Young writer gets inspired
By Wasita Cespedes
Photos courtesy of Jamsai Publishing and May 112
Did you know
May is also interested in working as a reporter.
After posting her writing on the well known website for aspiring novelists, www.dek-d.com, Chularat Thongaram (May), better known by her pen-name May 112, became a professional novelist while still a high school student.
When her work titled Rak Puan Puan Chabub Guan Dek-Hor (Romance of a Dorm Resident) became the most popular story on the website, May was contacted by an editor at Jamsai Publishing. May’s first book was published in 2006, and she now has more than 30 novels under her belt.
Last February, the 25-year-old writer released her top-selling romance novel, Fan Chun Rub Pragun Kwam Perfect (Perfect Match), introducing readers to a popular male character named P’Suea. May also recently published some top-selling books from a series in which female characters have relationships with guys in different countries, including Aus-Boy Pichit Rak Rai La Hua Jai Yai Jom Due (Aussie Boy: Winning Headstrong Girl’s Heart) and UK-Boy Part 1: Rak Sa Yob Rai La Hua Jai Sao San Dee (UK Boy: Wining Nice Girl’s Heart).
Student Weekly recently caught up with the busy young author at a café where she told us about her work and her inspirations.
Student Weekly: How did you come up with your pen-name May 112?
May: May on its own didn’t seem interesting enough, so decided to add the number 111 to it. Unfortunately, the name May 111 was already taken, so I decided to use May 112. I think it’s a distinctive name that readers can recognise.
Student Weekly: Why did you initially decide to post your stories online?
May: At that time, teen romance novels weren’t as popular as they are now. I read stories written by Jamsai’s veteran writers Stampberry and Jaoplanoi, who wrote novels that were like stories told to friends. I felt that I could write a story like that, and when I did I decided to post it on the Dek-D website.
Student Weekly: What was your first novel like?
May: The story was told from a third-person point of view, which I found it difficult to do. When I started writing stories as first-person narratives, more people read my work. It’s like I’m telling the story and I was able to develop my own writing style.
Student Weekly: Have any of your stories been inspired by your own experiences?
May: US Boy: La Hua Jai Hiay Giay Rak Yai jom Heoy [Wining Sassy Girl’s Heart] was based on my experience in the US as part of a work and travel programme, but the love story wasn’t from my experience. UK Boy Wining Nice Girl's Heart was inspired by my time studying English language in London.
Student Weekly: Have you experienced any culture shock while travelling?
May: In Turkey, I was surprised when I walked in a market. At noon there was Islamic prayer time, and everybody stopped walking and closed their shops. They all got down on the floor and started praying in the market. I was standing there and had no idea what to do!
Student Weekly: Which of your novels has had the most impressive response from readers so far?
May: I was impressed with the response to Perfect Match. Some of my fans who stopped reading romantic novels because they became more mature told me that they came back to read this novel. Many readers said that the leading characters seemed like real, ordinary people. There are many situations in the book that readers can relate to.
Student Weekly: How did you do research your novels about medical students, Medico Y and Medico Z?
May: The stories are about students who want to be medical doctors, so I talked to my doctor friend about reasons for wanting to work in the medical profession. I also read a book about being a doctor. But the story isn’t really about medical knowledge. It’s more about relationships and the emotions of the leading characters.
Student Weekly: Do you have any tips for aspiring novelists?
May: Be determined and hard-working. Never stop writing. Some rookie authors give up because their stories aren’t approved. If your story isn’t approved, you should read more and learn from different writing styles. If you ever get writer’s block, just go out and find some inspiration.
Vocabulary
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aspiring (adj): wanting to start the career or activity that is mentioned
initially (adv): at the beginning
third person (n): a way of writing a novel, etc. as the experience of somebody else, using third person forms
first person (n): a way of writing a novel, etc. as if one of the characters is telling the story
narrative (n): a description of events, especially in a novel
mature (adj): behaving in a sensible way, like an adult
determined (adj): to have made a formal decision to do something and to not let anybody prevent you
writer’s block (n): a situation in which a writer cannot think of anything to write about or cannot find a way to continue a story, a poem, etc.Idiom
to have something under your belt: to have already achieved or obtained something
