Hello! You might have read the article about my work in the Philippine Daily Inquirer today.
If you're a writer in Metro Manila/Philippines and want to participate in the workshops, here are some signup forms:
Ebook formatting and publishing, Jan 31: bit.ly/learnebookpub
Print book formatting and affordable printing, Feb 28: bit.ly/learnprintpub
These workshops are for authors who've already written their books and are ready to publish. If you're still thinking about writing a book, go here:
#romanceclass textbook and schedule: https://gum.co/MDqis (PDF of lectures given to my chick lit/contemporary romance writing class)
#steamyreads tool kit and schedule: https://gum.co/FkOs (PDF of lectures given to my steamy romance writing class)
If you're a reader and you want to try my books (YAY!) go here:
My Chic Manila series features Filipino characters and Philippine settings.
My Spotlight series is new adult romance set in the US.
Some of my books are on Wattpad. Free to read! wattpad.com/MinaVE
If you've read my books and didn't realize that more Pinoy authors are writing English-language romance now, go here: http://romanceclass.co.vu
I send out a monthly newsletter with announcements and freebies. There's a signup form here on the right side of the blog.
I will be speaking at the Creative Entrepeneur Summit organized by Writer's Block Philippines on January 31.
Thank you!
Showing posts with label Interview. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Interview. Show all posts
Monday, January 19, 2015
Tuesday, August 12, 2014
Answers to questions from Hannah of DLSU
Sometimes I get requests from students to answer questions or give comments, usually for a paper or a report they're doing. This is a recent Q&A I did with Hannah of DLSU, for her thesis. Sharing my answers here!
-How is the demand for the genre (chick lit and modern fiction) here in the Philippines at present?
There is a great demand for contemporary romance (teen romance, new adult, adult) and probably in unprecedented numbers. The chick lit category however, if you're to define it as the books about twenty-something women living in the city, is not the top genre right now, and is probably taking a backseat to broader romance stories.
-What is it about modern fiction that makes it really popular nowadays?
For lack of a better term, "the feels." The most popular stories right now are the ones that people readily gush about, emotionally. (From The Fault in Our Stars to She's Dating the Gangster.)
-Do you think modern fiction/popular fiction has other value aside from being an escapist read or for entertainment? What is the value of modern fiction?
It's probably something that won't be appreciated until much later, but I see popular or modern fiction as snapshots of our time. If a story is at all authentic, and it becomes well-loved, it's probably going to be a good indicator of how we felt that year, how mature our thoughts were, what we liked and loved. As an author I try to sneak in more than the usual in my books, even though they're meant to be light reads. I've introduced psych concepts, myths, career advice even. But it's all in context and it should all still be fun.
-How different is the modern fiction from the West to its local counterpart?
When the characters are teens, "Western" stories are a bit out of reach. They usually involve driving, going to prom, having sex, various situations that seem very adult to teens here. However as the characters get older, there are more similarities. College, first-job, "new adult" stories tend to be more relatable now.
-How many imprints/genres do you currently have in your line-up?
I've written young adult (teen audience) and new adult (18 and older). However I've decided to focus on the older readers, and tell more stories that feature them.
-Would you entertain the idea of having a “Bro Lit” (“Dick Lit”- guy centered texts) counterpart for Chick Lit? What kinds of stories do you think this hybrid-genre will contain?
I guess the authors and publishers behind this would have to know who they're writing for. Is it "guy lit" for girls to read? So girls can get a peek into their thoughts? Is it guy lit written for guys, with the intention of getting them in touch with their feelings? What makes it different from guys just writing in general? This hybrid could work if it knows what its goals are.
-What is your view on the influx of modern fiction now and the evolution of Wattpad where everyone and anyone can be an author?
There are criticisms of it that I've heard before, but they've also been said about self-publishing, commercial romance, chick lit... It's essentially people looking down at the new kid on the block. I think people should be encouraged by it. Encouraged to read, and write, and publish. What this proves is that the population of readers wasn't as small as we thought.
-How is the demand for the genre (chick lit and modern fiction) here in the Philippines at present?
There is a great demand for contemporary romance (teen romance, new adult, adult) and probably in unprecedented numbers. The chick lit category however, if you're to define it as the books about twenty-something women living in the city, is not the top genre right now, and is probably taking a backseat to broader romance stories.
-What is it about modern fiction that makes it really popular nowadays?
For lack of a better term, "the feels." The most popular stories right now are the ones that people readily gush about, emotionally. (From The Fault in Our Stars to She's Dating the Gangster.)
