BELLA’S RECIPE FOR SUCCESS written by Ana Siqueira
The loveliest thing about picture books is that they not only entertain, but kids can use them as mirrors and windows.
Even better?
Picture books can be a way to help kids learn new things, like vegetables snuck into a tasty smoothie, just like BELLA’S RECIPE FOR SUCCESS with charming illustrations by Geraldine Rodriguez.
I’m thrilled that Anna Siqueira is willing to share her writing and revision journey for her debut picture book.
Ana is a Spanish-language elementary school teacher and has also written for the educational market (be sure to check out EL PATO QUIERE UVAS! with Teacher’s Discovery) and has other books coming out as well, including IF YOUR BABYSITTER IS A BRUJA (SimonKids 2022) and ABUELA’S SUPER CAPA (HarperCollins 2023).
And now, onto the interview…
Ana, thank you so much for sharing your writing and revision journey and congratulations on your books! For BELLA’S RECIPE FOR SUCCESS, what sparked the idea?
This story was inspired by my daughter. She was always a perfectionist and when she couldn’t be one of the best, she would quit. Then, when reading a book about growth-mindset for our school, I knew I had to write a book to show kids it’s important to learn from your mistakes and to try and try again.
It’s a good reminder and lesson for ALL of us, even adults! How long did it take from your initial idea to writing the book?
That was a quick one. At that time, since I had just started to write again, I was not used to plot. So I imagined and wrote all in one day. Then, I had to revise a lot.
Now I plot all the points before writing my first draft. It can take up to three months to have the story plotted in my head.
I got books published in Brazil in 1992, but then I stopped writing when an editor here - in a conference - told me my book was weird. The same book got an award in Brazil!
YIKES, that’s terrible that the editor said that! I’m glad that you had that growth mindset like Bella and kept going, since that means we can all enjoy your wonderful stories. What was your revision timeline?
February 2019: Wrote a first draft
April 2019: I sent this story to a paid critique from Aubrey Pooley. I changed the ending where she was going to win a writing competition to a baking competition.
May - June: worked on different revisions with my critique partners.
June 2019: I participated in an Inked Voice Workshop with Jennifer Soloway.
July 2019: Based on feedback received during this workshop and critique partners, removed the competition aspect.
August 2019: I worked on two revisions with editor/author Lynne Marie.
September 2019: I participated in a pitmad event and I got a like from Naomi Krueger-Beaming Books
September 2019: I worked on one more revision with my critique partners and Lynne Marie.
October 2019: I went to Brazil to visit my mom who was dying.
October 22, 2019: Something made me submit my story to Naomi a few hours just before my mom died.
November 2019: I got an offer.
November 2019: I queried six agents. I got two offers. I signed with Andrea Walker.
January 2020: I signed my contract
March 2020: I worked with my editor on a few minor changes and decisions.
April 2020: I signed the final copy.
That is such an emotional journey, especially since you had to say goodbye to your mom as well. This makes Bella’s story even more meaningful! In your experience, what is the hardest part about revising?
A problem I have is that I don’t like to let my story rest and sometimes it’s important. But I get so attached to it that I keep on working on it every single day.
Now, I force myself to give a week or two between revisions. Well, I try, but it doesn’t work every time. So this story had so many revisions, I lost count. Sometimes it can get frustrating because you do not know when to stop revision and when to submit it.
That makes so much sense. I’ve had a hard time letting things rest as well! Did you have an ‘ah-ha!’ moment with BELLA’S RECIPE FOR SUCCESS during the revision process? If so, what was it?
When I sent my story to Aubrey, she told me that the writing competition was not as interesting to illustrate, so I changed it to baking and I think it added a lot to the story.
Another “ah-ha” moment was the title. It took me many titles to discover this one. I asked for help on my FB groups and someone suggested Bake it Until You Make it, and even though I didn’t choose this title, this made me realize -AH-HA - I must use a baking word in my title: what about recipe?
So the title became Bella’s Recipe for (Disaster- crossed out) Success..
What advice do you have for other writers? Are there any resources you would recommend to help with the revision process?
Plotting the story with all that is going to happen helps me now to revise less. When I started, I would have probably over 100 revisions, now it is probably 20.
Also, learn as much as you can by signing in to webinars and reading books. And if you can, get some professional critiques. Some are affordable. Lynne Marie is very affordable.
And participate in one or more critique groups. Your critique partners will not only help you with your story, but also pump you up when you are thinking about quitting. We all think about quitting once in a while, but don’t do it.
And now one of the samples from an early draft of BELLA’S RECIPE FOR SUCCESS…
This is when Bella was called Bia and she was going on a writing competition - so different -
“Oh, no. I’m not a genius, not a genius at all.”
To cheer me up, mommy takes me to a story-time at the library.
The library is my favorite cheering-up place.
My favorite author reads my favorite story with my favorite dragon.
Then, she tells us how hard it was to write this dragon story.
The author wrote and rewrote this story more than fifty times!!!
“ How fun can be something so hard?” I ask.
“ That’s the fun part,” she replies. “ I can always improve myself. Then I feel so proud. I love a challenge!”
The author tells us about a story contest.
...and the final words in the book!
Lesson from Bella - Authors, don’t quit and become the master of practicing and revising!
Thank you so much, Ana! And it is a great lesson we must all keep in mind.
If you haven’t connected with Ana, be sure to check out her website for the latest announcements and follow her on Twitter (@SraSiqueira1307) and Instagram (@asiqueira).
Order BELLA’S RECIPE FOR SUCCESS and be sure to drop a positive note on Goodreads!
Even better? Attend the FREE Virtual book launch! RSVP and info here.