Doris Vega Baez’s children’s book Anani and the Brave Hurricane Adventure (Anani y la valiente aventura del huracán) recently became a No. 1 New Release in Children’s Ancient Civilization Fiction on Amazon, as well as No. 1 New Release in Children’s Hispanic and Latino Stories. Plus, she’s also the Author Support Team Lead for Xulon Press.
Doris spends her work days helping writers reach their goals of becoming published authors, and now that she’s a published author herself, I knew she’d have some amazing insights to share.
To read our full interview with Doris Vega Baez, visit XulonPress.Substack.com.
Q. Can you tell us a little bit about the inspiration behind Anani and the Brave Hurricane Adventure (Anani y la valiente aventura del huracán)?
A. Anani and the Brave Hurricane Adventure’ (Anani y la valiente aventura del huracán) was inspired by my rich family heritage, spanning from Spain and Africa to the indigenous Taino people of the Caribbean, a culture my grandfather vividly brought to life through his stories. They valued heritage, storytelling, and children—values I hold dear and wanted to instill through my children’s book. By intertwining the Taino culture and language into the story, I aspire to celebrate and preserve this vital part of our history, ensuring that the legacy of the Taino people lives on, not just through our shared DNA, but also through the power of storytelling and the joy of learning. In doing so, I hope to instill a sense of pride, awareness, and connection to heritage in the hearts of the younger generation, all while taking them on a brave and exciting adventure with Anani.
Q. And you include both an English and a Spanish translation of your story in the book, correct? Tell us about the process of writing a book in two different languages. Were there any challenges that arose?
A. Yes, the book is available in both English and Spanish. Although I have a basic understanding of Spanish, I am not fully fluent. So, I utilized tools like Microsoft Translator and Grammarly for the translation process. I aimed to keep the Spanish text simple for young readers. My family, all fluent in Spanish, played a crucial role by reviewing the translation multiple times to ensure it was accurate, uncomplicated, and made sense to the intended audience.
Q. How long did it take for you to finish writing your book?
A. I dedicated a full four months to the process of writing my book.
Q. Describe your writing process. Do you outline, plan, and plot or is your writing more of a free flow of ideas?
A. My writing process begins with a brainstorming session, during which I jot down any and all ideas that come to mind. From this pool of potential, I select the concept that resonates most with me and commit to developing it further. Next, I craft a basic outline to guide the unfolding of the story. With this framework in place, I then proceed to enrich the narrative ensuring a robust and engaging storytelling experience.
Finish reading our full author interview with Doris Vega Baez at XulonPress.Substack.com.
Purchase a Copy of Anani and the Brave Hurricane Adventure (Anani y la valiente aventura del huracán)
Anani and the Brave Hurricane Adventure (Anani y la valiente aventura del huracán) is available at the following retailers:
Connect with Doris Vega Baez
Facebook: tainoadventurebooks
Instagram: @tainoadventurebooks
TikTok: @Tainoadventurebooks
Taino Adventure Books (coming soon!)
