As I sat down to write "Your New York Is Showing," I knew the city itself had to be more than just a backdrop. New York, with all its energy, diversity, and contradictions, was destined to become a character in its own right.
Growing up in rural upstate New York, I was only a 6-hour drive from the Big Apple, but I didn't make my first visit until I was in my early 50s. That trip, taken in mid-November with the city gearing up for the holidays, was nothing short of magical. Despite my ADHD, which usually makes crowds overwhelming and overstimulating, I found myself swept up in the city's unique rhythm. There was a pace and energy that just pulled me in, allowing me to flow with everything and everyone around me.
This experience, combined with my love for Nora Ephron's "When Harry Met Sally" (one of my all-time favorite movies set in NYC), made it clear that New York was the perfect setting for my story.
To capture the essence of New York, I dug deep into my memories of that first visit. I put myself back in that time and emotional state, writing about all the things that excited me when I was there and even including some of the places I wanted to visit but didn’t have time. I think the entire second chapter of the book really embodies the spirit of New York. In that chapter, I'm a little bit John (our protagonist) seeing the city with fresh eyes, and a little bit Ryan (the son of John's recently deceased best friend) with the excitement of a child sharing his favorite places.
Central Park played a particularly important role in my story. It's the perfect place to get away from the buzz of the city and find a quiet spot to be alone with your thoughts and emotions. I used it as a recurring setting, a place where characters could work through their thoughts and feelings.
One challenge I faced was making sure I didn't spend too much time describing the city. While New York is indeed a character in the story, I had to be careful not to make it the main character. It was a delicate balance to strike.
The city helps reflect the mood of what's happening and mirrors what the characters are going through. The story arc follows the changing seasons in New York, starting on a vibrant fall day and progressing through the holidays and changing weather until we finally end at the close of winter and the dawn of spring.
What I hope readers take away from my portrayal of New York is that while it can be a big, intimidating place, it's the small, out-of-the-way areas that make it special. The city is almost a living, breathing beast of its own - you just need to find a way to tame it so that it's enjoyable to you.
Of course, setting a romance in New York during the holiday season was a natural choice. The city and the season are inherently romantic, and when you add a cute couple meeting and falling in love, you've got magic.
If I had to sum up New York in one sentence, I would say: " New York City can knock you down or lift you up; the choice, is entirely up to you."
And I think our main Character John would agree with me because, like John, when I first arrived, it was overwhelming - the noise, the crowds, the constant motion. But as I spent more time there, I began to see the beauty in its chaos. It's a place of endless possibilities, where you can reinvent yourself or rediscover who you truly are.
The city has a way of reflecting your own emotions back at you. When you're down, it can feel cold and unforgiving. But when you're open to it, New York reveals its warmth and magic. It's in the quiet moments in Central Park, the laughter shared over coffee at a neighborhood café, or the breathtaking view of the skyline at sunset.
What I've learned is that New York doesn't change for you - you have to change for it. It demands resilience, adaptability, and a willingness to embrace the unexpected. But if you can do that, the city rewards you with experiences and connections you never thought possible.
Through writing "Your New York Is Showing," I've fallen in love with the city all over again. I hope my readers will too, experiencing its magic through fresh eyes and open hearts.
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