Interview with Mariane Reign

 Mariane Reign was only fifteen when her first book got out to the market (probably making her the youngest tagalog romance writer!). Her debut novel, "Grow Old With You" was immediately followed by "Race Me To Your Heart". This talented young writer will be graduating from high school this March.


1.You're already a writer at age fifteen. How do you feel about that?
-Somehow, I feel delighted and very much thankful. For me it's one of the greatest achievement I've ever had. I consider it a miracle already Though there are times I feel insecure with other writers. Is it normal? Oh yeah. I'm an abnormal
Critics and readers make me flushed and all red whenever they tell me I wrote a nice story. I mean, it's like, writing is not my life but still, my writing touches lives.

2.When did you start crafting stories?
-If you mean writing stories, I started with fan fictions when I was nine. They were written in script-type though. I posted them in a site. Hindi ko alam kung bakit ako napunta sa pagsusulat ng nobela..hahaha. When I was in third year, I wrote a 172 pages playwright. It was a love story. And someone actually volunteered to print it out and bind it into one for free. Then they told me to try writing novels

3.Who inspired you to write?
-My friends, primarily. Since most of them are quite fond of reading tagalog novels, they pushed me to write one, two and more. I didn't expect they'd like it though since I had no experience in writing such things. In my first try, I judged it a crap. But my friends liked it so I made two more that were clearer than the first one. And so Grow Old with You and Race Me to Your Heart were born.

4. What do you do to beat writer's block?
-Writer's block? I thought that existed too. But since myriad of writers had told me it doesn't exist, I erased that from my vocabulary. If I'm not in the mood to write, I read, watch T.V, talk and talk, listen to songs and daydream. Somehow it works.

5.Ten years from now, what do you see for yourself?
-Honestly? It's unpredictable. It's either I'd be a psychologist treating people or I'd be a writer writing for the people. Right now it's 50-50. I think wherever I am at that time would be the place where I'd belong forever.

Interview with Mei Sanchez

Mei Sanchez was the sole finalist of PHR's 3rd Romance Writing Contest. Her winning piece "Sa Pagitan ng Dalawang Rosas" was published on July 29, 2009. Her other books are  "Huling Mahal" and "The Boy Next Door". I had a chance to interview this talented and very down-to-earth woman.

1.) How did you discover your passion in writing?

I discovered my passion in writing when I joined PHR's 3rd Romance Writing Contest. It was only that time I found out that writing gives me joy and profound fulfillment. That's also why I'm thankful for the contest because I was able to discover a part of me I thought never existed.

2.)You won PHR's contest last year. Who motivated you to join?

Actually, I didn't really win, I was only a sole finalist. To tell you the truth, the prize motivated me to join. ^-^ You see, I'm a full time mom and housewife, so the cash prize will do me good. But through the contest, I'm now embracing and loving the life of a writer with its ups and down.

3.)What was your initial reaction when you found out you won?

When it came to my attention that I was the sole finalist, I was surprised. I was thankful to God for the new found talent. Who would've guess that a middle aged home maker can start a career in writing?

4.)Any writing tips for the aspiring writers out there?

Dear ones, never stop dreaming and believing. Before writing, READ and STUDY a book. You might pick-up pointers on the writer's style. Also, don't lose heart when you receive a rejection because it's a vital part of being a writer. Why vital? Because through it, you will learn and strive harder to have an approved MS. Keep on writing and love it. Let your imagination run wild because it will help your fingers type your stories. ; P