Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a civil engineer from the Philippines working at a construction firm in Manila. I’m an ordinary Catholic layman who loves to read books, and recently, while reading the Holy Bible again and again, I rediscovered the wonders of Catholicism. That prompted me to write my first book defending the Catholic faith, “Debunking Misconceptions About Catholicism – A Layman’s Defense”, which was published on October 26, 2014. I write during my free time usually before going to bed, early in the morning and on weekends. I’ am currently working on my next four books and my second book “Every Word Counts”, is now almost complete. This book is a follow-up to “Debunking Misconceptions About Catholicism”.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
I wrote “Debunking Misconceptions About Catholicism – A Layman’s Defense” because I was fed up with members of countless Christian denominations having wrong perceptions of Catholicism. Catholic doctrines were always attacked during religious programs on TV by those different denominations. They usually say that Catholicism is not in conformity with the Bible. So, I gave them the benefit of the doubt, noted their arguments, and vowed to find out for myself if they were correct. I went to Sunday Mass regularly, observed carefully the proceedings, researched the history of Christianity and most important of all, read again the Holy Bible. It was exciting to read again about the inspiring adventures of our Bible heroes like Moses, David, Elisha, Elijah, Paul, Peter, the apostles and the early Christian martyrs, and of course the glorious mystery of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus! Then came that magic moment while I was praying at a Church one fine day. I decided to write a book about all that I’ve learned. My inner self was telling me, “Do it!”
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don;’t know if you can call my writing habits “unusual”, but I “usually” write during my waking hours in the morning because it’s the time that I’m the most productive. My mind is still fresh, and ideas usually pop up after a restful sleep. But sometimes there are things that can come up during the day, so I have to take note and include them on my draft before I go to sleep.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I love reading Ian Fleming’s James Bond novels and I’ve read them all! They’re very special because they’re totally different from the James Bond movies! His attention to detail when describing something or someone makes you think that you are in that place talking to that person. I also like Stephen King and Jeffrey Archer. Reading Jeffrey Archer’s novels is like watching a well directed feel-good movie ! And of course the greatest book of all time is the Holy Bible. One’s lifetime is not enough to dissect a book of such grandeur!
What are you working on now?
My second book, “Every Word Counts”, is my follow-up to “Debunking Misconceptions About Catholicism – A Layman’s Defense”. It’s about the most powerful prayer of all, the model prayer that Jesus taught His apostles. It’s asking for God’s grace “daily” so that we can have the virtues that will guard us against sin and evil. I’m now working on the final chapter and copyright so I can publish it hopefully by August this year.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Hopefully, the best website that would promote my book will be Awesomegang! Twitter helps a little and i tried Bargain Booksy last month and I noticed that sales of my eBook went up a notch and improved my rankings in the sub-genres. I’m learning gradually and I find Awesomegang to be author-friendly! Thanks guys!
Do you have any advice for new authors?
For me, an author feels fulfilled when a reader says something nice about his or her book. So I think an author should write with the reader’s satisfaction in mind and the reader gets top priority. The author is happiest when the reader is happy with the book!
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The best advice I’ve ever heard was to “Never stop writing!” After writing a book, start writing again and again the next ones!
What are you reading now?
Of course, I regularly read the Holy Bible everyday, morning and night! As Joshua 1:8 says, “Do not let this book of the law depart from your lips. Recite it by day and by night, that you may carefully observe all that is written in it; then you will attain your goal; then you will succeed.” I am also planning to read Archer’s “Sons of Fortune” and “Paths of Glory”
What’s next for you as a writer?
As I’ve said earlier, I’m working on my next four books and hopefully my second book will be published by August this year, the third one in December, and the fourth and fifth, June 2016 and November 2016, respectively. To receive an award would be lovely.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
I would bring the Holy Bible, one of my books, Ian Fleming’s “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service”, and Jeffrey Archer’s “As the Crow Flies”
Author Websites and Profiles
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