In Over Her Head - Author Interview
Author Profile
Anne Plaza has a degree in Psychology, but has actively pursued a career in writing in her previous work as a reporter and online editor. She currently works in the field of marketing communications and spends most of her time writing fiction (while not on the lookout for the nearest cupcake and cronut store).Aside from writing, she loves to read contemporary romance, young adult, fantasy, and historical fiction. She also collects stamps and postcards, and loves everything about cats. Anne is based in Quezon City, Philippines. In Over Her Head is her first published work in English.
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MORE ABOUT THE BOOK
Determined to give Richard a dose of his own medicine, Erika finds herself involved in an outrageous plan devised by her friends. They enlist the help of Jerome Gonzales, an attractive and charismatic DJ (with a playboy reputation), to pose as her significant other.
The story in general is very relatable because it’s basically about the heart ache that accompanies love. Tell us, why/how did you decide to write and wrap the story around this particular aspect of love?
Thanks for the kind words! Writing a relatable story is one of my main goals and I’m glad I was successful in eliciting that reaction from a reader.
The story was inspired after I had a discussion with my cousin about a workable plot that had something to do with schemes, pretensions, and eventually a conflict resulting to the scheme backfiring on the characters. I also wanted to write about the innocence of first love and how it changes a person on how they view love and relationships. I know this trope has been used before, but I wanted to have my own take and create a story that people can identify themselves with. We all have experienced heartbreak at some point in our lives, and it’s interesting to have stories that revolve around how people cope with these situations and how they become the person they are today.
In forming the character, what was on your mind?
My only thought was to keep characters simple and very real. I wanted them to be people who we usually see in our day-to-day routines (work, school, home, etc.) because I think each of us have stories to tell. We may undergo the same challenges and ups and downs in life, but we differ in stories due to our personalities, background, beliefs, and how we handle situations. These differences make up for a variety of situations that make good stories.
In a way, the book is liberating and refreshing in terms of how women handle break ups/ heart aches. If it is not too personal to ask, how did you move past yours? Any advice for women who are experiencing similar, if not entirely the same, situation?
I’m the kind of person who takes a lot of time moving on after a breakup. It took me four years before I considered myself “truly healed” the last time I was in that situation. I just focused on myself and did the things I love to do, with my friends and family as my support system. I didn’t try to do other things that would make me forget about the pain; in fact, I dwelled on it for quite a while.
I’m not really very good at giving advice since we all have our own ways of coping. The things I did may not work for other people, so the only thing I can say is to give yourself time to heal—it doesn’t matter if it takes you a week or three months or years. Cry. Go on an eating binge. Talk to your best friend/s. Spend time with your family. Travel. Unwind. You’ll discover things about yourself, and you’d realize that you’re a resilient person after all.
As a writer, do you have a certain writing style or does it change depending on the story line?
I don’t have a particular “style”; I just go with the flow of how the story wants itself to be written. It’s mostly dictated by the characters, so sometimes, or rather, most of the time, the events deviate from what I’ve originally outlined. My characters usually have a way of getting what they want.
Should this be made in to a movie (which I hope it will because it would make for a great Filipino movie! Hehe), who do you think would best play Erika, Richard and Jerome?
I haven’t thought about that! But if the idea turns into the real thing, I’d love to cast Coco Martin as Richard, Rap Fernandez as Jerome, and Kaye Abad as Erika.
Please, invite our readers and future book owners
Hey, everyone! I’d like to invite you to grab a copy of In Over Her Head, my first contemporary romance novella (links are posted). Please do drop me a line and tell me what you think of the story; I’d love to know your thoughts about it. I’m also at work on my next novel, so do watch out for its release. To those who have already gotten a copy of the book, a million thanks for your support! You’re awesome! Thank you so much for answering!
Thanks for the kind words! Writing a relatable story is one of my main goals and I’m glad I was successful in eliciting that reaction from a reader.
The story was inspired after I had a discussion with my cousin about a workable plot that had something to do with schemes, pretensions, and eventually a conflict resulting to the scheme backfiring on the characters. I also wanted to write about the innocence of first love and how it changes a person on how they view love and relationships. I know this trope has been used before, but I wanted to have my own take and create a story that people can identify themselves with. We all have experienced heartbreak at some point in our lives, and it’s interesting to have stories that revolve around how people cope with these situations and how they become the person they are today.
In forming the character, what was on your mind?
My only thought was to keep characters simple and very real. I wanted them to be people who we usually see in our day-to-day routines (work, school, home, etc.) because I think each of us have stories to tell. We may undergo the same challenges and ups and downs in life, but we differ in stories due to our personalities, background, beliefs, and how we handle situations. These differences make up for a variety of situations that make good stories.
In a way, the book is liberating and refreshing in terms of how women handle break ups/ heart aches. If it is not too personal to ask, how did you move past yours? Any advice for women who are experiencing similar, if not entirely the same, situation?
I’m the kind of person who takes a lot of time moving on after a breakup. It took me four years before I considered myself “truly healed” the last time I was in that situation. I just focused on myself and did the things I love to do, with my friends and family as my support system. I didn’t try to do other things that would make me forget about the pain; in fact, I dwelled on it for quite a while.
I’m not really very good at giving advice since we all have our own ways of coping. The things I did may not work for other people, so the only thing I can say is to give yourself time to heal—it doesn’t matter if it takes you a week or three months or years. Cry. Go on an eating binge. Talk to your best friend/s. Spend time with your family. Travel. Unwind. You’ll discover things about yourself, and you’d realize that you’re a resilient person after all.
As a writer, do you have a certain writing style or does it change depending on the story line?
I don’t have a particular “style”; I just go with the flow of how the story wants itself to be written. It’s mostly dictated by the characters, so sometimes, or rather, most of the time, the events deviate from what I’ve originally outlined. My characters usually have a way of getting what they want.
Should this be made in to a movie (which I hope it will because it would make for a great Filipino movie! Hehe), who do you think would best play Erika, Richard and Jerome?
I haven’t thought about that! But if the idea turns into the real thing, I’d love to cast Coco Martin as Richard, Rap Fernandez as Jerome, and Kaye Abad as Erika.
Please, invite our readers and future book owners
Hey, everyone! I’d like to invite you to grab a copy of In Over Her Head, my first contemporary romance novella (links are posted). Please do drop me a line and tell me what you think of the story; I’d love to know your thoughts about it. I’m also at work on my next novel, so do watch out for its release. To those who have already gotten a copy of the book, a million thanks for your support! You’re awesome! Thank you so much for answering!
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MORE ABOUT THE BOOK
As the plan goes in full swing, Erika discovers Richard's jealous side, and that there's something more to Jerome than meets the eye.
Will this grand charade work out the way it should, or will she be left with nothing in the end.
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