Today we are very excited to share an interview with author Maya Van Wagenen!
Read on to learn more about the author, the book, and a giveaway!
Meet the Author: Maya Van Wagenen
Maya Van Wagenen lives in Georgia with her partner and their many pets. Her second book and first novel, Chronically Dolores, is inspired by her experiences as a teenager with an incurable bladder condition. She is passionate about bringing visibility to youth with chronic illness and validating the questions, fears, and absurdities that accompany a lifelong diagnosis in childhood.
About the Book: Chronically Dolores
Dolores Mendoza is not thriving. She was recently diagnosed with a chronic bladder condition called interstitial cystitis. The painful disease isn’t life threatening, but it is threatening to ruin her life.
Just when things seem hopeless, Dolores meets someone poised to change her fate. Terpsichore Berkenbosch-Jones is glamorous, autistic, and homeschooled against her will by her overprotective mother. After a rocky start, the girls form a tentative partnership. Beautiful, talented Terpsichore will help Dolores win back her ex-best friend, Shae. And Dolores will convince Terpsichore’s mom that her daughter has the social skills to survive public school. It seems like a foolproof plan, but Dolores isn’t always a reliable narrator, and her choices may put her in danger of committing an unforgivable betrayal.
~Author Chat~
YABC: What gave you the inspiration to write this book?
When I was fifteen years old, I was diagnosed with an incurable bladder condition called interstitial cystitis. I’ve known for years that I wanted to write a book about a character with this disease. But I’d always planned on it being adult fiction. A few years ago, I was in a predicament where I had a strong cast of characters for a young adult novel, but I hadn’t been successful yet in giving them a story. And then it clicked. There’s so little representation of chronic illness in literature, let alone children’s literature. I realized I could use this as an opportunity to write the book I needed as a teenager. Fortunately, my editor was willing to take a chance on a different kind of young adult story!
YABC: Who is your favorite character in the book?
Dolores’s older brother Mateo gets some of my favorite lines. It was fun to write a character closer to my own age caught in the incredibly awkward transition between graduating high school and being a “real” adult. Mateo still lives at home and works at the family business, meaning he hasn’t been able to forge an independent identity or pursue the things he wants. Mateo’s arc in the story was so satisfying for me as a fellow oldest sibling and disaster gay.
YABC: How do you know when a book is finished?
To be honest, I don’t. I have a hard time reading my published works because I feel like there’s always something I could have improved or said differently. If I went solely based on my gut, I’d never submit anything. Fortunately, I have trusted people in my life who can tell me when a draft is good enough to take the next step. To answer the question—I know a book is finished when my editor tells me it’s finished.
YABC: What research did you do to write this book?
The book references a number of Catholic saints. I don’t come from a Catholic background, but I grew up super familiar with the imagery. So, like Dolores, I went on the hunt for spooky saints stories, the gorier, the better. I also did some research into etymology, which factors into several conversations in the book. I’ve always found the history of words fascinating. Some etymological roots I knew going into this writing and others I learned about during the process. I’m very grateful for everyone in the acknowledgments who guided me on my research journey.
YABC: When did you know you wanted to be a writer?
When I was in elementary school, the author Brandon Mull spoke at an assembly about his job as an author. For the first time, I realized that every book I loved had some random, normal, everyday person who brought the story and characters into being. I knew immediately that was what I wanted to be. The only thing I wanted to be. Every decision I’ve made, good or bad, smart or stupid, has been directed by my unwavering passion to make a living telling stories. And while I haven’t got the “make-a-living” part down yet, I feel so much joy sitting at my computer to work on a manuscript. I’m incredibly lucky that what I love to do more than anything in the world, I can do regardless of whether my body feels like cooperating that day.
YABC: What type of scene do you love to write the most?
My favorite scenes are big group conversation scenes, with lots of people talking to each other and over each other. If the characters are captive—stuck around a dinner table, for example—that’s even better. I love how tension can build and dissipate with what characters say or choose not to say. When these conversations come up in real life, I find myself stuck on the outside, more observer than participant. But being an observer has taught me so much about the flow and rhythm of this sort of dialogue.
YABC: What is your favorite writing space?
I have two writing spots in my apartment. My favorite is the living room sofa. It’s right next to the patio doors, so there’s lots of sunlight, and I can look out and watch the birds on the birdfeeder. But if I’m having a bad chronic illness day, I’ll write in bed with my heating pad and blankets. Either way, at least one cat is always willing to keep me company. The feline companion is really the most critical element in my writing process.
YABC: How do you plan to celebrate the launch of your book?
Weirdly enough, publication day will be a lot like every other day. It’s so bizarre to spend years working toward something, and then, on one random Tuesday, it’s just done. I plan on getting celebratory milkshakes with my fiancée, Facetiming with family, and maybe hitting up a few bookstores to see if I can find a copy of Chronically Dolores in the wild.
YABC: What hobbies do you enjoy?
I love sewing, especially quilting. I try to make at least one full-size quilt a year. I’m a new knitter, but I’ve had a ton of fun with it, and I’m getting more confident reading patterns. I’ve dabbled in photography and learned I really love taking candids of stage shows and performances. I’ve done a little painting, some embroidery, some graphic design. I find it energizing to try something new and practice until I start seeing improvement.
YABC: What other age group would you consider writing for?
My first two books fit solidly in the overlap between middle-grade and young-adult fiction. I love writing for that audience and exploring the themes of identity, family, friendships, and belonging. But I’m really excited to transition into adult fiction for my next project. It’s been nice to have the freedom to follow stories and voices to their fullest authenticity without worrying about whether the finished product will be appropriate for younger readers. I know that I’ll always come back to writing for teens, though, and I have several ideas percolating for future YA novels.
Title: Chronically Dolores
Author: Maya Van Wagenen
Release Date: 3/26/24
Publisher: Dutton Books for Young Readers
ISBN-13: 9780525426820
Genre: YA
Age Range: 12 and up
*Giveaway Details*
Ten (10) winners will receive a hardcover copy of Chronically Delores (Maya Van Wagenen) ~ US Only!
*Click the Rafflecopter link below to enter the giveaway!*
Cant wait to read this book!
This is a cute cover and sounds like a fun story.
This looks like a fun read!
I like the cover and think this sounds emotional.
I like the premise!