Alyanna Muriel

Getting To Know You

Tell us more about yourself:
     I’m the ultimate daydreamer. Silent type pero hataw sa pagtawa. I appreciate a good joke and a good book. I’m hoping to write another novel soon kaya lang dami ko pa inaasikaso. What else?

What do you usually do on your free time? Any hobbies?
     I’m a bookworm. Kahit ano binabasa ko basta interesting ang topic.

What are the places that you would want to visit in the future?
     Europe (I hope!)

Three things that you’re addicted to:
     As of now: 1) Playing a wargame in cyberspace 2) Music, music, music (I can listen to all types except Rock) 3) Sweets

Five things you tend to splurge on
     Kuripot me e so I don’t splurge…

What book/s are you reading right now?
     Naku, medyo I have to read academic books these days coz I’m teaching Psych, Rizal and History…Novels? Di ko pa tapos ang Twilight series but I’m reading na the Breaking Dawn.

Playing Favorites

What is your favorite color? Pink and violet
What’s your favorite midnight snack? Junk food
What are some of your favorite vacation spots? I’ve been to Sagada and I found it awesome!
Favorite ice cream flavors: Rocky road
Favorite pizza toppings: Cheese
Favorite non-alcoholic drink: Coffee
Favorite alcoholic drink: None
Favorite things in your bedroom: My collection of novels
Favorite fruits: Watermelon, melon, mangoes, jackfruit
Favorite holiday: New Year
Favorite song as of now: Hmmm…Defying Gravity (not really mainstream but I like it)
Favorite street food: Fishball
Favorite comfort foods: Something sweet
Favorite movies: Lord of the Rings trilogy
Favorite line from a movie: You complete me…

What’s Your Lovelife Situation?

What’s your status right now? Are you single, married, or it’s complicated?
     I’m single (favor lang pls. don’t tell the readers, kc baka masira illusion nila about love, imagine, a romance writer who is single…)
Love is like….?
     A box of chocolates, you’ll never know what you’re gonna get.
Love makes the world….?
     More interesting and more colorful.
What’s your first love like?
     The usual…heartbreaking.
What’s the one thing you won’t do for love?
     Grab someone else’s boyfriend (kaya nga single pa me hanggang ngayon e)
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?
     Go for it…It will stand the test of time and distance if it’s for real.
Muscular men in tight fitting shirt and jeans….Sexy or Nasty?
     Bading! I love unassuming men pero may dating.
Isang Linggong Pag-ibig….True love or Kabaliwan?
     Kabaliwan yan, but to some it works.

On Writing Romance

What made you decide to write romance?
     Coz I love reading romance stories. Kakakilig and since I have my own ideas I decided to write one.
Where do you usually get your inspiration….in writing sex/sexy scenes? Do you use your OWN experiences?
     Ay wala nga akong sex scene e. for me it doesn’t have to be graphic, just the idea of two people in love kissing or holding hands is enough. When I watch or read love stories mas madalas na effective sa akin ang catchy dialogues.
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?
     Pag nasa mood, dere-derecho na me magsulat. I have to be listening to a sentimental music to get me in the mood.
Who is your favorite author? Would you say that your writing style is similar to him/her?
     As of now, I like JK Rowling coz of the Harry Potter series, very creative sya and with a sense of humor, sa romance…Debbie Macomber.
How do you deal with writer’s block?
     I let it pass, kasi nga blocked siya di ba? Then again, I listen to music para maalis yung block.
What piece of advice would you give to aspiring romance writers out there? (There are millions, I tell you!)
     Be persistent. Impatience will get you nowhere. Not everyone will get lucky on the first try. Explore new ideas, think out of the box…
In all honesty, what are the joys of writing romance novels?
     Creating characters that suit your fancy and then giving them distinct personalities and in the end allowing them to choose actions suited to their personality (it happened to me, I wrote this novel and suddenly I found myself asking “Ganito ba ang gagawin ng lead character to? Parang hindi suited sa traits niya? What if I let her/him do this?”)

Wala Lang Questions

Ang taong nagpapasaya ng bonggang-bongga sa akin ay si….?
     Wala sa ngayon…
Ang paborito kong bad word ay….?
     Punyeta!
Madali kong magustuhan ang mga taong….?
     Simple pero rock…
Ayaw ko sa mga taong mahilig sa….?
     Pagyayabang, can’t stand people who are mayabang.
Ang pinaka-astig na taong kilala ko ay si….?
     Wala pa naman..
Hindi masarap ang hamburger kapag walang…?
     Coke.
Hindi kumpleto ang araw ko kapag walang….?
     Matamis na food.
Hindi masaya ang party kapag walang….?
     Masarap na sisig..
Ang pamilya ay walang kwenta kapag….?
     Walang pera. Maiinit ang ulo e.
Masarap manood ng sine kapag….?
     Maraming kasama
Iiyak ako kapag nawala….?
     None
Masarap maging lalaki kasi….?
     They can do what they want…
Boring ang buhay kapag….?
     Walang konting problema
Masakit magmahal kapag….?
     Taken na siya…
Masarap magbasa ng My Special Valentine pocketbooks kapag ako ay nasa….?
     Bahay at nagpapahinga.