-Do you think modern fiction/popular fiction has other value aside from being an escapist read or for entertainment? What is the value of modern fiction?
It's probably something that won't be appreciated until much later, but I see popular or modern fiction as snapshots of our time. If a story is at all authentic, and it becomes well-loved, it's probably going to be a good indicator of how we felt that year, how mature our thoughts were, what we liked and loved. As an author I try to sneak in more than the usual in my books, even though they're meant to be light reads. I've introduced psych concepts, myths, career advice even. But it's all in context and it should all still be fun.
-How different is the modern fiction from the West to its local counterpart?
When the characters are teens, "Western" stories are a bit out of reach. They usually involve driving, going to prom, having sex, various situations that seem very adult to teens here. However as the characters get older, there are more similarities. College, first-job, "new adult" stories tend to be more relatable now.
-How many imprints/genres do you currently have in your line-up?
I've written young adult (teen audience) and new adult (18 and older). However I've decided to focus on the older readers, and tell more stories that feature them.
-Would you entertain the idea of having a “Bro Lit” (“Dick Lit”- guy centered texts) counterpart for Chick Lit? What kinds of stories do you think this hybrid-genre will contain?
I guess the authors and publishers behind this would have to know who they're writing for. Is it "guy lit" for girls to read? So girls can get a peek into their thoughts? Is it guy lit written for guys, with the intention of getting them in touch with their feelings? What makes it different from guys just writing in general? This hybrid could work if it knows what its goals are.
-What is your view on the influx of modern fiction now and the evolution of Wattpad where everyone and anyone can be an author?
There are criticisms of it that I've heard before, but they've also been said about self-publishing, commercial romance, chick lit... It's essentially people looking down at the new kid on the block. I think people should be encouraged by it. Encouraged to read, and write, and publish. What this proves is that the population of readers wasn't as small as we thought.
Wednesday, July 30, 2014
(un)breakable blog tour: Interview with author Kesh Tanglao + Giveaway
Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for (un)breakable by Kesh Tanglao!
I first met Kesh when she joined #romanceclass last year -- and went on to write and publish The Real Score, a fangirl-fantasy (that's a thing right?) with a lot of heart. I saw how readers responded to it on social media, and love that despite her busy schedule Kesh has managed to released her next book. Because we want more Gezellig, yes?
For the blog tour, Dianne was able to arrange for a quick interview with Kesh. Here are her answers!
Congratulations on the release your sequel/spin-off to The Real Score! Can you describe what the reader reaction to the first book was like?
Thanks! I honestly wouldn't have launched anything--even a sequel--had it not been because of the #romanceclass. So thanks, too, Ms. Mina! :) The reaction to The Real Score was overwhelming and amusing. I appreciated it that some people felt strongly about the story and about the characters. I also got tweets that the book made them cry! I'm sorry for that, but I got some weird authorly satisfaction that I made people cry.
The Real Score took us places that Pinoy chick lit normally doesn't. Is there more traveling in this one?
There are a few more mentions of different places, but the general setting is still in London.
How soon after did you start writing again?
A few months after The Real Score was released. To be honest, this one wasn't the one lined up! The sequel was supposed to be about Marcus and Caitlin, too, some sort of continuation of their story, but I think writing Lorin appealed to me. I was already 10,000 words in with the Marcus-Caitlin sequel when I dropped it for this one.
There's a fandom aspect to your work that I love. How much of a fan are you of the things that you feature in your stories?
I'd say very much? :) Fangirl enough to fall in line for 17 hours for concert tickets (and not even the actual concert!). Fangirl enough to actually go to games even if they're far away, and attend meet and greets. (Eep, I don't know why I'm doing it, either!)
What's next for you?
We meet another band in the next story (but the same universe as Gezellig), and then the last Gezellig book (it's just three, and I'm sorry if there are no stories yet for the other members!).
breakable+cover.jpg)
Lorin Perez’s life is finally back on track after almost losing it six years ago. She knows meeting and dating sizzling hot professional rugby player Spence Clarke is a huge part of her healing process. But with her father starting a new family, she decides to follow her best friend Caitlin to UK–Spence’s home country–and start a new life.
However, moving to UK brings certain complications in the form of Gezellig band member Nigel Whitmore, a.k.a. the one who didn’t follow through three years ago. And even though Lorin is very clear about her no commitment rule, Nigel ignores this and pursues Lorin like never before.
Caught between the man who made her feel safe and the one who makes her feel alive, will she finally be able to set her heart free and make the right choice?
