Salvadoran children's book author talks about his roots

Cover of Rene Has Two Last Names by Rene Colato Lainez

René Colato Laínez is the Salvadoran award winning author of:
I Am Rene, the Boy/ Soy Rene, El Nino Waiting for Papá / Esperando a Papá Playing Loteria / El juego de la loteria Rene Has Two Last Names / Rene Tiene Dos Apellidos
The Tooth Fairy Meets El Ratón Pérez

Lainez's picture books have been honored by the Latino Book Award, the Paterson Prize for Books for Young People, the California Collection for Elementary Readers, the Texas Star Book Award Selection and the New Mexico Book Award. He was also named “Top Ten New Latino Authors to Watch (and Read)” by latinostories.com. Lainez is a graduate of the Vermont College MFA program in Writing for Children & Young Adults.

I have the wonderful opportunity to be a part of the Rene Has Two Last Names virtual book tour and had the opportunity to ask René Colato Laínez about everything from his roots to his inspiration...

When did your love of writing begin?
When I was seven years old, there was a poem contest in a very popular magazine in El Salvador. I decided to participate. Months later, they published the winning piece and some of the finalists. I did not win, but my poem was published--and they forgot to mention me as the author. I was sad because I wanted to see my name (by René Colato Laínez) on the poem but I was also thrilled to read my first published poem to my parents, grandparents and all my extended relatives and friends. “You have talent,” everyone said. I have not stopped writing since that day.

You grew up in El Salvador. But when El Salvador was involved in a civil war, you and your father had to leave the country to come to the United States.You faced hard times coming to Mexico city and you wrote a lot in notebooks about your dreams, desires, and adventures. Was writing sort of an escape for you? And if so, does it still provide a liberating effect today?
Next February (2010), my book MY SHOES AND I will be released by Boyds Mills Press. This book is about my journey from El Salvador to the USA. When I was left alone in an old trailer in Mexico City, I was bored, afraid and wanted to fly away. I could not go back to El Salvador, but I also could not continue my trip to the USA. What should I do? I found pen and paper and wrote for days. It was an escape for me because, in my writing, I was free. I wrote about playing in a peaceful El Salvador. I wrote about a world without borders and about my future life in the new country. Today, when I write, I also can fly and see the world. I can reach for the stars and create magic.

Tell us about your path to publication.
I wrote several short stories and novels during my high school and college years. When I became a teacher, I discovered picture books and fell in love with the illustrations and the wonderful stories. I began to write my stories and my students’ stories. Soon, I had around fifty books. Everyone at Fernangeles Elementary School started to call me “The Teacher Full of Stories.”

In 2000, authors Alma Flor Ada and F. Isabel Campoy visited Fernangeles and they read my books. Alma and Isabel were impressed with my work and encouraged to send my manuscripts for publication. In 2001, I met author Amada Irma Pérez and she also pushed me to start sending my work.

I did! I submitted my first manuscript in March 2001. Soon, I received many rejection letters, but I did not give up. I joined the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), attended writing conferences and took classes on writing for children. I received my first contract in October 2002. My first book Waiting For Papá/ Esperando a Papá was released in October 2004.

What was your inspiration for your latest book, Rene Has Two Last Names?
This is my real story. I grew up in El Salvador and at the playground, classroom and the doctor’s office, they called me by my entire name. When I was in high school in the USA, I found out that I had only my father’s name in my school id. This was a shock for me to see that my mother’s last name was missing. This incident inspired me to write this book.

You've been a teacher for many years in a bilingual classroom. How has that affected your writing career?
I learn so much from my students. They always have something to say especially Monday mornings. I always read my manuscripts to them and listen to their feedback. Children are honest and can surprise you.

Every author has been told, "Write what you know." How have your personal experiences shined through in your writing?
“Write what you know” has worked for me. All of my books are based on my immigrant experience and in my childhood games and traditions. Authors need to find their own voices in order to tell their stories. My voice is the voice of Latino children living in two cultures in the United States.

You've stated on your website that your goal as a writer is to produce good multicultural children's literature; stories where minority children are portrayed in a positive way, where they can see themselves as heroes, and where they can dream and have hopes for the future. Did you feel as though this segment of children's publishing was lacking--why or why not?
There are many wonderful multicultural books about Latinos in children’s publishing but there is not enough. Latinos make a large minority group in the USA, but only a few books about Latinos are published each year. I want to be a part of the new voices for Latino children and present their dreams, hopes, and adventures in an authentic way.

If you're interested in learning more about Rene Colato Lainez and his latest book, Rene Has Two Last Names, please visit Lainez's official website and the other stops on the virtual book tour...

Nov 30 Orlando Latina
Dec 1 Lori Calabrese Writes!
Dec 2 Café of Dreams
Dec 3 Mama Latina Tips
Dec 4 Latino Book Examiner

Muchas gracias to Jo Ann Hernández at BronzeWord Latino Virtual Book Tour for organizing this tour.