Mina V. Esguerra's Blog, page 34
July 20, 2015
I’d Totally Go on a Date with Raine Sarmiento [NCBD 2015 Blog tour]
Today is National Children’s Book Day and for my blog tour post, the topic is: Which artist/illustrator would be your “dream date”?
My answer is Raine Sarmiento! Haha.
We sort of met a few times, but most of our collaboration was done through email. And that hardly seems fair! We should actually talk in person sometime too!
Who are your favorite Pinoy illustrators and writers of children’s lit?
July 12, 2015
The Year We Became Invincible by Mae Coyiuto [Excerpt]
Out this month! Thank you to author Mae Coyiuto for providing this excerpt!
Book description:
Dear Future Reader,
If you’re reading this book, it’s either:
1. You’re my future partner
2. I’m famous and my writings have been immortalized
3. You’ve violated my privacy and these are not meant for you
Let’s hope it’s not the last one. Before this year, I had my life all planned out. This book contains the story of the year that changed my life (well, my life so far). It’s the year I learned how to be invincible. That wasn’t really specific, but I guess you have to read on to see what I’m talking about.
Love,
Camille
Excerpt:
Hello Hi Dear future partner,
It’s pretty funny how we may be complete strangers right now. It’s even funnier to think that we may not be strangers. I read somewhere that 80% of the population would have met the person they were going to marry by the age of 18. Considering how large 80% is and that I’m turning 18 next year, there is a huge probability that we’ve already met.
‘Why am I writing to you now?’ you may ask. I don’t have a direct answer for you, but I guess everything that happened today got me thinking.
Today was my older sister Lea’s birthday, and she brought her boyfriend Martin over for dinner. They have been going out for a while now. Martin dresses really well. I remember that he wore yellow pants the last time he came over. He was the kind of guy who could pull off yellow pants.
“How’re your parents? Please tell them hi for me,” Mom would always say.
“How’re things going in the office?” Dad would then ask.
My mom calls Martin “perfect.” “Perfect” is not a simple word that can be used to describe just anything. It takes something or someone special to be called “perfect.” I wonder what made Mom decide to call Martin ‘perfect’. After we had dinner, Martin gave Lea a fancily wrapped box. It was a bracelet with shiny charms dangling from it. My little sister Nikki and Mom squealed. Dad smiled in approval. Lea said she loved it and kissed Martin on the cheek.
Later that night, as I was going to bed, I looked into Lea’s room and saw her put the bracelet in a cardboard box.
She saw me and asked, “Do you want it?”
“I don’t really like flashy jewelry.”
“Yeah, same here.”
I saw that there were lots of other similar gifts in the box. She put the lid back on and slid it under her bed. I thought that telling Martin the truth would be easier than having to hide all that stuff. I guess my sister thinks differently.
If I’m with the person that I’m going to spend the rest of my life with, I would want him to know that I didn’t like jewelry. I want to be able to tell him what I don’t like and mean it when I say, “I love it.” That’s why I’m writing to you now, future partner, so that you could get to know me – the real me.
Hopefully you wouldn’t like me less after reading all of these letters.
Looking forward to meet you,
Camille
The Year We Became Invincible by Mae Coyiuto, Anvil Publishing, 2015.
July 9, 2015
Favorite Filipino Children’s Books [NCBD2015 Blog Tour]
What are your favorite Filipino children’s books?
My criteria for this changed a bit, when I became a mom. What I look for now is a book that has a flow to it, use of words that encourages a kid to participate, and makes for a good reading experience for both me (the reader) and her (the audience).
The Great Duck and Crocodile Race by Robert Magnuson. This was recommended to me by Tarie Sabido, and she was right — my daughter loved this. As we read it more, she takes over more of the words, and soon she’ll be reading it to me. There’s also a crocodile in a skirt, and that’s always funny.
When she’s older, we’ll read this next. A sweet, sweet story, lovingly told.
June 30, 2015
That time when I hosted #TessaDareinPH
A photo posted by Mina V. Esguerra (@minavesguerra) on Jun 27, 2015 at 6:11pm PDT
I can talk all day about how vibrant the reading and writing culture of my country is, and what a great time it is to be someone who likes books. But for now, I’ll selfishly focus on one specific thing: I got to meet and host the book signing of historical romance author Tessa Dare. Yeah!
I’ve binged on her books, and by the time the June 27 came along, I was a Twitter-following, Instagram-posting fangirl. Then I told myself, calm down, woman. You need to stay focused, long enough to have a clear conversation with her and the other devoted readers who came to see her. The signing was arranged by National Book Store, and they gave us time to ask her questions about her life, her books, her work.
(Truth: I didn’t ask all my questions. I opted to leave some for the audience Q&A, and the others I dismissed as “too super fangirly.”)
Tessa Dare’s books, a dozen or so of them, are available in branches of National Book Store and Powerbooks. Her brand of Regency historical romance is funny and modern (I know, but you’ll understand when you start reading it). I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again: Reading her books feels like watching Mad Men, to me, like we’re seeing a period piece but through the eyes of someone from our time, and she’s telling us to remember that people may have been dressed differently, but they/we were always this way.
