone stories, but I'm currently writing the 3rd book of my series though and I find it hard to be consistent when writing a series. Kapag standalone novel kasi, mas madaling balikan 'yong mga parts na biglang mawawala sa isip mo and iisa lang 'yong goal mo. Kumbaga sa standalone, wala kang inaalala na ibang stories na maaapektuhan 'yong timeline, characters, etc.

How do you motivate yourself to keep writing?

Sabi ko dati sa sarili ko, no'ng nagsisimula pa lang ako sa Wattpad, kahit walang magbasa ng mga sinusulat ko, okay lang. Kasi I write for myself. I write something I want to read. And then paglipas ng panahon, nagugulat na lang din ako sa blessings na dumarating. I became a writer under some Publishing Companies, they published my books, the number of my followers keeps growing every day, and habang tumatagal, mas nagiging masaya ako sa pagsusulat. So sabi ko sa sarili ko, baka para sa 'kin talaga 'tong pagsusulat. Baka kailangan ituloy-tuloy ko lang hanggang sa marating ko 'yong gusto kong marating. And the main reason why I keep writing, ay dahil ito 'yong bagay na nakikita kong gagawin ko panghabangbuhay. Kapag nawawalan ako minsan ng gana magsulat, paulit-ulit kong iniisip na may gusto pa akong marating sa pagsusulat ko. I watch movies, read books, go out with my family and friends, just to keep me motivated in writing. Kasi malungkot man ako or masaya, pareho silang dahilan kung bakit na-mo-motivate akong magsulat.

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

I think . . . no'ng time na nag-che-chemo na si Tam sa novel kong Smile For Me, Ressler. Kasi, una sa lahat, wala akong experience sa chemo. So nakakatakot magsulat, kasi kahit mag-research ako, baka may makaligtaan akong maling info, etc. So, I asked a professional to guide me. May mga cousin kasi ako na Doctor na. Sa side kasi ng lolo ko, puro family of Doctors. Kaya 'yon, natulungan nila ako sa part na nahihirapan akong isulat kasi hindi sapat 'yong knowledge ko. And sobrang grateful ko kasi nailatag nila sa 'kin ng maayos 'yong mga gusto kong malaman or matutunan.

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

Siguro 'yong epilogue. Kasi minsan, kahit planado ko na 'yong ending, nababago talaga siya kapag nando'n na ako sa part na 'yon. Kasi . . . parang na-attach na talaga ako sa characters ng story ko kaya it's hard for me to follow my plans when it comes to writing the ending.

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

Bellamy Creos. I want to meet someone like him in real life. Kahit kailan hindi niya niloko 'yong mga taong mahal niya. Pinatawad niya 'yong mga taong sobrang nakasakit sa kanya. He has a heart of gold, and meeting someone like him would really be a blessing.

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

I think it's Tamara in my novel Smile For Me, Ressler. Sobrang pinahirapan ko siya do'n sa story. Lahat no'ng pinagdaanan niya, mahirap talaga. As a writer, pakiramdam ko ako rin 'yong nando'n para sa kanya. I've seen it all, and I can proudly say that she's the strongest woman I've ever met.

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

I want it to be Marcelo Santos III. 8 years ago, lagi akong bumibili ng mga libro niya. And until now, fan niya pa rin ako. Nakakausap ko rin siya minsan, kaya nakakatuwa talaga. Sobrang bait niya. And gustong-gusto ko 'yong paraan nang pag-express niya ng emotions through his words. He's so genuine. And collaborating with him would really be a great opportunity to make a wonderful story.

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

A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks. It never gets old, and kahit paulit-ulit ko siyang pinapanood and binabasa, mas lalo lang talaga siyang gumaganda and mas lalo lang niya akong napapaiyak. Ako nga, gano'n 'yong nararamdaman, syempre pati 'yong ibang na

What are your future plans in your writing career?

I'm trying my best to improve my writings. Kasi kahit sabihin nating improved na 'yong writing ko, alam naman nating lahat na may mas i-iimprove pa dapat siya. And, continuous kasi ang learning ng isang tao. Gano'n din sa writers, continuous din 'yong learning. Kapag sobrang okay na 'yong writings ko in Filipino/Taglish, I want to try writing English novels and be one of those International Authors. Sa sobrang taas tingnan nang dream ko na 'yan, para bang ang hirap-hirap talagang abutin. Pero tuwing maiisip ko no'ng mga panahong bago pa lang ako sa Wattpad, I started with zero readers/followers. But now, my stories have millions of reads. So ginagawa ko siyang motivation para abutin pa 'yong iba ko pang mga pangarap. Kasi wala namang imposible, eh. Sipag at tiyaga lang talaga, saka magandang kalooban at magaling na pakikisama.

BONUS: Please leave a message for your readers.

A little reminder for y'all. It's not the number of readers we have that makes us a great writer. It's the number of hearts we touch, the number of minds we open, the number of lives we change, and the number of times we choose to keep writing.

Let's spread love, always! May we continue to unlock future achievements together! Mahal na mahal ko kayo, at hindi ako magsasawang magpasalamat sa inyo. Kasi kung wala kayo, wala rin ako ngayon dito. Stay safe, and see you soon!