Goodreads link: https://www.goodreads.com/
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Kesh Tanglao is a full-time market researcher. When she’s not crunching numbers, she spends most of her free time watching TV shows, listening to music, and reading. Also a self-proclaimed fangirl, she likes cheering for her favorite sports teams and supporting her favorite artists.
Blog: http://sparksfire.wordpress.com/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/sparksfire_
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KeshTanglao
Wattpad: http://www.wattpad.com/user/sparksfire
Tuesday, June 24, 2014
Interview with #LunaEast author Patricia Selina
1. Describe your Luna East story in a few short sentences
Coast Guard: Through a mix of baked goods and well-meaning friends, Claire is somehow coerced by campus sweetheart Anna to keep watch over her crush Mark, just because she happens to share the same route as him, and his childhood best friend Noah. Rumor says, however, that Anna’s fiercest competitor for Mark’s heart isn’t one of the nineteen other girls who’ve had crushes on him – but in fact is Noah himself! Is there any truth to this?
(And if there were, does anybody seriously think Claire could do anything about it?)
2. Did a real event from high school inspire your story?
Actually, it’s always been a dream of me to write a romance story in first person from the POV of someone who isn’t in love with any of the main characters – I’ve never remembered reading anything like this, but what I did know was that there had to be one, because art imitates life and if I have to live with love teams and romance drama that I’m not exactly a part of, then surely it could be written about, as well?
So yeah. There’s a lot of bits and pieces in Coast Guard that’s from my high school years, as well as my college ones. I’ve always gotten inexplicably entangled with popular love teams somehow, despite not being one of the lovebirds myself, or not being in love with either of said lovebirds, so what Claire feels about the whole Anna/Mark/Noah thing is drawing heavily from my own experiences.
Unlike her, I only got myself a cute little brother after graduating from high school, though.
3. What did you like to read when you were in high school?
I was a really weird kid. (Honestly, I still am.) But my favorite novella of all time continues to be Thomas Mann’s Death in Venice, which I discovered just as I graduated grade school, and continued re-reading all the way throughout high school.
I also developed a soft spot for English translations of Japanese light novels – I started with the ones that were adapted into popular anime series at the time, and fully intended to branch out into more obscure, serious stories, but I never really did get to doing that. I was also really interested in reading books tackling history and the differences between global cultures, as well as in reading cookbooks.
You can never really go wrong with cookbooks.
4. Who do you think should be reading Luna East, and how do we get the books to them?
(Me.)
Well, naturally I would say that the most obvious target market would be the teenagers who are actually living through the age bracket that we portray in Luna East, but – there’s a reason why teen romances (teen anythings, in general, but mostly and especially the romances) are spectacularly popular and break through the mainstream easily: because society believes that the teenage years are the happiest years of one’s life, and so anyone who’d want to remember ‘happier times’ would be interested in reading about teenagers. So if you ask me, anyone could read Luna East, and like it. A little bit of nostalgia never did anyone any harm, I reckon.
As for the next question – well, in this day and age it doesn’t come as a surprise that my first suggestion would be to make the most out of SNS’s, social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter and the like. I first learned about this project through a friend I follow on Twitter, after all – so I know how effective this could be in generating interest. What I like about SNS’s is that, when used efficiently, they’re basically good-old-fashioned word-of-mouth – only on a wider scale than literal spoken words do.
5. What other stories are you planning for Luna East?
Hmm. For all that I’m a romance writer when it comes to fanfiction, when it comes to my original stuff I tend to focus more on friendship. Good old platonic, sibling-like friendship.
When I wrote the last words for Coast Guard a few hours ago I thought that I didn’t want to write about these characters again – the Anna/Mark/Noah triangle is a force to be reckoned with, and to be completely honest with you their dynamic really reminds me of a triangle I already see too much of in real life so writing for them kinda intimidates me, now – but I kinda want to write more about Claire’s friendship with Sabrina: how they managed to be best friends even though they study in rival schools, how Claire manages to get flighty-but-brainy Sabrina to stay focused enough to prepare for a quiz bee (against Luna East, but that’s irrelevant), how Sabrina convinces pragmatic and serious Claire to think that joining Luna East’s anime club just might be a good idea. Speaking of which, something about the anime club might be interesting to write about, since it’s squarely in my sphere of influence!
Moving on to more serious matters, though, bullying is a topic that always gets a little bit too close to home when I’m concerned, since I was a bully magnet, of sorts. Still am, but I’ve since learned to deal with it better – maybe writing about not letting the taunts define you would be of help to the people who’re going through that?
