Hey again, guys! Thank you all for the 200 follows! 🙂
I wanted to post something special after the 200th follow, so here
it is: An interview with a famous Wattpad writer, Alexia Praks!
Alexia Praks is a famous Wattpad writer who writes stories in the lines of Romance, Fiction and Fantasy. There are a very few writers who could be versatile in so many genres at the same time. My personal favorite from her works is ‘His Hired Girlfriend’, which blends the natural flow of narration with cute, easy going romance.She has over a 50,000 followers in wattpad. In spite of her hectic schedule, shuttling between her work as a lab scientist and a wattpad writer, she was so kind to be available for this interview.
Read on find out what she says:
- To what do you attribute your success of becoming a famous Wattpad writer?
LOL! I didn’t know I’m a famous Wattpad writer ^_^
I notice a lot of writers who are famous, but have never thought I was one of them. Thanks so much for considering me as one ^_^ I’m honored.
As to what attribute to my success, I think that would be continuously writing and regularly posting chapters on Wattpad. Also write in genre people want to read. Romance is big on Wattpad ^_^
- Which among your own work is your favorite?
My favorite work will have to be His Hired Girlfriend. I had so much fun writing that one. It wasn’t actually my first book I’ve written, but it was my first contemporary romance. I remember laughing my head whilst writing certain scenes. One of those was when Jayden happens upon Alexandra in the bathroom when she was taking her shirt off. That scene was fun to write. Ah… The good old days ^_^
- Did you come across any hardships while writing your story? If so, how did you get over it?
I had a lot of hardship writing The Earl’s Desire and The Duke’s Revenge. I had to make sure the mysteries fits with the story and that it is nicely resolved at the end. The Earl’s Desire was my very first book I’ve written and I wasn’t experienced enough as a writer back then, so it was hard. What I did was do research on history during the Regency era and also read lots of historical romance books ^_^
- Is there any fan message or any experience with fans that is memorable?
Mmmm… Most just write to me telling me how much they love my books, especially the Falling for Sakura series. Some request me telling them who will get Sakura at the end ^_^ So cute. Despite that people think I don’t read messages and reply to them, I actually read all of the messages I received. I just don’t have time as yet reply to all of them. Life is hectic! And I sincerely apologize if I didn’t reply.
- When you wrote your first story did you expect to gain so much exposure to your works?
LOL! Nope! Not at all. I just wrote the book because I myself wanted to read that type of book and there was nothing similar available ^_^ I guess a lot of people just like reading what I like to read.
- How important is background research for a story?
Research is very important. I’d spend quite a bit of time doing research before writing the book. My historical romance for example. I did a lot of research on the history of nobilities and peerage and all that jazz. Contemporary not so much, just research on locations for book settings etc.
- Have you used any of your real life experiences in your stories?
Yes. I’ve used a lot of my life experiences with most of my stories. Particularly my contemporary romance. There’s always something in the book that reflects me and my experience in a certain way. For example, Alexandra Steward in His Hired Girlfriend is a medical lab scientist, which I am. That helps because I know the background stuff. Ruby from Highland Kiss and Chandra from When the Sun Courts the Moon has sisters, which I have (four of them in fact), and they behave just like my sisters behave. Most of my heroines are poor, like Mia Donovan in Chained to You, and has complication financially, which I was and I knew how hard it is to have no money and to struggle to just make ends meet.
8. How did you get over writer’s block?
When I get writer’s block, I stop trying to write or think of what should come next and just go out for a long walk. When I walk, I’d think about other stories that I wanted to write. Eventually, the writer’s block disappears. I also like to watch anime and movies as well read manga and books. This helps a lot. I always suggest this to others who ask me how I get over it. You just need to give it time. Leave for a while and then come back later
9. What are some ways to get exposure and attention to one’s story?
First write stories people want to read. You can just write a story that you love, but if it doesn’t resonate with the readers, why would they pick it up in the first place? So write something you think people would love to read. I guess check out what’s hot? The second thing you need to do is have a very good book cover. I’m always attracted to book cover first and foremost. I know how you should never judge a book by its cover, but you know what? Everyone does that. They check out the cover first before reading the blurb. Okay, now onto the blurb. If you can write an amazing blurb in which it pulls people to really want to read the book, then you’ve pretty much got your readers.
10. How do you manage writing on Wattpad in the midst of busy life?
Two words. Passion. Dedication. I love writing and am very passionate about books and the stories I penned into books. I basically write whenever I can and wherever I can. In the car whilst waiting for my sisters to finish work, in bed before going to sleep, during lunch hour whilst eating, and early in the morning before getting ready. Yep. I pretty much write whenever I can. In 2014, I wrote Falling for Sakura: A Secret Kiss in two months between working two full time jobs, one as a medical lab scientist and another as a cook for our family restaurant. And you know, restaurant work isn’t easy. I was on my feet fourteen hours a day, six days a week. I got Sunday off and that day I’d sleep like the dead and when I got up, I’d write some more. LOL! I remember getting really sick after I finished writing A Secret Kiss. But it was worth it ^_^ I guess I really want to become a New York Times Bestselling, brand named author so I’d do whatever it takes to get there. I’m still not there yet. I have a long way to go. I’m in for the long haul.
11. Can you say a few words for novice Wattpad writers?
I’ll be honest that I still consider myself as a novice writer. I’m no big seller or big brand name author yet. That’s where I want to be in three to four years. Hopefully I’d get there ^_^ But I guess being on Wattpad for a while makes me a little more than a novice Wattpad writer, huh? LOL! All right, a few words then. Just write! I mean it. Just write shit if you have to. You need to get all the crap out of your system before you can write something good. Heck! I wrote a lot before I could write something good for people to read. And on the topic of reading? Read, people. Read! A lot. Before I started writing my first book, The Earl’s Desire, I read a lot of historical romance until I couldn’t find any more to read in our public library. Hey, I was poor, okay, and library books don’t cost. I remember wanting to read a certain book so badly that I’d go to the book store everyday just to read that book chapter by chapter. I cried when someone bought that book, and I couldn’t finish it. It was that bad. But yes, my advice for Wattpad writer is to read a lot and then just write ^_^
A few words to add….
If you love writing and books and wants to be that famous author, don’t give up. Read. Write. Read some more. Write some more. Even if you don’t make it today, you might make it tomorrow. If not tomorrow, then the next day. The good thing about your story is that it’s yours. No one is going to take it away from you. When you’re ready, publish it. Good luck ^_^
Check out her profile on wattpad: Alexia Praks
Thanks a lot again Alexia for being so cool about this! 🙂
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