Ask the Author: M.K. Aleja
Answered Questions (7)
M.K. Aleja
As far as writing goes, I'm spending more time trying to promote my books. I am, though, thinking about my approach to a sequel to "The Makana's Legacy". I have a draft outline already. But it is still very rough.
M.K. Aleja
I work on another part of the storyline or I take a break from story to do other things.
M.K. Aleja
Learning that people enjoy your work.
M.K. Aleja
Wrapping up a story is tough. If you happen to find a perfect ending, you're lucky. Don't expect your writing to be perfect before editing. Just get it done... then get a good editor to help with filling any gaps, improving flow, and wrapping up the ending nicely. Much like building your own house, you may know how to do everything. But it's always best to have professionals check your work and recommend improvements before you decide to close off the walls and paint.
M.K. Aleja
For "The Makana's Legacy", I wanted to have a suruhanu as the protagonist. I wanted to share more about suruhanos with readers as well as delve a little deeper into taotaomo'na lore than my first novel did. As I learned about the ancient healers - the makana - during my research for this novel, I had to make sure that they were featured in the story.
It's often said that writers should write what they know. So, I used my own experiences growing up as inspiration for Mateo's life. I grew up in the village of Dededo. I was an altar server in the Santa Barbara Parish. I knew a priest very much like Father Rogelio. I also worked in the places that Mateo worked. So, I was able to use those experiences as foundation points to build a more authentic world in my story.
I hope that readers who are already familiar with CHamoru culture and folklore will enjoy my take on suruhanos and taotaomo'na. I also hope that readers who are not familiar with Guam or the CHamoru people will get a good feel for our culture and beliefs and will want to learn more.
It's often said that writers should write what they know. So, I used my own experiences growing up as inspiration for Mateo's life. I grew up in the village of Dededo. I was an altar server in the Santa Barbara Parish. I knew a priest very much like Father Rogelio. I also worked in the places that Mateo worked. So, I was able to use those experiences as foundation points to build a more authentic world in my story.
I hope that readers who are already familiar with CHamoru culture and folklore will enjoy my take on suruhanos and taotaomo'na. I also hope that readers who are not familiar with Guam or the CHamoru people will get a good feel for our culture and beliefs and will want to learn more.
M.K. Aleja
I'd like to spend some time in the Shire in Middle Earth.
M.K. Aleja
This is a tough one. Now that my wife has started fishing with me, it looks like our next summer might be spent out on the river. She's just as hooked as I am. LOL!
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