Interview Q&A with Michelle Ayon Navajas
We offer our first and exclusive Q&A Interview with Michelle Ayon Navajas, a writer whose literary works have been featured on our Spillwords pages as well as being Author of the Month of March 2023.
- What does it mean to be selected as Author of The Month?
I am truly honored and grateful to be the Author of the Month; because this honor is not just mine but also of my “kababayans” (my fellow Filipinos) in the Philippines. The Philippines is home to brilliant, creative, imaginative poets, writers, and artists. And I am proud to say that with this recognition from Spillwords Press, “Filipinos are indeed making a remarkable impression worldwide.”
This recognition means so much to me on a personal note because this is a testament to the never-ending love and support of my readers and followers. They are taking the time to visit Spillwords, read my works, and eventually cast their votes on me. And most importantly, this proves that “dreams indeed do come true.” I’ve repeatedly said and will repeat it; “dreams come true.”
- How have your friends and/or family influenced your writing?
My father, whom I fondly call “papa,” influenced me with my love for words and eventually allowed me to use my words to weave beautiful verses as a little girl. Crossword puzzles and Scrabble were our favorite word games then. Through these games, papa discovered I have a gift for words. He gave me my first storybook, and my imagination went intensely creative. He believed in me even when I couldn’t make my verses rhyme or create a logical flow. With his constant motivation and practice, I eventually became comfortable creating life from the words I weave.
I became active in joining writing competitions when I was studying. I was also part of the Editorial Board of our School Paper, eventually leading me to a Degree in MassCommunications majoring in Journalism.
With the advent of technology, I started setting up my personal blog on WordPress as my virtual self to express my creative thoughts and ideas. It was just a fun project for me then. Little did I realize that it would also open the doors for me to pursue book publishing.
The Pandemic gave me the needed time to further my pursuits for professional writing and publishing. With eight books under my name, four of which are Bestsellers, and another one, “Locker,” is on its way soon; the rest, they say, is history.
- What inspires you to write?
Everything I write is constantly inspired by the people around me. Sometimes someone I know would do or say something interesting, and I would have to write about it. Or I would be having coffee at a café, overhearing people’s conversations, and getting inspiration from there.
I also make sure that I write one poem each day; for I believe there is always something worth noting every day. I would also draw inspiration from my personal experiences and make them more relatable. I make sure to write using the first-person point of view. This way, I allow my readers to own the poem and the story as theirs.
- What was your writing catalyst?
As I mentioned earlier, my papa was instrumental in what makes me a writer. His encouragement and motivation back then, as a child, worked so well for me.
But the catalyst that got me into writing consistently was when I started interviewing victims of abuse and violence for my first book, “After Rain Skies.” It was a collection of true and inspiring stories of abuse and violence, written in support of Perak Women for Women Society, an NGO in Perak Malaysia geared towards helping women and children who are victims of abuse and violence. I realized I could help more people learn and understand violence’s effects on our society with my words. My works may be just a little speck of light amidst the darkness surrounding our community today. Still, I know I am making a difference by telling one story at a time.
The rest of my poetry books were written to inspire my readers to live life to the fullest, to love without limitations and compromises, to care without the need to expect in return, to understand even when you are misunderstood, to allow people to have second chances even if you have been deprived of one yourself, to see the good even in the worst situation, and most importantly, to believe that dreams come true.
- Tell us a little bit about your writing process.
I don’t follow any writing process, nor do I have one. I am a poet and a storyteller. I hear and see people’s stories all the time. I write them and incorporate them into my personal understanding or (if there are) experiences. My poetry is filled with details and events that may or may not be true; I added those details to make it more interesting, exciting, and relatable. And so I write anytime, anywhere. Suppose inspiration hits me while I go to the cashier to pay for groceries. In that case, I write them immediately, for sometimes, an inspiration just hits on in an instant, and it never comes back, so you have to write it down.
Currently, I am diving into fiction story writing. This type of literary genre requires a different approach to writing. It means that when an event or a flow of thoughts is coming, I have to sit down and finish writing the whole scene or incident.
I also engage and join writing prompts and the online writing community. This way, I learn more from other brilliant writers around.
- What would you say is most fulfilling about writing?
The most fulfilling thing about writing is knowing you have touched someone’s life with your words. I’ve received hundreds of emails telling me stories of how their perspectives have changed after they’ve read some of my books or even poems.
Mentoring other budding writers is also one of the most rewarding things in my writing journey. I help and encourage other poets and writers in their writing process or publication journey. I have fellow poets and writers come to me and ask for my input and feedback. I ensure that I provide them with their much-needed help and enlightenment. Seeing them finally publish their works, too, makes me very proud of myself for encouraging and helping them.
