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childhood.

Q: Marta is a passionate girl who believes in fighting for her causes. Is she modeled after someone
you know or admire?

A: No, at least not consciously. Marta came to me fully realized with all of her determination and vigor. I

needed a character to antagonize Esperanza, to goad her towards growth, and Marta simply walked into
my mind and said, “Put me on paper!”

Q: Your characters see signs in everyday life: Esperanza pricks her finger and worries it will bring
bad luck; Abuelita sees an injured bird’s flight as a sign that everything is okay. Do you believe in and

see these kinds of signs in your life?

A: I think that the coincidences we experience in our everyday life sometimes have meaning. How much

importance a person gives these signs has to do with her own personal beliefs. Our subconscious is far
more developed than we think. We’ve all had “gut feelings” or have done “what our heart tells us.” We

have assimilated many subconscious cues and trusted ourselves to make decisions based on those cues.

Sometimes a “sign” simply validates what we already know to be most likely true.

Q: What advice do you have for young people who are interested in writing or finding out about their

own cultural background and family history?
A: Well, the obvious, of course, is to interview your grandparents and parents. I think that one of the best

ways is to keep things. Keep old photos, save date books and calendars where you’ve written down

events. If you know that your family is from a particular town in another country or this country, go on the
web and find out about the town. Look at family picture albums or home videos to solidify your

memories. Be curious and ask questions so that you store up lots of memories. That way, those

recollections will be there when you’re ready to reflect or write about them, if you’re so inclined.

Q: What do you do when you’re not writing? Do you crochet?

A: I read, go for walks, go to the movies, and get together with friends and family. I do normal things like
shopping for groceries and paying bills. I do crochet but it’s usually simple things like scarves or baby

blankets for a gift for someone.

Q: Do you have a favorite object in your house? What is it and what makes it special?
A: My dad restores old trunks — the antique steamer type of trunks. He takes them apart, piece by piece,

polishes, paints, and lines them with cedar and old-fashioned wallpaper. They’re spectacular. I have four