WATTPAD FILIPINO BLOCK PARTY 2019

1. What is your username means? What is the story behind it?

FrustratedGirlWriter - Nang nag-umpisa ako sa pagsusulat sa Wattpad, pawala na ang pag-asa ko noon na magiging writer. I just tried one last time. Sabi ko sa Panginoon, last card na. Kapag hindi ako nakatapos ng maayos na story sa Wattpad, hindi na 'ko magsusulat. Parang malinaw na sa'kin na I'm not really for writing.

Six years later, amidst not being a frustrated writer anymore, I didn't change my username sa Wattpad, so that it will always be a wonderful reminder to me how I thought I wouldn't go this far, but the Lord is faithful to His promises—He will lead me where He really wants me to be. :)

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." -Jeremiah 29:11

2. Can you still recall the first time you've wrote your first story? Share your experience in the process.

 It was in May 2013. I started to write Wifely Duties. Impromptu lang lagi and spontaneous writing each chapter. Wala akong definite ending pa. I just know the plot and the characters. I didn't even know, then, that I was going to blend my faith sa story.

Since the goal that time was just to complete the story, post lang ako ng post hanggang sa magpasukan na. I was in college that time, so I consistently update every weekend lang. Then one time, nagulat na lang ako, ang dami ng reads and comments. So, it encouraged me to continue pa. Unti-unti naging planado na ang chapters, I wrote it days before I post it on the weekend. Sa isang chapter, three school days kong sinusulat kapag walang assigments. Minsan kapag walang prof sa buong araw, tatapusin ko 'yung sinusulat ko tapos magpo-post na 'ko kahit hindi weekend. Hehe. Pinagpatuloy ko lang dahil nag-e-enjoy na rin ako sa takbo ng story. Fortunately, natapos naman ang Wifely Duties. Kung gaano siya ka-spontaneous nagsimula, ganoon ka-planado ang ending. Nakuha ko naman ang timpla in between basta may sipag at tiyaga lang sa pagsusulat. :)

"Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress." -1 Timothy 4:15

3.    If you're going back to the past, what would you change in your own author career or stories?

 I think, I'm okay sa takbo ng career ko mula noon hanggang ngayon. Ganoon din sa mga naisulat ko—although not perfect, I want to believe my readers saw how it evolved throughout the years.

Honestly, there were times that I wanted to give up blending my stories with and putting in Christian faith. Because, it doesn't sell or readers are not yet ready with those kinds of stories.

May mga times na tinatanong ko si Lord, "Lord, nagsusulat naman ako about You, pero bakit nandito PA RIN ako?"

Ayon, na-convict naman agad ng Holy Spirit 'yung heart ko at sinagot ako ng Diyos na parang ganito, "Anak, hindi ka nandiyan PA RIN. Nandyan ka NA. Nakaabot ka Na diyan. Mayroon PA kong hinahanda para sa'yo. Trust Me."

Doon ko mas napatunayan na, you don't give up with your faith. No matter how much you think you don't progress, you actually are. Jesus is climbing with me in this path slowly, but surely. Hindi lang ako nahahasa sa pagsusulat, pero nasusubok din ang katatagan ng mga paniniwala ko. And at the end of the day I remembered my username, So, I shall find rest in the Lord knowing that I am right where He wants me to be.

Also, I get to appreciate some of my readers, because their hearts are really seeking to know the truest love of all—Jesus Christ. Hindi man sila ganoon karami, nakikita ko naman kung gaano sila kasinsero. They are blessings, no matter the number.

Sabi pa ng mother ko, for sure ang pinagdasal ko lang noon, may magbasa ng story ko kahit isa. I was given more than one. Was it something to be thankful for than to whine about? I was given more than I asked for. Isa pa, kahit isa nga lang daw ang gustong magbasa ng gawa ko, huwag daw ako titigil. May sariling oras si Lord para i-open ang heart ng isang tao. I'm already doing my part and that's what matters most. Huwag ko daw pinoproblema ang gawain ni Lord (which is leading readers to my stories). As long as there is one soul who needs saving, I should continue to write for that one soul.

That day, I have decided that I always will.

"But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded." -2 Chronicles 15:7

4.   Who's your favorite character among all the stories you've written? Why?

This is the toughest question of all times. Haha! Marami akong paborito, Sandro from Deliverance, Crystal Jane from The Other Girl Series, Johann, Zoey, Sylvan... Pero siguro, it's Agatha Anderson from Wifely Duties, overall.

She's my first Wattpad baby. So, she's really precious. Now that I was able to write the second book of Wifely Duties (Man and Wife) I loved her even more. Siguro kasi sa experience na nakuha ko sa buhay 'to. Five years apart ang book 1 sa book 2. I was able to distinguish ideal love from tough love, to always be kind, but wiser, to admit that you're not always okay, and lastly to forgive someone like they never sinned before.

Hindi madali. Puno ng struggles ang life. Iyong akala mong okay na, hindi pala talaga.

Agatha, also, represents every firm believer, but sometimes the test of times will shake that faith we have, we get tired and stumble—but at the end of the day, being a Christian is not about being "okay" all the time. It is when we call for help and cry in brokenness that God reveals His mighty power. And it is in admitting our sins and asking for forgiveness that Jesus can ultimately display His unconditional love and grace.

Nang sinulat ko ulit si Agatha after five years, eksakto ko ring mas naintindihan na hindi kailangang maging perpekto ang Kristiyano, ang kailangan lang maging totoo. :) And the only way to make sure authenticity is through series of tests. Mga challenges na nagbibigay sa'tin ng pain. But in discomfort, there's growth.

"Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all." -1 Timothy 4:15

5. If you're going to create an alternate ending in one of your stories, what story would that be? Why? What ending will it be, if ever?

Wala naman akong gustong baguhin sa mga natapos ko nang stories. I have my characters where they are supposed to be—loving each other and honoring the Almighty Father together. I wrote every end of the story the way it is needed to be—a happy ending with Christ. :)

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast." - Ephesians 2:8-9