There was a time back in middle school where I felt pressured to meet everybody's standards. It really took a toll on my mental health, which lead me to have anxiety. Eventually, it became too much where I ended up having a panic attack. The pressure of having to get perfect grades, socialize more, and having to grow up fast so I could take care of my siblings. It wasn't happy memories when I look back on it, but I remember I would always hear music no matter what I was doing. Cooking, cleaning, studying, babysitting, whatever I did, music was there to help me cope. I would listen to countless genres, Hip-hop, punk, rock, jazz. But what I would hear the most was always K-pop. Sure enough, I wondered how these artists went about making their songs. And when I looked into it, I was blown away by how much work goes into creating music and their choreography. I would see how hard they work to the bone, but I would see how people would criticize them with how they looked, acted, sang, danced, etc. Here I thought I was stress at the age of 14, but my life is nowhere near as stressful as some of these artists that are always being watched. I wanted to understand why artists put up with the stress of the media and people who judge them, is making music really worth sacrificing your mental health? Even after graduating high school and being in my mid 20's now. I still asked myself that same question, it wasn't until I decided to pick up writing that I did my research on the Korean industry of entertainment. And I couldn't believe what some of these young artists have to deal with on a daily basis, it made me sad. And I guess I wanted to raise awareness of how damaging the entertainment industry could be, although my work is fiction. It still deals with accurate situations that we as people deal with every day. From, stress, depression, regret, etc. I wish I could simply say that a movie or reading a random book inspired me to want to write this story, but no. It was deeper than that, it was the curiosity of people's lives that deal with depression but must hide it from the world because of their status of who they are.

2

The way I approached when making this story, it was never the beginning that worried me but the ending. As a writer, I always have that fear of messing up and not having the facts straight. Of course, grammar is something that I always struggle with perfecting. But I think I'm getting better, slightly. It's always difficult to put things in perspective on some of these characters that I write about. Because sometimes I don't even know what I want them to do, so I take it one step at a time when.

I would have to say the comedic relief parts, I tend to put too much sadness and sorrow on these characters that it becomes more meaningful to read some happiness for a change. I like seeing my characters smile, and although it's rare. I think it becomes more memorable...

Alot of mixed responses, some of my readers have cried, smiled, laughed, and ached as they kept reading my work. I found it very touching, makes me feel that I'm doing good in making these characters realistic. Though there are always some people who don't care or understand the concept of what I'm going for. But that's okay, as long as I have at least one person to react to my work, may it be good or bad. I'll still be proud of my work that someone was able to react to...

5

Stand-alone.

6

Life isn't perfect, and it never will be. But that's okay, you shouldn't reach perfection. You should just keep living life the best you can. No matter how difficult it can become, there's no such thing as forever. So smile every day like it will be your last, strive for the happiness that you deserve no matter what others say.

7

Be original as you can, yes, get inspired but don't steal other's people hard work. Work on your grammar and make your story flow as best as you can. Other than that, when it comes to creating your story, the possibilities are endless. So let your imagination run wild and write what you enjoy and love.

Other than the anxiety...not much. If anything, I kind of wish I would have put similar traits, it would've been fun to relate to the main character.

I'm still not sure what will draw in new readers? But I would like to hope it's the realism of how chaotic life can be. I would like my readers to vividly see and emotionally relate to some of these characters' weaknesses and strengths, I think that would be amazing.

Yes, So much to write so little time. I've currently finished writing four books in these past years, they are all available on Amazon Kindle Unlimited. The link will be on my Bio, other the that. I'm working on a werewolf book at the moment. A fantasy that I hope my readers will enjoy reading, hope to get it published as well. But you can read the entire "Our Secret Melody", story for free on Kindle Unlimited. As of now, I'm updating a new chapter a week on Wattpad. Hope you give it a read and let me know what you think...