ST. MARY’S COLLEGE OF TAGUM, INC.

GRADUATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SMCTI

National Highway, Magugpo East, Tagum City, 8100 Davao del Norte, Philippines
Email Address: graduateeducation@smctagum.edu.ph QTIME
Quality Transformative Ignacian Marian Education Faith • Excellence • Service

INTERVIEW GUIDE QUESTIONS

Name of Interviewer: NIRICA S. NATAD__________________

Date: __________________________________________
Name of Interviewee: __________________________________________

Dear Participant:

Good day! Praised be Jesus and Mary! Now and forever…

Thank you very much for participating in my study. I, Nirica S. Natad, a second year MAED-
English student at St. Mary’s College of Tagum, Inc., would like to extend my heartfelt
gratitude for sharing with me your time, perspective, and experiences in my research.

Your participation as my research participant will significantly help me realize my study entitled:
AN INQUIRY INTO THE CREATIVE PROCESS OF COLLEGE STUDENT WRITERS IN
PRODUCING LITERARY PIECES. This interview will be conducted to explore, understand, and
describe the lived experiences encountered by the college students with regards to setting their
inspirations in creating literary pieces in their creative writing classes.

Since you have agreed to participate voluntarily in my study, I would like to remind you again
that if you are in unfavorable situation at this moment, you are free to refuse this invitation. Also,
please be informed again that this whole interview will be recorded. My purpose in using the
focus-group interview is to gather as much as possible all the essential information I need in this
study and to be able to have a smooth and spontaneous flow of discussion regarding this
matter. I can assure you that your identity and responses will be held confidential assigning you
a pseudo name to protect your privacy.
Moreover, you can answer the questions in the languages or dialects that you are most
comfortable to use. We will start our conversation by asking you some questions, so I
encourage you to answer all of them with pure honesty. Feel free to share your thoughts and
feelings about each question. You may also elaborate your answer to make it more accurate
and comprehensible. Shall we start?

1. What are the lived experiences of students regarding their creative process in
producing literary pieces?
1.1 What are your experiences as you undergo the creative process in creating literary
pieces in your creative writing class? Please elaborate.

Uhmm, my experience in Writing something.. it made me question my own way of

thinking, most particularly my creativity. I try to think more on what I can extract
from my self in the most creative way possibly. it made me question my own way of
thinking
 ST. MARY’S COLLEGE OF TAGUM, INC.
GRADUATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SMCTI
National Highway, Magugpo East, Tagum City, 8100 Davao del Norte, Philippines
Email Address: graduateeducation@smctagum.edu.ph QTIME
Quality Transformative Ignacian Marian Education Faith • Excellence • Service

1.2 How do you feel as you undergo the creative process to create your literary pieces
while you are in your creative writing class?

At first, probably, I’d be intimidated by it, of myself, my thoughts, by constantly asking myself
“am I creative enough?” “Is this a good intro?” “is this a good theme? Title? Ending?” but along
the way, It gets more exciting; when you finally get to that point in writing where you’re having
the moment of expressing yourself naturally. I think it has there has to be lots of emotions
involved.. for me..

1.3 How do you describe your experiences in undergoing the creative process in
creating literary pieces in your creative writing class?

A roller coaster of emotions, series of emotions being involved. Doubt and excitement. Both
positive and negative.

1.4 How do you find these experiences?

I find it overwhelming and at the same time fulfilling or developmental. Orr.. there’d be A sense
of fulfillment.

1.5 What are the challenges you encountered as you underwent creative process in
creating literary pieces in your creative writing class?

I think that would be creative block? That’s the point when I don’t feel like expressing myself or
im not at the right emotion. Because we all know that in creative writing, there’d be a lot of
figures, symbolism, metaphors, and the likes that has to be involved.
2. How do the students cope with the challenges in undergoing creative process to
produce literary pieces?

2.1 What coping strategies did you employ to cope with the challenges as you
undergo the creative process for creating literary pieces?

