Superjelly (Underwater Princess)
1. What do you look for in a story?
Isa lang naman talaga ang lagi kong hinahanap sa isang story e, at ‘yun ‘yung impact. ‘Yung bang either mapapaisip ako habang binabasa ‘yung story mo, ‘yung bang kahit after ko na siyang mabasa e nasa utak ko pa rin siya. Hindi naman necessarily na dapat out-of-this-world story, pero may something unique at fresh sa story, ‘yung hindi ka mapapasabi ng: “Hey wait, I’ve read this story before.” ‘Yun lang. Mas may impact sana sa Wrecking Ball ni Miley.
2. How are you going to judge the entries?
Hindi naman ako nagja-judge sa mismong plot, kundi sa “boses” ng story. ‘Yun ‘yung sinasabi kong impact, ‘yung para bang maririnig mo talaga ang boses ng writer kapag binasa mo ‘yung oneshot niya. Writing style, tapos kahit sana mastery ng basic grammar. Basta ‘yung writing voice talaga.
3. Any advice for the contestants?
Work on your writing voice! Mahalaga ‘yan, honesto promise. I think ‘yung writing voice ay ‘yung nagbibigay talaga ng unique touch sa isang story kahit na cliche man siya or what. Incorporate your real experiences, thoughts, and emotions... that way, maririnig ang "boses" niyo sa story and magkakaroon ng connection sa readers. Also, no matter what happens, do not stop writing. Magsulat muna then proofread later on. Then kapag magpapasa ka na, try to read your story like as if it's not yours. Ikaw ba magugustuhan mo 'yung entry na 'yun? Minsan kase mediocre tayo when in fact we should push ourselves para mag-improve pa. 'Yun lang naman.
