Interviewee: Matilda Bratt

Name/nickname: Tilly
Birthdate: May 5
Birthplace: Philippines
Civil Status: Complicated
Nationality: Filipino

How did you start your writing career?
- I haven't earn a dime writing fiction so I don't consides it as a career yet. And writing fiction is more of a passion for me. But I've started writing fiction at a very young age.

Who inspires you to write great stories?
- Myself. I strive to become a better writer today than I was yesterday.

What is the hardest part in starting to write a story?
- Names! Hahaha

With all your stories, which one is your favorite and why?
- I don't really have a favorite. Magagalit ang mga characters ko. Haha. But usually my favorite story is the one that I'm currently writing or just finished.

When you already started to write, did you ever expect that your story will reach millions of reads?
- I didn't expect but I hope that it will reach million of reads. I have very low expectation. I don't want to be disappointed kasi.

Have you ever experience being bashed because of your work? If yes, how did you deal with those negative comments?
- Yes. I used to take them personally but no. I just let it slide. Haters gonna hate!

What is the hardest part of being a writer?
- Getting noticed by readers and publishers. Haha

Can you give us tips on how to start writing a story?
- I don't really have tips. I just write. Sit down and write.

What do you think should be written on the short description to excite readers?
- I honestly don't know. I suck at writing blurbs.

How do you deal with writters block?
- Listen to music or watch movies.

What makes up an ideal book cover for you?
- I am not an expert at book covers. Have you seen my book covers? They suck! Hahaha. But for me, an ideal book cover must at least convey a little about the title.

Define a good story.
- For me, a good story is when I get surprised or when it's got a really good plot twist. When I can't stop reading it then it must be good.

What did you realize when you already gain avid readers of your book?
- I thought I must have done something right. Hahaha

What's the secret in creating a storyline with a lot of twist?
- I don't know what's the secret. I'm not good with plot twists.haha

How did you pick your characters name?
-  I google them. haha

First thing that writers should do when writing stories?
- I don't know what other writers do. I don't have a method either but I think you should think about the characters first.

As a reader, whose work do you find close to perfection? (Referring to wattpad authors)
- I really haven't found a 'perfect' in Wattpad because these days I'm mostly writing not reading. Haha. I heard that there's a lot of good local writers on Wattpad but I don't really read their works because I tend to compare myself to them and then I get depressed. And when I get depressed I stop writing, so I won't read them na lang.

Who is your favorite author? And what makes him/her different from other authors?
- I would say, Jane Austen, because I have read all of her works. And of course J.K. Rowling. I really admire her imagination.

Motto as a writer.
- Just write.

If given the chance that your story will be in the big screen,  who do you think can best play your story's character?
- I don't really know! Haha. I'm really sorry but I am not updated with local celebrities. But Joseph Marco is really cute. Xian Lim also. Tom Rodriguez is hot! I have a soft spot for Erwan Eusaff too. Haha
For the girls, I really don't know. I am not that updated na talaga. Haha.

What is your message to all aspiring writers  who are dreaming to publish their work in the future?
- Be ready to eat rejection. Haha

What are your tips to those who wants to be a writer like you?
- Just write, write, write!

What is your own definition of a writer?
- A writer is someone who uses the art of words to entertain and move people.

Aside from writing, what do you do in your liesure time?
- Binge-watching Kodrean dramas, British and US tv shows, and lurking! Hahaha

What is your greatest struggle in writing and how did you surpass it?
- Marami. Writing is already a struggle for me. Haha. I struggled to find time to write and I'm still struggling so I did not surpass it. I'm editing FFTR now and it's a major pain. Haha. Siguro the greatest struggle is finding the right publisher for TPS. I surpassed it by being patient.

What is your most memorable experience in Wattpad?
- Getting my first one million reads. Hahaha