|Author interview|

1 How has Wattpad helped your writing?

Wattpad has helped my writing evolve in many ways. I learned from constructive criticism and by the preference of readers what to do/not to do.

2 What is your favorite thing about Wattpad?

That it allows young writers an outlet for their imaginations to run wild.

3 What does writing mean to you?

A lot. Writing is my escape, my passion, my love. I love living inside the little worlds I create.

4 What genre of stories do you enjoy writing?

I love writing YA Contemporary. I touch on a lot of tough subjects such as suicide, rape, etc as it is something that needs to be recognized more.

5 when you did you begin writing? (in general or on Wattpad)

In general 11 (I'm 22 now) on Wattpad I believe 13

6 Who inspired you to write? (a favorite author or relative)

My dad for sure. He has always been my biggest supporter. He was there the first time I spoke a story aloud as a child and has been there since

7 Do you share you writing outside Wattpad?

Not at the moment but I do plan to

8 What is your favorite story?

On Wattpad? Probably The Kissing Booth (read it before it was published or adapted into a movie) Under the Lights, Surviving Adam Meade, or My Wattpad Love

9 How can Wattpad help fellow writers?

Keep writing. It gives the opportunity for writers to showcase their talents and to grow in their writing as they do so

10 What does being part of the Wattpad community mean for yourself and your writing?

A lot! I love knowing that many readers can relate to many of the topics I write about. That is all I've ever wanted, is for my readers to know they aren't alone

11 What genre do you enjoy reading?

I personally like YA Paranormal/Fantasy (The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare) but do read a lot of YA Contemporary to see different writing styles and techniques 

12 What's your favorite type of food? (breakfast or dinner meal)

Hmm, definitely love carne asada haha. I'm engaged to a Salvadorian so I get to try all kinds of new foods

13 What does it mean having readers for your stories on Wattpad?

It's great. My newer books don't have too many unfortunately, but I write them for me first and that is one piece of advice I'd give to writers on here. Even if people aren't commenting etc, write for you first. Write how you would like to read a book.

14 As a writer, do you think it's wise to write in more than one genre or just stick to one genre?

I think it's a good idea to write one book at a time for the most part. If your heart is in multiple genres, definitely go for it! I personally love reading Fantasy but cannot write it for the life of me, not yet haha

|Writing routine|

1 When do you begin your writing routine?

I usually write outlines for ALL of my books. I have two young children and am in school, so having a very detailed outline means I just add all the guts of the book when I actually sit down to write. I start the process a week or two before I start writing the actual book

2 What is your main focus in your writing routine, when you're working on a current or new story?

Making sure to flesh out the storyline, characters, and setting so people fall in love with the story.

3 Do you listen to music, while you're writing? If so, what type of music do you like?

Always haha. I actually listen to absolutely everything. I make playlists on Spotify for every book.

4 Does having a writing routine help you write?

Me personally, yes. My outlines help a ton

5 What's a good piece of writing advice, when comes to a new story?

Write how you would want to read it. If you wouldn't read your own book, why should others? I learned this the hard way

6 Do you ever set writing goals? (like reach a carnet amount of words, finish a chapter in a carnet amount of days, ect)

Yes, I try to get two chapters a day done, especially if the outline for the book is done. If I have two books going at the same time, I do one of each book usually

7 How many days pre-week, do you write?

7. I write every day, even if its just an outline

8How do you go about your story updates?

The biggest thing when it comes to Wattpad is to update regularly. Don't wait a long time between or your readers will lose interest

9 Is there any advice you'd give a fellow writer, when it comes to creating a writing routine?

Outline. Outline. Outline. And do it for you before anyone else. 

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{Message to readers/followers}

All I have ever wanted out of writing is for my readers to relate to the characters, to be so absorbed in the book that they feel as though they are understanding the characters feelings. I have so much love and gratitude for every single person who has ever read one of my stories, voted on them, or even left a comment, even if its just one word. I pray that everyone who reads my books comes out at the end understanding that they are not alone in what they are feeling, whether it's loss, love, suicidal ideation, rape, etc. I am always here for anyone who needs to talk, and again cannot thank you all enough for being such a great support system.

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|Behind the scenes|

Story title and genre: The Bad Boy Playbook                Status: In Progress

1 What inspired the story concept?

Lots and lots of books about football and bad boys

2 Is your story a standalone or a piece of a series?

Standalone

3 What did you enjoy writing most of your story?

The bond that the two lead characters (Reese Taylor and Liam Scott) share

4 What's something you struggled with in your story?

Repetitive words. Definitely constantly have to check for synonyms so I don't overuse a word

5 Do you share any similarities with your main character?

A lot. I always put small pieces of me in them. Definitely a nerdy, movie buff romantic

6 What is something about your story, that would bring in new readers?

Though the idea may seem cliché, I promise once you read it you'll find it isn't

7 What would you like for readers to take away from your story?

Not to judge. Everyone is going through something, even if it can't be seen by the naked eye.

8 What has been the overall response for your story?

Doesn't have many readers sadly, so don't have an answer to that.

Excerpt:

        He was right. Bryan had done all he could, had been my comfort through every traumatic moment of my life since we were six. What he couldn't share in was the feeling of complete and utter helplessness, the guilt and weight of the world suffocating me. Those were all things that Liam could, and maybe that was why I allowed my guard to drop in his presence, because in some crazy, weird way we were the same. Trauma had shaped us into the people we'd become, and no matter how hard we tried to run from it, it always had a way of catching up with us. 

Story title and genre: Let Me Go Status: Coming Soon

1 What inspired the story concept?

The recent surge in suicide in teenagers over the last few years

2 Is your story a standalone or a piece of a series?

Standalone

3 What did you enjoy writing most of your story?

To build two very different characters from two completely different worlds that at one time were the best of friends and struggle over the seventy two hours to come to terms with their new lives.

4 What's something you struggled with in your story?

Trying to stay positive. There are a ton of dark undertones in this book

5 Do you share any similarities with your main character?

I did have a narcissitic mother and was always kind of a drifter but outside of that not much else

6 What is something about your story, that would bring in new readers?

For anyone struggling with suicide ideation, body dysmorphia, social status, judgment, they will definitely be able to relate to the main characters in different ways

7 What would you like for readers to take away from your story?

That words hurt. That people can be very different from the facades and personas they wear

8 What has been the overall response for your story?

Hasn't been written yet

Excerpt:

I curl my finger around the pill bottle in my mother's medicine cabinet. I had spent the last twenty-four hours contemplating my decision, but couldn't bring myself to force off the child proof cap. '

My thoughts would always circle back to my little sister; her honeysuckle hair in pigtails and green eyes staring up at me in admiration. She was my other half, my shadow, and taking my own life would take a piece of her down with me. She would be stuck in the constant, never ending, bottomless pit of our mother's verbal abuse. I had spent seventeen years of my life in it; I couldn't let her face it alone.