About Briana Smith

Briana Smith, known as simply Bri or neurotick, is an author who has three completed novels on Wattpad. She enjoys reading and writing stories that strike a chord with people and address real issues, such as sexual assault, domestic violence, and mental health issues.

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You can find the author at: neurotick

EP: Welcome @neurotick! It's a pleasure to have you with us today, and I'd like to thank you for taking time to join us at My Favorite Wattpad Authors.

BES: Thank you so much for having me! It's an absolute pleasure to be included in this project.

EP: Can you tell us about yourself for those who don't know you yet?

BES: Well, my full name is Briana Elizabeth Smith, but I go by neurotick on Wattpad. I was born and raised in the U.S.—Massachusetts, specifically. I'm a part-time barista and a full-time mom. Writing has always been a passion of mine. I contemplated going to school for it, but I ended majoring in psychology instead, which I think has influenced the way I write/the topics I write about.

EP: Your writing has certainly caught our attention. Can you tell us about your stories? What do you write about? (It's a good opportunity to also mention any community awards you've won or if the stories have been featured in any official Wattpad profiles)

BES: Why thank you! On Wattpad, I have five published novels, three of which are part of a series. I try to write stories that tackle real issues instead of "fluff pieces." Some of the topics I get into are pretty heavy, so all of my stories are rated mature for that reason alone.

What She Left Behind, my first Wattpad novel, has received two community awards and two honorable mentions. Its sequel, What He Never Said, has received three community awards. Four Walls also has an honorable mention!

EP: When did you know you wanted to be a writer? Was there anyone or anything in particular that inspired you to write?

BES: I started writing when I was 12. Back then, I used to write little stories in my notebooks and then crumple them up and throw them away after. Once I got more confident in my writing abilities, I started to type my work so that I could keep it forever, even if just to look back on.

My biggest inspiration is the world around me, as cliche as that probably sounds. Not everything I write about is something I've experienced personally, but none of it is stuff that I made up (except the supernatural element in Four Walls, but even those characters have troubles outside of that).

EP: What books do you like to read? Has any of these books inspired your writing?

BES: I LOVE mysteries. I'll read almost any genre, but nothing compares to a good mystery that I can't put down because I just HAVE to know the ending. The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins is a good example.

I also love romance novels, as well as novels with a supernatural element. J.K. Rowling's universe is a forever favorite.

I wouldn't say that my favorite books have "inspired" my writing, as I try to take my inspiration from real-world events, but being an avid reader has definitely shaped my writing. If I'm reading a book and getting bored with the amount of descriptors, I'll make a mental note not to do that. Reading and writing go hand in hand. You don't have to write in order to enjoy reading, but I think it's hypocritical to consider yourself a writer if you don't have a love of reading.

EP: Why did you choose the genre that you write?

BES: Ah, that's where I'm conflicted. I've written mystery, general fiction, teen fiction, and romance. I'm sort of all over the place, but I think that's okay for now. If I ever get professionally published, I'll probably narrow it down. I'm still testing the waters and trying to figure out what I enjoy.

EP: Where does the inspiration come from when you write the plot and characters?

BES: As I said previously, most of my inspiration comes from real-life events, including that for my characters—or "brain children," as I call them. Gemma, my MC from What She Left Behind, is loosely based off of my childhood best friend. Zayna from What He Never Said is an edgier, slightly more damaged version of myself. Contrarily, Raelyn from What She Left Behind is a reflection of my sweeter, gentler side. I hate nothing more than two-dimensional characters, so I try to make them as real as possible.

EP: What project are you working on at the moment?

BES: Currently, I am polishing up the completed version of Four Walls. It's about 75 chapters total—they're bite-sized, I promise—but I've only put half up on Wattpad so far.

I've also started writing the sequel, Breaking Free, which I have no idea when I'll publish to Wattpad, if at all. I'm mostly writing it for me and for the fictional people in my head who just won't shut the fuck up. But in case anyone is interested, here is a cover reveal:

EP: Has being on Wattpad influenced or affected your writing?

BES: YES. So, so, so much. I've learned a bunch from the community. My readers are incredible. They push me to keep going with their kind words and positivity, but they also aren't afraid to point out my typos or tell me if something doesn't make sense. I love that, and I love and appreciate them. 💓

However, Wattpad has also discouraged me at times. It took a while for my first book to pass 1K views, and even though I had numerous readers lifting me up with their votes and comments, I wondered if I was good enough, if I was wasting my time, if I should just delete my account because it felt like I was going nowhere as an author. I didn't, and thank god, but it's so easy to let the numbers get to you.

EP: What low points and high points have you faced as an author? And what kept you motivated with your writing?

BES: My biggest low point occurred at around this time last year (late 2019 to early 2020, I'd say). My mental health took a turn, and because of that, I wasn't writing. I didn't have the motivation to even try. I lost readers and followers because I was so inactive on Wattpad.

However, when I came back, I met a new batch of writer friends, and they've been a huge support system for me! Now I write almost every day. Since the start of this year, I've completed three novels and started another two. It feels like a personal victory, and I'm honestly so proud of myself.

EP: What are some of the greatest achievements you have accomplished in your writing career?

BES: Completing several novels, definitely. I've also won numerous  awards in the Wattpad community and have been featured in Solace Magazine. Partaking in this project feels like one hell of an accomplishment as well. 😊

EP: What is your hope and aspiration as a Wattpad writer? Where would you like to be in a year from now?

BES: I'd love to win a Watty! Ha-ha, but realistically, I would love to gain more visibility and have my stories reach more people. A year from now, it would be really cool if one of my stories had over 100K views, but I'm not holding my breath.

EP: Who are your favorite authors of all time?

BES: I adore Ellen Hopkins, Kelley Armstrong, Lauren Myracle, James Patterson, Stephen King, John Green, Richelle Mead.... Wow, that's a lot.

EP: Do you have any advice for aspiring Wattpad writers?

BES: My biggest piece of advice is to keep writing, regardless of views or votes or feedback. The best way to become a better writer is to keep writing. Rome wasn't built in a day, after all.

Also, to gain success on Wattpad, the best thing you can do is make friends! I'm not saying you have to divulge your life story to a bunch of strangers on the internet, but having connections is good. It's also a great way to support other Wattpad authors. I'm a huge believer in sharing the love!

EP: If you could travel in time, where would you go, and why?

BES: Ancient Rome sounds amazing! So many of the things that we take for granted now came from them, and I'd love to see it firsthand.

Also, this is going to sound weird and honestly kind of boring, but I would probably go back about eight years ago and tell 17-year-old Bri that life gets better, that the all-consuming sadness she felt would eventually go away. Back then, I think I needed to hear it.

EP: Is there anything else you would like to say?

BES: I guess I just want to say thank you, Estelle, for this amazing opportunity! You're an incredible writer and a kind, compassionate person. I'm glad Wattpad led me to you. 💗

Thank you @neurotick for your time with us.

So there you have it – a wonderful interview with Wattpad author neurotick . If you'd like to learn more about the author, feel free to visit:

Wattpad: https://truyen247.pro/tac-gia/neurotick

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_neurotick