I’m also a bit interested in writing something based off the contestants I’d meet in MTAP contests, before. Something like Romeo and Juliet, with parabolic equations. Rival schools and all that.
Err, I have a lot of ideas. But I’ll be writing more for this ‘verse, that’s for sure.
Patricia is an incoming college senior at a Philippine state university, taking up Bachelor of Science in Accountancy, who writes fiction and spoils her little brother on her (increasingly rare) off hours. She’s been writing for years, and has never been published, and as such seeing something she’d written get published has always been a dream for her. While her writing tends to focus on the fanfiction side of things – her current focus is on writing for Free!, otherwise known as “the swimming anime” – she has always had a soft spot for original fiction, hence her current, sporadic involvement in Luna East.
Write your #LunaEast story! Read the rules. Post your story on your blog, Wattpad, Figment, or http://lunaeastacademy.org. And then answer these interview questions and send to minavesguerra@gmail.com. :) Order the Volume 1 paperback, or get the ebook on Amazon.
Coast Guard: Through a mix of baked goods and well-meaning friends, Claire is somehow coerced by campus sweetheart Anna to keep watch over her crush Mark, just because she happens to share the same route as him, and his childhood best friend Noah. Rumor says, however, that Anna’s fiercest competitor for Mark’s heart isn’t one of the nineteen other girls who’ve had crushes on him – but in fact is Noah himself! Is there any truth to this?
(And if there were, does anybody seriously think Claire could do anything about it?)
2. Did a real event from high school inspire your story?
Actually, it’s always been a dream of me to write a romance story in first person from the POV of someone who isn’t in love with any of the main characters – I’ve never remembered reading anything like this, but what I did know was that there had to be one, because art imitates life and if I have to live with love teams and romance drama that I’m not exactly a part of, then surely it could be written about, as well?
So yeah. There’s a lot of bits and pieces in Coast Guard that’s from my high school years, as well as my college ones. I’ve always gotten inexplicably entangled with popular love teams somehow, despite not being one of the lovebirds myself, or not being in love with either of said lovebirds, so what Claire feels about the whole Anna/Mark/Noah thing is drawing heavily from my own experiences.
Unlike her, I only got myself a cute little brother after graduating from high school, though.
3. What did you like to read when you were in high school?
I was a really weird kid. (Honestly, I still am.) But my favorite novella of all time continues to be Thomas Mann’s Death in Venice, which I discovered just as I graduated grade school, and continued re-reading all the way throughout high school.
I also developed a soft spot for English translations of Japanese light novels – I started with the ones that were adapted into popular anime series at the time, and fully intended to branch out into more obscure, serious stories, but I never really did get to doing that. I was also really interested in reading books tackling history and the differences between global cultures, as well as in reading cookbooks.
You can never really go wrong with cookbooks.
4. Who do you think should be reading Luna East, and how do we get the books to them?
(Me.)
Well, naturally I would say that the most obvious target market would be the teenagers who are actually living through the age bracket that we portray in Luna East, but – there’s a reason why teen romances (teen anythings, in general, but mostly and especially the romances) are spectacularly popular and break through the mainstream easily: because society believes that the teenage years are the happiest years of one’s life, and so anyone who’d want to remember ‘happier times’ would be interested in reading about teenagers. So if you ask me, anyone could read Luna East, and like it. A little bit of nostalgia never did anyone any harm, I reckon.
As for the next question – well, in this day and age it doesn’t come as a surprise that my first suggestion would be to make the most out of SNS’s, social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter and the like. I first learned about this project through a friend I follow on Twitter, after all – so I know how effective this could be in generating interest. What I like about SNS’s is that, when used efficiently, they’re basically good-old-fashioned word-of-mouth – only on a wider scale than literal spoken words do.
5. What other stories are you planning for Luna East?
Hmm. For all that I’m a romance writer when it comes to fanfiction, when it comes to my original stuff I tend to focus more on friendship. Good old platonic, sibling-like friendship.
When I wrote the last words for Coast Guard a few hours ago I thought that I didn’t want to write about these characters again – the Anna/Mark/Noah triangle is a force to be reckoned with, and to be completely honest with you their dynamic really reminds me of a triangle I already see too much of in real life so writing for them kinda intimidates me, now – but I kinda want to write more about Claire’s friendship with Sabrina: how they managed to be best friends even though they study in rival schools, how Claire manages to get flighty-but-brainy Sabrina to stay focused enough to prepare for a quiz bee (against Luna East, but that’s irrelevant), how Sabrina convinces pragmatic and serious Claire to think that joining Luna East’s anime club just might be a good idea. Speaking of which, something about the anime club might be interesting to write about, since it’s squarely in my sphere of influence!
