Greetings humans,
half-breeds, and everything in between. A while back, I had the pleasure to
interview my new friend, Cherrye S.
Vasquez, Ph.D. She is visiting the ECS as a guest and sharing loads of
interesting insights into her work. Be sure to look around and see what she has
to offer. Here are the results of our interview. A good time was truly had by
all, and here’s how it went down.
Hi there Cherrye! It’s so awesome to have you here at the ECS Universe.
Don’t worry about the darkness, your eyes will adjust.
So tell me, who is Cherrye Vasquez?
Well, I am Books That Sow: Strength, Character & Diversity, DBA. I chose
this title for my business name because it is my aim to write books that reveal
these virtues. As an educator and mother, I’d love to see our children walking
tall with deep-seeded positive, intrinsic worth, so I have written and plan to
continue writing books that reflect strength, character building and diversity
for all children.
I am a public
educator of 31 years, and an Adjunct Professor for 4.5 years. My husband and I
have an eleven year old daughter who is in the 5th grade, so I am a
very busy author.
I know
I’m a pretty busy author myself, but I have nothing on you. I’m so impressed
with what you have to offer and this interview is just getting started. This is
going to be good.
So
whacha got for me today?
*My
platform topics center on Diversity and Bullying issues. I believe that the
differences among us can be a tool that brings us together as a people if we
will only get to know one another. We must have consideration, care, and
respect for distinctions and variations that exist among us. Who knows, through
these revelations we may find many similarities and learn from one another. Oh
my, imagine us forming genuine friendships!*
I like
your stance on embracing diversity. I’ve always been one to live by an idea
that it’s ok to be different. Even if people don’t like differences in their
peers, they can still respect them and live peacefully.
So who’s staring in this 2 dimensional
script read of No Tildes on Tuesday?
Isabella, the main
character in my book, is a 13 year old biracial girl who has only identified
with one half of her culture – the Caucasian side. In fact, Isabella’s best
friend, Sally, is white. When Isabella learns that her family has to move to a
new neighborhood she becomes upset and a bit sassy with her parents.
Although Abuela
(Isabella’s grandmother) wants Isabella to learn her father’s first language,
Spanish, Isabella does what she can to avoid it. The story takes the reader on
twists and turns until Isabella meets a new kind of friend who shows her just
how important it is to embrace and learn about both her cultures – her total
self.
I like
the idea and principle of this story. Even with children who aren’t biracial,
it is difficult for kids today to know, to understand, and to appreciate their
cultures outside of the popular and more demanding Consumer and Pop cultures of
modern civilization. I’m glad you’ve chosen to tackle this subject.
Past,
present, future, is there a rhyme or reason to your writing?
Oh yes, there
is a rhyme and reason to my writing. I love to write in the early part of the
morning because I am a morning person. With my favorite cup of tea right beside
me for occasional sips, I am “good to go.”
Oh no! Please
turn off the radio and television. I cannot write with distractions in the
background. All I need to hear is the tapping of the keyboard keys. Now, on
occasion if the dog or kitten wants to sit in my lap (I’d prefer the kitten
because she is much lighter), that is okay with me just long as they sit still.
I want to write and jump right into my character and plotting.
I wish I
had a pup to sit in my lap as I write; maybe I’ll work on that. Like you I
don’t like distractions when I write, but If I’m stuck and in need of
inspiration, I find that my collection of varied soundtracks to be very
helpful…oh and a warm beverage is always welcome, but tea is tops.
What
author(s) has most influenced your writing? Why or how?
Margaree
King-Mitchell
has influenced my writing and writing skills a great deal. She is my mentor and
editor. I’ve learned quite a bit from her expertise.
It’s so
cool that you get to work with an accomplished author in her own right. I too
am very fond of my editor, Melissa
Ringsted, but I’m always giving creative influence
credit to J.M. Barrie. The story of Peter Pan really did a number on me as a
kid.
Whose brain are you just itching to
scratch?
I can
understand wanting to see him perform. He has a greatly clever and observant
sense of humor that‘s clean and family friendly. Why not see something like
that?
Who is
so you and why?