A photo posted by Mina V. Esguerra (@minavesguerra) on Jun 27, 2015 at 6:21pm PDT
Her latest series is called Castles Ever After. Its third book, When A Scot Ties The Knot, is coming out in August. It just so happens that I’m so caught up in Outlander, so it had me at “Scot.” And maybe “knot.”
Goodie bag from #TessaDareinPH! It has CHOCOLATE!
A photo posted by Mina V. Esguerra (@minavesguerra) on Jun 27, 2015 at 5:06am PDT
Thank you for asking me to host this, National Book Store! And thank you for giving historical romance readers a chance to meet and fangirl.
June 24, 2015
Question: Have you ever disagreed with what your editor commented about your story? Do you follow all their comments?
I’ve been getting questions sent to me through email, Wattpad, and Ask.fm. I think I’ll discuss some of them here on the blog too.
I’ve worked with at least five editors (and a few more beta readers) since I began writing and publishing, and yes, it still happens that I disagree with their comments. Sometimes. 
I cave of course to anything factual, grammar-related, or lapses in logic in my story. Those I definitely work on, immediately.
Sometimes the comments or suggestions are what some people would consider subjective. More of, there’s nothing wrong with what I wrote, but the editor thinks it should be done another way. Based on her experience, knowledge, and instinct, she’s probably right. When I get these, I start thinking as a publisher, and evaluate what’s best for the book, and will this change help the book meet the goals I have for it. I appreciate when an editor makes me push a little more, and recognizes when I backed out of writing a scene out of fear or laziness. It helps me a lot, and that’s why they’re there, and so valuable.
The times when I put my foot down and defy an editor’s comment is when I know this is what I want to do, and it will be done this particular way. When that happens I take responsibility for the story, all of it, even the “bad parts.” I must warn you though, this is usually a risk, and you could lose readers and buyers if you’re too risky. But I feel this is something I need to do sometimes, so I know what’s possible.
June 22, 2015
Facebook event: #MoreLoveinPH (June 27 and 28)
Romance readers! We’re going to have a multi-author online event (on Facebook) this weekend!
On June 27 and 28, Pinoy romance authors will be posting, discussing things, and giving away bookish stuff. I will be on board on Sunday, June 28, from 2 PM to 3 PM, and will be giving away free ebooks to everyone who’s online and commenting on my discussion posts at the time. And I have some giveaways too for people who show up and comment during the other author time slots.
Here’s the schedule!
Saturday, June 27
10AM-11AM Romance Writers of the Philippines (Kick-Off)
11AM-12NN Ines Bautista Yao
12NN-1PM Cassandra Javier
1PM-2PM Fay Sebastian
2PM-3PM Carla de Guzman
3PM-4PM Edith Joaquin
4PM-5PM Bianca Mori
5PM-6PM Claire Du
6PM-7PM C. P. Santi
7PM-8PM Ana Tejano
8PM-9PM Chrissie Peria
Sunday, June 28
10AM-11AM Miles Tan
11AM-12NN Marian Tee
12NN-1PM Eve Montelibano (Official)
1PM-2PM Kristel S. Villar
2PM-3PM Mina V. Esguerra
3PM-4PM Six de los Reyes
4PM-5PM Aileen Santos (SPRG (Student Paranormal Research Group))
5PM-6PM Racquel Sarah Castro
6PM-7PM Stella Torres
7PM-8PM Angela Pangilinan
8PM-9PM Romance Writers of the Philippines (Last Hurrah)
June 13, 2015
Back to Manila for my next two books-in-progress
The next book I’m writing is set in Manila, featuring Filipino characters, again. It’ll fall under my Chic Manila series. Just thinking about it feels like a warm welcome back into my comfort zone, although I’m throwing in some more personal challenges my way so I don’t bore myself as I write it. You’ll be able to track the progress of my planning and writing here on Pinterest.
Follow Mina’s board Damon and Andrea on Pinterest.
Yes, that’s Damon and Andrea, from my short story Wedding Night Stand.
I started planning this book after closing the draft on my fifth (and final, for now) Spotlight New Adult book. That series is set in California, Texas, and New York. I am not. I want to say though that not physically being in those places has not made the books seem less “real” to me — in fact, I felt more freedom to explore real feelings and thoughts I’ve had, precisely because of the physical distance. It’s a great thing to have been able to do as an author, and I’ll go back there when I get the chance.
The next two books I’m writing are set in the Philippines again because while the plots and characters could be right at home in the Spotlight series, they feel right for Chic Manila too. Which really excites me. It feels like I have something new to learn, again.
June 9, 2015
Sneak peek: The “Live Like Fiction” challenge
I just finished writing the draft of my latest Spotlight New Adult book (I’ve been calling it Someone Else’s Fantasy). The main character is (or was) a blogger, and the plot has her doing a series of monthly blog challenges, asking her to “Live Like Fiction.”