Moving on to more serious matters, though, bullying is a topic that always gets a little bit too close to home when I’m concerned, since I was a bully magnet, of sorts. Still am, but I’ve since learned to deal with it better – maybe writing about not letting the taunts define you would be of help to the people who’re going through that?
I’m also a bit interested in writing something based off the contestants I’d meet in MTAP contests, before. Something like Romeo and Juliet, with parabolic equations. Rival schools and all that.
Patricia is an incoming college senior at a Philippine state university, taking up Bachelor of Science in Accountancy, who writes fiction and spoils her little brother on her (increasingly rare) off hours. She’s been writing for years, and has never been published, and as such seeing something she’d written get published has always been a dream for her. While her writing tends to focus on the fanfiction side of things – her current focus is on writing for Free!, otherwise known as “the swimming anime” – she has always had a soft spot for original fiction, hence her current, sporadic involvement in Luna East.
Write your #LunaEast story! Read the rules. Post your story on your blog, Wattpad, Figment, or http://lunaeastacademy.org. And then answer these interview questions and send to minavesguerra@gmail.com. :) Order the Volume 1 paperback, or get the ebook on Amazon.
Wednesday, June 4, 2014
Interview with #LunaEast author D.R. Lee
1. Describe your Luna East story in a few short sentences.
Picture Me Naked is a story about high school rivals who may or may not just be rivals to each other after all. For as long as Laika could remember, Seth has always been the bane in her existence. He's her arch-nemesis - the one person whose sole purpose in life is to make her miserable. Yet when Seth says that one magic phrase, Laika couldn't help but blush from the tips of her toes to the ends of hair.
2. Did a real event from high school inspire your story?
Not from high school, but yeah, it was inspired by a real event. I was a debater in College and in order to ease the nervousness of my teammates, I always joked around and told them to picture their crush naked.
3. What did you like to read when you were in high school?
Harry Potter!!! haha! I was also into the Replica series by Marilyn Kaye, Goosebumps by R.L. Stine and Buffy the Vampire Slayer books. Those were my staples in high school.
4. Who do you think should be reading Luna East, and how do we get the books to them?
Although it's marketed for high school students, I think Luna East is well-suited for everyone as it has a variety of stories within its pages. As for the how, well, we're already trying to each audiences online, so that's a start.
5. What other stories are you planning for Luna East?
I'm thinking of writing a story about having a crush on the teacher. The other Luna East writers were encouraging me to write about this on Twitter since they've been reading my tweets about my professor in law school who's also my crush. haha!
D.R. Lee is a law student hailing from the Philippines. Outside of her academic endeavor, she does writing, painting and a whole lot of reading. On a perfect day, she talks with people inside her head and tells their stories through printed words. You can reach her via email, or you can follow her via Twitter or visit her Facebook page.
Write your #LunaEast story! Read the rules. Post your story on your blog, Wattpad, Figment, or http://lunaeastacademy.org. And then answer these interview questions and send to minavesguerra@gmail.com. :) Order the Volume 1 paperback, or get the ebook on Amazon.
Picture Me Naked is a story about high school rivals who may or may not just be rivals to each other after all. For as long as Laika could remember, Seth has always been the bane in her existence. He's her arch-nemesis - the one person whose sole purpose in life is to make her miserable. Yet when Seth says that one magic phrase, Laika couldn't help but blush from the tips of her toes to the ends of hair.
2. Did a real event from high school inspire your story?
Not from high school, but yeah, it was inspired by a real event. I was a debater in College and in order to ease the nervousness of my teammates, I always joked around and told them to picture their crush naked.
3. What did you like to read when you were in high school?
Harry Potter!!! haha! I was also into the Replica series by Marilyn Kaye, Goosebumps by R.L. Stine and Buffy the Vampire Slayer books. Those were my staples in high school.
4. Who do you think should be reading Luna East, and how do we get the books to them?
Although it's marketed for high school students, I think Luna East is well-suited for everyone as it has a variety of stories within its pages. As for the how, well, we're already trying to each audiences online, so that's a start.
I'm thinking of writing a story about having a crush on the teacher. The other Luna East writers were encouraging me to write about this on Twitter since they've been reading my tweets about my professor in law school who's also my crush. haha!
