Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am Racquel Sarah A. Castro. Call me Yayie or Racq. I am living with cerebral palsy. I am a geek and love to read romance novel. I am also a programmer by profession but chosen passion over profession. I love writing ever since I am a kid. After 10 years of being a programmer, I said that it is time to pursue what I love, writing. Aside from writing and programming, I love to eat. A foodie here. I also love music. My family is a ground volunteer for Basics Global, a non-profit organization based in Dubai. I chose to be a romance writer and have written 7 stories and 4 books are currently in the local and international market. I love the idea of romantic love and want it for myself. My 1st book, When Fate Speaks Big Time, has been nominated at Virtue Christian Book Award’s Best Christian Fiction Category. It is somewhat an autobiographical novel, which focuses on my dream love story. The second was a part of an eBook bundle from BuqoYA class. Second Sight to forever is about a dancer who is willing to wait for the right time for love. It is part of the ebook bundle, BuqoYA 1 – Taking Chances. It has a standalone version too. Both are available in buqo. The third story is a fairy tale and is currently waiting for the publisher’s decision. It is an end product of an online writing class, SparkNA. The fourth story is about a girl who hates science but ends up with a scientist. That piece is a CampNanowrimo winner. The fifth story is about a reader who met her crush in an unexpected encounter. Encyclopedia Mystique is end product of the JustWritePH workshop in preparation for Nanowrimo. The sixth story is about ATM Fraud in the Philippines. It will be out soon. Co-Author with God, I wrote my autobiography and it will be out on March 2016. I thank God for Hope House Centre who gave me the opportunity to fulfill my other dream, to have a paperback novel. The Real Me: An Autobiography talks about my struggles as a physically challenged individual who lives a productive life.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
JustWritePH- For Redemption is an eBook bundle containing my story, Encyclopedia Mystique. My inspiration is my readers. It is their story. I have this reader in mind and she’s my inspiration. The eBook bundle is distributed by buqo, an online eBook store here in the Philippines. It has three more stories for only $3.99.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I am weird. I watch TV when I am writing. I don’t know but I cannot concentrate on a quiet ambience. When I am outlining, I usually don’t follow it. Yes, isn’t that weirder?
What authors, or books have influenced you?
My mentor, Ms. Mina Esguerra and her romance books really motivated me. One more books is the Bible and Nicholas Sparks books too although I don’t like tragedy. I am looking forward in reading books from Ms. Rita Pam Tarachi.
What are you working on now?
I am working on two WIPs right now, one is a crime fiction short story for my writing class and the other is for Nanowrimo.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Smashwords, Amazon, and my website is a great help for me as an Independent Author. I thank God for Virtue Christian Book Awards and Hope House Centre for the trust they gave me.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Prayers are the best tool in finishing a novel. Without God’s help, you cannot finish a worth-reading novel. Never stop learning. Take chance on writing workshops. Explore different genre but you must be able to have establish a primary one first.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Trust God more. He can do impossible things. I heard that from my parents and my grandmother too.
What are you reading now?
On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King, Before Ever After by Samantha Sotto.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Learn more through writing classes, a book release on March 2016 and more romance novels in the future.
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?
The Bible – It is my spiritual Food
Fragments of Her Identity by Rita Pam Tarachi
Fairy Tale Fail by Mina V. Esguerra
The Longest Ride by Nicholas Sparks
Author Websites and Profiles
Racquel Sarah A. Castro Website
Racquel Sarah A. Castro Author Profile on Smashwords
Racquel Sarah A. Castro’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
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