Today we are in conversation with Lucci, winner of Mystic Awards 2018 with the title Emperor.

We have the chat divided into three main segments: Award Impressions, Writer Stories and Personal tid-bits. Ooo, fun right? So let's just get started!

As a writer, what would you choose as your mascot/avatar/spirit animal?

"Wolf. I have always love this animal. It resonates with me because wolves can become a lone wolf or part of the pack. I do like being alone and independent (mostly to write and read). On the other hand, I also like spending time with my friends. These social events often give me new ideas to write."

What do you owe the real people upon whom you base your characters?

"I did not base my characters on real people. I did however, base the school ranking system to an old ranking system of our country. :)"

What does literary success look like to you?

"For me, it's just people loving your book and its characters. A writer puts all her heart and soul into the book and its characters. And knowing that the readers love them, feels like they love you too."

What did you edit out of this book?

"Just the summary. I don't edit out because I mostly write at least five chapters and plan everything before I start to publish. I'm a huge planner."

How do you select the names of your characters?

"There's always a pattern in the name of my characters. For example, in Emperor, Achilles' brothers are named Atticus and Hadrian. They're either Greek or Roman names.it's like the Black family in Harry Potter. I'm obssess with it. xD"

What was your hardest scene to write?

"Kissing scene/love scenes. It's hard."

How long on average does it take you to write a book?

"Depends on whether I have planned the book or wrote it on the spot. When I plan, I can finish a 60-chapter book in 6months like my other book. Emperor is something I wrote because of our history lesson in school. I didn't plan ahead about what will happen so I'm slow in writing it *sighs"

What kind of research do you do, and how long do you spend researching before beginning a book?

"I watch movies related to my topic on the book. Then I research as I write. Ideas would often pop up while I write so I check it and read topics about it."

| One place you have never visited but cannot wait to see?

"Everything in Japan."

| Your favorite shower tune?

"Air Supply hits."

| Do you have any special talents besides writing?

"memorization and studying, i think, lol."

| Your favorite destination that you have visited?

"Hundred islands. I like beaches and islands."

| If you could go on a vacation right now, would you choose a hill-station or a tropical paradise?

"tropical paradise, of course."

| Your favorite quote from a book and how it connects with your life?

"Beauty is nothing, beauty won't stay. You don't know how lucky you are to be ugly, because if people like you, you know it's for something else." ― Charles Bukowski, Tales of Ordinary MadnessThis reminds me that physical appearances are temporary. I'm confident most of the time but during my bad days, this quote is a source of strength.

| One cuisine you will never say no to?

"Filipino cuisine ;)"

| Would you rather have your childhood days back or college life?

"You kidding? lol. I choose childhood days where stress didn't exist."

| Are you a wine or a beer person?

"Beer."

| If you had to choose between reading or writing, you would rather?

"Writing. It's freeing to write whatever you want."

| Something random that just popped in your head?

"lasagna"

| How was your overall experience as a participant of Mystic Awards?

"I like it so much that the founders sorted out the applications from the very start. most awards do not do that. It's also great that they've finished it smoothly and on time."

| Are there any changes you would recommend from a participant's perspective? Or is there anything you believe we could have carried better as a team?

"I like the judging rubric and the way the team gave advice on what to do. Hope the participants read it though."

Thank you Lucci for taking the time to talk with us! Congratulations once again and we wish you lots of success as you continue writing!

Love, Mystics