Member Interview: Author Gloria Amescua

Where did you grow up, and how did that place (or those places) shape your work?

I grew up in what was then the countryside northwest of Austin. Being a Mexican-American who didn’t speak Spanish really made me feel as if I didn’t fit in anywhere, especially school. That shapes the books I write and want to write. We didn’t have books where I could see others like me. What makes me really sad is that I didn’t even question why we didn’t. Our white neighbors were older, so I didn’t really have any playmates except a younger brother. I felt isolated and somewhat lonely, which led to my love of books, nature, and exploring themes of Mexican culture, language and identity.

Did you always want to be an author, or did that come later?

I always wanted to be an author as well as a teacher. I mainly wrote poetry, but I’m so glad I finally started writing stories.

If someone were to follow you around for 24 hours, what would they see?

They would see someone who procrastinates, falls into rabbit holes doing research, and spends too much time at her computer. You would also see me spending time outdoors with my plants and with our cat, Lovely, and dog, Pixie. You would also see me spending time with my husband Jeff, watching PBS documentaries.

How does your everyday life feed your work?

I read, read, read—all types of books and news that give me ideas about what I really want to focus on, especially when it concerns social justice, discrimination, etc. I also read a lot of books that are examples of what I want to write next so I can learn from them, such as novels and novels in verse.

Tell us about some accomplishments that make you proud.

I’m proud of my thirty-three years as a teacher and educator and of my son and his family. I’m also proud of the honors my debut book CHILD OF THE FLOWER-SONG PEOPLE: LUZ JIMÉNEZ, DAUGHTER OF THE NAHUA received as a Pura Belpré Author Honor, co-winner of the Américas Award and other awards. I’m also proud that one of my poems is in Houghton Mifflin Harcourt’s national eighth grade textbook.

What surprises you about the creative life?

I find it difficult to focus on my writing when promoting my books and trying to keep up with ever-changing technology. I spend a lot of time Googling how to do whatever.

When a reader discovers your work, what do you hope they find?

I hope readers connect with my work so that they see themselves or others positively, think about something in a different way, and/or are touched emotionally.

Quick-Fire Questions:

You once said, “Books were my passage to other worlds.” What were a few of those worlds?

When I was young, my life was limited to my little space in the world. Books sent me to the magical worlds of The Wizard of Oz, Pearl S. Buck’s China, the 1930’s southern town in To Kill a Mockingbird, and to the Arthurian world of The Once and Future King. I experienced their character’s worlds, actions and emotions.

Have you any favorite historical fiction authors to share?

Historical fiction is my favorite genre to read, and some of my favorite authors include Ruth Behar, Lesa Cline-Ransome, Carole Boston Weatherford, Jacqueline Woodson, Pam Muñoz Ryan, David Bowles, Javier Zamora, Duncan Tonatiuh, Monica Muñoz Martinez and Alda P. Dobbs.

How might you finish the following analogy?

Timing is to Patience as Heart is to _________.

Emotion.