I usually write more mature heroines, which I hope regardless of age can resonate even with the younger generation. My main characters are usually in their mid-thirties, who have mostly experienced the many pains of life’s journey.

29 April 2023

The Back Flap

Two worlds. One heart. Twelve hours.

Bianca Maria Curtis is at the brink of losing it all when she meets Eric at a bar in Manhattan. Eric, as it turns out, is the famous Korean drama celebrity Park Hyun Min, and he’s in town for one night to escape the pressures of fame. From walking along Fifth Avenue to eating ice cream at Serendipity to sharing tender moments on top of the Empire State building, sparks fly as Bianca and Eric spend twelve magical hours far away from their respective lives. In that time, they talk about the big stuff: love, life, and happiness, and the freedom they both seek to fully exist and not merely survive.

But real life is more than just a few exhilarating stolen moments in time.

As the clock strikes the twelfth hour, Bianca returns back to the life she detests to face a tragedy that will test her strength and resolve—and the only thing she has to keep going is the memory of a man she loves in secret from a world away.

About the Book

What is the Book about?

Twelve Hours in Manhattan is my brave attempt to write a fan fiction. Though it centered on a woman’s journey after a tragedy, the male character was inspired by a celebrated South Korean actor I admire. It’s a tale of two lost souls finding each other and spending twelve magical hours together, both seeking anonymity and freedom.  What happened after the twelve hours is where the true story begins.

When did you start writing the book?

I started writing Twelve Hours in Manhattan at the beginning of the pandemic. With the world closing down, and tragedy hitting so many, I wanted to explore a world where there is hope and a grand happy ending amidst all the hurting.

How long did it take you to write the book?

The first draft, I finished in three months.  Again, it was a brave attempt – but it turned out, some people liked it enough to make it this far. I am proud of this book. So proud of how it came together.

Where did you get the idea from?

It started with my fascination with Korean dramas. There are so many on Netflix that it was all I watched for a time. I wanted to explore a story inspired by a famous South Korean celebrity that I admired. I wanted to create a world where I get to see a glimpse of his personal life. Of course, all of this was make-believe, but I wrote with excitement as I discovered pain, tragedy, being lost, failing, and eventually of finding one’s self in the midst of a major storm.

Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?

Yes. There were issues I wanted to highlight but couldn’t in great detail because the themes were dark and heavy.  Also, I don’t know South Korean culture enough to expound on it further. But I am a fan, I went on a tour of Seoul before I started Twelve Hours in Manhattan, and what I wrote was mostly from my love of Korean dramas.

What came easily?

The fabric of the story was pre-cut for me. I knew it was a tale I needed to discover, and I wrote it fast because I was inspired by the heroine’s journey. It was easy for me to talk about friendship and family and love, and the complexities of it.

Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?

Borrowed is a little pushing it, but my male main character, like I said earlier, was inspired by one of my favorite South Korean actors. I simply shaped my character, Eric, in his likeness. Everything is fictitious, for sure, but I had this strong vision in my head while crafting my story.

We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there particular authors that have influenced how you write, and if so, how have they influenced you?

Plenty! I’ve been reading since I was ten. But for sure my greatest influence were Colleen Hoover, Taylor Jenkins Reid and Danielle Steele. Their works are simple but pulling, heavy but hopeful, a slice of life that we can all see ourselves in. It is my dream to have my name next to them someday.

Do you have a target reader?

I usually write more mature heroines, which I hope regardless of age can resonate even with the younger generation. My main characters are usually in their mid-thirties, who have mostly experienced the many pains of life’s journey. Twelve Hours in Manhattan was initially regarded as a romcom, which it is not. It has some very heavy themes.  But the goal is that anyone who reads it could find a sliver of hope that I was trying to inspire.

About Writing

Do you have a writing process? If so, can you please describe it?

I am learning as I go along.  But here are a few things I do to make sure I get my creative juices flowing.

• Since I work full time, I have to make room for my writing.
• I try to find that one place where my creative energy is most abundant. It is not one place so I am constantly on the look-out.
• Set alarms for everything so you focus on your writing – stay away from social media when you can.
• Love yourself. It’s the ultimate gift. Just know you can do it, and eventually you get to write “the end.”

Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?

Once a story hits me, I usually go without a guide. But as soon as I get to the middle, it’s when I start outlining sequences and scenes. It’s never easy to just go with the flow, but the beauty of understanding your characters is that they actually take you there themselves. I find this to be true. Fascinating, really.

Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?                     

Someone once told me that I should just go and finish the first draft before editing. But I can’t help it. There are times where I remember something midway then I go back and edit. I admire writers who can just go.

Do you listen to music while you write?  If so, what gets the fingers tapping?

Absolutely! Music centers me, my brain, my soul. I have a playlist on repeat for every story that I write.  I start with picking and choosing music that best describes my ideas and my feelings for a particular project. Every time I am veering away, I just hit play and I’m back on track.

About Publishing

Did you submit your work to agents?

Some projects, yes. But ultimately, I go back to my publisher who always understands my vision.

What made you decide to go indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?

When I finished writing my debut, After Perfect, I didn’t know what to do. I didn’t know the publishing world enough. I wasn’t even sure that project was ever going to see the light of day.  I wrote it as a form of selfcare. Then, one of my friends read it and encouraged me to explore the idea of publishing. The first publisher I found, I pitched – She Writes Press’s visions are aligned with mine, so it was a perfect fit. It was heaven sent I found them the time that I did.

Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?

She Writes Press cover designers are the best! They know their craft and can translate everything we envision into a work of art.

Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging in?

I’d say winging it as I go along.  I will be in a few bookstores in the coming months for a variety of exciting book events. See you all soon!

Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming indie author?

Don’t succumb to imposter syndrome or get over it immediately. You are a writer and be proud of your story because you’re the only one who can tell it. Be proud of it every single day. It’s not easy to write a book much less decide to publish one. So well done us! Also, find your tribe immediately. These are the humans who are going to shout out loud about your book and cheer for you all the way. Being a writer is already a lonely endeavor, so find your people and embrace them. Our friendships with book people are our super power.

About You

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in Manila, Philippines.

Where do you live now?

I call suburban Washington, D.C. home now.

What would you like readers to know about you?

I adore them. Book people are my people.

What are you working on now?

Again, not a romcom.  I’m writing a story about a family curse set in the Philippines during the Japanese American war. It’s loosely based on stories my grandmother used to tell me when I was young. Those stories were both riveting and endearing.  I want to be able to capture that as well. It’s about four strong women who each went on a journey not just to find their roots but also themselves. I’m so excited about it! Did I tell you it is set in the Philippines?

End of Interview:

Get your copy of Twelve Hours in Manhattan from Amazon US or Amazon UK.