1. Maaari mo bang ibahagi sa amin ang kuwento sa likod ng iyong Wattpad username?

Struggle talaga sa akin ang mag-isip ng username, to the point na mas gusto ko nalang gamitin real name ko. Though in the end, mas pinili ko nalang gumamit ng pen name (username). When I won the wattys award for the second time, doon ko nalang talaga pinush yung sarili kong mag-isip ng username na comfortanle talaga akong gamitin. Luckily, I came up with gregor_io, which is a part of my real name.

I personally believe that username is very important, because it will serve as one of your "branding". At dapat, may kakayahan yung username mo na bigyan ka ng confidence to show yourself to the writing world. Luckily I got one. (Tell me what's yours in the comment, I'd like to know why you chose that, hehe.)

2. Kung bibigyan ka ng pagkakataon na makapagsulat ng kahit anong kuwento na walang limitasyon, ano ang magiging tema nito?

Just by reading this question makes my imagination kicks in, that part that wants to write every unworldy stories. But my "realistic" phantom calms me down and told me to think of something else instead (haha). So I would say, gusto kong magsulat ng scifi story na ma-aksyon, at maraming cool and warm characters and reasonable villains (the villain could also be the nature itself and the circumstances), at sa story na iyon ay malilibot ang buong mundo, not through countries but through the Earth's natural places, like the depths of the ocean, in mountainous places, endless green fields, deserts, arctic, jungle, sky . . . everything. And in all of these places, dapat may mga advanced technologies and futuristic structures—parang futuristic kingdoms ba.

3. Ano ang pinakamahirap na aspeto ng pagiging manunulat?

Napakarami, eh. But to say the most struggle, I think it's the flexibility. For me, to be able to write a good story, you have to be very flexible with your ideas, be wildly imaginative.

Everytime I write a story, things don't end up the way I want them to be. Napakaraming ideas yung sumusulpot nalang basta-basta at karamihan ay nakakaapekto sa original plot na inihanda ko o gusto kong tahakin. Sakit sa ulo, oo, sobra, na isingit itong mga bagong ideas at baguhin na naman ang marami parts sa plano ko. That's why a writer really needs to be very flexible about one's idea, because trust me, along your writing process, things are really going to get mad and messy (but if you're legend, you don't have to worry 'bout this thing, hehe).

Despite all of this, though, I guarantee you that everything will be worth it once you've already reached the finish line. It would be like a long roller coaster ride with every twists and turns you'll never be able to expect. (Oh 'di ba, hindi lang mga readers mo ang nathri-thrill kundi ikaw rin na writer).

4. Saan mo nakikita ang sarili mo pagkalipas ng limang taon?

This is a hard question to answer in terms of writing, since ang top priority ko talaga is the world outside wattpad. Sa ngayon I'm focused on something else, but still, I remain active here on wattpad, because I love this place and I love the community.

But after five years, I feel like I would be back to wattpad by then and already gained more recognition. Pangarap ko rin makilala, yung mapansin ba ng mga publishers at mabigyan ng opportunity (beke nemen, hehe), though I always feel like I'm not yet ready for that. After five years, though, I think (and hope) na 'yang dream kong 'yan ay reality na.

5. Sa iyong kuwentong "The Felon Mark", ano ang gusto mong ihatid na mensahe sa iyong mga mambabasa?

The Felon Mark is a story of a dystopic society, captured in the perspective of a 17-year old female protagonist. Through this story, I wanted to give my readers a new perspective in life, by bringing them through hard and difficult moments, emotional breaking challanges that no one would want to experience. But sometimes, we are put to these kinds of situations, and the only thing that we have to be sure about is that we have to keep going. We have to survive, strive, and fight. We have to be brave—always. And that's the message I want my readers to have.

6. Ipinagdiriwang ang World Emoji Day sa July 17, 2022. Kung papipiliin ka ng tatlong emojis bilang title ng iyong kuwento sa buhay, ano ang mga ito at bakit?

