Q & A with Gindy

What inspired you to write this children’s book?

My inspiration came from one of my watercolor zebras with colored stripes.

What themes or messages does your book explore?

The theme of The Brezas of Carifa is one of choice. It explores how our choices effect and affect others in both positive and negative ways.

Who is your target audience, and what age group is it for?

The book is a middle grade coming-of-age story.

What inspired the characters or setting?

The characters were inspired by my family. This book was written for them. I wanted them to see themselves in the characters. Originally, I had no intention of trying to get my story published.

How long did it take to write the book?

The collection of stories took me around 15 years to complete and get professional editing done.

Did you draw inspiration from personal experiences?

Absolutely! It was my personal life experience that inspired me to write this adventure for my Grand-Darlings! I wanted to give them something, many things, I learned over the years so they wouldn't have to reinvent the wheel. That being said, it's the reinventing of the wheel, in our own way, that makes each of us who we are.

How did you come up with the idea for the story?

The idea just came to me, as did the rest of the story. I never sat down with the intention of writing for "x" number of hours every day. When parts of the story would come to me, I would go to my computer and add to the notes I already had. Eventually, I realized it was only details that were missing and I began to fill those in.

There are also songs in the stories. I don’t know the first thing about writing music or lyrics but like the stories, the words just came to me. I say lyrics, because as I wrote them, I always heard them sung in my mind. I guess I have to call them poems in the written form.

What advice would you give young writers?

I would say write what you know, what makes you feel. The stronger those feelings, the better the story will be.

How do you choose the right words or tone for children?

I tried to use the words they would know and understand. I used concepts relevant to their age and knowledge.

What is your background, and how has it shaped your writing?

I don't really have any background that’s relevant to writing. I earned a degree in nursing in the '70s and only used it for one year. I was part-owner in an interior design company for some years. I earned a degree in elementary education from Arizona State University. But it was after I found watercolor that I discovered something I was passionate about. Without the many decades of work with watercolor, my stories couldn't have been told. I wouldn't have had the source for the inspiration to write them.

What sets your children’s book apart from others? 

There are so many self-help books out there for adults, but why do we have to wait until we’re adults to search for ways to make our lives better? I’m not going to say mine are the only ones, but there are very few books out there for kids that show them how to live better lives. I hope this book, as well as the future stories I have in mind will make young people aware of the many traps most of us fall into, and most importantly, how to get out of them to live a full, joyful life!

How do you hope your book will impact young readers?

It’s my hope that a child will integrate some meaningful life lessons into their being without knowing it's happening! I hope that through the reading of a story with unique, delightful characters, their lives will be better.

Can you share a favorite scene or moment from the book?

Yes, I love the scene when Asha finds himself in the dream world with Raimi. She shows him his Tree that holds the history of all of his choices. She shows him examples of some of his choices, good and not-so-good.

Another one I love to read is when Paka talks to Rudo, the antagonist. He is the former friend of Asha who has become a bully. Paka explains to Rudo, Who He Really Is, the true nature of his being.

What was the most challenging part of writing this book?

The writing wasn’t a challenge, it just came to me. I can't explain it except to say it came from the source where all creativity comes from. Somehow, I tapped into it!

So far, finding a good editor and doing the illustrations have been my greatest challenges.

The illustrations were a huge leap out of my watercolor comfort zone! They all had to come out of my head. To create a visual world for my characters to live in has been a huge test of my ability, confidence, and endurance. I had asked two other watercolorists I know if they’d be interested in doing them and I got a quick, resounding, “No!” Now I know why!

I’ve been through two editors and I wasn’t satisfied with either of them. After that, I finally found a great one!

The challenge I have yet to conquer is finding an agent and publisher.

How do you balance storytelling and meaningful life lessons for children?

I see my stories as seeds dropped into a child's experience. Either the seed will take root and grow, or it won't. An important point for me is this: I'm not trying to convince anyone of—or convert anyone to—anything. My stories are an offering, there for the taking.

What do you hope parents and caregivers will take away from it?

It’s my hope that parents and caregivers will find that my stories contain valuable life lessons and morals woven into a delightful, exciting adventure.