Our second post in this Five Questions series features Rose Viña, author of 2 non-fiction picture books. Her first book, Ice Breaker: How Mabel Fairbanks Changed Figure Skating, was a SCBWI Crystal Kite Award finalist in 2020. She speaks to us today about her second book, Alicia Alonso Dances On, which was launched October 2021. Tell us about your new book. As a young girl in Cuba, Alicia Alonso practiced ballet in tennis shoes. Within a few years, she was in New York City, with a promising ballet career. But her eyesight began to fail. When Alicia needed surgeries to save her vision, dancing was impossible, but she wouldn't give up her dream. She found the strength and determination to return to the stage and become a prima ballerina. This is the true story of a woman who overcame her challenges, mastered her art, and inspired others to dance and dream. What inspired you when working on this project? I was very inspired to write a story about a Cuban athlete, as I'm Cuban myself and was a pro athlete. When I initially searched for a female Cuban athlete her name was almost always at the top of every list. Intrigued, I read more about her and learned that she was sight impaired for most of her career. I loved that she was so determined to reach her goals. Her story is a great example for all children, including those with major challenges in their lives. Talk to us about the creative process for this book. This book actually was many years in the making. I started it in grad school at the request of my mentor at the time. The idea was for me to find a Cuban to write about. I worked on this story for a full year with two different mentors. Then after getting an agent (a year after graduating) I sent it in and my agent loved it. But it was not the first book we pursed for submission to editors, that was actually my first book that came out ICE BREAKER: How Mabel Fairbanks Changed Figure Skating. It was nearly two years later that we submitted ALICIA ALONSO DANCES ON and got interest back from editors. It was Albert Whitman and Co. that asked for an R&R (revise & resent) for this specific book. A few months later (and two editing rounds), a contract was offered. From there it was two years to publication. This book had quite the journey, taking nearly six years from start to finish. For me, the goal with the actual project was to show her inner strength and that even with major challenges one can achieve their goals. I wanted nearly every page to reflect that. But it felt much more impactful when I saw the finished art, by Gloria Felix. She brought the story to life and gave it a deeper meaning. I was so happy with the finished product and that the illustrator was also of Latino origin! I'm also excited that after many years this book is doing well including being featured for an MSNBC article and is up for the SCBWI 2022 Crystal Kite award with many other great books. Did you encounter anything unexpected while working on this project? Yes! I did thorough research on her life before, during, and after dancing professionally, but it was her years pursuing becoming a prima ballerina that I wanted to focus on. Not a focus on her family life, politics, etc. From what I found I learned that she went through so many surgeries to try and better her eyesight. Including one where doctors required her to lie in bed for a year! She not only had to learn how to dance again, but to walk also. Now for something completely different! Spring Break Options: Exploring an unknown city or Wandering through a nature reserve. Which would you prefer? Why? Wow! Tough question because I love to do both! But if I had to choose I would say exploring an unknown city. I love the hustle and bustle of cities with their art museums, cafes, people, libraries, sports, etc. I like to be where the action is! (But I will say one of my favorite places on earth is the Redwood trees in Northern California.) Thank you Rose for sharing with us your creative process for this wonderful book. It truly does take time and patience to see a book through from idea to print. It is a most beautiful and uplifting story too. We wish you every success in your writing journey. Sandra Yoong-Chia Bio: Rose Viña Rose Viña is a Cuban American writer from California. She earned her MFA in Creative Writing for Young People from Lesley University, Cambridge. Her debut book, Ice Breaker: How Mabel Fairbanks Changed Figure Skating, was named an American Library Association 2021 Rise Honor book and a Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators 2020 Crystal Kite Award finalist. Her second book, Alicia Alonso Dances On, is out now. Rose currently lives in Sweden with her husband, son, and puppy.
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SCBWI ICRThis is the blog for the International Central Region of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). You can learn more about SCBWI here and about the International Central Region here. Archives
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