Herbel Santiago

If you look at me in my midi-skirt and flower embroidered clothes, you would never guess that I grow up in a tough neighborhood. I had memories of growing up in the countryside, playing in the ocean as well as causing our house to burn because I didn't know that matchsticks can cause fire. I also have memories of playing "patintero" in the streets of QC and of climbing rooftops (and falling from rooftops). I have two older brothers who, like me, never seemed to stay put. These stories, and the stories of the kids and people around me, are the kind of stories that I depict in my writing.

However, my characters hate to be melodramatic so I try to infuse humor in telling their stories. There are instances where I succeeded, and people smile, even for a while.

I'm a teacher and going to our school is a daily challenge because of the heavy traffic during the rush hour. In order to be on time, I forego the car and walk instead. Always, when I do this, I make it on time.

It is the same with my writing career. There are many cars or authors who want to go to a specific place. If I want to go somewhere else, I might as well walk. In this case, I might as well publish my books as an indie author.