D.R. Lee is a law student hailing from the Philippines. Outside of her academic endeavor, she does writing, painting and a whole lot of reading. On a perfect day, she talks with people inside her head and tells their stories through printed words. You can reach her via email, or you can follow her via Twitter or visit her Facebook page.
Write your #LunaEast story! Read the rules. Post your story on your blog, Wattpad, Figment, or http://lunaeastacademy.org. And then answer these interview questions and send to minavesguerra@gmail.com. :) Order the Volume 1 paperback, or get the ebook on Amazon.
Wednesday, May 7, 2014
Interview with #LunaEast author Joy Villar
1. Describe your Luna East story in a few short sentences
A Study in Form: Junior Saree Termulo couldn't say no to Senior Eli Antonio's request--to model for his biggest art project. But she may be helping more than just Eli along.
2. Did a real event from high school inspire your story?
I wasn't inspired by a real event from high school. The idea just popped up in my head one day. I don't even recall the triger for it. Haha. Saree was loosely based from my my best friend in high school, who also did ballet.
3. What did you like to read when you were in high school?
When I was in high school I mostly read what was at home, which was what my sister read (mainly fantasy, YA, and romance). But during freshman year, I also delved into Japanese novels. I think I borrowed all the Japanese novels in the library in that school year alone. I also remember spending the whole summer between Sophomore and Junior year cooped up in the bedroom reading and rereading the Belgariad and the Malloreon series by David Eddings.
4. Who do you think should be reading Luna East, and how do we get the books to them?
I think everyone who has a soft spot for YA and romance should read #LunaEast, because it's right up their alley. And also anyone who is not afraid to try and read new things should also read it. The best way I can think of to bring these stories out to everyone is by word of mouth. Most of the things I read came from the recommendations of those I knew loved to read good books, and are excited to share what they read to others. I rarely buy/read a book just because the blurb was well written or it was on the best-seller list.
5. What other stories are you planning for Luna East?
I already have a rough draft of a one-shot. It's the other side of my current story, which will be from Eli's perspective. I am also nursing a plot bunny about a student who is addicted to crosswords, and a possible love interest who thinks she should become addicted to something else. But I haven't fully explored that idea yet. I might also do stories including orchestra students, but I'm shelving that idea for later. Right now, I want to focus on finishing this story, my #romanceclass novella, and the other novellas I have planned. I hope I get to finish a lot withing the year. *crosses fingers*
Joy has always been fascinated with stories, and with telling them. When she's not busy daydreaming or firming flights, she tries to sneak in a little bit of writing. She fuels herself (and her writing) with caffeine loaded drinks (milk tea being top preference). She hopes to finish her #romanceclass novella within this year. *crosses fingers*
Write your #LunaEast story! Read the rules. Post your story on your blog, Wattpad, Figment, or http://lunaeastacademy.org. And then answer these interview questions and send to minavesguerra@gmail.com. :) Order the Volume 1 paperback, or get the ebook on Amazon.
A Study in Form: Junior Saree Termulo couldn't say no to Senior Eli Antonio's request--to model for his biggest art project. But she may be helping more than just Eli along.
2. Did a real event from high school inspire your story?
I wasn't inspired by a real event from high school. The idea just popped up in my head one day. I don't even recall the triger for it. Haha. Saree was loosely based from my my best friend in high school, who also did ballet.
3. What did you like to read when you were in high school?
When I was in high school I mostly read what was at home, which was what my sister read (mainly fantasy, YA, and romance). But during freshman year, I also delved into Japanese novels. I think I borrowed all the Japanese novels in the library in that school year alone. I also remember spending the whole summer between Sophomore and Junior year cooped up in the bedroom reading and rereading the Belgariad and the Malloreon series by David Eddings.
4. Who do you think should be reading Luna East, and how do we get the books to them?
I think everyone who has a soft spot for YA and romance should read #LunaEast, because it's right up their alley. And also anyone who is not afraid to try and read new things should also read it. The best way I can think of to bring these stories out to everyone is by word of mouth. Most of the things I read came from the recommendations of those I knew loved to read good books, and are excited to share what they read to others. I rarely buy/read a book just because the blurb was well written or it was on the best-seller list.
