An Interview to Cady Lorenzana

Note: Most of the questions here was just got around the internet. My alter ego is just too lazy to build her own questions so please bare with it. And sorry for the late post. She's too lazy too, to make a blogpost like this. xoxo

1. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

Hi! I am Cady Lorenzana. I am 19 years old and a struggling and frustrated romance writer. My alter ego's name is Princess Joy Palo and she's also 19 and a BSBA MA student. As of now, I already have 4 released books and 6 upcoming books under Precious Hearts Romances. That 6 upcoming books includes one harlequin translation, one sequel of my 3rd novel, two books in my trilogy and also two with a collaboration series. I I love challenges but at the same time I hate it when I am pressured. Coffee is my best buddy aside from MS word and the internet....and hey, isn't this too long?

2. What do you do when you are not writing?

Hmmm.. My alter ego is just a student so I am not in full time of this thingy. But when I'm free I love to watch movies and reading novels, too. And Procrastinating. Oops!

3. Do you have a day job as well?
Nope. Again, my alter ego is a full time student. Cady is just a part time. Huhuhu.

4. When did you first start writing and when did you finish your first book?
I started writing when I was 14 years old but stopped and continue when I was 16. My first published book, I finished it when I was 17 years old and PHR released it the same year.

5. How did you choose the genre you write in?
It depends in my mood. But I love and enjoy writing romance comedy books but I also did one heavy drama novel which is my 2nd book.

6. Where do you get your ideas?

From observing and from experience. LOL. Sometimes in books and in movies.
7. Do you ever experience writer’s block?

At my age? Unfortunately, YES. ><
8. Do you work with an outline, or just write?

I tried work with an outline but it simply doesn't work for me. So I just write.
9. Can you tell us about your challenges in getting your first book published?

I have faced big challenges. I have experienced returned/reject novels and just like the others, its hard to accept and cope up with it. But as the popular saying goes, "You learn from your mistakes". And it worked on me.

10. If you had to go back and do it all over, is there any aspect of your novel or getting it published that you would change?

Yes!!! The death of Casey. I realized I've been so rude...

11. Have you written a book you love that you have not been able to get published?
Another YES!!! It was the novel before my first published book. And that was my favorite novel because I think it was so funny! HAHAH!

12. Can you tell us about your upcoming book?
See: Can't Help Falling In Love

13. Is anything in your book based on real life experiences or purely all imagination?
Some parts are based in real life... Or I say some details.

14. What was your favorite chapter (or part) to write and why?
I love it when there's a bitch entered into the scene and she insults/teases the heroine. Well, I should say I love villains. Hahaha! I enjoyed writing a scene with them because of the arguments. ^^

15. How did you come up with the title?
This is one of my biggest problems in writing! Sometimes I'm already finished but I haven't have a title. So most of the times, after I edit, I looked at the lines and find a possible related title.

16. What project are you working on now?
I have a for revision MS right now so its the one I'm working. But maybe tomorrow, I can start writing the 3rd and last book for my trilogy. I hope or should I say... "I should" finished it before April 15?

17. Will you have a new book coming out soon?
I'm hoping!!!! Its been months.

18. What was your favorite published novel and why?

Hmmmm... I think it was my 3rd book---I'll stay in love with you. Because I find it funny and enjoyable to write because of Artemis. :P

19. Who is your most favorite character on all of your novels and why?

Artemis!!!! She's just too mataray and honestly, I just adore and loved her for that. She reminds me of the little Ana Manalastas of 100 days to Heaven. I love her character there. And I have said that I love villains so... ^_^

20. Who is your favorite hero on all of your novels and why?

Maybe many would bet it is Guji of Forever With You... but nope. I love Derrick Ramirez of I'll Stay In Love With You again...because I feel like he would be my dog if ever he'll became my husband. Hahaha! I'm so rude, right? Well, Venus character is a big part of me, actually. And I love a husband who will be my dog someday....I don't know. Gusto ko lang talaga ng under the saya na asawa. I am a feminist! HAHAH!

