8/8/2019 Interview for Research on FF.N

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1. How long have you been an author? What influenced you to join such websites?

Ive been an FF.net writer for 9 years. I wanted to say it was drugs that influenced me, but Ibelieve this is for a research paper, so Id provide a more serious answer.

I used to send fanfics via e-mail to a separate couple fansite, when the webmistress told meto post them on FF.net, where it can get more feedback. The thought of getting more people to read

my work encouraged me, and thats how I ended up on this site.

2. How did fictionpress and/or fanfiction help you as a student?

It gave me lots and lots of practice on my English vocab and grammar, thats for sure! Butmore significantly, it helped me survive my lonely, isolated years at high school. At the end of everyday, I always have something to look forward toreviews, e-mails from fellow fanfic pals, etc.

3. Did you notice any significant difference in your grades because of these websites?Especially in Math or English which uses critical thinking.

No, not really. I think its more of the other way around, my school subjects impacting myfanficwriting, etc.

4. You have been receiving reviews for your stories, how do these reviews from people youdo not know from all over the world affect your writing?

It boosted my morale, knowing that there are people outside my family and friends whoappreciate what I do. It also makes me feel really, really proud when people ask if its okay totranslate my stories in their own languages.

With these in mind, I always make it a point that every chapter I write will entertain thesewonderful people who take time to tell me what they like about the story, what can make it better, orwhat needs work.

5. How old are you when you started to write at fanfiction and/or fictionpress?

I was fourteen when I started writing in FF.net, though as early as nine, I was already filling

my notebooks with what-ifs from childhood anime staples like Sailormoon (and later, Card CaptorSakura).

6. Despite the fact that fanfiction and fictionpress are not completely under the category ofsocial networking, did anything hinder you frommaking friends? If yes, from where did these friends come from? Were they also from thePhilippines?

Even before Friendster was the big thing (then it died and Facebook became the BIG thing,but I digress), I was receiving mails from readers via my Yahoo inbox. Back then, the FF.netmessaging system isnt that solid yet.

These people later became my online palssome for months, others for years. Until now, Ikeep in touch with two people, though not via FF.net anymore since Ive gone hiatus.

Yes, most of my friends were Pinoys, but a lot of them came from other places, too. Mostly,theyre from the United States, but I also am friends with people from Singapore, China, Japan, andCanada.

7. As an author and reader, how seriously do you take that responsibly as youedit/proofread your works or review works of others?

8/8/2019 Interview for Research on FF.N

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I did little proofreading, as I prefer consuming works as the author intended for us readers tosee. And even when I do review, I dont get hung up on technical aspects like grammar, syntax orwhat not. Im not too confident about my English language grammar and mechanics anyway.

Instead, I rave about the plot, the dialoguesI cite specific parts of the stories that reallystruck a chord in me.My reviews state how the story made me feel.

I dont know if youd consider it seriousmore like enthusiastic and hyper and passionate.

8. How do you manage the criticisms (flames) you receive if any? Does these criticisms helpyou further improve your style?

I used to read flames the way I watch horror movies: one hand over my eyes while peekingthrough the gaps between my fingers. I cringe at flames. But after an hour or two, Ill address thereader via a chapter update. I guess its like how Stephanie Meyers feelI need people to tell me thatIm doing fine and the person who flamed is just jealous of my mad writing skills.

It was very mature, I know.

Did the criticisms help me improve my style? Hell no, Im still stuck in the dinosaur age of mywriting. But thats just because Im stubborn. ;)

But it made me more conscious of the veracity and believability of the stuff I write, that I needto research better, and that theres a natural limit to the number of people who will like my writing.

9. How do you practice social and language skills as your critical thinking because offanfiction and/or fictionpress?

Because I write various dialogues and lines for my characters, I have learned to widen myoutlook and appreciate other POVs too. In the silences of my characters, Ive learned to read betweenthe lines. While weaving plots, Ive learned to see how important certain decisions are in life, and howthe chain of consequences work.

10. Fanfiction and fictionpress being international websites, how is the exposure todifferent authors all with different styles help you as a reader?

Different cultures have different nuances, and as a reader, its a privilege to experience thesein something as intimate as reading. Clich as it may sound, I really do learn something new fromeach story I read.

11. What is the best thing fanfiction and/or fictionpress has given you? What is somethingyou have gained from these websites?

It gave me a persona that Ive grown so fond of that I blur it with my real life. I used to beintroverted, and I worried a great deal about pleasing people. When I started to write as syaoran nohime 9 years ago, I began to find a part of myself who is quirky, irreverent and sincere. As timepassed, I became more and more like Syao-chan (as my friends call me), until Ive realized that this isthe real me. And I love the feeling of having that knowledge!

Until now, I introduce myself as Syao, even at work.