Authors Gloria Amescua and Rebekah Manley met in one of the Writing Barn’s Write. Submit. Support. classes. Not only did that meeting turn into a lifelong friendship–but a friendship that brings accountability to their writing.
They were both kind enough to sit down and have a conversation about their writing experiences and let us eavesdrop a little.
Gloria: Bekah, do you remember the first day we met at our Write. Submit. Support. (WSS class)?
Rebekah: Gloria, I remember giving you a big hug and loving your accent. I thought we would be friends.
Gloria: You mean my Texas accent? “Ya’ll” is essential in my vocabulary. I thought you were lovely, young, and very approachable. We had an immediate connection.
Rebekah: Haha. Thank you. We sure did! Was the WSS class what you expected?
Gloria: At first I was a little nervous and wasn’t sure I’d remember everyone’s names. I didn’t know if I’d fit in. But even from the beginning, Bethany (and Claire) created activities that helped us stretch, learn, and share. What about you?
Rebekah: I was excited and ready for the challenge and accountability to take my writing to the next level.
Gloria: We’ve been accountability and critique partners for how many years now? Maybe three? I’m not sure because it feels like we’ve been accountability partners and friends forever.
Rebekah: Let’s see. I think we were assigned to each other in 2017. I’ve loved how we have developed a true friendship. As we drafted our goals, I knew you could see my hopes personally and professionally. It felt like I was letting you into my dreams in a really sweet way.
Gloria: Me, too. We’ve come to know each other’s dreams, encouraging each other all along. We’ve been fairly consistent with weekly accountability. I started out being very detailed and organized, which evolved into a To Do’s and Ta Da’s list or just crossing out the things done. Even if one of us can’t send a list, the other one does. If two or three weeks pass by, it doesn’t matter. It keeps us going.
Rebekah: Exactly. We just keep plugging forward without judgment.
Gloria: What were some of your struggles and how did being an accountability partner with me and having WSS through the Writing Barn help?
Rebekah: Some weeks, it was tough to revisit the goal list and see the needle barely moved. I had to start fresh each week and try to refrain from self-judgment on what I didn’t accomplish the week before. However, knowing that I was going to send you my list every week(ish) helped me remember that someone was expecting to hear from me, and I wasn’t in this alone. What has the process looked like for you?
Gloria: I struggle with doubting myself. The WSS group, you and Bethany have been there for me as I’ve gotten stuck on my writing, had hopes dashed, and had to wait. Yet, I know others are still waiting for their “YES!” From one of Bethany’s activities from our WSS writing retreats, I chose “Trust” and hold that close to my heart. Being able to share our deepest moments of sadness or joy with you and the WSS group has kept me going. Getting your list encourages me to keep at it.
Gloria: We signed with agents at different times. How did it feel to share that new experience with me and with the WSS community? How about the wait to share publicly?
Rebekah: This definitely goes back to what you were saying about sharing “deepest moments of sadness or joy” with each other. This literary life has plenty of both. I was thrilled when you had your agent offer, and I loved that we toasted at El Mercado. Of course, I longed for an agent myself.
The month when that first offer didn’t work out for you how we hoped it would, I signed with my agent. There was a bit of a tangle in feeling like a dream came through for me while we waited on yours. I was so relieved and excited when we both had our agents. In a way, I felt strange about sharing my news publicly. I was sensitive to my writing sisters and brothers who long for representation. What was it like for you?
Gloria: You’re so right, Bekah. It’s hard to wait to find the right agent and editor. I’m so glad to have Taylor Martindale Kean at Full Circle Literary as mine. Being able to share my disappointments and joys with you and the WSS group gave me the support I needed. But at the same time, as you said, it’s hard because others aren’t at the same place, and you don’t want to be too excited for yourself. When you got your agent, I definitely danced with joy! Of course, you and those I could share with were thrilled for me, too.
Rebekah: Working with your editor and the process for publishing has been different for us both. What’s your take away?
Gloria: The process feels glacial. I started writing my manuscript in a Writing Barn Picture Book II course in 2014, and I’m still doing edits for my wonderful editor, Howard Reeves. I’ve learned that most picture books take a long time, especially for debut books. But I’m so excited that Abrams Books will publish my picture book biography in verse, Child of the Flower-Song People: Luz Jiménez, Daughter of the Nahua, fall 2021.
I was surprised how quickly your book went from being accepted to being published! I’m thrilled for you in so many ways. You researched the type of publisher who would fit your book–that initiative on your part worked!
Gloria: You write primarily picture books for kids, but your debut book is a picture book parody for adults.
Rebekah: I am so excited for Luz to be a light in this world! Yes, I saw some hilarious picture books for adults, published by Ulysses Press, on the shelf of Got Toys in Gruene, Texas. I sent the press name to my wonderful agent, Natalie Lakosil of Bradford Literary Agency, and she submitted it to Ulysses. They quickly bought Alexandra and the Awful, Awkward, No Fun, Truly Bad Dates. I believe, as a press for adults, they are able to work at lightspeed on picture books as they don’t have as many on their list. I’m spoiled by my responsive editor Claire Sielaff and her efficient timelines. Catarina Oliveira, our incredible illustrator was a rockstar in getting us sketches and final images in record time.