21. Who is your favorite heroine on all of your novels and why?

Gosh, can I skip this? Actually I'm not that attached to my heroines because most of the their characterization is myself. And I don't really like myself so I don't like them. But if I would forced to choose, Hmmmm... Its Lady Joy Alonzo of Forever With You. Well, she was the heroine that the characterization is far from myself.

22. Do you have any inspiration in writing?

Actually... Yes? Hahaha! But it started late. LOL. Since (This would be a to be released novel) In Love With Cash  until Close To You(for revision now) James Torres is my inspiration! But he was a luck to me because I haven't have a returned MS since he came into my life. LOL

23. What kind of heroes do you love to write and why?

I love playboys. And it is simply because it always reminds me of my first love who is a wild playboy. I want him to change but because I can't do it in reality, I'm just doing it in my books to give hope that a playboy still can change.

24. What kind of heroines do you love to write and why?

Rude girls. Because they are like me. ^__^

25. What are the plots you want to write in the future?

Hmmmm... I'm a frustrated writer of a bestfriend turned to lovers love story so I'll include that on the list. I also want to write an arranged marriage type of novel because believe it or not, I am dreaming to have an arranged marriage type love story to myself. I actually have a dream then of that kind of story to myself but I can't remember the face of the guy. All I remember is that he is handsome, rich and his name is "James"!!!! Hahahaha! I don't really know why I love to have a love story like this but because I'm a self admitted weird person, just please accept that as my reason. And I also dream of writing a tragic romance love story but I think, for now, I can't justify a novel like that. Even if most of the times I cry to those kinds, I still want my readers to see the "reality" of life.


--- Other questions from those who commented in my status last February ---

From Ronna Soriano: 

Ms.Cady sino po ung inspirasyun nyuh sa pagsusulat?at ilang taon ka na?

First question is answered on question number 22! Hi-hi. Si James Torres, but not really all of my novels because he came late into my life. Chos! Hahahaha. For the 2nd question, I am already 19 years old. :D

From Angel Angelica: 

Miss Cady if ever nagkaron ka ng boyfriend na mahal na mahal mo tapos gusto nya na igive up mo ang career mo sa pagiging writer, susundin mo ba sya? Ahihi sorry yan ung una q naisip na itanong eh para atang walang wenta god bless
I will...NOT! If he loves me, he will understand my passion and happiness. That's all, thank youuuu!!! *sabay wave na parang Miss Philippines at sasayaw ng Chacha* Chos!

From Jenny Mae DelMundo Decatoria:

Ms. Cady sino 1st bf mo? At kanino ka masnabitter?

Do I have to answer this? You are my cousin and you clearly know that! Hahaha! But for the information of others, its Mark Angelo *bleep bleep ang surname*. And sa kanya rin ako mas na-bitter! *Case closed*

*interview ended*

Dear Lord

Dear Lord...


I'm not hoping for a higher grade than my midterm grade... I'm very much contented with that grade. Even if it is line of 7... still that grade is a passing grade. I'm not hoping for more. Kahit tres o kagaya ng midterm grade ko na 2.75, okay na okay na ako, Lord. At sana po, pati `yung mga kaklase ko ay damayan niyo rin po. Please, marami po sa amin ang kilay na lang ang nakakapit at ang iba ay lumaglag na.... Please Lord, gabayan niyo po ang section namin. Sana po ay makapasa kaming lahat sa Advanced Accounting. Kahit hindi na with flying colors ang grade ko dahil tanggap ko na... na hindi na talaga. Pumasa lang talaga. Ayaw ko pong magrepeat. Please give me blessings. Pumasa lang po talaga... Maraming salamat po Lord God.


xx

Princess Joy D. Palo
Student
BSBA 3-1


Dear Lord....


