To Be Young And In Love In New York City

Thank You.

Dear Reader,

Where do I even start?

It is actually insane that today, I finished my first novel ever.

That is crazy to even think of.

Flashback to 6th grade, we had a short story writing section in our English test. Our test results came out and my English teacher called my name in the class, announcing to everybody that I was the only one in the entire class that received full marks in the story writing section. She read out my story to everyone, appreciating my writing skills and creativity.

I felt proud and appreciated.

And from that day on, I began my writing journey.

I genuinely believe compliments are the fuel to passion. Because had I not gotten that one compliment that day, this book would not be here.

I began writing stories, coming up with plot ideas, planning novels, starting them but never actually finishing them because it was too much work. I wrote poems here and there and that was it.

Looking back, they were all very bad, but I was only a child and English is not even my first language. Given that, I think I did a great job.

I did own a diary that I constantly wrote my feelings in. In 8th grade, I began writing about the pain I was feeling in the form of poems and songs. I still think they are some of my best pieces.

I do not think I am a great writer but I do think I am a good one with a lot of potential. I used to be a reader but I stopped in 10th grade and didn't pick it up again until now, my first year of university. I do think if I hadn't given up on it, I would be a much better writer, but it's fine. I am proud of how far I have come.

From coming up with lowkey genius plots in 6th grade and dreaming of being a famous writer to having finished my first novel at the age of 17, it's been a ride.

I can't wait to get better at this wonderful skill that even though I procrastinate a lot on doing, I love.

This book was written for my best friend.

Last year, we talked about how crazy it would be if we both lived in New York City one day. Just the thought of it made me so happy and I realized that since her birthday was coming up, I could create a whole story about it, with the main characters being us ; her as Niki and me as Colette.

I created a whole story, characters, added plot twists and worked on it for around 2 months and then on her birthday, I released the first chapter. 

This book single-handedly got me through quarantine. It helped me distract myself from the depressing feelings I would feel as the day set, because the whole day, I would look forward to nighttime which was when I gave myself time to write.

Writing about Colette and Niki and Jay and River, it excited me. It made me happy and there were days when they were all I could think about.

This book is so personal to me and best friend, and only we both know why.

This story and these characters are not a perfect representation of our stories and our lives or our personalities, but it touched our hearts in ways only we know.

To Be Young And In Love In New York City, I love you with my whole heart. You will always have a special place in my heart and saying goodbye to you hurts me.

You changed my life in so many ways.

I will be eternally grateful for you.

And to my best friend for whom this book was written, I love you.

I hope you loved this book as much as I did.

Thank you for all the funny and kind comments you always left. Thank you for your compliments. Little secret, I screenshoted them and saved them in a folder so I can read them when I'm not motivated to write :)

And to you my readers, I love you. 

Thank you for reading.

It means so much more than I can express.

And so one last time, goodbye.

I might see you again sooner than you think ;)