Make My Newspaper

Q1. What inspired you to become an author, and how did your writing journey begin?

A. What inspired me to become an author is that ever since I was in middle school, I began to write my own poetry and short stories, in which it received praise and the highest grade in creative writing. I went along and resumed writing more short stories and poetry all throughout high school and college. I even won third place in my college poetry slam. These praise and achievements pertaining to my creative writing led me to believe that I have what it takes to become an author, thus the commencement of my writing journey. I was 24 when I wrote and published my debut novel, No Turning Back, hence the beginning of my new life as an author.

Q2. Which of your books or projects are you most proud of, and why?

A. My books that I am most proud of are Don't Stay, Leave Me Alone, and my upcoming poetry and short story anthology Moonlight Dusk. I am proud of these works because both my novels Don't Stay and Leave Me Alone focused on societal issues, such as domestic violence, dating abuse, and texting and driving. I figured that these two novels of mine would shed light to my audience about the dangers of toxic relationships and the traumatic aftermaths of texting and driving. I personally believe that it would change young lives of this generation. As for Moonlight Dusk, in which it will be published around late-July 2026, I feel the most pride within this work I have made; it contains all of my poetry and short stories I have written. I feel the catharsis to write poetry and short stories as a form of relieving my emotional integrity and I'd be elated enough to share my poetry and short stories to the world as a form of self-expression.

Q3. What are some of your biggest achievements, milestones, or awards so far as an author?

A. So far, I have not won any awards for my writing, albeit I'd rather not worry about that as of now. For my achievements and milestones, I have realized that my eBooks have made over 500 downloads in about a month. It became both an achievement and a milestone for me because it made me perceive that I have what it takes to become an emerging author, henceforth the reason why I never gave up my passion for writing. I persevered by doing what I do best and what I love to do the most without any hesitation or negative judgment from others around me.

Q4. What challenges have you faced during your career, and how did you overcome them?

A. The challenges I have faced were rejections. Although, I learned from two of my English professors who are published authors themselves that rejections are part of the creative writing life. As I looked back to my past rejections, it made me overcome them by self-improvement. I learned from my past rejections two things: I have to know my audience and I have to know what my audience wants. Therefore, I perceived my rejections as a form of self-improvement. I have moved on from my past rejections and commenced to make improvements to my writing by sharpening my skills, seeking formal training, and having thicker skin whenever I receive criticism. All of these made me an improved author, so I thanked my past rejections for saving my career. I cannot always get what I want, so I have to earn them by hard work and dedication.

Q5. What advice would you give to aspiring writers who hope to build a successful career in authorship?

A. To those who hope to build a successful career in authorship, the advice I'd give to aspiring writers is to remain tenacious and patient. Coming from myself as a former aspiring writer, I learned that remaining pertinacious in the most benevolent way as possible is the best source of transitioning from an aspiring writer to a successful author. As aforementioned, one cannot always get what they want; they cannot be successful in a day or two, it is all about never giving up, resuming to do what they do best, and that becoming patient with the results is what made me become an emerging author. Being a prominent author is all about receiving criticism first, then making improvements, and finally, the rest is all about timing, pacing, waiting, and never giving up. That made me the author I am today. I hope that this would influence other aspiring writers to do the same as well.