MANILA, Philippines — Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach's first book "Queen of the Universe" went through so many changes over the years that it had a different title and storyline in its first draft.
During the novel's launch at the Manila International Book Fair at the SMX Convention Center last September 14, Philstar.com asked the beauty queen how different the final story was from the first draft and how many edits it went through.
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"[It was] so different, not so much on the core storyline with Cleo kasi na-conceptualize ko na siya matagal na," Pia shared.
A draft of the story was ready in 2020 under a different name and a different cover, "I would say it wasn't as jampacked as it is now."
Pia gave credit to international publishing house Tuttle for her book's significant changes as it gave feedback on how to make her novel more appealing to an international audience.
Related: Pia Wurtzbach launches her first novel 'Queen of the Universe'
"Kailangan English, at kung may Tagalog man dapat klaro 'yung ibig sabihin [for non-speakers]," Pia continued. "They wanted something that really represented the Philippines, where parang shino-showcase ko na rin 'yung Pilipinas sa ibang bansa when they read the book."
The beauty queen-turned-author admitted she was too focused on the main character's storyline rather than the setting and backdrop of where events would be taking place.
For example, she believed that people would instantly assume a beauty pageant would be set in the Philippines given its popularity in the country. After hearing the feedback, Pia decided to put more depth to her story through its Filipino elements.
"Nakakakilig ma-mention 'yung mga Filipino traditions, kultura natin, at paano tayo sa isa't isa," Pia ended.— Video by Kristofer Purnell, editing by Anjilica Andaya
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