Hello, fellow disciples! We've been searching far and wide for individuals who have cultivated for a long time. This month, we bring to you an interview with mia-carmen, the author of Goblins of Baltazar: The Sacrifice.

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Tell us a bit about yourself!

Hello! Talofa! Mabuhay! I'm Filipino-American Samoa Local and an Oregon State Alumni. During the day, I work as a childcare worker, and at night, I write at random times whenever I have time. Other than writing, I like handmade earrings, butterscotch, magkeolli/soju, tteokbokki, audio drama podcasts, canvas painting, and reading books/manga/webtoons. But most of the time, I'm just a lazy cat lounging in the downstairs living room of my cheap apartment.

What is your writing process? Do you outline everything or write as things come to mind? Why?

I am mostly a pantser writer. I write whatever comes to my mind. But when I'm determined to finish my WIP, I outline and summarize each chapter on index cards. Visualizing each key point on index cards really help, but then along the way, I changed a lot of the plot when I'm typing them on Google Docs. Even though the storyline changed, I managed to complete three stories on Wattpad. 

What are some things that influenced your story?

There are a lot of factors that influenced my stories from my imagination to typing them on my laptop. Some things that contribute my stories are portal fantasies, Studio Ghibli, anime, audio drama podcasts, some of my personal experiences growing up that surrounds the Filipino and Samoan culture, and from my own whimsical imagination. 

Tell us about the main character of one of your stories. What inspired their creation?

Leah from Goblins of Baltazar: The Sacrifice was the first character I made up and had been altered a lot since 2017, and might even change again while I do revisions. Her name in the story symbolized her identity slowly in the plot. She struggles mentally and spiritually. She doesn't know where she belongs or who to have faith in. During that time, I was diagnosed with depression until I found my purpose working as a teacher in a Christian school. I guess with Leah, I wanted readers to understand how a lost person could still find hope in a broken world.

What were some challenges you experienced while writing the story?

I get distracted very easily. There are times when I'm on a roll, then times when I'm burned out. I also procrastinate a lot. Interacting with other community writers on social media helps.

What message do you hope your story will tell your readers?

Hope and faith. There are also lots of symbolism and themes in the story with the different cultures and folklores that I hope readers could learn from and be aware about mental trauma and the importance of family.

If you woke up in a time or place that was very different from reality, what would you do?

I would act normal and go back to sleep. 

If there was something you could learn (i.e., some spell, some martial arts, etc.) like the main character in your book, what would it be?

Martial arts! There will be lots of fighting scenes in the story and in my new revision that's not posted on Wattpad, I hope to include Filipino Martial Arts.

Would you rather go through a lifetime of never finding love or be willing to go through several lifetimes of hardships just to save your love? Why?

I think I would go through several lifetimes of hardships to save my love because that purpose is my will to keep living and protecting. I'm a loyal type of person.

What is your favorite creature from Asian mythology or folklore? Why?

A kapre. It's a giant Filipino supernatural creature who lives in big trees and smokes a lot. They could be both nice or mean depending on their mood. Other than that, I hope to learn more about the gods and goddesses of the Philippines.

I don't have a favorite Philippines myth, but a memorable one I remember writing for the first time in a short story was the origin of the Philippines national flower, the sampaguita. There are some different versions of it, but it's a similar story of Romeo and Juliet. Sampaguita is "Sumpa Kita" for "I promise you." 

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Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us, mia-carmen! We wish you the best of luck in your writing endeavors.

Until the next chapter, fellow disciples!