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

To break down my username: Irsh came from Irish, which came from both iris and eiris—Greek words which mean "rainbow" and "messenger" respectively. So the first part of my username means that I hope to deliver (as a messenger) stories that would add color to the readers' lives, something bright and hopeful (like a rainbow) to look forward to after the quiet storms we experience in life.

The second part: Wndy came from Wendy—a character from Peter Pan, who doubted the existence of magic at first, but just a sprinkle of pixie dust would make her experience youth in the most magical way. So I do hope to bring the same experience to my readers, making them feel like they're traveling to a Neverland of stories that bring them the feelings of adventure and excitement.

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

Brave social commentaries that challenge mindsets and behavior, but guised under Psychological Thrillers or Psychological Drama. Mga tipo ng Get Out, White Lotus, o Parasite. Pero siyempre mga henyo ang mga nagsulat ng mga 'yan at walang-walang-walang-walang-wala pa ako sa level nila haha.

Pero 'yong "walang limitasyon" sa tanong, ay in-interpret ko bilang walang limitasyon dahil ang mga character sa stories na mga iyan ay sinadyang maraming flaws and imperfect. Hindi mo rin masasabi na bida talaga sila. Kasi may gray areas sa moralities nila, pero kasi ang istorya naman ay hindi lang naman nagkukuwento na dapat ay role models agad ang main characters. Puwede rin kasing 'yong main characters ay nagsisilbing examples na huwag tularan. Sila lang ang main subjects ng stories, but they don't always have to be the heroes, because they are only elements of the narrative that the author wants to convey.

3. Ano ang pinakamahirap na aspeto ng pagiging manunulat?

Mahirap ang magsulat ng story, pero ang pinakamahirap na aspeto ng pagiging manunulat ay ang external at internal pressure. Internal pressure na nagmumula sa iyong sarili, ang pag-overthink, ang pagdududa sa kakayahan, etc. External pressure din dahil nagsusulat tayo sa harap ng publiko.

Kaya tuwing pinagdadaanan ko ang mga ito, lagi kong sinusubukang ipaalala sa sarili ko na piliing magsulat nang may masayang puso, na huwag magpakain sa takot, etc. This is still a very challenging and ongoing struggle for me. So ayun, haha. Para sa akin ay ito ang pinakamahirap na aspeto ng pagiging manunulat, na mas mahirap pa sa pagsusulat mismo haha. :)) Taas-kamay mga naka-relate!

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

Hoping na sana ay marami nang na-i-publish na libro, more book-signings and events, at mas capable na bilang author. Nahasa ng experience at galing ng iba't ibang mentors and editors! More memories and milestones with Windies. Plus na lang ang numbers, pero masaya at very contented na ako sa community namin ngayon. :) Love na love ko kayo if nababasa niyo po ito huhu. Looking forward to growing together with you!

5. Maaari mo bang ibahagi sa amin ang iyong writing process?

For me, writing always comes in two phases: cracking and crafting. Hindi siya agad diretso sulat. :) Sa cracking phase, kasama na rito ang research and brainstorming, pati na rin ang pag-outline. During the cracking phase, favorite ko ang bumisita sa mga cafe na may al fresco area para mas inspiring. Tapos lagi po akong may dalang notebook and ballpen.

Matagal din ang research phase lalo na sa pag-develop ng Hush Louder, marami akong mga binasang real-life experiences from diagnosed patients, mga professional points of view, etc. Kada umaga at bago matulog ay binabasa kong maigi ang mga discussions at topics from different official sources. Kaya importante rin na maging aware and equipped bago dumiretso agad sa pagsusulat.

'Yung sa mismong crafting naman, matagal din siya. Usually ay 3-5 hours ako per chapter, depende sa haba nila. I also set up my mood and environment to be conducive for writing. When I was writing Hush Louder, may lavender-scented candles, lavender oil-infused humidifier, tapos umiinom ng lavender tea haha para damang-dama in all aspects 'yung settings sa story. Gano'n din sa Knock, Knock, Professor dahil bumili rin ako ng suncatchers para feel na feel din 'yong scene na sinusulat ko. Inspiration also comes from observing with all our senses! :)

6. Ano ang iyong inspirasyon sa kuwento na "Knock, Knock, Professor"?

It started with a challenge to myself. I wanted to write a genre different from my usual fluffy rom-coms, I wanted to write something na mas complicated 'yong plot and characters. Tapos nagulat ako with myself kasi nag-e-enjoy ako sa pag-brainstorm ng bawat case, tipong kinikilig ako kapag naiisip 'yong twists tapos tatawagan ko friend ko para ikuwento sa kaniya 'yong mangyayari with so much energy and excitement haha. So ayun, don't be afraid to try something new—you'll be surprised at what you can do!

