Author interview Samantha R. Vamos

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Samantha R. Vamos was born in Madison, Wisconsin, where her parents met during graduate school. Vamos grew up on the East Coast, where she attended Georgetown University Law Center and practiced law in Washington, D.C.. She and her family now reside in the Pacific Northwest, outside Seattle.

Writing has always been a passion (along with Peppermint Patties, dogs, movies, reading, traveling, Halloween, music, family, shooting endless photos of her child, and much more). Vamos has been writing stories for over twenty years and publishing her writing has been one of her greatest dreams. Vamos was most influenced to write by her mother, but both parents, as well as her paternal grandfather and maternal grandmother, are and were excellent writers.

Vamos' first picture book, Before You Were Here, Mi Amor was voted Best for Babies by Parents Magazine. Her second book, The Cazuela That the Farm Maiden Stirred is being published by Charlesbridge in Fall 2010 and will be illustrated by Rafael López. I had the chance to ask Samantha R. Vamos some questions regarding her writing, and both books....

Tell us about your path to publication.
I had written a number of children’s stories, but could not get them published. I was really young, very green, and didn’t realize, at the time, how much more revising and polishing those stories needed. Nevertheless, I was determined to become published and I wanted to do something productive that would help move me in the correct direction. I began freelancing articles in an attempt to obtain some clips, hoping to improve my writing “resume.” The experience, however, that truly hooked me on writing was publishing an article in “The Washington Post” during my last year of high school. I enjoyed the process of writing and I absolutely loved seeing the piece in print. Thereafter, and especially during and after law school, I wrote stories at nights and on weekends. Over the years, I received many rejections. I also received a few personal replies from editors and those comments helped sustain me. In 1998, I wrote a manuscript that I sold, unagented, the following year. Achieving publication, however, took far longer. The publishing house that purchased my manuscript was acquired. Although my book made it to the acquiring publishing house, there was no plan for publication. Eventually, I received a release. Over five years later, I began working with an agent and I significantly changed the manuscript. Three years after that, my agent sold the manuscript in a very different form.

Before you began writing for children, you practiced law in Washington D.C. What made you want to write for children?
The mind of a child is so willing to embrace endless possibilities. I think that openness is what draws me to the children’s genre. I had, however, written stories for children long before attending law school. I always wanted to be both a lawyer and a children’s author!

What inspired you to write Before You Were Here, Mi Amor?
The inspiration for Before You Were Here, Mi Amor came from the first pregnancy of my younger sister. My extended family and I began envisioning doing things to welcome the new grandchild/nephew into the world. Those thoughts generated memories of my mom telling me about my anticipation over the birth of my younger sister. I often asked when my sister would be here and when she would be old enough to play with me. With those memories, I began writing. My book is an outgrowth of that experience. Of course, my nephew took a mere nine months to birth, and my book took almost eleven years, but I’m not bitter! Before You Were Here, Mi Amor is finally here and I’m thrilled.

Why did you decide to write bilingual books?
I had written a manuscript about all the things that one family does to welcome a new child. Recognizing changing U.S. demographics and the fact that the family is a very significant element of Latin American culture, I realized that my manuscript might especially appeal if rewritten to incorporate Spanish. By drawing upon Latin/Hispanic cultural elements, as well as the community and characteristics of my immediate and extended family, I revised and subsequently sold “Before You Were Here, Mi Amor” (Viking, March 2009). Interestingly, when I incorporated Spanish, I felt that the text sounded more tender and ultimately, more unique. Later, the idea for a different, bilingual manuscript, “The Cazuela That the Farm Maiden Stirred” (Charlesbridge Publishing, Fall 2010) popped into my head one morning while cooking. I laughed, put down my utensils and began writing.

Can you give us an idea of what we have to look forward to in The Cazuela That the Farm Maiden Stirred?
Sure. The Cazuela That the Farm Maiden Stirred is a children’s picture book and a cumulative tale: both the action and Spanish words, which are woven throughout the English text, repeat and build as the story progresses. Five different farm animals (goat, cow, duck, donkey, and chicken) and their farmer (the “campesino”) each contribute ingredients to a pot (the “cazuela”) stirred by the farm maiden. A surprise recipe is created and at the book’s end, an actual recipe is provided. There is also a glossary with a pronunciation guide.

Rafael López is an award-winning children’s book illustrator, painter, sculptor, and muralist. He has painted U.S. postal stamps and more, and he is the book’s illustrator. I’ve just seen some preliminary illustrations for Cazuela, and to me, they just look magical.

What's the best part of being a children's book author?
There are so many aspects of being a children’s book author that are rewarding. I love seeing little faces light up as they recognize words and comprehend the meaning of a story, or when they find a part of a story that especially resonates with them. Hearing children laugh is wonderful. For me, however, sharing my published work with my son has been the greatest gift. I like thinking that my son can hear my voice speak to him through my writing.

For more information, please visit:
www.samanthavamos.com

Additional Information:
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Viking Juvenile; Bilingual edition (March 19, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0670063010
ISBN-13: 978-0670063017

Watch the trailer for Before You Were Here Mi Amor...