Interview with author, Mayra Calvani

Recently, I reviewed the children's book Humberto the Bookwork Hamster by Mayra Calvani.  Today, talented author, Calvani chats with us to share the background of Humberto, and give us some insight on writing children's books. 

Liliana:  Hi Mayra, can you share a bit on why you chose to write children's books?

Mayra:  First of all, thanks for having me as your guest today.

Liliana: You're welcome : )

Mayra:  Ten years ago, I’d never have guessed that I would be writing children’s books today. I was into horror and the supernatural. I think my love for children’s literature began when I had children of my own and read to them at night. I wanted to make reading a priority for my children so I read to them every night… and I fell in love with picture books. I don’t remember the moment when I thought, “I want to try writing one of these,” but I guess the thought came one day and I just sat down and decided to give it a try. I also read all I could about the craft and joined a picture book critique group. I learned tons in the critique group. I think a good critique group is vital for a writer, especially one who is just starting. I also began reviewing lots of children’s books, and this also helped me improve my craft.

Liliana:  Wow, horror, I never would have guessed.  You're children's book characters are so cute!  And something else I noticed, your books have such great lessons for children. Do you write them with the lessons in mind? How do you decide on a topic that is just right for the age group of the children you're writing for?

Mayra:  I never think of the lesson beforehand. I just think of a character and a story, or at least a premise or a general idea for a story, and then the lesson somehow develops naturally from it as I write it. So it’s not a conscious, pre-planned decision. A lot of my story ideas come from real life. I want the story to be fun and interesting for children. It’s intriguing how the underlying lesson always appears at the end, but it does.

Liliana: In Humberto the Bookworm Hamster, you have a character that reads too much. I found that a foreign concept - can one read too much, I asked myself. But actually, as I read your book I understood that doing anything to an extreme, even something good like reading, can be negative if it keeps you from being a kind, helpful person. How did the idea for this book come to you?

Mayra: I wanted to write a story about a bookworm mouse or hamster. That’s how the idea came about. I kept seeing Humberto in my mind, with his nose always stuck in a book and always too busy to socialize or make any friends. I kept hearing his voice, “I don’t have time for friends. I’m too busy reading!” But then something bad happens that serves as a catalyst and he realizes that books are even better when you get to share them with friends. I sympathize with Humberto because my life is mostly a solitary one because of so much reading and writing. I love what I do and never feel lonely, but every now and then I feel the need to socialize and be with friends. You know the phrase, ‘No man’s an island.’ Plus I think the idea of a little bookworm hamster surrounded by books is just too cute. Kit Grady, the illustrator, captured his essence perfectly. I wanted him to look cute but also dignified, and with an aura of vulnerability about him.

Liliana:  I loved that Humberto realized that books are that much better when shared.  I often have people tell me they want to write children's books and ask what suggestions I have. I'm sure you get the same questions. What do you recommend writers, especially young writers, do first if they'd like to write children's books?

Mayra: I’d recommend them to read children’s books regularly. If they want to write picture books, they should read tons of picture books. If they want to write early readers, then to read early readers and so on. They should also get their hands on as many books on the craft of children’s writing as they can find. They should also join a critique group or writing club such as the Children’s Writers’ Coaching Club, where members get to submit one picture book or one chapter a week for critique. And of course, they should write, write, write. It gets better the more you write and it comes easier as well. Just like with violinists or gymnasts, writers have to practice to get better at what they do. Discipline is so important. You can’t just sit there and wait for inspiration to strike. Once you have a story that has been edited and re-edited, then you have to submit to publishers (or agents) on a regular basis. You have to keep producing and submitting continuously in order to improve your chances of publication.

Liliana: Great advice.  Now, I know your daughter wrote a book and you had it published.  That's fantastic! Can you talk a bit about how you both went about doing this? Do you recommend parents attempt to publish their childrens' stories?

Mayra:  Absolutely! Having published that book has done wonders for my daughter’s self esteem and love for books. For one, it has motivated her to keep writing and since then she has had poems and reviews published online. She’s building her resume from now on, even though she’s only 12. Her plan is to go to Harvard so the more credits she has on her ‘resume’ the more it motivates her to keep adding them. At the moment she’s working on an interview with a Hubble Space Telescope astronomer to submit to Stories for Children Magazine. All this is a result of writing, illustrating and publishing that book. I should point out, though, that I didn’t self publish that book. I submitted it to Guardian Angel Publishing, which has an imprint of books written and illustrated by children. They work with schools to motivate children to write.

Liliana:  Oh!  Thanks for clarifying about the publisher.

Mayra:  I wrote an article on how she wrote and illustrated the book and readers may find it here: http://blogcritics.org/books/article/my-nine-year-old-daughter-the. In a nutshell, I basically turn the kitchen into a workshop one summer and she got the whole thing done in a week, working about 5 hours a day. I taught her the whole process of writing and illustrating a picture book and later on, after the book was accepted, she learned firsthand about the publishing process. She got to proofread the galley and all of that. When she finally received the book and held it in her hands, she was thrilled! Her teacher bought copies for the school library and other kids asked for her autographed. Her book is on the shelves of our children’s bookstore. If you have the chance to do this with your kid over the summer, I highly recommend it. It was also a great bonding experience for us.

I have a list of publications that accept children’s works on my website and you may find it here: http://mayrassecretbookcase.blogspot.com/2009/01/sites-for-young-authors.html

Liliana:  Thank you so much for that list.  Young readers will appreciate the information.  Your daughter sounds like she's very talented and focused.  I don't think I could write a book in a week!  I'd also like to share with readers that you are the Latino Books Examiner for Examiner.com.  You regularly introduce me to wonderful books and authors that I'm excited to read. Can you share what other type of writing you do, aside from writing your wonderful childrens' books?

I’m glad you’re enjoying my column as the Latino Books Examiner. That’s good to hear. I’m having fun writing it and discovering new Latino authors.

Besides my children’s books, I also write women’s fiction, paranormal/supernatural and nonfiction.

Readers may find more about my work at www.MayraCalvani.com.

Liliana: Congratulations, Mayra!  I'm impressed, you're extremely prolific.  Well, I hate to end this interview, but I know you have more books to write.  One Last question before you go -  what books or projects are you working on now?

Mayra: I’m working hard at getting an agent. That’s top priority right now.
I have a mystery/fantasy middle-grade novel and about a dozen fully polished picture book manuscripts that need a home.

I’m also working on three projects at the moment: one young adult novel and two chick lit novels.

Of course, I’m always working on a new picture book. The ideas keep coming and the characters keep talking in my head. You can’t ignore them!

Liliana:  I wish you luck with all these projects.  I'm sure you'll achieve all your goals.

Mayra:  Thanks so much for having me here today!

Liliana:  You're welcome.  Thank you for stopping by.