As you might know, my chick-lit novel The Manhattan Mishap recently launched. That’s right. You can now get your hands on a copy of my book baby! It’s been such a long time coming. I totally feel like a proud mamacita. And to celebrate, I wanted to share with you the three biggest inspirations behind The Manhattan Mishap.

One piece of advice I definitely took to heart when writing this novel was “write what you know.” Although The Manhattan Mishap is a work of fiction, it definitely draws on my own personal experiences. After all, what do I know better than fashion, friends, and fickle careers?

Attention: there are some slight spoilers ahead. If you haven’t read The Manhattan Mishap yet, grab your copy here!

The 3 Biggest Inspirations Behind My Chick-Lit Novel The Manhattan Mishap

Fashion

I’ve always loved fashion. Since I was a little girl wearing snakeskin pencil skirts to elementary school. Growing up in Victoria, the concept of fashion sometimes seemed slightly out of my grasp. However, I made it work. Because what else can you do? By the time I reached high school, I was fully obsessed with Sex and the City, writing the fashion column for the school paper, and thrifting or altering my wardrobe.

Want to know something semi-cringe? I actually showed up to English AP wearing canary yellow patent pleather stilettos. Yes, for real. My closet didn’t know the idea of comfort over style.

In my novel The Manhattan Mishap, the main character Margot is similar in many ways. Although, she grew up in Toronto where fashion is way more accessible. She loves experimenting with her wardrobe. One of her biggest pet peeves? Blending into the crowd. In the opening chapter, she has a battle with her oversized blazer, a gush of love for her leather boots, and a struggle with her lustrous vinyl pants.

READ MORE: The Decade-Long Story of How I Became a Fashion Writer

Friends

Friends, frenemies, ferocious foes. Chances are, if you’ve truly lived life, you’ve seen your fair share of all three. I’m proud to say that most of my friendships stand the test of time. My oldest friend and I have been BFFs for 23 years and counting! When you find good people, you have to hold onto them. However, some people that seem good to begin with are rotten to the core once you get to know them. And sometimes, you get to know that too late.

There have been times when I’ve started out as friends with someone and had to make the tough decision to cut them out of my life before my mental health becomes irreparably damaged. You know what I’m talking about? People come and go from your life. It’s really not a big deal in the grand scheme of things.

The Manhattan Mishap is told from Margot’s perspective. However, she has a solid crew around her helping her navigate. Her oldest friend is Jessie, then there’s Chantel, and Liao is a work colleague turned bestie for life. But that’s not to say there aren’t devils in disguise waiting to bring Margot down and sabotage her life.

READ MORE: Three Times I Experienced Failed Friendships & Got Over It

Fickle Careers

We’ve all been there. Started a job that seemed amazing and then went south faster than the Kardashians do for a party on a private island. Fickle careers are something I know all too well. It’s something I even chatted with Refinery29 about earlier this year! Honestly, taking my career into my owns hands was the smartest move I ever made. However, I didn’t always have the confidence to do that. I once stayed in a job for over two years—even though I was being treated like dirt—because I felt guilty leaving. Guilty. Ugh, never again.

Recently, I left a job of almost five years. In that time, I never got the title change I wanted or the raise I know I deserved. Work kept piling up on my plate, my role totally changed, and still, I kept being told that the timing wasn’t right. Seriously? Okay, bye.

At the start of The Manhattan Mishap, Margot is convinced she is getting a major promotion at a job she’s been working at for a few years. When things don’t go as expected, she’s completely heartbroken. But she soon picks herself up and opens herself up to the possibility of a career change. And wouldn’t you know it, a new job comes knocking!

Want to get your hands on The Manhattan Mishap? Pick up a copy here.

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