#BuqoYA Finding Fairytales: An Interview with Anne Plaza + WIN a Powerbank from Buqo!

Hello, Everyone! #BuqoYa Finding Fairytales makes another stop on my blog today with an interview with Anne Plaza (author of Fall for Grace). Check out our convo and learn something about books, writing rituals, and Loooooooove!

She Flies With Faeries (SFWF): If you were the MC (Main Character) in your story, would you have made the same choices that he/she has made, too? Why or why not?

Anne Plaza (AP): First of all, thank you, Cass for having me on your blog! I think I would've made the same choices given the knowledge I had of the other person. When I was in high school, I was really shy and I didn't know how to act around guys since I only had 3 years of co-ed school experience. I usually acted snobbish and aloof during those years simply because I was afraid to show my true personality in case I got picked on (but I still did). I think it was my defense mechanism of sorts, so I sympathize with my characters' actions and would have probably done the same things they did.

SFWF: What are your writing rituals?

AP: I don't have any regimen that I follow to the dot; my rituals depend on my current mood. But before I start writing or during the process when I outline my story, I like to have visual pegs of my characters so I can visualize their actions and expressions when I write the story. I have a Pinterest board (which I need to update regularly haha) that helps me with that. Throughout the writing process I sometimes listen to music to get the feels going. And as much as possible I stick to a writing schedule (usually in the evenings after my work) so I can devote time to just churning out the words.

SFWF: What's one YA Novel that you would recommend to everyone else? Something that you know is a MUST READ?

AP: There isn't just one I'd recommend because I think YA readers (both in the age bracket and those who are aficionados of the genre) should get to add these to their TBR pile:
Anina ng mga Alon by Eugene Evasco - This story perfectly captures the plight of ethnic minorities in our country. I think every Filipino whether young or old should read this as it makes you think outside of your world and that Manila isn't the Philippines.
The Nancy Drew mystery books - This is a timeless piece of lit that every young adult should read. These books helped me develop a curious mind and appreciate the world and my surroundings. (The series is on its 85th year already! Yay!) 

SFWF:  If you could look back on your teenage years, what's one thing that you learned about love then that you know still holds true today?

AP: Wow, this is a tough question! Haha. Let's see. I think that when people fall in love (whether they're teens or in their 60s) those feelings are legit. I remember my parents and elders telling me during my teenage years that love is something I shouldn't think about at such a young age. While they speak true about prioritizing studies and stuff, love isn't something you can just sweep under the rug. You feel it when you feel it. Sometimes young love can make a lasting impression in a person's life and can affect them in the most profound way, so it's also important to acknowledge them and have a good balance with your everyday responsibilities.

SFWF: And, is there any story out there that you wish you yourself wrote? 

AP:  I have a lot of stories right now that I'm so excited to write about! In Mina's classes she's introduced several story tropes that I really want to explore. But looking at the #buqoYA stories of my classmates, I wish I wrote those story concepts, too. They're all brilliant ideas!

#BuqoYA 3: FINDING FAIRYTALES -- Review

Hello, darlings! #BuqoYA 3: Finding Fairytales makes a stop on my blog today with some excerpts and reviews! Check it out here and don't forget to buy the Finding Fairytales Bundle on Buqo by clicking the link below!

BUQO YA FINDING FAIRYTALES

Fall for Grace by Anne Plaza

Aso’t pusa, away-bati…
Sino sa inyo ang unang aamin?

Meet Grace Almeda—the darling of Luna East Arts Academy—maikukumpara sa isang artista sa hitsura, reputasyon, at katarayan. At heto si Jason Jacinto—the resident school genius—kilala rin sa pagiging go-to person ng mga estudyanteng problemado sa pag-aaral. Nang magkabanggaan ang kanilang maliit at magkaibang mundo, napilitan si Grace na hingin ang tulong ni Jason sa isang mala-life or death na sitwasyon. Mukha ngang pumuti na ang uwak dahil dumating ang araw na kinailangan ni Little Miss Spoiled Brat si Boy Genius. Pero ang hindi alam ni Grace ay may dahilan ang lahat sa likod ng pang-aasar at pambubwisit ni Jason. At sa ‘di inaasahang pangyayari, may isang mahuhulog ang loob para sa isang naghihintay lang ng tamang pagkakataon.

