the next big thing – a chain letter for writers

Before November ended, I got an email from the lovely Kristine Ong Muslim, asking me to participate in The Next Big Thing blog cycle, where writers have to answer 10 book-related/self-promo questions about themselves on their blog, then link up to 5 other writers. A chain letter of sorts, but hopefully not an annoying one.

Here we go!

1) What is the title of your latest book?

It’s a short story collection called, A Bottle of Storm Clouds.

2) Where did the idea come from for the book?

One day I just realized that I have enough stories to fill a collection, and wouldn’t that be fun?

3) What genre does your book fall under?

It’s a collection, so it has a bit of everything: horror, science fiction, fantasy, realist.

4) What actors would you choose to play the part of your characters in a movie rendition?

BEN WHISHAW!

Just kidding. He can’t play any of my characters because he’s not Filipino. He can try, but that would be weird.

You know what, I have no idea. Maybe Zanjoe Marudo as Gerardo Nagtahan in “Siren Song”? Really grasping at straws here.

5) What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

Sixteen short stories mixing the magical with the mundane.

6) Who published your book?

Visprint!

7) How long did it take you to write the first draft of the manuscript?

These were previously published stories collected since 2007, but some of the stories have been written long before that.

8) What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

I don’t know.

9) Who or what inspired you to write this book?

Perhaps I should talk about influences: Donna Tartt, Margaret Atwood, Stephen King, Nick Joaquin, Gregorio Brillantes. And my family, who, like most Filipino families, treat the magical and the supernatural as something common.

10) What else about the book might pique the reader’s interest?

It has stories coming from many genres. “Ana’s Little Pawnshop” appears to be a favorite, according to the readers who have approached me, but other readers have different favorite stories, and that’s a wonderful thing.

Tagged, you’re it! Visit these authors’ sites next week, Dec. 19, for their answers.