By: L. M. Baldwin,
on 9/8/2010
Full name: Jennifer Cervantes<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
Birth date: 12/30
Location: San Diego, Ca.
Website/blog: www.jennifercervantes.com
Genre: Middle-Grade Fiction
WiP or most recently published work: TORTILLA SUN
How frequently do you update your site? It all depends on events, press, reviews. Some months are busier than others. But I'd say at least once every couple of months.
By: Rene Colato Lainez,
on 5/19/2010
By: Mayra Calvani,
on 5/2/2010
A native of San Diego, California, Jennifer Cervantes is the author of the soon-to-be-released middle grade novel, Tortilla Sun. Although Jennifer has a Spanish and Mexican heritage, she's also a blend of German, English, French and Irish. That's quite an interesting mix!
The author is here today to talk about her novel, the publishing process and the advantages and disadvantages of critique groups, among other things.
Thanks for this interview, Jennifer! Tell us, what was your inspiration for Tortilla Sun?
So many people, places, and experiences served as inspiration. But perhaps the biggest inspiration for getting started was my youngest daughter Jules who asked me to write her a short story about her favorite bear (who still sleeps in her bed). So I started writing this silly story about a selfless bear. As I wrote, I became addicted. More ideas sprouted and I needed a place to put them all. I began to think about the kinds of books I would love for my daughters to read, ones where they were reflected in the pages. Before I knew it, I started writing Tortilla Sun. The first draft went rather quickly, but oh those revisions were often painful.
I understand Tortilla Sun is your first book. Tell us a little about the publishing process. How was it for you?
I love reading the answers to these questions because we all have such different stories to tell. For me, it was a sequential process. When I began writing Tortilla Sun, I thought, “If I can write an entire book, that will be enough.” Then I finished the manuscript and stuck it in a drawer. A few weeks later I thought, “If someone read it and liked it, that would be enough.” So I found the courage to share my work with a critique group. They encouraged me to find an agent, so I began that quest always thinking in the back of my mind. “OK, if an industry professional likes it and I get an agent, that will be enough.” I submitted my work to Laurie McLean and was so fortunate to get an offer within a few days.
You can imagine my next thought: “If she sells it and I publish a book, that will be enough.” It took over a year for that to happen and it was worth the wait because I got to work with Julie Romeis of Chronicle; she taught me so much and I will always be grateful. I now realize that as artists we are always growing and evolving and that we should strive to continue to do so regardless of how we define that growth. For me, it’s not about “being enough” anymore, as much as it‘s about contributing to the body of children’s literature in some way that touches the lives of my readers, if even for one moment.
Did you plot the chapters before you sat down to write the story?
Nope. I just let the characters and story take me where they will. Sometimes it’s hard to trust that process, but so far it has worked. Although, I often times will have an idea of where I want to go.
How was your writing schedule like during the creation of this book?
I was a bit obsessed. Even when I wasn’t writing, I was thinking. I really don’t like to keep a “Schedule” because if I don’t feel like writing one day, then I don’t feel unaccomplished. Some days I wrote for seven to eight hours and other days I wrote for thirty minutes. It really depended on what my daughters were up to that day or if I was feeling creative or not.
Izzy, your
Hi there! We wanted to share some information on an upcoming conference. Let us know if you’re going!
National Latino Children’s Literature Conference: Connecting Culture & Celebrating cuentos
This April 23rd and 24th celebrate the rich traditions and diversity within the Latino cultures at the National Celebration of Latino Children’s Literature Conference. Discover how to meet the informational and literacy needs of Latino children via high quality, culturally-relevant literature and the latest educational strategies. Engage in unique networking opportunities with librarians, teachers, educators, and researchers from across the nation as we explore how to make intercultural connections and serve this rapidly growing, uniquely diverse population.
As the number of Latino children and their families continues to increase, so does the need for understanding these diverse cultures. This exclusive conference provides a forum for sharing current research and practice addressing the cultural, educational, and informational needs of Latino children and their families. At the same time, the conference also examines the many social influences that Latino children’s literature has upon the developing child.
Beginning Friday April 23rd at 1 p.m. on the historical University of Alabama campus, nationally-recognized Latino children’s literature expert Oralia Garza de Cortés will launch the recurring conference theme “Connecting Cultures and Celebrating Cuentos” with a powerful keynote address. Participants will then have the opportunity to attend breakout sessions related to Latino children’s and young adult literature, library services to Latinos, and literacy education for Latino children. Immediately following these small group sessions, award-winning Latina author Monica Brown and award-winning Latino artist Rafael López will discuss the collaborative synergy behind their work.
Friday evening, award-winning Latina author and storyteller Carmen Tafolla will celebrate El día de los niños/El día de los libros (Children’s Day/Book Day), Latino children’s literature, and cultural literacy with a free community event at the Tuscaloosa Public Library. This Noche de Cuentos (Evening of Stories) begins at 7 p.m. and includes storytelling, refreshments, and free books for the niños.
On Saturday April 24th, Dr. Monica Brown energizes participants and opens the day’s events with a keynote address at Mary Hewell Alston Hall. Breakout sessions for both practitioners and researchers as well as graduate and undergraduate students will follow and include a variety of topics related to Latino children’s literature and literacy. Research posters will also be on display throughout the conference.
Lunch will be served at the Ferguson Center and will be followed by an engaging keynote at Mary Hewell Alston Hall with award-winning artist and illustrator Rafael López. Afterwards breakout sessions will include topics related to education, literacy, storytelling, and library services for Latino children. Storyteller and award-winning author Dr. Carmen Tafolla will bring down the house with a grand finale performance followed by a book signing with conference authors. Attendees will have additional opportunities to talk with first-time, Latina children’s li
I love that book. It should be required reading.
I really enjoyed Tortilla Sun.
It's nice to have a new Latina voice in children's literature. Because there are not enough.
A copy of this is on its way to me even as I type...
I am very curious about the magical realism part of the story--whether it will be enough to push it over into my own catagorization of "fantasy." There seems to be a growing number of books these days that live in the boarderlands between the real and the fantastic....and when you have to catagorize them, for awards nominations, or for round-up purposes, it gets tricky ...
Charlotte - I think you'll like it. And your right about catagorization.
I think Tortilla Sun is similiar to Jewell Parker Rhodes' "Ninth Ward", both are magical but not fantasy.
Thank you, Ari to you and your readers. I really enjoyed the interview and appreciate being highlighted. :)
Jen
I love "My writing is centered on heart."That tells me it's probably authentic and strong. WTG!
I'm so glad I found this site.
Lynn
www.writeradvice.com
Author of You Want Me to Do WHAT? Journaling for Caregivers
@Jen-Thank you for the interview! I hope it inspires more readers to look for Tortilla Sun :)
@Lynn-I hope that all writers take that bit of advice and write centered on the heart.
Welcome!