Happy book birthday, Meah <3
Win Meah Over is out today! It’s out in the wild, and I am terrified at the thought of people reading my words again, but I am also so, so, so happy that we’re here!
It’s not lost on me that I released this book on Ash Wednesday (and on BTS j-hope’s birthday). Did you know that I was supposed to release this on December 30? Then it moved to January 30, then February 11, until I settled on this day. It’s kind of funny how I am caught in this tension between joy and solemnity on the Catholic day, and I feel like it’s fitting that this book, which took so many years, arrives today, of all days.
I was looking through my files last night to do the post about my book in numbers, and I stumbled upon the draft of the acknowledgments that I wrote in 2018, when I was close to finishing the first first draft. I wrote this to motivate myself to reach The End, which I finally did by October that year. I forgot this existed, honestly, so I wrote a completely new one that’s now in the book, but I thought I’d share this here because it still reflects my thoughts for today:
So, this book. Oh my gosh, this book.
There’s so much I want to say about this, but maybe the first appropriate thing would be wohoo I’m so glad I’m done with you guys!
This book was years in the making, and if you’ve been a friend and a reader, you’ve probably heard me rant/worry about this in the past months. Here I thought Meah’s book would be easier because she was most like me in some parts (hello, extroverts!) but in the process of writing I realized just how different and challenging it was to write in the light of eternity. It’s a strange concept, but there were many things about this book that challenged me to the core, made me question how I write and what I write, learned to forgive, and look at everything and everyone – even fictional characters – in love.
So here we are, and truth is I’m writing this thing while I’m halfway through the book. I’m writing it in advance to motivate myself (and if this part makes it to the final note, then yay). It’s been a long journey, and I’ve grown to love Meah and Joseph fiercely, and I am just happy that they finally have their HEA.
Little did my 2018 self know that it would take her almost 8 more years to get it out. Haha.
I also found this first draft, and let me tell you—I’m so glad I didn’t push through with that. While there were so many parts I went, “Oh, that was pretty good,” and “Huh, I wish I kept that in this version,” ultimately, I think the book is now the best it could be. For one, the Joseph in that version was kind of a jerk, and two, I think this version’s message is clearer than the first.
Like what they say, anything worth having never comes easy, and sometimes, it’s all in the timing.
And what a time it is. Thank you to everyone who worked with me, cheered me on, and waited patiently for this book! I’m so happy that Meah finally gets her happily ever after, and I hope that this has been worth the wait. 🙂
The book is now available everywhere — check out the book page for the buy links!
If you’re in the Philippines and you want the print copy, join us for a day of kilig at the #RomanceClass Kilig Cafe on Sunday, February 22, 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Ayala the 30th Activity Center. 🙂 Admission is free! Print copies of all my books will be available until supplies last! And make sure to stay for the live reading. 😉
Hmmm now what do I write next?