Arlene Faye

Tell us more about yourself:
     I’m a graduate of BS in Computer and Information Science at East Asia College. Currently, I’m employed at SM Retail Inc. as a systems analyst/programmer. I just got married last April 2008. I was born in Balayan, Batangas on the 2nd of August. I have 3 sisters and I’m the eldest.

What do you usually do on your free time? Any hobbies?
     Reading, cross-stitching, writing, conceptualizing stories

What are the places that you would want to visit in the future?
     France, USA, Singapore, Thailand…Boracay and Bohol

Three things that you’re addicted to:
     Potato Chips, Chocolates, Malling

Five things you tend to splurge on
     Traveling, signature clothes, Spa, 40 inch LCD TV, iPhone

What book/s are you reading right now?
     Nights in Rodanthe By Nicholas Sparks and Tuesdays With Morrie By Mitch Albom

What is your favorite color? Green and Pink … that’s why it has become the color motif for my wedding
What’s your favorite midnight snack? I usually don’t eat at midnight because I’m not able to digest the food well. A hot green tea will do.
What are some of your favorite vacation spots? Hong Kong … for shopping and Baguio, I love the cold weather there.
Favorite ice cream flavors: Double Dutch of Selecta and Pistachio of Hagen Dazz (super sarap… the best)
Favorite pizza toppings: Bacon and cheese
Favorite non-alcoholic drink: Tropicana Orange
Favorite alcoholic drink: Red wine
Favorite things in your bedroom: Of course, our soft and silky bed. I usually lack sleep.
Favorite fruits: Lansones and sweet sampaloc
Favorite holiday: Christmas. It seems the atmosphere is very festive and I hardly see a frowning face during this time of the year.
Favorite song as of now: Lucky by Jason Miraz and Colbie Colliat
Favorite street food: Siomai and squid balls
Favorite comfort foods: Chocolates and ice cream
Favorite movies: A Walk To Remember, Runaway Bride
Favorite line from a movie: This is Maggie’s (Julia Roberts Character) line while proposing to Ike (Richard Gere’s Character) at Runaway Bride: “Look, I guarantee that we’ll have tough times. And I guarantee that at some point, one or both of us will want to get out of this thing. But I also guarantee that if I don’t ask you to be mine I’ll regret it for the rest of my life. Because I know in my heart, you’re the only one for me.”

What’s your status right now? Are you single, married, or it’s complicated?
     I’m happily married
Love is like….?
     A Rubix cube, there are countless numbers of wrong twists and turns, but when you get it right, it looks perfect no matter what way you look at it. – Excerpts from Brian Cramer quotes
Love makes the world….?
     A worthy place to live in despite all the pollutions and global warming
What’s your first love like?
     It’s a one sided love.
What’s the one thing you won’t do for love?
     Bungee jumping
Do you believe that everyone has a soulmate?
     Yes
Roses and Chocolates….Romantic or Corny?
     Romantic
Long-distance relationships….Go for it or Run away from it?
     Run away from it…
Muscular men in tight fitting shirt and jeans….Sexy or Nasty?
     Eww… Nasty
Isang Linggong Pag-ibig….True love or Kabaliwan?
     Totally kabaliwan…

What made you decide to write romance?
     Probably, due to the numerous books I read and enjoyed so much about romance made me to be inspired to create my own too.
Where do you usually get your inspiration….in writing sex/sexy scenes? Do you use your OWN experiences?
     Pure imagination
What’s your writing process like? Where do you get ideas? How many hours a day (or days? Months? Years?) Do you work on a single manuscript?
     On writing process:

1. Create an outline first

2. Select names of the characters and locations where to held the story
3. Make a research
4. Write
5. Edit
6. Leave the manuscript for two weeks then edit again.
7. Final editing
8. Submission of manuscript

     On getting ideas:

1. Personal and other people’s experiences

2. Books, magazines, manga’s or comic books
3. Movies and television, all sort of media
4. Sometimes, just by observing people in the bus, jeep or at the mall

     On length of days: It depends on how busy I am on my day job. I usually write on my free time. But I tried to discipline myself to at least produce 5 page per week even though I’m busy.
Who is your favorite author? Would you say that your writing style is similar to him/her?
     Nicholas Sparks is my favorite author. Anne Rice too. Locally, I like RT. About the writing style, I’m not sure.
How do you deal with writer’s block?
     I read romance novel or watch a romantic series or film.
What piece of advice would you give to aspiring romance writers out there? (There are millions, I tell you!)
     Don’t stop trying. Have a self-discipline that you need to accomplish at least a page for a day if you’re so busy. Always carry a mini notebook with you wherever you go so that you will be able to take note of any idea that pops out of your mind. Believe me this really happens and it helps a lot to look back at these notes whenever you have a writer’s block.
In all honesty, what are the joys of writing romance novels?
     I can’t explain it. It’s not the money actually. I feel so happy like I was in a cloud nine whenever I had an approved manuscript. It’s also the same feeling whenever I see the published book is displayed at the book store. It’s more of a fulfillment.

Ang taong nagpapasaya ng bonggang-bongga sa akin ay si….?
     Panget, ang hubby ko.
Ang paborito kong bad word ay….?
     Shit
Madali kong magustuhan ang mga taong….?
     Approachable at di plastic
Ayaw ko sa mga taong mahilig sa….?
     Inuman at sigarilyo
Ang pinaka-astig na taong kilala ko ay si….?
     Ms. Connie, iyong VP dito sa office namin. Grabe ang talino niya. She knows everything from her field of expertise. I want to be like her, a very respected person.
Hindi masarap ang hamburger kapag walang…?
     Cheese
Hindi kumpleto ang araw ko kapag walang….?
     Music
Hindi masaya ang party kapag walang….?
     Food
Ang pamilya ay walang kwenta kapag….?
     Away ng away
Masarap manood ng sine kapag….?
     Libre ang ticket
Iiyak ako kapag nawala….?
     Mga mahal ko sa buhay
Masarap maging lalaki kasi….?
     Wala silang monthly period
Boring ang buhay kapag….?
     Walang happening at drama
Masakit magmahal kapag….?
     Hindi ka mahal ng love mo.
Masarap magbasa ng My Special Valentine pocketbooks kapag ako ay nasa….?
     Room at nakahiga sa bed habang nagpapahinga