I wasn’t there in 2013. If I was, I would have been able to see how the seeds of feels that the pioneer #romanceclass lovingly planted then have sprouted branches in many directions and blossomed into these Things that are happening now. I mean, we know we’re not yet convention hall levels (although we’ve joked about that) or quit-day-job-suck-it-boss levels (wish). But can you imagine how wonderful it is that before there was just one person and one class, and some three years later, one hot, sticky April summer day looked like this?
Browsing Tag
Indie Writer Philippines
The Backlist Revival Project is a fresh initiative to bring life to #romanceclass books that have been around for a while. For the month of March, the project features Cities, the debut book of multitalented, exceedingly artistic author Carla de Guzman.
Celia has dreams.
She dreams of going to Seoul for that scholarship she never took, of leaving everything behind and moving to New York.
In all those dreams, she finds herself attached to Benedict, the boy she has always loved, who didn’t love her back.Ben believes in parallel worlds.
Worlds where the things you didn’t do come true—worlds where he went to London and fell in love with Celia, where he shows up on the day she needed him most. He believes that dreams are glimpses into that parallel world, and it’s not a coincidence that Celia’s been having them too.It’s the day of Ben’s wedding, in the middle of a typhoon in Manila. How will these dreams and unmade decisions change their lives? Will they bring them closer together, or just drive them further apart?
Celia has dreams.What if all the ‘what ifs’ you ever had actually existed in different planes and you’re just not aware of it? What if in this reality, he loved someone else, while in the other, he loved you back?
De Guzman’s Cities is rooted on this intriguing premise, of multiverses that exist next to each other, of multiple lives one person could be living in different planes of existence. It felt very abstract to me, and at times I found myself being stopped by thoughts that go ‘wait—what?’ But a few pages in, I decided to stop overanalyzing everything and just settle into enjoying each story.
Celia, Ben, Vivian and Henry have loved each other in many different ways, and in different permutations. In each of the three cities, their love stories start differently, progress differently, and conclude with scenes that shift in abrupt takes, much like rapid blinks of the eyes in dreams. Seoul is fun, flirty and swift, propelled by the urgency of young love and the classic obstacle of rich-man-loves-common-spunky-woman. London is a slower, more potent brew of friends and flings. New York is brisk too, but there is a level of comfort there, a warmth against the big city’s inherent zing; even the lines of conflict felt familiar. But Manila is where it all begins and ends, on a wedding day that defied a storm.
Cities does not try to answer the ‘what ifs?’, but instead tries to explore one after another. Each city provides a colorful backdrop that sets a unique tone to each multiverse. I would have wanted a more consistent POV—the head-hopping jars me out of the narrative at times—but De Guzman’s prose is friendly, and the depth of her imagination pushed me out of the safe borders of my reality. Read it, and like Celia, maybe you too will be consumed by the question: what if in another universe, you loved me too?
About the author
Carla de Guzman had horrible handwriting as a kid. That didn’t stop her from writing, though. Riddled with sleep apnea and a vivid imagination, she started writing every midnight. She grew up with her toes in the sand and her bags packed and ready to go on adventures. These books are chronicles of her journeys, with a silly love story mixed in.
The Backlist Revival tour for Anne Plaza’s romance novella In Over Her Head. is still happening! Thanks to this project, I was able to pull the book out of my impossible TBR pile (haha) for a quick review. Also, it has given me an opportunity to interview the author herself. Read on as we discuss romance versus urban fantasy, Richard vs. Jerome, and her ultimate book boyfriend. Yep, I made her choose.
1. I know you wrote this story as part of the first ever #romanceclass. Can you tell me a few things that stuck with you about the experience?
I learned A LOT about organizing my thoughts. Sure, I’ve outlined the stories I’ve written back when I was doing NaNoWriMo (I skipped last year though), but it’s different when you’re following something precise and already tested. The three-act outline is something that I still use to this day, and I find it so useful in my writing, even if I’m not working on a romance story. It helped me stay focused on providing logical and sensible progression in the story, as well as a better appreciation of the characters in every stage. I like that I learn something new about my characters even if I draft out character profiles before outlining the story. Although the story tends to “write itself” as you go along (outline or no outline), having a concrete direction helps get me back on track.