I already have a rough draft of a one-shot. It's the other side of my current story, which will be from Eli's perspective. I am also nursing a plot bunny about a student who is addicted to crosswords, and a possible love interest who thinks she should become addicted to something else. But I haven't fully explored that idea yet. I might also do stories including orchestra students, but I'm shelving that idea for later. Right now, I want to focus on finishing this story, my #romanceclass novella, and the other novellas I have planned. I hope I get to finish a lot withing the year. *crosses fingers*
Joy has always been fascinated with stories, and with telling them. When she's not busy daydreaming or firming flights, she tries to sneak in a little bit of writing. She fuels herself (and her writing) with caffeine loaded drinks (milk tea being top preference). She hopes to finish her #romanceclass novella within this year. *crosses fingers*
Write your #LunaEast story! Read the rules. Post your story on your blog, Wattpad, Figment, or http://lunaeastacademy.org. And then answer these interview questions and send to minavesguerra@gmail.com. :) Order the Volume 1 paperback, or get the ebook on Amazon.
Friday, August 9, 2013
Interview: Chris Mariano, author of Cover (Story) Girl
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| Cover designed by Miguel Calvan |
I've been included in a few anthologies before but this is my first solo book -- and my first romance! I've actually been writing speculative fiction. Romance is new publishing territory for me (unless you count those old Sweet Dreams-type stories I scribbled down in high school).
What made you decide to finally write something and publish it?
#romanceclass made me do it! I've no qualms writing and publishing for speculative fiction, though I haven't really stumbled on an idea that I'd want to expand into a full-length genre novel. Romance is a different story. I've been writing and finishing romance short stories and novellas but haven't really felt the need to publish them. I've always thought that hey needed more spit and shine before I took the plunge.
But then #romanceclass happened. I've had Gio and Min Hee's story in my head for a while now and on some level I didn't think I was ever going to write it. I figured it was a good topic for the #romanceclass experiment. The class gave me the motivation and the dedication to finish something that I wasn't keen on writing.
(Also, I'm saving up for a long trip. I have realistic expectations, of course, but sales could mean extra pocket money. Opa!)
Did/do you have any fears about going indie?
My fears had more to do about publishing something in general rather than publishing independently. Was my story good enough? Did I get all the typos out? Did I establish things early? Was my story good enough? But by then, a friend was already doing the cover. People have already beta-read and edited it. It just seemed like such a shame to not push through at that point. But I think whether it was published traditionally or independently, I would still have most of the same doubts.
What was the most surprisingly pleasant part of the process of writing and publishing your book?
Formatting the manuscript! Goodness, I can write an ode to formatting the manuscript for Smashwords and Kindle. Reading and following it was such a breeze. It was a nice break from the pressure of writing well.
Another part I enjoyed was watching the cover get made. My former advertising Creative Director Mike volunteered to do the cover. We were both on the same page when it came to the look and feel we wanted. We've worked with each other before so we already had a system. He showed me pegs before starting, updated me every step of the way, sent me WIPs -- it was a really exciting part of the process.
What's the part that you'd prefer someone else do for you?
I wish I could get someone to do the online marketing with me! I already work in marketing but I just didn't feel comfortable marketing myself. I wish I could have someone take care of the small but important stuff (making author pages on Amazon, Goodreads, maybe even Facebook). I feel like I need to sit down and devote a proper day to fixing these pages, fixing SEO, etc.
What has been the most awesome response to your book (by a stranger) so far?
My friend and beta-reader Chachic of Chachic's Book Nook posted about my novella on her site. Surprise, surprise, YA fantasy author Rachel Neumeier picked it up, read it, and then blogged about it. She had very kind words to say, which you can read here.
What's the next book going to be about?
It's a contemporary cozy mystery about an amateur sleuth/wedding planner, which was what I was writing when Cover (Story) Girl happened. I'm already at 30k words in, though at this point I still don't know if I should turn this into a trilogy (amateur detectives need more mysteries to solve, right?) or stick to a one-off. One thing's for sure -- it'll still be set in Aklan!
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00E8KBU9S
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/342321
Thursday, August 1, 2013
Interview: Agay Llanera (author of Vintage Love)
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| Cover designed by Gerry Isaac |
It's my first published novella! I have three published children's books, but I've always wanted to finish a long-ish story, and the romance novella was the perfect format to achieve this goal.
What made you decide to finally write something and publish it?
Romance class with Mina Esguerra! I had actually submitted the story to a publisher last year but I never heard from them. When I heard about #romanceclass, I readily joined with the finished manuscript. I gained a lot of helpful feedback about it, which was crucial in improving the story. I decided to publish it because I was inspired by Mina and my classmates, who are such fearless, good writers.