With the help of some friends on Twitter, I put together a year’s worth of challenges. Some of these play a major role in the story. Others might just be fun, haha. Here’s the full year:
LIVE LIKE FICTION – Monthly challenges
January: Tell him he’s cute. And then walk away.
February: Walk around with a bouquet of roses on Valentine’s Day. Give them to a random person when you’re sick of it.
March: Dance in the rain in a public place.
April: At a bookstore, when you see someone browsing through a book you like, buy it for him.
May: Look out any window, find someone within waving distance, and introduce yourself.
June: Be someone’s fairy godmother/wise wizard/deus ex machina.
July: Go on a picnic with someone, lie flat on the grass, and hold a conversation.
August: Visit a place you’ve never been to and introduce yourself to the most interesting person you see there.
September: When in an elevator, say out loud: “So what would we do if we got stuck here together?”
October: Go out with a stereotypical romance novel hero WHO ISN’T YOUR TYPE.
November: Wear that favorite, iconic outfit at an inappropriate time and place.
December: Create your own inappropriate moment under the mistletoe.
Let me know if you end up doing any of these? Enjoy!
June 7, 2015
Spotlight New Adult (international digital editions) will now be under Flirt Publishing
Hey everyone: My Spotlight New Adult series now has an international digital publisher! Thank you, Flirt Publishing!
The Spotlight books are my US-setting New Adult books. You know, the ones with Nicholas, Jake, Oliver, and soon, Nathan and Grayson. Some of the books are available on Amazon now, but soon there will be a switch to the new Flirt Publishing editions.
What this means for you, the reader: If you’ve already bought the ebooks, thank you! You won’t need to get the new ones. If you haven’t yet, it might be a good time to wait and see how they package this and you’ll probably get a good deal coming your way. If you buy my ebooks from buqo then you don’t need to do anything, because the current editions will remain there and not switch over. Anvil’s Spark Books is publishing the print editions in the Philippines, and will continue to do so.
What this means for me, the author: More time to write, and offer writing classes, which is where the career has been going lately. I will continue to self-publish (digitally) my Philippine-setting books, and may transition to more publishing in the future, when I don’t feel like writing so much anymore. But I do feel like writing more, and want to use the free time I do have working on that.
Let me know how you feel about this! Tweet me at @minavesguerra or email me (minavesguerra@gmail.com) if you have any questions.
#SparkNA: An update
#SparkNA F2F earlier. Thanks again, @minavesguerra, @ClarissaEstacio and everyone! Okay, back to work. #IMustSubmit pic.twitter.com/5WoLJRguxi
— Veronica S. Herrera (@veronicasherre) June 6, 2015
The #SparkNA class has ended! Sponsored by Anvil Publishing’s Spark Books imprint, this free online class set out to help authors write and finish a contemporary new adult novella. And possibly get them a print deal. Over 200 writers signed up, with over 80 moving on to officially join the class.
On June 6, the last day, we received these submissions. Each one is a complete NA novella!
1. Chasing Waterfalls by Justine Camacho-Tajonera
2. A Thing Called Love by Cassandra Javier
3. Princess in Yellow Ribbon by Racquel Sarah A. Castro
4. Something Real by Addie Lynn Co
5. Midnights in Bali by Carla de Guzman
6. Meeting Serendipity by She Fuertes
7. One More Chance by Farrah F. Polestico
8. No Lunch by Therese Barleta
9. The Problem With Being Laura by Sue Donymko
10. Scandalized by Tara Frejas
11. Aphrodite’s Son by Chenley Cabaluna
12. Once Upon A Chance by Kathleen Ocampo
13. Borderline Dangerous by Ysa Arcangel
14. Serenade by Claire Du
15. Night Runs, Hot Flashes by Brigitte Bautista
16. Simply Joei by Clare Elisabeth Marquez
17. Waiting for the Sunrise by Six de los Reyes
18. Beautifully Broken by Nina Tuballes
19. All That Glitters by Ines Bautista-Yao
20. Love On The Run by Angel Constantino Aquino
21. Love Gone Viral by Myra Mortega
22. Not Part of the Plan by C.P. Santi
23. Private Island by Amae Dechavez
24. Breakfast with Brie by Irene Nicolas-Recio
25. Speeding Through A Blind Curve by Chi Rodriguez
26. Sweet Escape by Kristine Cuevas
27. Flight 143 by Cyril Dayao
28. Chasing Mr. Prefect by Katt Briones
29. Not In That Way by Audrine Pascal
30. Bear With Me by Veronica S. Herrera
31. Living In My Head by Ana Valenzuela
Congratulations! So pleased with the turnout. It was a wild ride for many of them, especially those who haven’t tried writing a full book in 2 months. Look forward to seeing these books on shelves (both digital and physical) soon!
Our next class is a paranormal/fantasy-themed one! Go to bronzeage.ph/strangelit for info. (I’m not teaching but my company is running the class.)