And beyond the technical aspect of what I learned in class, I guess one of the most important things that made an impact with me is the sense of community in this little group. I love how #romanceclass goes beyond supporting each author’s work–we also champion each other’s creative spirit.
2. A lot has happened since you’ve written this book, in terms of stuff you’ve written and even in terms of the publishing landscape. Back then, did you imagine you’d have the writing life that you’re still living now?
I never really thought I’d still be writing up to now. I tend to procrastinate A LOT and sometimes I have to really force myself to instill the discipline that comes with being an author. I could have stopped doing this after publishing In Over Her Head. I mean, I already crossed off that one item in the bucket list, so I should move on to the next. But I’m glad I didn’t settle for just one book. When I realized that I could actually do this, I wanted more. I’m grateful to be surrounded by people who continue to encourage me as I do this.
3. IOOH delves deeply into the question of second chances. Did you ever consider Erika choosing a different ending for herself?
When I was working on the outline for this story, I initially wanted a neutral ending. Meaning Erika doesn’t choose any guy, but instead chooses herself. She has a lot of hangups, most of them stemming from issues she had not let go. But as I mentioned previously about stories wanting to write themselves, Erika wanted to choose someone. I’d been steering her back to the original idea, but she was stubborn. She talked incessantly in my head, did lots of crazy stuff as I was writing the scenes. But in the end I think she made it clear to me that she wasn’t taking no for an answer. When I wrote the beginnings of the choice she wanted to make, she started to take it easy on me haha. But seriously, I think it all worked out for the best. I’m glad I made the decision to let Erika write her story instead of fighting it. 🙂
4. Richard or Jerome? Why? Choose one only.
Richard. Because he found a way. 🙂 Can’t say much without spoiling anything haha.
5. Who is your book boyfriend? Choose one only.
OMG this is HARD. But okay, off the top of my head: Bowen Driscol (from Tessa Bailey‘s Risking It All).
6. You’ve written in both romance and urban fantasy. Do you intend to pursue both genres in your upcoming projects?
Romance would always be my happy place, but ever since I let that urban fantasy story out of my head, it’s been calling to me. At the moment I think I will pursue speculative fiction in the next writing project/s, but there could be some romance elements there, so I’m not completely abandoning the genre.
7. Any new releases we can look forward to?
I’m hoping to finish book 2 of my #StrangeLit piece soon! Also, an Amazon version of Bloodline Maharlika (that’s book 1!) is in the works. I’m thrilled to work on this series (and it’s my first serial WIP too), so I’m hoping I get everything done real soon.
Thank you Anne for your awesome answers! 🙂
About the book:
All she wants is to get even…
Erika Apostol’s quiet and unassuming life gets disrupted when she learns that Richard Javier, the very same person who broke her heart many years ago, is now back in the country. Her world is turned upside down as old feelings she thought were buried resurface to haunt her once more.
Determined to give Richard a dose of his own medicine, Erika finds herself involved in an outrageous plan devised by her friends. They enlist the help of Jerome Gonzales, an attractive and charismatic DJ (with a playboy reputation), to pose as her significant other.
As the plan goes in full swing, Erika discovers Richard’s jealous side, and that there’s something more to Jerome than meets the eye. Will this grand charade work out the way it should, or will she be left with nothing in the end?
About the Author
Anne Plaza writes contemporary romance, young adult, and speculative fiction novellas. She has been into writing since high school and has been actively pursuing it on a professional level despite having a totally unrelated bachelor’s degree. Her first contemporary New Adult romance novella In Over Her Head was published in 2013 and was subsequently nominated for the 2014 Filipino Reader’s Choice Awards Romance in English.
When not writing, Anne juggles time in her day job, obsessing over her TV show fandoms, and shopping for new books to add to her growing TBR pile.