Gloria: Where does the heart in your book come from? How did you dig deep into yourself and find what you wanted to write and really care about?
Rebekah: I have to laugh. As they say “write what you know” and I know dating. In this book, the character Alex goes on thirty bad dates in thirty days. In writing, I try to be as real and raw as possible and see where it goes. I tapped into the humor and heartbreak of real-life and let it flow onto the page. I hope readers will feel seen as they see this book is mostly about empowerment and friendship.
Gloria: You’ve taken a page from your own book and practiced empowered humor in your own life with your new “Application to Date Me” on your website!
Rebekah: Haha. Yes, fingers crossed I get to go on Today with Hoda & Jenna to gab about the experience and my book! If nothing else we will get some laughs and good stories. Glo, how did you feel about having your first book sold and the wait time before we could announce it? How does it feel now that both our books are publicly announced?
Gloria: I always thought I was a patient person, but perhaps not. Still, it’s so encouraging to be part of a writing community that celebrates with you when you tell a small circle and again when your book is publicly announced. It’s so exciting getting to this point in our journey together!
Rebekah: I agree. I feel like our community is integral and what keeps me going.
Gloria: We both have books debuting that we’re so excited about. You did a live announcement of contract and cover reveal. How was that for you? And how has the current situation affected you?
Rebekah: My writing journey started with my third-grade teacher, Mrs. Lauderdale. There have been a ton of people alongside me as I pursued this dream and it was incredible to be able to share the news online with friends and family from all over. I felt connected and supported as I was alone in my apartment trying to flatten the curve.
Currently, I’m grappling with my dreams of going on a book tour and how that might look really different because of the Coronavirus. I want to hug my Hollins University community, travel, do book talks, sign books and, again, be on The Today Show (it’s a dream, please tell Jenna Bush Hager). I don’t know how any of that will look. I’m trying to remain hopeful and brainstorm online ideas. I already have a few lined up. Including one with The Writing Barn on Oct. 29!
Gloria: I’ve been writing since I was about nine, just on my own. I had a tiny brown notebook that I wrote poems in. I know I wouldn’t be at the point of having a book published and other manuscripts in the works without The Writing Barn courses, intensives, retreats, and our writing community. I’ve learned so much and have cheerleaders who help me leap and catch me when I fall. What does it mean to you?
Rebekah: I truly do not know where I would be without our Writing Barn, SCBWI, and 12×12 Picture Book community. Writing is not a solitary sport and we have key teammates across the globe. It’s a joy and honor to be connected and cheering each other on.
Glo, what is your takeaway from our writing life journey so far?
Gloria: All those communities have been so important. Life is unpredictable and we support each other by showing we care, whether it’s listening, giving a hug (now virtually), or celebrating each other’s successes. I’m so glad you’re my friend. You’re such a special person.
Our dreams are coming true. Actually coming true. Those little girls who loved books and who have written all their lives have their first books being published. We’re on this journey with all its twists and turns together and celebrate each step together!
Rebekah: I couldn’t have said it any better. Our dreams are coming true, my dear writing sister!
About Gloria Amescua:
Gloria Amescua has been a writer since she was a child, writing poems and stories throughout her life.
Gloria received both her B. A. and M. Ed. degrees from UT at Austin. She has worked in education as an English teacher and as the Secondary Language Arts Director of Round Rock ISD. A workshop presenter for youth and adults, she is an alumna of Hedgebrook’s Writers-in-Residence program. Gloria applied for and was accepted as an inaugural fellow in CantoMundo, a national Latino/a organization for poets.
Gloria has been published in books and a variety of print and online journals. These include di-verse-city, Kweli Journal, Generations Literary Journal, Texas Poetry Calendar, The Acentos Review, The San Antonio Express News, Pilgrimage, Lifting the Sky: Southwestern Haiku & Haiga, Bearing the Mask: Southwestern Persona Poems, The Crafty Poet II: A Portable Workshop, and Entre Guadalupe y Malinche: Tejanas in Literature and Art, published by UT Press.
You can connect with Gloria on Twitter @GloriaAmesua and on Instagram @GloriaAmescuaWriter!
About Rebekah Manley:
Rebekah Manley holds her Master of Fine Arts in Children’s Literature from Hollins University and feels like she’s earned her MFA in dating. She lives in Austin, TX and is fueled by swimming, queso, and good conversation. Rebekah runs the Texas Center for the Book and works to encourage literacy, reading, and library use in the Lone Star State.
You can read more at rebekahmanley.com and on her blog bravetutu.com. Please connect on Twitter: @RebekahAManley and Instagram: @RebekahAManley & @YourBraveTutu.