Meet Marcia Andrade, Author of Gust's Maze
What inspired you to become a children’s author?
I have always liked reading writing since I was a child. Later on, when I had my own children, I carried on reading lots of children’s books with them, form the very great to the “not” so…. Then I thought that even I could have written something better. And so I did. I started having a few ideas here and there, I jotted them down and all started. I knew my ideas were good, but they needed to be improved.
How did you come up with the idea for Gust’s Maze?
I have always wanted to write a fantasy story with little, different twists where the hero would not be so “nice” or “innocent”, but on the contrary, a bit naughty, with some issues and try to show that even a person like that could change and be useful for a good cause and become a “hero”. When it comes to the quest itself, I did not want it to be gloomy, ugly, dark, but beautiful, tempting and show that appearances can really be deceptive and also dangerous.
How long did it take to get Gust’s Maze published?
It took about 5 years. I was very naïve when it came to the publishing business. I didn’t have a clue it was such a daunting and frustrating process. So slowly, painfully, and patiently, I started learning about it. In a way, it was good because gave me the time and opportunity to make my stories better and I was lucky to find good, professional people who helped me in doing so.
Have you written any other books?
Yes, but they have not been published yet.
Do you have a favorite topic to write about?
No, I don’t. However, I like writing stories that entertain and enlighten where children can learn something from them.
What do you hope children will learn from your book?
I would like children learn something to make better thinkers, be able to give and take opinions and draw some inspiration from it.
Are you currently working on any other books?
Yes. I am working on 2 picture books. Fedora, the Little Fairy a rhyming book - to be a real fairy is more than just waving a wand; Gloria, the Giraffe, a non-fiction, rhyming book (1st in the series), containing basic information about giraffes.
I have always liked reading writing since I was a child. Later on, when I had my own children, I carried on reading lots of children’s books with them, form the very great to the “not” so…. Then I thought that even I could have written something better. And so I did. I started having a few ideas here and there, I jotted them down and all started. I knew my ideas were good, but they needed to be improved.
How did you come up with the idea for Gust’s Maze?
I have always wanted to write a fantasy story with little, different twists where the hero would not be so “nice” or “innocent”, but on the contrary, a bit naughty, with some issues and try to show that even a person like that could change and be useful for a good cause and become a “hero”. When it comes to the quest itself, I did not want it to be gloomy, ugly, dark, but beautiful, tempting and show that appearances can really be deceptive and also dangerous.
How long did it take to get Gust’s Maze published?
It took about 5 years. I was very naïve when it came to the publishing business. I didn’t have a clue it was such a daunting and frustrating process. So slowly, painfully, and patiently, I started learning about it. In a way, it was good because gave me the time and opportunity to make my stories better and I was lucky to find good, professional people who helped me in doing so.
Have you written any other books?
Yes, but they have not been published yet.
Do you have a favorite topic to write about?
No, I don’t. However, I like writing stories that entertain and enlighten where children can learn something from them.
What do you hope children will learn from your book?
I would like children learn something to make better thinkers, be able to give and take opinions and draw some inspiration from it.
Are you currently working on any other books?
Yes. I am working on 2 picture books. Fedora, the Little Fairy a rhyming book - to be a real fairy is more than just waving a wand; Gloria, the Giraffe, a non-fiction, rhyming book (1st in the series), containing basic information about giraffes.
Stacie Theis / beachboundbooks@yahoo.com / copyright 2012