An Interview With Bettina Restrepo

Today, I'm continuing this week of inspirational interviews with author Bettina Restrepo. Her young adult debut, Illegal, will be available in 2011.


Tell us about your book.
Illegal is the story of Nora, a Mexican immigrant who crosses the border illegally to find her missing father in Houston. We are all immigrants, so this story just isn’t about one nationality looking for family in a Texas town. It’s about how we love and survive.

I started Illegal in 2002, and it was accepted by Katherine Tegen Books, Harper Collins, in April 2009. Illegal will be in stores in January 2011. Nine years.


Can you tell us a little about your path to publication?
Illegal was the book that taught me how to write, because I had to write it over and over again. My main character, Nora, began her “life” as a nine year old searching for a lost book. She grew into a 14 year old searching for her missing father across the border in Texas. This happened through revision. Lots of it.

Illegal was also rejected by twelve publishing houses (including Harper Collins in 2004) and over thirty literary agents during its pre-acceptance life – and I am grateful. The book wasn’t ready and had not found its proper home. I NEEDED the no (although each time it hurt). Now, I know have the best book I could write.

When I was first starting out, Cynthia Leitich Smith told me, “You don’t want to be published fast. You want to be published well.” It is my mantra today – because I am impatient.

While I was working on the book, I did lots of other things; magazine articles for children and adults, a monthly column for a glossy under different names, fired an agent, found another agent, published a picture book, quit my “paying” job to be a mommy, became a mom to a learning difference child, and read thousands of books. It helped that all of my eggs were not in one basket. When one egg broke, I didn’t feel like the entire henhouse was coming down. Today, I feel like a juggler of eggs.

How did I find my agent?
The first time – a conference. We didn’t work out- which sometimes happens.
The second time - a query letter.

After my first agent and I parted ways, I knew that I wanted someone with an editorial eye and a nurturing spirit.

I researched a long list and was received many full manuscript requests – but I wanted someone who was looking at me as a career writer, not just a quick sell. That person became my forever agent - Blair Hewes, of Dunham Literary.


Was there ever a time you felt like giving up? Why didn't you?
Yep. I convince myself that I am an utter failure and tie myself into knots. After a considerable amount of self torture, I look back at what I have accomplished in one year, three years, nine years. I re-read the rejections letters. I re-read some of my terrible stories. I realize that I have matured. I savor the fact that skills I wished for years ago are now turning into my writer muscles. Feel the pain and then decide it won’t kill you. Take a nap, walk outside, pet the dog…. Then start again.

Then, occasionally, I pick up an application from Starbucks. Just. In. Case.

My advice to writers:
Your story does not have to be on a bookshelf to have meaning. Write for the craft and the art of the story well told.

This is a picture of Bettina's "little man" saying, "Put down the manuscript and PLAY!"

Thanks so much for stopping by my blog and telling us about Illegal and your publication journey, Bettina!

For more information about Bettina and her book, check out the links below:
Bettina Restrepo's website
More about ILLEGAL

Also, don't forget to read the other inspirational author interviews going on this week at the blog links located here.