 Today we celebrate the book birthday of Into the Mighty Sea. We sat down with Arlene Abundis to learn all about the inspiration behind this book. But first, a little bit about the book: Mariel’s family is a big POP of color! But when her tíos, tías, and cousins arrive for her hermanito’s birthday party, their many besos, noises, and colors start to feel overwhelming. As Mariel’s tears grow into an ocean, she paints a boat to stay afloat and dives into the mighty sea. When an island calls to her through the swells, she discovers sights, smells, and sounds on its shores that bring back memories of the people she loves the most to guide her back home. Beautifully illustrated and lyrically written, Into the Mighty Sea is about a girl with big emotions who learns that sometimes taking a step back can be exactly what you need. What inspired you to become a writer? After staying home for over a decade to be the full-time caregiver of my children, I decided to go back to college. Initially to finish up my child development degree so I can teach again, but while taking a children’s literature class, I started a blog that connected motherhood and children’s books. Something so powerful ignited within me and a dream was born. Penning my own stories with a desire to not only see my culture and childhood experiences represented in traditional publishing, but heal wounds of never quite belonging. What 3 words would you use to describe your book? Vivid, lyrical, evocative. How would you describe your main character? Why did you create your character that way? Mariel sees her world through colors that represent her emotional state in a social setting. She draws and paints to calm her big feelings, but when her brother rips her art, she must sail through a big sea of color or get lost in the swells. Mariel is a facet of myself as a child and it’s inspired by my journey with social anxiety. My work honors resilience through mental and emotional health. I write for kids who long to belong. To be a mirror that can help make sense of broken pieces, while finding beauty in them—like a kaleidoscope. Where did you get the idea to write this particular story? As a child who was severely bullied in school, books were at times my only friends and a vehicle to escape my reality. I longed to see a protagonist that symbolized my unique childhood and cultural experience. Born to parents who migrated as refugees from Cuba, their suffering, oppression and diaspora, were the arbiter of all experiences and relationships. My father is also a former political prisoner so there was no going to my parent’s homeland. I wrote this book to honor my inner child and family’s voyage. What is the most important lesson you have learned as a writer until now? It took seven years to become an author. The road to traditional publishing can be difficult. Determination, tenacity, persistence, and patience are but a few requirements in this profession. Not to mention learning to see rejection as a source of fuel to propel one’s creativity rather than stifling it. Persevering through the process while not getting discouraged is key. The years of rejection before that first book deal with Harper Collins arrived, I saw it all as an opportunity to learn about what works and doesn’t in the market. Even after breaking into the industry, there is still so much rejection to endure at every level. The tricky aspect for me as a writer will always be in remaining vulnerable with my art while developing thick skin for professional subjectivity. Pushing through those obstacles that will inevitably come my way. Connection and community are pivotal in the traditional publishing arena. It’s all about finding your people–nuestra gente! In my case, those who connected with my work from a complex psychological Latine perspective and were willing to champion it. Becoming part of Las Musas was a launching pad in my career and where I found my mentor, Ana Siqueira.
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