Heather’s Bookshelf: Author Interview with Therese Villarante

What inspired you to write “Girl with a Broken String”?

Villarante: Girl with a Broken String is a coming-of-age. And I’m very much drawn to this story because there’s a tendency to overlook the powerful and complex feelings we experience at that age. It was important for me to write a book that I know I would have needed when I was younger. This would be the book I wanted to read in college when I felt like no one would ever be in love with me, when I longed to be great at something, when I struggled silently with anxiety, when I failed to see Love for all that it actually is, and when I lacked kindness towards myself. Girl with a Broken String is inspired by the tenderness I wish I’d given myself before. It’s inspired by the people who show up. It’s inspired by community. It’s inspired by the brilliant, creative, innovative ways we tell our truths.

Is there anything that you want readers to know about you, your writing process or your book?

Villarante: I’m Therese Villarante-Langit. I’m a lyricist, a poet, and an educator. I co-wrote  the songs, “My Morena Girl” and “Bok Love.” I was a VISPOP 3.0 (3rd place)  and HIMIG HANDOG 2019 (2nd place) winner. And I’m a multimedia  storyteller–mostly combining prose/poetry and song in my work. 

I believe that we are all storytellers and inherently creative. To tell stories and  immerse in one’s creativity... it’s to live life in awe, to have fun, to feel deeply,  to connect, to find joy and purpose through self-expression, and to love. I found  that my most eloquent form of my storytelling and creativity was through  WRITING.  

Girl with a Broken String is a MULTIMEDIA NOVEL, a BOOK-MUSICAL. It’s a collaboration of Cebu-based artist. I wrote the story and the lyrics. Jude  Gitamondoc co-wrote the lyrics with me, and composed the music. M Sanoria  created the illustrations. Lee Anthony Pada animated the illustrations. Ivy  Gallur and Daryl Leong are our singers. 

Sam, the lead character of this book, is a young songwriter. And she is most  truthful in her writing, her songs, and her drawings. As she faces overwhelming heartbreak, her thoughts and feelings are portrayed powerfully  with the use of these multimedia elements. With the combination of prose,  original songs, and artwork in the book, Sam is vividly complex and eloquent.  She shines! 

You can buy our book by messaging Girl with a Broken String’s Facebook  Messenger (m.me/girlwithabrokenstring) to reserve your copy.

Are there any tips that you would like to share with other aspiring authors?

Villarante: Go for it! You know I used to think that being a writer meant that it should be  your profession, or you should be published. But being a writer is simply when  you write, or build imaginary worlds and lives in your head! 

So if writing brings you joy, if it’s where your truth and self-expression shines,  if it makes you feel so restless and bursting with ideas, if it lights a fire in you...  keep writing. Write because it’s fun. Write because it challenges you. Write even more when you’re afraid. Write for all your important stories.  

What is your favorite genre, book, and/or author?

Villarante: I’m drawn to Young Adult books, Children’s and Coming-of-Age stories. I love  reading poetry too.  My favorite storytellers are... Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, Elizabeth Gilbert, Mary Oliver, Hanif Abdurraqib,  Sarah Kay, Aimee Nezhukumatathil, and Khaled Hosseini to name a few.

What are you working on next?

Villarante: I’m co-writing the script for the Girl with a Broken String musical!

Learn More About the Author and Girl with a Broken String:

Facebook: facebook.com/girlwithabrokenstring

Instagram: instagram.com/girlwithabrokenstring

Interested in checking out the book for yourself?

Find it for purchase here

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