Taking my time.. In writing I try to be as natural as possible. So I tend to relax myself, my mind,
and my emotions. Because, in my case, I get overwhelmed most of the time, especially when
it’s about expressing something. So, I take my time to think deeply and meditate. And
sometimes, I take inspiration from others. And if it’s on the spot, I try to jot down main points,
create a draft, and then start organizing it.
 ST. MARY’S COLLEGE OF TAGUM, INC.
GRADUATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SMCTI
National Highway, Magugpo East, Tagum City, 8100 Davao del Norte, Philippines
Email Address: graduateeducation@smctagum.edu.ph QTIME
Quality Transformative Ignacian Marian Education Faith • Excellence • Service

2.2 What did you do to cope with the massive ideals that the
young generation of writers are now having? Do you think it is helpful in finding
meaningful inspirations for creative writing? Why?

Yes, the massive ideals is one thing that could take us away from expressing ourselves. We
tend to doubt ourselves and even get anxious. And I agree that finding inspirations from others’
wiritngs is one thing that drives us to motivate ourselves to write something. And that’d start by
reading someone’s masterpiece, relating our selves to it, and get excited to make your own.

2.3 Who helped you in coping with the challenges you have encountered when you
undergo the creative process to create literary pieces?

Myself. If anyone can help me authentically, that’d be myself. Of course I take advice from my
teacher, friends, or anyone. But there’s only me and my decisions at the end.

2.4 What assistance did you seek to help you as you undergo the creative process in
finding meaningful inspirations for creating literary pieces?

Hmmm… the technical aspects of writing. I try to ask others, a teacher, or online.

2.5 How do you motivate yourself to improve your creativity in choosing what
concept should be used in your literary pieces?

Uhmm.. the best way I do to motivate myself is to read. Read others’ works and take inspiration
from it. Of course by reading an authors work or something that I find mutual feelings with.
Again, it’s one thing that excites me to take my turn and put to words everything that runs in my
mind. So that’d be reading.

3. What are the insights of the students regarding the creative process in producing
literary piece?

3.1 What thoughts or impressions can you share to others about the creative process
in finding meaningful inspirations in producing literary pieces?

Just read. Keep reading to find out how to find inspiration and make your own.

3.2 What advice will you give to college students who are now undergoing their
creative writing classes?

Just try to be as natural as possible when writing, write what you can, and write what you are.
Because it would be most fulfilling when it’s authentic.

3.3 What suggestions can you give to help improve your and other students’
creativity in finding meaningful inspirations for creating literary pieces?
 ST. MARY’S COLLEGE OF TAGUM, INC.
GRADUATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SMCTI
National Highway, Magugpo East, Tagum City, 8100 Davao del Norte, Philippines
Email Address: graduateeducation@smctagum.edu.ph QTIME
Quality Transformative Ignacian Marian Education Faith • Excellence • Service

Be honest with yourself. If you need assistance, ask for assistance. And
you have time, try to read more.

3.4 What are your recommendations to education sectors like CHED about the
exploration of the creative process of the college students in producing literary
pieces?

I recommend to give a lot more time for students to do meaningful readings especially in
creative writing, to require students to read novels in a given set of time. Also, encourage
students to produce more literary pieces and that would somehow go to the school student
publication. I re

3.5 What are your realizations as you undergo a creative process to keep on seeking
and finding meaningful inspirations for your creative writing?

During and after the creative process, I have realized that I more than what I think I only can.
Through reading and writing, I am able to understand and know myself more, the other people
and their writings, and the culture of other nations as well. I have realized that not only that I am
communicating with myself, but I am meaningfully communicating with others as well in the
most meaningful and developmental way.

Is there anything else that you would like share more? What are those?

Thank you so much for your honest answers, benevolence, and for sharing your time today.
Your answers and your experience are so beneficial for the completion of this qualitative study.
Once again, your responses to our questions are kept confidential.

Thank you and enjoy the rest of the day.

May God bless you always!