Just the Way You Are by Kat Sales

Rica Valdez has always been one of the guys, so it was hard for her to find a prom date. When her new friend and crush Joshua Fernandez volunteered to take her to the prom, she wondered if he liked her back too, or was he just being nice?

Love in the Time of Viral Videos by R. Linea

Like. Retweet. Follow. Fall in Love?

They say that that the things we own tend to own us in the long run. Today, at a time when we’re connected 24 hours a day and 7 days a week, social media has helped shaped who we are, how we want to be seen and how we deal with other people. And if that’s the case, then who knows us better than our own social media accounts? This is the story of Patch and Sebastian who met in real life, as told by their digital selves. This is their story in the time of #hashtags, inspiration boards, and viral videos.

The First Time They Met by Ana Valenzuela

What’s making Mayumi anxious on her best friend’s birthday party?

Is it her long time best friend Marie? Marie is now in college, and Mayumi starts to doubt their friendship as Marie meets new people and gets closer to them.

Or is it this basketball player named Micah? A guy she recently met and who has turned into an overnight confidant.

The Path of Us by Cassandra Javier

Are our paths already laid out for us, or can we make them ourselves?

Can fairytales actually come true?

Clara has always been fond of fairytales and grand gestures. She always had a plan of how she’d like her life to turn out, and that’s why she worked hard to be on top of the class, and make sure that she has her real life Prince Charming to boot.

And then there’s Andrew.

Andrew’s always been the easy go lucky guy, but that doesn’t mean that he’s not smart and appealing; it’s just that he chooses to go through life in a fuss-free, no nonsense way.

When Andrew and Clara’s paths meet, things don’t exactly go easy. They hated each other with a passion, but then they got to share unexpected moments, and end high school with a memory that they’ll never forget. In college, they lose each other, and Clara has to go through the hardest things on her own--until a trip back home sends them to each other’s paths again.

Will they ever be able to understand their role in each other’s lives?

Or will they just get out of each other’s lives for good?

When Cocoy Became Kikay by C. P. Santi

Cocoy’s not-so-secret dream is to one day become a gun-toting, ass-kicking secret agent. But she has another dream—and this time, even her best friends don’t have a clue—she dreams of being with someone.

Problem is, she finds out that Jaime Arguelles—a.k.a. the guy she’d been secretly crushing on for years—likes girls who . . . well . . . like pink. 

*REVIEW*

You know the thing about this world? We often fail to realize that we don't have to just be on a certain path--there actually are lots of roads to take in life--and that makes it all the better.

Take for example FALL FOR GRACE. We've all been there, haven't we? Sometimes, being in school could make you feel like you have to be with a certain group of people; that you have to be a certain type of person just to be considered popular, or successful, or amazing...And Grace will soon find out that life is more than that--that she could be someone else; that she could enjoy the company of people whom she didn't know she'd have fun with.

And that sometimes, those people could help you grow--sure did, with Grace.

Then there's also the fact that life today? It's definitely not the same as it was five years ago--more so ten, twenty years ago. Life is so fast paced now and no matter what you say, the fact that Social Media has a lot to do with the state of relationships is just so true--and LOVE IN THE TIME OF VIRAL VIDEOS would surely show you that and more! 

And then there's JUST THE WAY YOU ARE--a simple, unpretentious story about how sometimes, we fail to see that the things we need are exactly right in front of us--we just pretend that we don't see them because we're afraid of the outcome. 

Now, with THE FIRST TIME THEY MET, you'd realize that there's exactly a reason why we meet the people we meet. That no matter how confident we are, there would still be some people who'd shake our worlds for a reason--and we just have to figure out what those reasons are--or something like it.

With THE PATH OF US, you'd understand that although you may have all these plans for your life, sometimes, life would really just come make its way to you. You'd see that although you may not be ready for what life has in store for you, and that you are not the perfect person you think you are, that the person you like isn't as perfect as you deemed him to be, it's still okay--and you'd see how Clara will understand that, while finding real love in the process, too!

And finally, with WHEN COCOY BECAME KIKAY, you'd see how sometimes, a little change could do you a lot of good, and that you don't always know people the way you think you know them. And that makes life a lot more endearing: those surprises, those unexpected things--and hose things that you think would never really happen.

So, why not check these stories out? I assure you, after reading them, you might as well believe that fairytales do come true--just maybe not in the way you expect.

And what's unexpected could actually be what you really need!