1. What do you, as the writer of your works, like about your book (placed) the most?
1. What I enjoy the most about writing 'Money Hearts' is immersing myself as the characters in order to write their POVs. I write only two -- Eleanor's (the FMC) and Isaac's (the MMC) -- both of whom have varying levels of emotional sensitivity, sophistication, and therefore have different voices from each other. I use literary techniques to ensure that those differences are maintained e.g. Eleanor uses a lot of similes/metaphors, while Isaac's POV has more passive voice throughout. I find this both the hardest and most fun aspects of writing the story. :)
2. What inspired you to write your book (placed)?
2. Every book I've read that are within the same genre as 'Money Hearts' have inspired me in one way or the other. I'm talking about the stories that are within the 'rich' Teen Fiction genre and tend to satirise them along the way. ;) Instead of writing 'Money Hearts' to be another satire, which there is already lots about in Wattpad, I focus largely on internal conflicts and the relationships between the characters in order to 'distract' people from the characters' wealth. We shouldn't judge others based on the amount they have in their bank accounts, you guys. ;)
4. What inspired/inspires you to write?
4. Reading! And seeing where their successes got them :D I hope one day, all of my dreams about writing will come true.
6. Are there any Wattpad authors who inspired you to write? If so, list their pseudonyms.
6. Yess!!! The mothers of satirical teen fiction, simonesaidwhat and autheras. Their books 'All That is Gold' and 'High School Hit List' have special places in my heart <3
7. Do you get writer's block frequently? If so, what do you do to combat it?
7. Whenever I get writer's block, I either push myself to continue writing (the current novel being published or another WIP in the drafts) or I will plan other stories. Planning can also include listing down the things I'll do different in the next draft of my story. :)
8. I started to develop a liking towards writing since third grade. But my English was horrible at the time (still is, I think) so... let's not move to what I wrote at that age xD I admit I had some pretty cool stories cooked. They're still lingering in my drafts and I might polish and share them one day! :D
9. Does your writing reflect your own thoughts intimately, or are you detached to some extent?
9. The events that happen in 'Money Hearts' do NOT reflect my real life, lmao. But that doesn't mean some parts of it aren't taken from my experiences as well as things I've heard actual people say in real life. I like to be detached from my stories, so I applaud writers who do write straight out of their wicked experiences in the past. I wonder when can I be that brave, haha.
10. What was the name of your first work?
10. OH MY GOD ;-; tbh, most of my stuff is untitled sooo xD I am the worst at titles. I can tell you that 'Money Hearts' went through a heck-ton of title changes before its current one. Shoutout to people who have been through those changes, lmao. I don't remember how many times I've changed it, but 'Money Hearts' was called 'Rose in a Heartful of Thorns' once upon a time. Even my username went through several changes, but let's not dwell on that xD
11. Do you have any thoughts, any comments you wish to say upon winning in the Ace Awards?
11. I'm so honoured to have won, and I am thankful for the hard work and commitment of the Ace Awards. You put up an admirable awards system, stick to deadlines, and there's never a moment where we as participants aren't let to know of what's happening. It's been a pleasure participating in the awards!
12. What dynamic advice would you give to other authors?
12. Never give up!! If you're writing a first draft, just focus on putting words on the screen and remember there's always time for editing after you finish the draft. Don't lose your flow of creativity! I know I struggle a lot writing first drafts bc of my nit-picky nature, and I'm currently trying really hard to silence my inner critic :)
14. What would you like to say to your readers as a token of appreciation for reading your book?
14. Thank you so much for choosing to read my story! Silent reader and everything <3 I love every single one of you and I hope you continue to support me throughout the rest of my writing journey!
15. What is your take on the genres that you have written in (e.g romance, sci-fi, mystery)?
15. The 'rich' trope of Teen Fiction (pls we need a better term for this if somebody knows do tell mee), basically, the genre in which 'Money Hearts' is written in, is admittedly one of my favourite genres to read, haha. Yes, I'm talking about the rich high school kids with the top-of-the-food-chain hierarchical student body and over-the-top psychotic characters. I won't lie that there are too many stories that are way too similar to one another, and it can get disheartening hopping from one story to another just to learn that it's the same plot recycled. Just because there were authors who made successful books using certain tropes doesn't make it okay for other people to steal off of their ideas. It's straight-up plagiarism. It's not good.
16. What do you like the most about writing? Why do you like it?
16. Oh xD To talk about the things you love is sometimes hard, I think. But my favourite thing about writing has to be the creative freedom it gives people. The power of fiction is boundless :D
17. Are there any books that you've read, that have impacted your writing? If so, how have they influenced your writing?
17. The 'A Song of Ice and Fire' series by George R. R. Martin was so profoundly well-written in my opinion, that I could just open the book at any page without knowing what happened pages before and I would just be immersed into the words. There was a time (I was younger) where I wanted to write like him lmfao (it was so pathetic) but over time, I managed to find my own voice! :D
20. What are your hobbies, besides writing? Why are they so?
20. Other than writing, I like to act. I was a theatre kid in high school and I played in big productions (Shakespeare mostly) all the way from second grade in primary school to the final years lmao. The reason for acting is similar to why I like writing - I love jumping to new stories and becoming immersed in the characters!
23. Do the protagonists in your book reflect upon you to some extent, or are they the protagonists you would like to be?
23. I did take some bits of myself and fit it into Eleanor and Isaac's personalities. But I've exaggerated some of them obviously haha for plot purposes. One thing for sure is I'm not as wealthy as them xD now that's the part where I wish I was more like my characters.
Interviewing mortaltendencies.
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ACE AWARD SUPREME - INTERVIEWS
RandomA record of interviews for the talented winners, interviewed by the sole host of the Ace Awards.