Sana pumasa po ang story ni James. Kahit po for revision lang. Please, please, please. Mahal na mahal ko po siya... Wag naman po siyang ma-returned. Hindi ko po yata kakayanin. Chos! *deep sigh* Maraming salamat po Lord God.


xx

Cady Lorenzana
Frustrated Writer

Time will say the rest

Yesterday was really a LAZY day for me. I actually call that "my day" because I didn't cram myself in studying or writing. I just told myself to "relax" and don't think of tomorrow so what I did is just spend my time in social networking, watching The Hangover 1 and 2 movies and chat him. And well, the most enjoyable part of my day yesterday was the last.

I didn't expect that "HIM" will chat me because I'm getting used that he is not always around. So I was shock when he chat me yesterday noon---but that time, I was not able to reply because I was eating... and the afternoon, where we chat and called each other for about 3 hours I think. (The longest for this year, I think.)

I feel so happy whenever "HIM" will talk to me. Especially now that I always missed him because he was busier now to his studies. I really appreciate every minute he will talk to me. And I love talking to him because I really feel that he was my very true friend. I can tell him everything because he knew the real me and I really loved his personality because he was very different from me. With him, I gained so much knowledge. Maybe other people will think its boring but I found it very interesting to have a friend like him.

We've been chat mates for more than a year. And as time passed by, he's having a special place in my heart. Sometimes I feel like he was my boyfriend and like that. And yesterday, we talked about it again....

I laughed at him when he told me having a girlfriend means having a family. I actually shouted... "what?!" (He heard it because we are in call in Skype) I said to him that girlfriend can be an inspiration and companion and like that... I said he think too much. But I think thats why he said that because he was a very serious person. He said that he loves talking with me and I was like special to him, too and he's happy whenever we talk. I feel the same way so I ask him what are we really? You told me we were good friends.

We explain to each other everything. He told me what might happen and I agree to all of what he said. There were always "what if" because we are really apart. What if I found a guy here? What if its the other way around on him? And we don't even saw each other personally! We do have more important priorities in life that we should focus on. I am studying and writing while he was taking his masterals in Engineering. He can't be with me all the time. And me, I also have a promised to myself that I'm not going to have a boyfriend this college... so he said, "We will still remain as good friends. And as the days past by, time will say the rest."


xx
Cady

On beating deadlines...

Good evening. This is my first post for March and I'm so sorry that it would be a non-sense post... AGAIN.

Last December, I attended the brainstorming. It was a very nice experience though there is a consequence on joining. We need to write 3 manuscripts that we applied what we learned in the brainstorming...and there are deadlines. I already passed the two but I really have a big problem on the third, especially now that I am really pressured and can't concentrate on writing these past few days. I don't know but I am losing courage to write this "most challenging" plot I would ever write.

I really don't know what happened to me why do I ever try to choose that plot. Its in India and I told myself it should be easy because I know a lot of things about India because of Riyan. But the problem is the... decode-decode thingy. Gosh, I'm having a really hard time to explain those treasure hunting bla-blas and I still need to make an own riddle or codes just to decode that damn treasure maps. And this suck... BIGTIME!!! Plus I'm having a hard time to write, plus the pressure in school, plus those damned make-up classes, plus the short time, plus finals is approaching and etc and etc.

I can't write good. I am not satisfied. Yet I still need to beat deadlines. I still need to beat this pressure.

I don't know if I can pass it on time... but maybe, before the 15th of April. I passed on the imprint and Miss Agnes told that the deadline will be extended for brainstorming plots once you've passed. I passed it March 1 and deadline of every manuscript is 45 days... so maybe the counting will start on March. I just hope I will not lose that 3k. LOL. That's one of my motivation. Last day of our exams will be on 27. (I hope) and after those exams, we still have 2 weeks before summer classes so I still have 2 weeks with a sound mind (because classes is over) to write that book properly. I think its enough time to finish it.

Just please... please... help me Lord. And please, for those who tried to read this. Please pray for me sanity, too. Thanks!!! I really need it now.


xx

Cady


PS: For those who are waiting (if there are) about my interview to myself, I'm still not sure if I'm going to post that this month. Hahaha! I'm still busy... (I think) XD