Satine Ortega

Tell us more about yourself:
     I am a mom of a hyperactive two-year old boy. I am a wife. I am a freelance romance writer. I am a businesswoman. In that order.

What do you usually do on your free time? Any hobbies?
     Go to the bookstore and scan back covers. Or worse, read the end pages of some romance novels.

What are the places that you would want to visit in the future?
     Venice, Paris and Santorini. If only I don’t have the fear of flying. (laugh)

Three things that you’re addicted to:
     Writing, the internet and reading anything from food labels to magazines.

Five things you tend to splurge on
     Ballpens! I have eight different kinds in my bag!

What book/s are you reading right now?
     I will say only this. It’s a shockingly erotic romance novel. Hahaha!

What is your favorite color? White. It reminds me of infinite possibilities.
What’s your favorite midnight snack? Pizza and anything Italian.
What are some of your favorite vacation spots? Nothing fancy. I just want to go to Bacolod or Aklan when I’m not too busy.
Favorite ice cream flavors: Now that I think about it, it’s classic UBE.
Favorite pizza toppings: Bacon dipped in mozzarella cheese.
Favorite non-alcoholic drink: Green mango. Dang. It’s just so hard to find it anywhere these days.
Favorite alcoholic drink: None. But I occasionally drink Red Horse for the sake of looking cool. (grin)
Favorite things in your bedroom: Pillows. Lots of pillows and a warm blanket.
Favorite fruits: Durian. No I’m kidding. It’s Jackfruit.
Favorite holiday: Gee, that’s tricky. Christmas?
Favorite song as of now: Woman by John Lennon. I wish men listened to that song more often.
Favorite street food: Tempura! I will gladly choose it over authentic Japanese tempura.
Favorite comfort foods: Chocolates, pizza and burritos.
Favorite movies: Roman Holiday, Sabrina, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Gone with the wind..
Favorite line from a movie: “When I’m good, I’m very, very good, but when I’m bad, I’m better,” Mae West as Tira in I’m No Angel

What’s your status right now? Are you single, married, or it’s complicated?
     Happily married to a man who has the same birthday as mine.
Love is like….?
     A blanket. You don’t get to appreciate it until you’re out in the cold.
Love makes the world….?
     Bearable as it is.
What’s your first love like?
     I thought he was the one. I thought wrong.
What’s the one thing you won’t do for love?
     Stay, even if he’s cheating on you.
Do you believe that everyone has a soulmate?
     Of course. At one point in our lives, our soulmates will be within a two-kilometer radius.
Roses and Chocolates….Romantic or Corny?
     Romantic. They never ever get old.
Long-distance relationships….Go for it or Run away from it?
     Run away from it! Go, go find a text mate. You won’t spot the difference in the long run.
Muscular men in tight fitting shirt and jeans….Sexy or Nasty?
     Nasty! In an EWE kind of way. (laugh)
Isang Linggong Pag-ibig….True love or Kabaliwan?
     Can be true love. Can be kabaliwan. Depends if they’re still together after a week. (laugh)

What made you decide to write romance?
     Why not?
Where do you usually get your inspiration….in writing sex/sexy scenes? Do you use your OWN experiences?
     Hahaha. Hell no!
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?
     Anything goes. I just bring a ballpen and a notebook everywhere I go. Or a laptop if the situation permits it.
Who is your favorite author? Would you say that your writing style is similar to him/her?
     Locally, Martha Cecilia and Eve Montelibano. Not even close. They’re way up there. Hehehe.
How do you deal with writer’s block?
     It’s true what they say, there is no such thing as a writer’s block. Just lack of emotions. Try to feel an overflow of emotion and start writing. It will spill on paper naturally.
What piece of advice would you give to aspiring romance writers out there? (There are millions, I tell you!)
     Don’t do it for a living. Do it because you can’t imagine yourself doing anything else. And please, have another source of income on the side.
In all honesty, what are the joys of writing romance novels?
     You can play god and have things going your way.

Ang taong nagpapasaya ng bonggang-bongga sa akin ay si….?
     Iago Francis, ang makulit kong anak.
Ang paborito kong bad word ay….?
     Damn!
Madali kong magustuhan ang mga taong….?
     Malawak ang pag-iisip.
Ayaw ko sa mga taong mahilig sa….?
     Away at tsismis.
Ang pinaka-astig na taong kilala ko ay si….?
     Hmmm.. hmmm..
Hindi masarap ang hamburger kapag walang…?
     Cheese?
Hindi kumpleto ang araw ko kapag walang….?
     Hindi ako nakapagsulat.
Hindi masaya ang party kapag walang….?
     Inuman at kantahan?
Ang pamilya ay walang kwenta kapag….?
     Mayroong miyembro na lulong sa sugal, alak at babae.
Masarap manood ng sine kapag….?
     Kapag may hawak na nachos sa isang kamay at kamay ng taong mahal mo sa kabila. (wink wink)
Iiyak ako kapag nawala….?
     Ang mga files ko sa computer.
Masarap maging lalaki kasi….?
     Nakakalabas ka ng bahay kahit hubad ang pang-itaas.
Boring ang buhay kapag….?
     Walang pera. Hahaha!
Masakit magmahal kapag….?
     Hindi ka mahal ng taong mahal mo.
Masarap magbasa ng My Special Valentine pocketbooks kapag ako ay nasa….?
     Bintana ng bahay habang umuulan sa labas.