Nica Bayona, originally a playwright and screenwriter, is currently taking up her MFA in Creative Writing at De La Salle University. Her notable works include her debut play, A Trip To The Moon for the Benildean Theatre Festival and Henry and the Barefoot from the recent Short+Sweet Theatre Festival held in Manila. She also writes poetry and fiction. “Children of the Bridge” is her first published short story.

Welcome to Philippine Genre Stories, Nica! Congratulations on your first published story! How does that feel?

It’s exciting but also a little nerve-wracking! Putting my work out there always feels a bit scary, but I’m so happy and grateful for the opportunity to see it published. I learned so much from writing in this form, and I can’t wait to do more!

Yay! And what made you answer the call for submission? 

Children of the Bridge started as a homework for my Fiction Writing Class with Dr. Katrina Tuvera. It was my first try at writing in the short story form, and after putting in so much work over the term, I didn’t want it to just sit in my files. Given the story’s concept, I felt PGS would be the perfect platform to share it.

And we’re happy to receive your story. 🙂 What specifically inspired you to write CHILDREN OF THE BRIDGE?

My parents are originally from Albay and Camarines Norte in Bicol, and growing up, I would hear countless stories during our long road trips to my grandmother’s house, especially since Samar-Leyte was a neighboring region. It rains almost every time we are there too, the reason why rain is such a prominent element in this story. I thought it not only added to the atmosphere but also reflected how I viewed the place growing up.

So what came easy and hard in writing this story? 

Before my graduate program, I only wrote plays and screenplays, so the only thing that came easy for me was dialogue. The rest, I had to figure out through many, many errors that I slip up with every now and then, because I had to now balance dialogue with action and exposition, and be mindful that I don’t do too much of one thing. 

How did you start exploring writing genre stories anyways? Were there genre books or writers that have inspired you?

I’ve always been a big fan of thrillers and suspense in any form of media, with Dan Brown’s Robert Langdon series and Gillian Flynn’s Sharp Objects being the first ones I remember borrowing from the school library in grade school. They left such an impression on me that I found myself constantly drawn to the genre, both as a reader and now as a writer. 

What about Filipino-authored works, which ones that you’ve recently read have influenced you the most and why? 

V.J. Campilan’s All My Lonely Islands—every word in this book you can almost feel. I loved everything about it, and I always return to it when I’m stumped in my own writing. 

And among the published stories in Philippine Genre Stories have you found the most memorable so far (and why)?

The Ones Who Linger by Celestine Trinidad. I’ve always gravitated toward stories of grief because it is such a universal feeling, yet it manifests differently from person to person. More often than not, it gives us the deepest, most profound explorations of the human experience. The way it shapes us and how we process it is unique to our personal circumstances. 

For you, what are the similarities and differences in writing a play, a screenplay, and a short story? 

Plays and screenplays rely heavily on dialogue and action. In screenwriting, you especially need to focus on the visual aspect of storytelling. In both forms, you should also keep in mind that you are writing within the limitations of the stage or the film set, and that you are an equal collaborator with directors, actors, etc., in telling the story. 

With short stories, you have more freedom, but you’re also on your own. It’s just you and your characters’ inner thoughts, which you don’t usually have to flesh out in the first two. It’s quieter, but I must admit, especially as a beginner in the form, the silence can be a bit intimidating at times. 

Is there a next project that you’re already working on and could you please tell us more about it? 

My next project will be my thesis, and my first long form fiction. It is about a double-crossing protagonist in a heist story set in one of our National Museums. I hope to defend  and finish the book by the end of next year. 

Good luck! 

What tips can you share with the new and aspiring storytellers out there?

I hate to drop the “ Just Write” line, but honestly, just do it. Write. Becoming a good writer is not something that happens overnight. It requires patience, dedication, and lots and lots of practice. And don’t be afraid to make mistakes— make the stupidest ones and then learn from them. It’s how you will find your voice. Write a lot. Read what others write when you have the time, and observe the world around you so you have plenty to write about again. 

Hear, hear! Anything else that you’d like your current and future readers to know about you?

I love true crime documentaries. People think it’s strange and boring, but I can rot in bed all day with my Forensic Files marathon. It might have fueled my social paranoia over the years but I don’t plan on stopping!

Thank you so much again, Nica, and many thanks for entrusting your story to us!