This week, TheLatinoAuthor.com is featuring the critically acclaimed children’s author René Colato Laínez. Mr. Colato Laínez was born in Salvador and thus far has successfully accomplished his dream of becoming a teacher and writer. He earned his bachelor’s degree from California State University at Northridge and did his MFA program in writing at Vermont College.
His astonishing gift and talent to write great children’s story books is mesmerizing. Not only are these books wonderfully written, but they also capture the essence of his roots and his persona. His books are bilingual (English/Spanish) and are written to represent children in heroic situations giving a positive message altogether. Read our interview with René Colato Laínez and see what a typical day in the life of Rene encompasses as well as learn what has inspired him to become such a great author.
How did you get interested in writing children’s books?
My mother’s uncle, the Salvadoran author Jorge B. Laínez (http://openlibrary.org/authors/OL992121A/Jorge_B._La%C3%ADnez ), was my inspiration to write my first poems and stories when I was a child in my country El Salvador. I always wanted to publish a book as my granduncle did!
When I became an elementary teacher, I discovered the beauty of picture books. I fell in love with the stories and illustrations. I realized that I have so many stories to tell growing up in El Salvador and living as an immigrant in the United States. I met a goal to publish a picture book and now I am so fortunate to have seven picture books and more to come in the future.
What kind of research do you do for writing in this genre?
Most of my books are autobiographical so it is basically my memories and family stories that I use in my writing. But I have to do some research that sometimes become part of my books. When I was writing The Tooth Fairy Meets El Ratón Pérez, I found out that when young prince Alfonso XIII lost his first tooth, the queen of Spain hired priest Luis Coloma to write the first El Ratón Pérez book. I found out more details about the Tooth Fairy and El Ratón Pérez that children of all ages can read on the author’s note of the book.
What’s a typical working day for you and do you set a daily writing goal?
During the day, I am a kindergarten teacher. My students also are my inspiration. They have many adventures to tell especially after a long weekend. I write during the nights for two or three hours. My daily writing goal is to write at least two new pages or to revise a picture book manuscript.
Do you feel being a Latino Author has hindered or helped you in the publishing business?
I am writing about the immigrant Latino child living in the United States and about the Latino child living in two cultures. In my case being a Latino Author has helped me to publish my books. I believe that in order to write an authentic story, you have to live it. Because you know the feelings, dangers, hopes, tears and dreams and you can reflect them in a book.
What’s the best thing about being an author?
The best thing about being an author is when you see your books in the readers’ hands and when they approach you with questions. Also as an author, I have traveled around the United States and had the opportunity to return to El Salvador to share my books with Salvadoran children. It is great to know that the lines that you wrote in a silent night now are touching the lives of children of all ages around the world.
Do you have any favorite authors or people that have influenced your writing?
I have so many favorite authors such us the Salvadoran writers Jorge B. Laínez, Claudia Lars, Salarrué, Manlio Argueta and Roque Dalton. I love the work of Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, Isabel Allende, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Carlos Fuentes and Sandra Cisneros. I will always thank Alma Flor Ada and Pat Mora to open the doors to all the new children’s Latino writers in the USA.
What advice do you have for aspiring writers?
Keep writing, believe in your stories and do not give up. Join a critique writing group and take writing classes. Send your manuscript to publishers. When you receive rejection letters, learn from them and send your story to another publisher. Do not give up and soon someone will say, “I want to publish your manuscript.”
What are you working on now?
I have a short story in the anthology That Mad Game: Growing Up in a Warzone coming out next year from Cinco Puntos Press. This anthology of essays from around the globe is edited by J.L. Powers. In my story, Surviving, I write about my experiences growing in the civil war in El Salvador. Also Santilla USA will publish my picture book Let’s Play Football/ Juguemos al fútbol. Follow me in facebook and twitter for future news.
Visit him at: renecolatolainez.com
