When Teri Vlassopoulos began writing her novel, “Living Expenses,” she didn’t just want to tell a story about infertility—she also wanted to explore parts of herself that often went unseen.
Born and raised in Toronto to a Filipina mother and Greek father, Vlassopoulos drew heavily from her biracial upbringing to infuse authenticity and nuance into her characters.
Vlassopoulos, an only child, said that she came up with the two main characters—two sisters—partly because she was interested in sibling relationships.
“I wanted to explore the relationship between two sisters who are very close in age, but also different.”
The book’s theme about the struggles of infertility was an experience Vlassopoulos had gone through herself.
“I have one daughter who’s now 10 years old and it had been an experience that I’ve gone through at the time. I found that (infertility) wasn’t represented in a lot of a lot of pop culture—not in books or in movies.”
Another theme she wanted to explore was her biracial upbringing.
“I definitely wanted the characters to be at least partially Filipino,” she shared in an interview. “It’s my identity as someone who’s half Filipino.”
“And again, like infertility, it’s not always something that you see represented in books.”
The Filipino influence emerges vividly in her writing through relatable scenes centred around karaoke and Filipino cuisine—two beloved staples of Filipino gatherings.
“There is one karaoke scene in the book that I couldn’t resist not talking about,” she said, laughing.
“I love karaoke. I feel like it’s one of my most Filipino traits.”
Another distinct element reflecting her heritage is food, a central motif in the novel. The main character is a food blogger.
“Food is so important,” Vlassopoulos emphasizes, underscoring how this element reflects broader themes of identity and belonging.
Yet, the Filipino experience in her work isn’t limited to joyful communal moments. The book delves into deeper cultural undertones such as superstition and faith, intricately woven through the Filipino mother’s character.
“Sometimes I wonder when I consider things Filipino—is it just my mom, or is it the culture?” Vlassopoulos muses.
This cultural tension of being “half-Filipino, not fully of one race,” adds complexity and realism to her characters.
Through her writing, Vlassopoulos aims to create authentic representations that resonate deeply within the Filipino community.
“Filipinos, as well as infertility, aren’t as represented in a lot of books,” she said.
The book has already found a warm embrace among Filipino readers in Canada, including recognition by CBC during Filipino Heritage Month.
“I’ve been so touched by how it’s been received (in the Filipino community).”
Ultimately, for Vlassopoulos, “Living Expenses” is about more than just storytelling—it’s about hope, representation, and the joy of seeing one’s heritage celebrated openly and proudly.
“I really wanted to write a book that leaves you feeling hopeful,” she concluded, capturing the heart of what makes her novel so beautifully human and genuinely Filipino.
Learn more about Vlassopoulos by visiting her website here.
“Living Expenses” is her third book, following “Escape Plans”, published in 2015, and “Bats or Swallows” published in 2010.