Did/do you have any fears about going indie?
Yes. I've always shunned technical stuff, and self-publishing means following certain technical rules so you can publish on on online book distributors such as Kindle and Smashwords. Right now, I'm figuring out how to create the PDF file so I can have the book printed in paperback.
What was the most surprisingly pleasant part of the process of writing and publishing your book?
It was nice being totally hands-on with the whole process--finding an editor, a cover artist, conceptualizing the cover, and formatting the manuscript so it'd be fit for publication.
What's the part that you'd prefer someone else do for you?
Marketing! I'm still in the process of learning how to sell my book without spamming people.
What has been the most awesome response to your book (by a stranger) so far?
When I posted the first two chapters at Wattpad, someone commented that she was blown away, and that she was definitely going to buy my book. *kilig*
What's the next book going to be about?
I'm deciding between writing about a collegiate volleyball varsity player or a girl obsessed with Paris (the city, not the person).
Buy Vintage Love!
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/336762
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Vintage-Love-ebook/dp/B00DWO33UA
Sunday, March 17, 2013
Interviewed by Lottie Eve, and a few questions for her
Book blogger Lottie Eve recently interviewed me, and it's now up on her blog. Go check it out!
Something about these answers makes me so giddy. :) There are a lot of things that we take for granted, even as writers who are aware that we're writing for the world now. Lottie Eve is the second person (who isn't in the Philippines) to point out that our workplaces seem so social, and I didn't even intend to make that a thing. It's just how it is here.
But barkada I deliberately didn't translate. I'm glad it's being understood in context! I wonder if we can make it a thing?
One of the things I enjoy about reading reviews of my books is seeing which parts the reviewer chooses to mention. I can't predict what a reader will single out as memorable. And I actually want to know how a reader discovered my books. So I actually asked Lottie Eve! Thank you so much for answering! Here's what she said:
If I'm not mistaken, you discovered my books because of a friend book blogger from the Philippines. How did she get you interested in reading a book set in another country?
Well, I first got interested in reading your books when Monica mentioned that Fairy Tale Fail perfectly described her life in the Philippines. That got me interested rather quickly. We had a quick conversation about the book and then I bought it. Then I read it and fell insanely in love with the book. Now I am a fan of your's :)
I find it really cool that you say you can relate to Ellie, when you live on the other side of the world! Is there anything about the books that surprised you, like in terms of how similar and different things are here and there?
What surprised me the most was how social people were in the workplace (the books I have read of your's took place in a workplace fairly often). Everyone on the same floor knew each other. It made me feel like I was reading about a group of people living in a small apartment building! There is also the use of the word barkada- a word that I learned the meaning of very quickly. Now I find myself using it (which kind of confuses my friends but they started catching on too)!==============
Something about these answers makes me so giddy. :) There are a lot of things that we take for granted, even as writers who are aware that we're writing for the world now. Lottie Eve is the second person (who isn't in the Philippines) to point out that our workplaces seem so social, and I didn't even intend to make that a thing. It's just how it is here.
But barkada I deliberately didn't translate. I'm glad it's being understood in context! I wonder if we can make it a thing?
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
You're a snob. I am too.
Source: tumblr.com via Lyn on Pinterest
I had an answer for it (see link) and I love how it made me come to terms with something: I, too, am a snob. So I cannot hate on anyone for being the same, just because I wound up on the other side of it.
What kind of a snob am I? I'm a Buffy snob.
I have to explain this because I realize that some of you were too young, but in 1997, a show called Buffy the Vampire Slayer premiered, and it became my favorite show. It aired its last episode in 2003, but to this day I'd see references to it here and there, friends of friends mentioning that they're fans too, stuff like that. And when I see this, a part of me can't help but think -
Really? You're a fan? Since when? Do you have all the DVDs? Can you name all the episodes in order? Do you know Spike's name pre-vampire? Do you know all the songs in OMWF? Do you know what OMWF means? Did you co-found an online community dedicated to the show and represent the fandom in conventions?
Yeah, what a snob, right? Why do I have to try and undermine your appreciation by asserting that you can't possibly love this more? We're on the same team already.
I'm willing to bet that everyone is a snob about something. So, to answer the last part of that question, advice to writers dealing with snobbery -- well, you'll encounter it from anywhere, at some point. From fellow writers, from readers, from anyone who invested a lot of time and study into something and considers you the wide-eyed newbie. I remind myself how much of a snob I can be, how fun it is to win at this game. And I let them have their moment.
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