- Does the addition of imagery help to tell your story?
Imagery is an essential element in writing poetry or even prose. For me, it helps my readers see things through my words. It helps them with their imagination and creativity. Sometimes too, imagery allows the readers to come up with their own conclusion of a particular scenario in a poem or prose. We cannot deny the power of imagery in creating more impactful poems and stories.
- What is your favorite reading genre?
I enjoy literary fiction. I love how reading fiction broadens my imagination and thinking process. It takes me into another world and opens my mind to new ideas and possibilities that help me experience and analyze the world through others’ lives. It also allows me to become attuned to the experiences and hardships of the characters and thereby introspectively understand the unique experiences of others.
- What human being has inspired you the most?
My “papa” (my father) inspired me the most, not only in my pursuit of achieving my dreams but as well as the way I live my life. Here is a poem I wrote for him that best explains why he is my greatest superhero and inspiration.
HEAVEN
if love is patient, i wonder how do you keep up waiting for me?
are you happy out there, papa, in heaven?
if love is kind, i wonder how do you stay amiable and cordial when you’re all alone?
are you having fun in the company of the angels, papa, in heaven?
if love does not envy, i wonder how do you not get jealous of others being with their loved ones?
are you lonely somewhere, papa, in heaven?
if love does not boast, i wonder how do you talk with pride to angels above ’bout your princess back home?
are you proud of me in there, papa, in heaven?
love is not proud, rude, or self-seeking, i knew it was true, for you were the nicest, the kindest, even when you were about to go.
love is not easily angered and keeps no records of past mistakes; without a doubt, it’s true, for you had lovingly held me in your arms even when i went astray.
love does not delight in evil, for you made sure to drive all the evils away nor may come near me.
love rejoices in truth, for if you can’t be honest, you’d rather keep your silence; you were true to your words even’ ’til your last breath.
tell me, papa, is heaven really like what they say it is?
is it genuinely peaceful in there?
‘cos from where i am right now, chaos is everywhere.
i hope you’re happily enjoying reading your newspaper over a cup of hot brewed coffee.
i hope you’re having the best conversation with God almighty ’bout our world.
i hope you’re dancing merrily to the tune of Beatles’ “I’m Happy Just To Dance With You.”
but papa, don’t be happier; save your happiest dance for me when i see you in heaven.
- What message would you have for the Spillwords Press community that voted for you?
I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Dagmara and the entire team of Spillwords for believing in my works by publishing them. And thank you, too, to all the readers who read my works and voted for me, making me March 2023’s Author of the Month. I am forever grateful for all your love and support for me and my poetry.
- What would you like your legacy as a writer to be?
Chuck Palahniuk once said, “We all die. The goal isn’t to live forever; the goal is to create something that will.”
Firstly, I want people to remember me as a creative poet/writer who initiated societal change.
This is the reason why, despite the success of my poetry books, with themes of love and romance; I made sure that I incorporated my call for awareness of abuse and violence in all of my social media accounts. My first book, “After Rain Skies,” was an advocacy book that did not only help create awareness but also generated funds to support Perak Women for Women Society, an NGO in Perak Malaysia that helps women and children who are victims of abuse and violence. Foundations and organizations like them need financial aid to keep their advocacy alive. After the success of Book 1, a second edition of the same book was published in 2021, with part of its proceeds going to the foundation. Currently, I am accepting emails/DM’s from fellow poets, my readers, and my followers who would love to share their stories of abuse and violence. I ensure I reply and help them in any way I can. And if they give me permission to publish their stories on my social media accounts, I do it; if only it will help other people with the same experience.
Secondly, I want budding poets/writers to remember me as a poet/writer who helped them achieve their dreams by mentoring and encouraging them to be better poets/writers.
This is why I am open to communication with young and budding writers who need encouragement or professional feedback. I encourage young writers to submit their works for publication (like here on Spillwords) even if they are so afraid.
Lastly, I want my readers to remember me as a poet/writer who weaves flawless and relatable words into beautiful pieces of poetries. I want them to enjoy my words and give them a reason to smile amidst a daunting situation.
- Is there anything else you would like to add?
I would like to take this opportunity to say that no matter what happens, you have no reason to give up on your dreams. Our dreams fuel us to hope for more and be better in everything. And so to anyone whose dream is to publish a book, a poem, or a story, just do it. But before you do, ensure you have equipped yourself with the knowledge and skills needed to publish a piece worth reading.
- The Haunting of the Acacia Tree - November 1, 2024
- Resilience - September 10, 2024
- Drowning - July 25, 2024