Yeah, I
can’t see this generation being too familiar with her work, but she was good. I
can’t remember if she won an Emmy or not, but I know she was nominated. The
crazy thing about this is that even though I know she was in Roots (which was before my time), I can only vividly remember her appearance
on the Muppets Show (from reruns)…Maybe I need to watch Roots again :).
What’s
your ideal reading spot for your next highly anticipated read?
My ideal
reading spot is in my sitting-room flopped on my settee. When I do this though,
I’m usually not alone and I’m usually not reading a book for me. My daughter is
sitting next to me reading one of her books.
I allow my
daughter to choose two books that she wants us to read. Actually, we read one
together as we take turns, and the other I read to her. We do this until both
books are completed.
We usually read
from paperback books, but any cover would do.
I like
to read in my bed and not just before bedtime, all the time. It’s so comfy.
While I really enjoy a good hardback or paperback, I mainly read ebooks for convenience and
budgeting, and once a month I enjoy an audio book.
What was
your favorite book or story, pre-teen years?
I’ve
heard of this book, but have never read it. I may have to look into it…
Now this
is where the questions get a little kooky; are you ready?
Cool beans!
Alright
then, here we go.
If you
could only watch one movie for the rest of your life, what would it be?
 |
| IMDB |
I’d probably
try to figure out how I could use my skills to help the main character in this
movie. What a mess she was.
Now
you’re talking my language. I love classic movies and have seen all of these.
You’re on point stating that that kid was a mess.
What
makes you geek out?
I love trying
to learn the Spanish language. Not
that I’m any good at it at all, but that is one thing that I will spend time
doing once I retire. I will learn Spanish.
I
studied Spanish for years and was really good at it for a while, but I haven’t spoken
it in ten years. I assume it must be like riding a bike. I’m sure I could do it
if I needed to, but it would be a very bumpy ride…I think it’s great that you
want to learn it and truly hope you have a chance to master it one day.
So what’s testing your patience right now?
I hope that my
next book, Dedicated Identity, will be turned into a script as a
traveling school play for children and school staff, or a small stage play for
children and their parents to enjoy at an arts center.
From one
author to another, I know the feeling of having expectations for your next
book. I’m hoping to release to sequel to my Eternal Curse series this Spring,
but in the meantime, I’ve been keeping myself distracted with the anticipation
of the next super hero movie to be released…I’m a little bit of a geek ;).
When the
soundtrack of your life is playing in your head, what songs express your glee
and what songs bring out your rage?
I love songs
with messages of peace and hope. I do not like rap, although I know that some
rap lyrics have great messages for our children.
A lover
of music, I ask this question for selfish reasons. I’m just being nosy. I know
I’m influenced by what I listen to and so assume others are as well.
While I
greatly enjoy Rap, as well as just about every other genre of music, I can also
argue the content and theme of lyrics provided by most artists these days. When
I find a nice song with a truly positive message, I cherish it.
What’s
the most fun experience you’ve ever had?
This
sounds really nice. I like hearing stories about family time. Colorado is a
beautiful state, I’ve heard, but I’m too afraid of the cold to visit just yet.
Remind me again how I was lucky enough to
meet you?
I met you via
one of the Linkedin groups that I
am a part of. I was happy to see your post making many aware of this great
opportunity.
Yeah,
I’m glad I put myself out there like that. I was so nervous, but since then,
I’ve met so many wonderful authors in the process.
Not that
you can see into the future, but in your opinion, what does the future hold?
I hope to be
retired BEFORE the next five years. I am looking at the next two years for
retirement, May, 2015. During this time, I hope to have at least 2-3 more books
added to Books That Sow: Strength, Character & Diversity. I also want to
travel.
The world is a
scary place to live right now, but we are the people that make it this way. If
we would only show love and consideration for our neighbors, this world that we
live in would be a better place to dwell.
Ok
humans, half-breeds, and everything in between, that’s all for today. Be sure
to follow this blog to see who will be visiting next time. For more from Cherrye
S. Vasquez, Ph.D, check out these great links:
Website: Books
That Sow
Twitter
Facebook
Book Trailer
Video of Poems
– The Bully-ee (victim) & The Bully (perpetrator)
