I read that you were inspired to bring this story to life at the age of 19, which is very young. I also understand this is an original story started on Wattpad. Could you tell me a bit about that?
Mercedes Ron: I wrote the book when I was 19. I tried to publish it in the traditional way, but no answer came to me. So I put it on Wattpad, and I think that people were thankful to have a book that I had worked on so much, and they welcomed it very well. And a year later, I was offered the trilogy.
And then it made its way to the big screen. How did that feel for you? How did it all come together?
Mercedes Ron: They told me quite soon, because the book had been published for one and a half years, and it was like a dream come true because I wrote the book thinking about picturing it becoming a film someday. So I was thrilled, and I enjoyed the whole process a lot.
Mercedes Ron: “I wrote the book when I was 19. I tried to publish it in the traditional way, but no answer came to me. So I put it on Wattpad, and I think that people were thankful to have a book that I had worked on so much, and they welcomed it very well. And a year later, I was offered the trilogy.”
Personally, I hadn’t heard of the novels before watching the movies, but after seeing them, I felt like I was returning to the roots of that good old romance. It’s like a classic romantic drama with a bit of a twist. Was that intentional? Do you enjoy traditional romance dramas?
Mercedes Ron: It wasn’t intentional, no. I think that I wrote what I wanted to read at the time. You know, the different subjects. I liked telling a love story. This is what I brought together in the three books. And since I wrote it being a teenager, I was able to connect to the audience who was reading it, so I think that was the key.
You wrote this as a novel in the first place. I’m wondering, did you imagine the cast the way it is right now? Did you see them and say, ‘’Yes, that’s him or, that’s her?’’
Mercedes Ron: Physically, they’re different from what I imagined. She was a blonder. She didn’t have blue eyes. But the important thing was to have chemistry. And when watching them performing their roles, it should be clear that they were Nick and Noah, and they were able to do that. The fans love them so much.
