Maria J. Andrade was born in Ecuador, South America, and raised in New York and California. She has a bachelor of arts degree in English literature and a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology. As a licensed therapist and writer, Maria has been diving into other people’s minds and her own, through dreams, poetry, and books for over three decades. She traveled with the Four Winds Society where she studied and was initiated into Andean shamanism in 1990.
Before Maria retired as a therapist, she specialized in women’s issues and founded the Wise Women’s Circle a ritualistic and transpersonal study group that continues today. The women support each other through life’s challenges and in the growth of mind, body, and spirit.
Maria Andrade’s books for children and adults is found in a variety of genres. This is an unforgettable first novel that reflects her imagination and creative storytelling.
Defiance and Redemption is her latest release.
Visit her website at www.booksasfriends.com or connect with her on Facebook, Twitter and Goodreads.
Based on a true story, Defiance and Redemption, A Lifetime of Unbroken Bonds, brings to life the joys, dramas, and triumphs of two sisters, Eva and Victoria Alisio and their loyal friend Marta. The sisters are raised by their atheist Grandfather Marcus and religious Grandmother Maria Luisa. Eva, a proud and strong-willed young woman defies her family, society, and culture, faces scandal and disgrace, for her forbidden love affair. Victoria finds herself in the center of a multigenerational conflict as her benefactor bestows a great inheritance on her excluding the rightful heirs. Marta, loyal to the childhood bond with the Alisio sisters, brings humor and support to their twists and turns of fortune. The young women’s bond of love, and perseverance, carries them through ordinary and extraordinary losses, triumphs, and ultimately to their destiny in the United States.
An important novel about 20th Century women, Defiance and Redemption, is an absorbing epic that moves through decades and destinies. It blends personal and historical events into a collective tale of self-determination, love, and sisterhood.
We welcome you to My
Bookish Pleasures! Can you tell us how you got started writing fiction?
I started over twenty-five years ago when I wrote an eco-social story for children about a young bird named, “Youngen,” who lacks self-confidence and is invited to go on a journey with her owl caretaker, Rufus. The little bird is urged by her mentor to go on an “adventure” to find her unique song. This pulls her out of a lackluster
world and takes her on a journey of self-discovery but more, it teaches her that she is held in a loving web of life where all possibilities exist, and hope is alive.
I also created the audio version of the story, Youngen Finds Her Song, An Inspiring Adventure from the Heart of Nature. The audio brought the book to life with exciting sound effects, music, and the voices of birds and insects who discuss their views about aging, war and peace, the human species, and many of the wonders of nature. I was able to make an audio to place inside the book’s cover so families could scan it with their phones and hear the book.
At that time, I was a licensed Marriage, Family, Child, Therapist, and I did this to give kids a hopeful story about healing and improving self-esteem. I also wanted to focus on the power of friendship and the awesomeness of the natural world. This book has been loved by kids, parents, and grandparents, for over two decades and I am so pleased about that! It is one of five books of fiction I wrote for children. I sent many of those books to the Starlight Foundation and St. Jude Hospital which help children fight life-threatening illnesses.
I also wrote several fiction books for adults which you can see on my website: www.booksasfriends.com
Describe your writing
process. Do you plot or write by the seat of your pants? When and where do you
write?
I write when I get an
inspirational idea. I may wake up with such an idea or it appears like a
full-blown dream when I am awake. I write on my computer looking out on my
garden or on my patio which is well described by Edna St. Vincent Millay’s
poem, “Renascence,” All I could see from where I stood/ Was three long
mountains and a wood.
Can you tell us about
your most recent release?
This is my first
fiction novel entitled, Defiance and Redemption, A Lifetime of Unbroken
Bonds. I translated it into Spanish to honor my culture and for a larger
readership. After all, the story takes
place in 20th Century Ecuador, South America! Here is a short
description:
Based on a true story, Defiance and Redemption,
A Lifetime of Unbroken Bonds, brings to life the joys, dramas, and
triumphs of two sisters, Eva and Victoria Alisio, and their loyal friend Marta.
Eva, a proud and strong-willed young woman defies her family, society, and
culture, faces scandal and disgrace, for her forbidden love affair. Victoria
finds herself in the center of a multigenerational conflict as her benefactor
bestows a great inheritance on her excluding the rightful heirs. Marta, loyal
to the childhood bond with the Alisio sisters, brings humor and support to
their twists and turns of fortune. The strong bond between them helps them
overcome their life’s challenges and forge ahead to discover a new world of
opportunities in America!
An important novel about 20th Century women, Defiance
and Redemption, A Lifetime of Unbroken Bonds is an absorbing epic
that moves through decades and destinies. It blends personal and historical
events into a collective tale of self-determination, love, and sisterhood.
How did you get the idea
for the book?
My sister and I had heard
the story of our parent’s love affair all our lives. So, I wanted to write
about that love story. Their love for each other lasted a lifetime, and yet
there were lessons learned from these soul mates who didn’t stay together.
I also witnessed the
sisterhood of three women in my family that also lasted a lifetime. These three
women, my mother, my aunt, and my godmother, had a close bond for over eighty
years, longer than most marriages! How they became close in childhood and what
they went through in young adulthood were fascinating dramas that I felt had to
be told. The three women overcame personal challenges because of that mutual
support. When things were toughest, they had each other, and this helped them
get through their circumstances. Those dramas filled with humor, romance,
scandal, and redemption, are why reviewers call the book a page-turner.
Of all your characters,
which one is your favorite? Why?
I love the three major
female characters in the story, but of course, my favorite is the protagonist
Eva, based on my own mother’s character and the true events in her life.
What was the most
challenging aspect of writing your book?
I think the editing and
translating I had to do in two languages. I had completed the English version
that entailed 77,000 words. I then translated the story into Spanish. A few
days I went through the editing process in English. After that, the Spanish
editor checked my translation and grammar. It was a daunting process!
What projects are you
currently working on?
I am working on a book
for children about going to Dreamland. I will also be sharing my personal life
journey told through dreams and poetry. Wish me luck!
What advice would you
offer to new or aspiring fiction authors?
There were poets in my
novel whose estates I could not contact for permission to use their work. I was
able to get around that creatively but even fiction may contain information
that has to be researched and permission granted if another author’s work is used.
As writers that is our legal and moral responsibility and takes some effort.
Other than this, I think
my advice to other authors is to believe in your work and write and re-write
until you have your story at a level you feel is your best. You will need to
have it edited so be patient, because you will write and re-write again. Hang
in there! Every step from writing to publishing requires your patience and
determination. If you believe in your story, you will need help, to get it out
there. This where the work of people like Dorothy Thompson and others such as
yourself, who love books and communicate with readers is so important!
The public won’t know
your work as an author exists unless you find a place for them to find it. I
also think you need to get away from writing and the sitting lifestyle. Get
outside, get some sun. Play with your child or your pet, enjoy your partner,
your friends! Then in the moments when you are alone or meditating, or
daydreaming, in the moment when you least expect it, an idea may visit you and
demand you put it on a page.
I want to thank My
Bookish Pleasures for inviting me to your site. I hope it was as enjoyable for
you as it has been for me!
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