The first emoji would be the Milky Way emoji—I just love the space and the universe as a whole.

Second emoji is probably the Bow and Arrow emoji—I love the fighter feels and it symbolizes the dragging moments in our lives that is not meant to destroy us but rather to prepare us for our greatest breakthrough.

Last one. . . I'd say a Cityscape emoji—I'm a dystopian scifi writer for a reason (chuckles*).

7. Bakit mo naisipang magsulat ng isang Filipino Dystopian Novel?

I was greatly inspired by the dystopian scifi books and movies na nabasa at napanood ko during my senior high school years. Also, napansin ko na during that time, hindi pa ganoon karami ang scfi (lalo na ang dystopian) novels dito sa Wattpad. I wanted to add something new here, to introduce a new genre and new reading experience to the young readers, and even more, to inspire other writers to also write dystopian. And I'm so happy I made the right decision.

8. Ano ang iyong biggest fear bilang isang manunulat?

Biggest fear, siguro yung simulan 'yong isang kuwento at hindi tapusin. Iniisip ko kasi mga characters ko at yung world, gusto ko silang mabuo sa abot ng aking makakaya. For me, once na natapos na ang isang story sa libro, hindi naman iyon nangangahulugan na wala na rin iyong mga characters pati ang mundo, patuloy pa rin naman iyong iikot, pero this time ay hindi na sa book.

9. Ano ang maipapayo mo sa mga kapwa mo manunulat pagdating sa pagpili ng book cover na naaayon sa tema ng kuwento?

First, choose a cover that you will be proud of, something that suits the story and also you as a writer.

Second, choose a cover that's simple, but will capture the whole story. Sa The Felon Mark cover ko, textured siya, a rough cement or carved stones, which is doon palang mayroon na agad feels na related sa story, since maraming scenes talaga na nasa loob ng siyudad at napapalibutan ng mga naglalakihang buildings—mostly the crumbling ones.

10. May maipapayo ka ba sa mga bagong manunulat?

I would tell them to write while they still have that huge amount of time to do so, yung tipong wala pa masyadong priorities. If you feel like you want to write a story, then grow that feeling until you find yourself already picking up a pen and paper, jutting down these words that are eager to get out of your mind to see the light of day, and eventually sitting down in front of your screen and begin writing. Let your imagination wander. Don't be afraid to make mistakes. Writing is a learning process, so learn and enjoy along the way.

One day, you'll see yourself with a one finished story, with few readers. One day, a new world for you will be born, and it will keep on growing; one story will multiply, few readers will foster into one big community.

I'm rooting for you, author.

11. Ano ang mensahe mo sa iyong mga mambabasa?

My readers, you all are the reason why I have this 'wiriting' life and why I was able to meet my writer self. Kayo ang oxygen ni gregor_io. So thank you so much, for giving me and my story a chance to touch your heart. Thank you sa lahat ng admiration at appreciation sa aking stories. Salamat sa pagpansin sa mga ito. Thank you for all your warm, sweet, and encouraging messages.

My beloved readers, thank you for giving me a place here on writing. Sana mas dumami pa kayo, sobrang nakakataba lang kasi ng puso. Love you all, forever.

Sincerely, gregor_io

1. Barko o Eroplano?

Barko

2. Marupok o Matibay?

Matibay

3. Helicopter o Sasakyan?

Sasakyan

4. Manlalambing o Lalambingin?

Lalambingin

5. Cake o Pizza?

Cake

6. Computer o Typewriter?

Computer

7. Boneless o Seedless?

Seedless

8. Salamat o Walang Anuman?

Walang Anuman

9. Maingay na kapitbahay o Chismosang Kapitbahay?

Maingay na Kapitbahay

10. Leading Man o Second Lead?

Leading Man

11. Makalimutan ang ballpen o Makalimutan ang papel?

Makalimutan ang Ballpen