When did you join Wattpad?

I joined Wattpad about eight years ago, maybe nine? One of my best friends ditzyd made me join lol 

When did you publish your first book?

I published my first book in my senior year of college back in 2020, I think? It's a silly Harry Potter fanfic that I worked on during the pandemic since I spent the last year and a half of college in my apartment social distancing with my son and fiancé while going to school virtually. So, I finally started writing on here as a creative outlet lol. I wanted to try out fanfiction before I put any of my original stuff on here. 

What made you want to join Nerds Awards 2022?

I wanted to join the Nerd Awards because it looked like a good awards to enter. Awards also help get your name and work out there. 

What do you dislike most in writing?

The thing I dislike the most in writing is feeling like I'm not a capable writer when it comes to my ideas and getting them across in a way where readers will want to read my books.

Have you ever experienced getting hurtful comments on your stories? If you have/have not, what do you wish to tell other Wattpaders show to fight it?

I've gotten my fair share of hateful or negative comments on my work. I would say, honestly, you can't really fight it. There are always going to be trolls or people who think they know more than what they do. I don't think all criticism is negative. Sometimes it's warranted. I've also gotten a lot of constructive criticism that's been helpful too. It's a matter of being able to differentiate the comments. If the comments are just mean, report the user to Wattpad. It's also important to remember that you can't please everyone. It's impossible. Take every comment, whether it be praise, criticism, or just hateful with a grain of salt. Unless someone is actually in the publishing industry, odds are they don't know the ins and outs. Most of us are novice writers. So, just remember that the fact that mean comments don't define you as a writer.  

Are your characters from your imagination or inspiration?

My characters are a mixture of both inspiration and my imagination. Lacey, a character in one of my books is based on someone who bullied me. When people comment about her behavior, it gets a chuckle out of me. How can someone be that mean? Sometimes, they just are. The Crowe sisters are loosely based on my mom and aunts. Scotty is based on my dead best friend. So, a healthy mixture of imagination and inspiration. 

What do you want to tell us about yourself or do you have any advice to give other Wattpaders?

Hmmm, things about me and advice...? Good question! I'm just a southern Appalachian 90s baby who is a mama and archaeologist that also enjoys writing creatively. I would love to be published one day, but I'm okay where I'm at for now. My fiancé is 6'4 and I'm 5'1 haha. Advice for Wattpadders? Join different communities and book clubs. Support and uplift other writers. Helping foster communities that nurture you and your writing is so important. Having friends who share your interests will keep you motivated. Be kind. Also, edit, edit, edit! ❤️

Thank you so much for doing this interview, AdrielleReina, and good luck for the future!!

- Interview done by Kavin/NerdyReviews

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