Please tell us a little bit about yourself.
My name is Herminia. I’m a reader, writer, and blogger who lives in Canada. I go to university full-time where I’m doing a major in Book and Media Studies with two minors in English as well as Writing and Rhetoric. I don’t have any books published yet, but I’ve written articles for different sites.
How long have you been writing for?
I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember. I started my first novel when I was in grade 8. I’m now going into my fourth year of university. I’ve been writing almost every day for about 3 years. Before then I just wrote when I felt like it.
What motivates you to write? How did you begin writing?
I love telling stories. I started writing because I had a lot of time. Nowadays, I have to make time. Even though it’s hard work, I find writing fun and fulfilling.
Do you have a writing routine? If so, what’s a typical day like for you?
I try to write every day. I read in the morning and early afternoon. For some reason, I feel more creative later in the day, so I do most of my writing or blogging in the evening or at night. That being said, when I’m commuting to class, I’ll write first thing in the morning on the bus and subway. I often handwrite my first drafts before transcribing them on the computer.
Have you thought about self-publishing or traditional publishing? Are you leaning towards one over the other? If so, why?
I’ve considered both. As a kid, I always wanted to be published traditionally. I dreamt of seeing my book in libraries and stores. These days, I’m leaning towards self-publishing because I like the idea of having more control over my work. At some point, I’ll try to find a publisher, and if that doesn’t work out, I’ll attempt to do it myself.
Are you currently working on anything new?
I’m currently working on shorter pieces such as poems and short stories. I’m going to submit some of them to contests or journals. I’ll likely publish many to my blog as well. Even though I’m not working on a novel right now, I hope to start a new project soon.
If you weren’t a writer, what would your career be?
When I’m not writing, I’m blogging or reading. So I think I’d work in digital marketing or book publishing. Interestingly enough, I’ve had the opportunity to work for a digital marketing agency for a couple of summers. What’s more, since I blog about books, I get to be in contact with professionals who work in the publishing industry. I’m passionate about both fields, so it’d be awesome to work as a marketing coordinator for a book publisher.
What’s one thing you learned through writing that you wish you knew before you started?
I wish I knew that writing doesn’t get easier, but the more I do it, the better I become.
What is your favorite book, genre, or author?
I love crime, mystery, suspense, and thriller. I can’t pick just one book, but a few authors I admire include David Baldacci, Pierce Brown, Sarah J. Maas, and Jodi Picoult.
What advice do you have for aspiring writers?
I’d tell aspiring writers to write as much as they can. Apply to contests. Submit your work. Go after opportunities. Create them yourself. No one is going to hand you anything. You have to make things happen on your own.
Is there anything else you would like to share?
Thank you for reading. Thanks so much for having me on here, Rachel.
About Herminia Chow
Herminia resides in Canada where she is fond of curling up with good books (and bad ones too), obsessing over her blog (on WordPress), and coming up with new ideas for stories (or thinking about them). She is a creative writer, a brief blogger, and an avid reader of all things.
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