Jay E. Tria
Author

Jay E. Tria

  • Writing Now

    A Day in the Friendzone. November 17, Monday, afternoon, one year ago

    September 20, 2016 - By 

    This is a companion short story to Miki‘s book, Songs to Get Over You. *** “That girl?” “Nope.” “The one to her left? Pink sweater, legs that go on for days. Wow.” “I’m pretty sure I can’t.” “How about her friend?” “Too bulky…” “Mikhail. Are you a weight-ist?” “No!” Miki shrank back at the laser beam glare Jill shot at him. He put both palms up and rushed out his explanation. “I actually think she’s pretty and perfectly rounded in the right places.” They were sitting on the gnarled wooden bench in the College of Economics front lobby, slumped on…

  • Writing Now

    [Repost] #romanceclass: Love and Secret Identities

    September 11, 2016 - By 

    I see a few of the previous #romanceclass articles featured confessions. So here is mine: I’m using a pen name. That won’t come off as a shock, I am sure, since I’ve been fairly open about it. When I first decided to venture into self-publishing, the next decision to make wasn’t even if I was going to use a pen name, but what pen name to use. I told myself I was doing it to separate my identities. I wanted my author self to be in this box, while the rest of me—the corporate girl, the teacher—to be in this…

  • Tourism

    Things to Do on a Spring Trip to Tokyo: Sumida Park, Nakamise Street, Tokyo Skytree,

    August 18, 2016 - By 

    Day 4 was our last day in Tokyo. But since we had a late flight, there was still time to go around after hotel check out. We wandered back to Nakamise Street, Sensoji Temple, then back to Sumida Park, enjoying our last full view of the sakura. There was an aptly called Sakura Plaza, an elevated area where you can sit and enjoy the view of the trees and the blooms, the river, and the people around you–grandpas in their bikes, mothers and daughters out for a Sunday morning stroll, friends picnicking under the spring sun.

  • Tourism

    Things to Do on a Spring Trip to Tokyo: Tsukiji Market, Yoyogi Park, Takeshita-dori, Ueno

    August 18, 2016 - By 

    Day 3. I cannot not go back to Tsukiji Market. I know Tokyo had awesome sushi everywhere, but after last year’s market experience, I just had to have it again. So I led the way back to Tsukiji for a late second breakfast, finding Iwasa Sushi, the same restaurant where Hazel and I ate last year. I like that place because the line was forgiving unlike the more popular shops. We waited for only 20 minutes. Their sushi was heaven, even their free refillable green tea and miso soup were so good. Also the staff there are very nice. The okasan staff…

  • Book Review

    Review and Excerpts: When Sparks Fly by Ines Bautista-Yao

    August 15, 2016 - By 

    Twenty-four-year-old photographer’s apprentice Regina has always felt like the plain, dull orange next to the shiny red apple that is her best friend Lana. But then she meets Ben—the first guy to ever break Lana’s heart, and the first guy to ever make Regina feel that he only has eyes for her. As Regina finds herself falling hard for Ben, she also finds herself breaking all the rules of best-friendship. Will she give up the love of her life for Lana, or will she finally realize that she deserves her share of the spotlight, too? When Sparks Fly can be…

  • Writing Now

    #romanceclass Lectures: Rock Stars and Journalists

    August 7, 2016 - By 

    #romanceclass is a community of Filipino romance authors (mostly indie, or hybrid) and readers. We organize our feelings two ways — Feels Day (live readings, etc. See here and here if you don’t know what that means) and romance writing lectures (guest speakers). This Saturday was a lecture on journalism romance. Yes, that’s a thing. Because, come on: View this post on Instagram   Google ‘sapiosexual.’ Because that would basically explain the kind of electricity that charged the room. Everyone who signed up to this lecture did so with no certain knowledge of who the speakers would be. Not until…