Connect with her at:
Email | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads
Sign up for her mailing list for exclusive updates and giveaways
We’re revisiting firsts! Some of our favorite authors’ first ever books, that is. Thanks to the Backlist Revival project, I got a chance to enjoy Anne Plaza‘s first ever romance novel, In Over Her Head. Read on to learn more about the book:
Erika Apostol’s quiet and unassuming life gets disrupted when she learns that Richard Javier, the very same person who broke her heart many years ago, is now back in the country. Her world is turned upside down as old feelings she thought were buried resurface to haunt her once more.
Determined to give Richard a dose of his own medicine, Erika finds herself involved in an outrageous plan devised by her friends. They enlist the help of Jerome Gonzales, an attractive and charismatic DJ (with a playboy reputation), to pose as her significant other.
As the plan goes in full swing, Erika discovers Richard’s jealous side, and that there’s something more to Jerome than meets the eye. Will this grand charade work out the way it should, or will she be left with nothing in the end?
Breaking up is the easy part. It’s the moving on thing that’s a complete and utter chore, because that part you have to do on your own. And that I think is Erika‘s essential debacle in this story. It’s easy to sympathize with her pain; with how horrible she felt after her boyfriend Richard dumped her like that, unceremoniously and over what seemed like a career opportunity. Her heart was left in such fragile little pieces that even after 10 years she still had not picked herself up. So I kind of understand where the push came from when she hastily agreed to the get-back-at-the-ex plan. No, it wasn’t the smartest nor was it the most mature of moves, but coming from that place of hurt, it did make sense.
I liked Jerome. I liked how he was, deep inside, a real cupcake. I liked how he called Erika out and pushed her to make decisions she wouldn’t dare face on her own. I liked how Richard tried with Erika. I’m not sure I would have accepted that Starbucks bag, but that’s just me. I liked Lorra and how much she cared about Erika, though it bothered me a little that a lot of the things happening in Lorra’s life apparently didn’t breach Erika’s radar. (Come on girls, your friendship!)
I got my feels right where I wanted them, plus an extra dose because of Gio‘s voice in my head (heh refer to the #romanceclass podcast). Reading the last few scenes, I agreed with how things turned out. But then I’d mull it over again and I’d change my mind. I think that’s just me too, this general indecision and the fallibility of my feelings. How about you read the book too and let’s discuss?
About the Author
Anne Plaza writes contemporary romance, young adult, and speculative fiction novellas. She has been into writing since high school and has been actively pursuing it on a professional level despite having a totally unrelated bachelor’s degree. Her first contemporary New Adult romance novella In Over Her Head was published in 2013 and was subsequently nominated for the 2014 Filipino Reader’s Choice Awards Romance in English.
When not writing, Anne juggles time in her day job, obsessing over her TV show fandoms, and shopping for new books to add to her growing TBR pile.
Connect with her at:
Email | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads
Sign up for her mailing list for exclusive updates and giveaways
Rain scenes are great. Rain scenes read by Gio and Rachel are even more awesome.
Episode 8 of the #romanceclass podcast is another live recording from Filipino Readercon! YAY! In this excerpt from Miles Tan‘s Finding X, Rachel Coates is Carlisle, and Gio Gahol is Matteo, two awkward geeks stuck inside a dark car that was being pelted by rain. Shirts get wet, shirts get changed, blushes spread on cheeks. Lots of awesome. Continue Reading
Writing Now
#romanceclass Podcast Episode 7: The Boyfriend Backtrack by Dawn Lanuza
Posted on February 14, 2016You really had to be there. But if you weren’t, well too bad. Hehe. But the #romanceclass podcast gives you the next best thing.
Episode 7 of the #romanceclass podcast features a scene from The Boyfriend Backtrack by Dawn Lanuza. Gio Gahol (as Chase) and Rachel Coates (as Regina) performed this scene at Filipino Readercon last year. And it got us swooning so bad, we had to stuff our fists into our mouths to keep from erupting into a mess of feels. It really is a different kind of experience seeing Gio and Rachel perform live. Listen to the recording below, and hopefully you’d want to join us on the next live reading? Okay? Yay, GREAT!
