These are the voices of our mentors and mentees from past and present. They've provided their insight about the program, their processes, the Wattys, and have shared their favorite Wattpad stories. Grab a cuppa and sit down with us as we get to know...
The Bootcamp Mentors are proud to present a spotlight interview with GandalfofspaceAnli author of Trapped: The Magic Within. Check out this writer's work and give them a shout out in the comments.
BCM: How did you discover the Bootcamp Mentors and what have you found most valuable about this Wattpad community program?
GandalfofspaceAnli: I discovered this program three years ago by chance. When I started on Wattpad in late 2019, I only read and wrote fanfiction (I still do, but not as much as before). Six months in, I realized I could do much more with my interest and started to enter ambassador-run contests. I didn't win any, at least not initially, but it did introduce me to brilliant authors, and slowly as I read their brilliant works, I realized how lacking I was and embarked on the journey to better myself. Then one fine day, I heard one of my new-found friends at the time mention this program, and I decided to try my luck. And after three years, here I am.
BCM: What prompted you to start writing on Wattpad, and what do you like most about the platform as a writer?
GandalfofspaceAnli: My obsession with a Chinese show called The Untamed brought me to Wattpad. Initially, I had no intention of writing, but that changed one day as I put my thoughts on paper, and my first fanfiction came alive on Wattpad. Luckily, I had a lot of support and dedicated readers (fans of the show) in my initial years on this platform. If not for my readers' constant encouragement and support, I would have given up writing long ago. So yes, that's the best part about this platform: love and support for stories.
BCM: What motivated you to write the story you're submitting to the 2023 Wattys?
GandalfofspaceAnli: I wrote The Master's Apprentice (now called Trapped: The Magic Within) for Nanowrimo 2021. A year before, in 2020, my sister (she isn't on Wattpad) participated in the same and shared her experience, and I thought to myself: if she can do it, why can't I? And that's how the first brick for my entry this year was laid.
BCM:. If you had to describe your story in three words, what would they be?
GandalfofspaceAnli: Friendship, Redemption, and Magic.
BCM: Tell us one thing about your writing process that has helped you the most.
GandalfofspaceAnli: I am not a planner, which basically translates into - the story writes itself. Unfortunately, this means that on a good day, I might be able to write 5k words without breaking a sweat but then write nothing for the next two weeks. Changing gears, that is, taking myself out of the story I am desperately writing to write something else, like a one-shot or a short story, and so on. It has helped me overcome writer's block more times than I can count.
BCM: Share two Wattpad story recommendations.
GandalfofspaceAnli: Please, don't make me choose. �� Can I name my favorite Wattpad authors instead?
