New York: The City I’ve Never Been To

In the opening chapter of my novel, I introduce Franco Falcone living in New York. I also reveal that his origins trace back to a small town called Celico, nestled in the hills of Calabria. It’s the same town where my father was born, a place I grew up hearing countless stories about. As a child, I was fortunate enough to visit it myself. Those memories, woven together with my father’s recollections, became the emotional foundation for Franco’s early life.

Eventually, Franco had to cross the Atlantic. That’s where the writer in me made a bold and somewhat unexpected decision: instead of settling him in my own hometown of Toronto, I chose New York City as his new beginning. The twist? I’ve never actually been to New York. I know, surprising. But that’s a story for another time.

Writing about a city I’ve never physically experienced was both daunting and exhilarating. Luckily, I’ve been immersed in New York culture for most of my life, from classic films and binge worthy TV shows to unforgettable novels and, of course, comic books. I already had a mental map of iconic landmarks: the Statue of Liberty, the buzz of Times Square, the grandeur of Central Park., and the ever-watchful presence of the Empire State Building. Even the subways, gritty and poetic in their own right, felt strangely familiar.

When it came time to craft a scene where Franco shares an evening out with someone special, I wanted a setting that was not only real but also historically rich. That’s when I discovered The Metropole, a jazz club once renowned for its electric atmosphere. As I dug deeper, I learned that Gene Krupa and Mongo Santamaria were among the performers during the exact time period I was writing about. Even more serendipitous, the scene I was creating aligned with the final event ever held at The Metropole. Sometimes, research doesn’t just inform your story, it writes it.

Exploring a city I’ve only visited in my imagination allowed me to blur the lines between fact and fiction, past and present. It reminded me that writing isn’t always about where you’ve been, but about where your characters need to go.

Stay tuned, this August, my long-awaited novel will be published. I’ll also be sharing the first chapter in segments, complete with behind-the-scenes commentary and reflections. Franco’s journey is just beginning, and I invite you to follow along as Franco’s world comes to life.