Some elements from Knock, Knock, Professor are also inspired by real-life experiences. Madalas kasi akong tamaan ng migraine at nagiging sensitive ako sa ilaw kapag gano'n, tipong nag-shades talaga ako kahit gabi dahil sa mga ilaw haha. So in-interpret ko lang siya creatively sa story and doon nabuhay 'yong character ni Professor Xildius na takot sa liwanag.

7. Kung gagawing isang kuwento ang iyong buhay, ano ang pamagat nito? Bakit?

Windswept Words. Haha this is actually a real title from one of my stories that is currently on hold. It has a different meaning for that story, but for my life story's title, "Windswept Words" means how my stories (words) were carried by the wind (symbolism of circumstances) towards the hands and hearts of people who read them.

8. Ano ang iyong motto pagdating sa pagsusulat ng isang bagong kuwento? Bakit mo ito napili bilang motto mo?

The wind will carry us to greater heights. It's a symbolism of just writing what you want and how we trust our life's "own gust of wind" to deliver them to the right readers.

9. Ano ang iyong ginagawa kung ikaw ay nagkakaroon ng writer's block?

Pahinga muna. Nilalayo ang isip sa kuwento. I would go outside to soak up the sun and the air.

10. May maipapayo ka ba sa mga bagong manunulat?

Just keep writing, writing, and writing! :) You'll notice that your style improves with every story.

11. Ano ang mensahe mo sa iyong mga mambabasa?

Tiklop-tuhod at taos-pusong nagpapasalamat po ako sa inyong suporta! Sana po ay masuportahan niyo rin po ang mga binabalak kong stories and series sa future!

FIVE FUN FACTS / TRIVIA ABOUT YOU OR YOUR STORIES:

1. I love Horoyoi! Horoyoi is life. Ito ang go-to drink ko kapag nagsusulat sa gabi. :)

2. My favorite time to write is from 9pm to 11pm.

3. I cried while writing the (SPOILER) scene from Knock, Knock, Professor when Vougan found the Professor hiding inside the closet.

4. I roller skate (quad wheels)! I posted videos and photos on my Instagram. Pero hindi ko na ito masiyadong nagagawa ngayon dahil busy.

5. I also write songs and have released two secret albums on Spotify with my partner! :)

THEME: Magsulat ng kuwento na may tatlong elemento na babanggitin: Jeep. Fireworks. Magkahawak-kamay.

Xantiel x Feuille

An XV Series Flash Fiction

***

"XANTIEL, FASTER!"

My impatience soared as I waited for the engineer to finish working on his car. Nasa garahe kami ng kaniyang mansyon, madilim na't kinukulang sa oras. "Malapit nang mag-fireworks, baka hindi natin maabutan!"

The yearly fireworks show at the street market was something I've always wanted to witness—and tonight might be my only chance.

"Feuille . . . bad news," kaniyang balita. "Sira talaga ang kotse. We have to commute."

"Commute?" ulit ko, hindi makapaniwala. "Baka hindi tayo umabot!"

Pagsakay namin ng jeepney ay sobrang lala ng traffic. Kasinlala ng mood ko dahil nagkalat na online ang mga video mula sa mga naka-attend ng fireworks show. "Nagsimula na siya!" reklamo ko. "Pero stuck pa rin tayo rito . . ."

Dinig ang lungkot sa boses ko. Unti-unti na 'kong nawawalan ng pag-asa dahil hindi na umuusad ang sasakyan sa paggalaw.

Biglaan ay nakaramdam ako ng kuryente sa 'king balat. Sinundan ito ng init na nagdala ng kiliti sa aking tiyan.

Xantiel Vouganville . . . held my hand. For the first fucking time.

Sparks. Flickers. Tiny explosions. All of them stirring inside my chest. Different shades of red flushed across my cheeks. Crackles and sparkles invaded my head.

I looked at him. His eyes the only thing I could see inside this dark place. While everyone's watching the fireworks on their phones, Xantiel leaned down to give me an electrifying kiss.

And just like that, he has ignited a circus of fireworks bursting in my chest.

I didn't have to go to the fireworks, 'cause he brought it to me that night.