BALETE CHRONICLES: Unang Aklat

Author's Note

Ola, amigos!

Is it okay if I ask a few minutes of your time? Just a few minutes, I promise.

I'll be waiting, 1, 2, okay, thanks!

So here's my plan: Before proceeding to developmental edits, I need your feedback for Book One. I'll be enumerating my plans and you may comment your answers and suggestions in-line. Thank you very much!

1. Renaming Characters

*I want your opinion, guys. Is it okay if I rename my main character? Masiyado kasing magkahawig ang Mike sa Mac.

I'm planning to rename Mike as Maximo (after the author of Creatures of Lower Philippine Mythology and a lot of other useful books about PH Myth.). Then, he will be commonly known as Max. Tapos, palayaw niya pa rin sa family members niya ay Maki (Maximo). Okay lang ba?

Fun Fact: Yana was also named after one of the Filipino authors and researchers of Philippine Mythology, Ms. Damian Eugenio.

Homage na rin sa mga lods natin. Hahaha.

*Pati na rin sa apelyido nila, dapat ko bang palitan ang Baraneda? Di ko nga sure kung real surname ba 'yon. Hahahaha. Should I used more local and meaningful surnames like Maralit, Sakay, etc.?

*I'm also thinking of renaming their dog, Jordan. Pinangalanan ko siya actualy kay Michale Jordan kasi mahilig sa basketball sina Mike at Mac at saka kay Hal Jordan (Green Lantern from the comics) dahil mahilig rin sa sa superheroes kaso di ko naman masiyadong naipakita ang traits na 'to sa first book. Pero wala pa akong naiisip na ipapalit. Maybe local name? Yung mga mahilig sa aso rito, could you suggest one? Thanks.

2. Sa first four chapters, I used their encounter with the aswangs to introduce our four main characters. Need ko bang pahabain? Masiyado bang maikli or kulang?

3. Aling chapter ang sa tingin niyo ay medyo kulang sa spice? Please let me know. For me kasi, medyo naboboringan ako sa Chapters 5, 6 and 7. Originally, the book will start sa Baraneda family entering Baryo Kumintang. Naboringan ako kaya in-adjust ko 'yung start ng second arc para action na agad sa simula at may intrigue na.

While reading, 'di ko alam kung paano pa ba gagawing exciting yung pag-enter nila sa baryo at pagpapakilala kina Lola Nimpa at Lolo Isko. Maging sa simula ng paggala nila sa kagubatan. Though, sa mga nababasa kong middle grade at YA Fantasy Adventure books, kadalasan talaga ay ganito ang simula para sa introduction ng 'mundane' world ng characters saka sila bilang BAM! Gets niyo ba? Wahahahaa. Galing kong mag-describe. Nasanay kasi ako sa writing style ni Uncle Rick na fast-paced at action agad sa simula. Saka na backstory pag kelangan. Hehe.

4. Sa plot twists ba, is it predictable? or boring?
MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD: 'Yung twist kay Miguel, kay Reyna Ana na si Anagolay pala, kay Dian na isa palang nagpapanggap na Ana ('yung sa may climax part), si Yana bilang hinlog ni Amanikable saka kay Robin na 'yung Maharlika pala na tinutukoy nina Yana. Nahulaan niyo ba sila? Masiyado bang juvenile ang dating? Be honest. Char. Hahahahaha. Though, medyo satisfied naman ako sa mga twist na ito. Hehe.

5. What inconsistencies and plot holes did you notice? Ang isa kasi doon na bigla na lang lumitaw ng walang explanation is 'yung asthma ni Mart. Like, I should have given that early on. I mean, dapat binanggit ko na siya agad sa introductory part (sama ko sa revision). Other than that, ano pa po? 

6. What scenes you think should be combined? O kaya naman ay dapat na mas i-expound pa?

7. What other Tagalog mythological creatures, deties or concepts you want to be featured for Book 2? Feel free to recommend.

8. What do you think is the overall theme of the story? Is it about family? responsibility? Ano 'yung personal na theme na nadama niyo from reading it (kung meron man, hahahaha). What do you think is the moral lesson of the story?

9. Character's Age

Ayan, isa rin 'to sa tingin ko ay magbabago. To be clear: Maggie is 16, Mike is 13 (Grade 8), Mart is 12 (Grade 7) and Mac is 8 (Grade 3?).

May dapat ba akong i-adjust sa age nila?

Originally, si Maggie ay first year college kasi ganun 'yung naabutan ko noong wala pang K-12. Dapat ko na ba siyang i-adjust at gawing Grade 11? What you think, guys? I can't decide. Hahahaha.

10. This number is for any random critiques and feedback niyo from my story. Punuin niyo ng virtual hugs and kisses. Charot. Hahahaha. I mean, eto an time niyo to bash. Tatanggapin ko po ang lahat kahit 'di niya ko tinanggap. Charot uli. Hehehehehe.

11. Lastly, do any of you have ideas for publishing? After revision kasi, I will submit my manuscript na (sa ABS-CBN Books muna, then saka ko ipamimigay sa iba pa. Wahahahaha.). The more entries, the more chances of winning. (Wink)

Anyway, I'm also thinking of self-publishing. 'Di ko lang sure kung may oorder. 'Pag daw ganun, kahit 25 pcs. ata pwede na. So, mag-ipon muna ako ng pambili sa 25 na 'yun (ako din pala bibili, hahahahaha). Seriously though, I'm thinking of self-publishing. Kaso, kailangan ni BC ng professional edit saka cover artist na rin. Makiki-send na lang po ng limos niyo sa Gcash ko. Charot.

Also, to anyone who needs help about writing o kaya about Philippine Mythology, you may message me privately. Willing po ako mag-share ng aking nalalaman kung meron man. Pag-usapan natin 'yan. Hahaha.

Thank you ulit sa time for reading and answering. 

I'll be uploading the second book tease soon.

Also, pwede niyo pa rin po ako suportahan sa ikalawang novel na gagawin ko (Klab Maharlika). Here's the updated cover made by iamromelozano. I owe you a lot, Rome. Sana all coverist. Wahahaha.

Nawa'y pagpalain tayo ng Maykapal. Keep safe always. Love y'all. ( ˘ ³˘)♥