In the succeeding days and weeks, the blog will have interviews of authors and illustrators of Room to Read's Kuwentong Musmos Book Project. Get to know them! Be inspired! I hope that by reading their stories and their creative journeys, you will be moved to create something beautiful and wonderful for children of all ages.
I have asked all four of the authors published by Lampara Books to this interview, as well as the four illustrators. To start the ball rolling, as they say, here is Lauren Macaraeg's interview. Her book in the Kuwentong Musmos project is Kiko Kitikiti illustrated by Luis "ito" Chua.
1. Why are you writing for children?
I love writing stories for children for
three main reasons: a love for children's books, a desire for creative
expression, and a wish to give kids hope.
First, I've been an enthusiastic reader of
kid's books myself, since I was a child up to now that I'm an adult (but still
a kid-at-heart!). It was only a natural outcome that I wished to create
children's books myself.
Second, children's literature is the
perfect outlet for a creative person like me. I'm free to make flights of
fantasy when writing stories for young readers because there is no limit to the
genre in terms of imagination.
Last but not least, I wish to give hope to
kids by writing children's books in the same way that reading books gave me
hope when I was a kid. The books I've read have been instrumental to my mental
health recovery and healing, especially when I was an adolescent struggling
with depression. Now, all the books I write, even if they have different
topics, have one thing in common: they are all about hope and creativity in the
midst of challenging situations.
For instance, my latest book, KIKO KITIKITI
(Author: Lauren V. Macaraeg. Illustrator: Ito/Luis Chua), is about an energetic
young boy who proves to the world that he is a superhero even if he has
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). KIKO KITIKITI, is one of the
20 children's books recently published by Room to Read, an international NGO
that promotes reading among young readers, in partnership with our publisher
Lampara Books, and other local publishers, Adarna House, Anvil Publishing and
OMF Literature/Hiyas.
2. How did you break out into the
children's book industry?
While I've been creating my own books for
fun since I was a kid, I was able to officially break out into the children's
book industry after I joined and won the grand prize award at the 1st Annual
Lampara Books Children’s Story Writing Contest in 2011. SINEMADYIKA, my story
entry for that contest, got published as my first book by Lampara Books in
2013. And last February 2020, my fourth book, KIKO KITIKITI, was also published
by Lampara Books, along with four other amazing books by Lampara writers and
illustrators, under Room to Read's Kuwentong Musmos book project.
3. Give three words or phrase to
describe your Kuwentong Musmos Workshop experience?
Big Honor. “Kasali ba talaga ako diyan?!” I wondered when I first saw the
powerhouse list of the authors from Adarna House, Anvil Publishing, OMF
Literature and Lampara Books who would be participating in Room to Read's
writers' workshop in Bohol last September 29-October 4, 2019. Na-starstruck
ako! It's a big honor to be able to work and collaborate with brilliant and
talented people from the Philippine children's publishing industry: all the
writers, illustrators, publishers, editors, designers, mentors and organizers
with a heart for Filipino children. Special mention to our Team Lampara who
played a huge role in shaping my story, to Ito Chua whose beautiful
illustrations brought KIKO KITIKITI to life, and to Sir Segundo “Jun” Matias
and Ms. Aiko Salazar for inviting me to participate in the project. And of
course, it's a great honor to partner with Room to Read, whose vision and
generosity made this book project possible in the first place.
Big Challenge. “Pupunta kaya ako?” I asked myself as I decided if I should go to
the workshop or not. My grandmother went home to be with the Lord a day before
I received the invitation to the writer's workshop so I was still grieving at
that time. While I finally chose to go in the end, I continued to face my own
personal challenges at the Bohol workshop, including grief and health
struggles, so I had to make an extra effort to act and work like my usual
bubbly self. And of course, there were also general challenges that most of us
writers faced, such as the tight writing deadlines, nerve-wracking selection
process and word count limits (at dahil wordy ang karamihan sa amin, hirap na
hirap kaming magbawas ng salita sa kuwento lol). Still, the unexpected miracle
of being able to complete and publish a book in spite of all the challenges of
2019 and 2020 made the fruit of our labor so much sweeter.
Big Blessing. “Some of the kids who will receive your books will be holding and
owning a book for the very first time,” shared Sir Al Santos, Room to Read's
Book Publishing Manager for Southeast Asia, during our writers' workshop. I got
goosebumps! Like most of my fellow authors and illustrators, I also wish to be
able to encourage Pinoy kids to read books. Yet there is only so much I can do
as an individual person, given my limited resources and energy. That's why it
was a heaven-sent opportunity to be part of Room to Read's Kuwentong Musmos
book project, which aims to promote literacy among less privileged Filipino
children all over the country. It's a big blessing from the Lord Jesus to be
able to be part of this book project!
4. What is the book you wish you had
written and why?
I really wish I wrote the Percy Jackson
book series by Rick Riordan! Aside from creating witty, relatable young
characters, Riordan was able to write captivating stories that seamlessly
combine ancient Greek mythology and modern-day fun. I hope I could also write
similar YA books someday that will help Filipino children appreciate and enjoy
Philippine mythology.
5. Your 5 tips for aspiring children's
book writers.
1) Read! Read! Read! The best inspiration
to write children's books is to read children's books.
2) Just write. Don't wait for the perfect
time, mood or circumstances before you start writing. Just do it.
3) Be a storyteller, not a preacher. Don't
preach moral lessons. Just write a good story. Your kiddie readers will get
your message. They're smarter than we give them credit for.
4) Be your own editor. Proofread your own
work again and again.
5) Write about the things that are close to
your heart. The only way to inflame young readers with your passion is if you
yourself are passionate about what you write.
Lauren loves to dance and is currently enjoying Zumba sessions. Visit her blog and website http://laurenmacaraeg.com.
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