Dear Haiti, Love Alaine

Written by: Sabine Oh!
3 July 2019 – 19:34

Disclaimer: I don’t claim to be a writer by any means, just typing my thoughts out on paper…exactly how they form in my mind (all over the place).  All pictures and videos were all taken by me unless stated otherwise. Oh, and none of this content is sponsored.

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     So for my first feature on the site, I knew immediately who I wanted to chat with.  It just so happens that I knew two amazing young ladies who were putting out their very first book around the time I was creating my site.  I’ve seen these two grow into the beautiful and talented women they are today, and fortunately for me, I happen to be blood relatives of them both lol.  So without further ado, the authors of Dear Haiti, Love Alaine – Maika and Maritza Moulite!!

Maika & Maritza:  We’re the oldest of our four sisters who are all incredibly close. We decided to give it a try when we realized that we never got anywhere near finishing anything when we worked separately! We have very similar sensibilities and realized that it was really fun to write together too.

Maika & Maritza:  We are avid YA readers so it felt natural to write in this age range. Middle grade includes some of our most favorite books ever of course but young adult has a special place in our heart because it touches on so many “firsts” in its characters’ lives. We love being able to explore that period of the blurring between childhood and adulthood.

Maika & Maritza:  Yes, finally! We’ve actually avoided doing so until we had to sit down and send corrections back for copy edits and proofreading so the words seemed fresh and we wouldn’t miss anything.

Maika & Maritza:  Not on purpose. But we do discuss issues that are important to us like women’s rights, feminism in general, the portrayal of Haiti in the media, and more. Alaine’s parents are Haitian immigrants. Immigration is a very prominent issue at the moment, especially as the battle continues to extend (or end) Temporary Protected Status for Haitians, Central Americans, and others seeking a better life in the States.

Maika & Maritza:  So many! Haiti is more than what you see and read about on the first page of a search engine. In this regard, and in life in general, it’s usually worth looking beyond the surface of what is presented to you. It’s okay to be extra. It’s okay to be ambitious. It’s more than okay to be yourself.

Maika & Maritza:  No lie, we (cough, cough Maritza) thought it was a great idea to name three of the main characters Alain, Alaine, and Arianna. (Our agent and editor and Maika too if we’re being honest very kindly (and smartly!) said uh… no).

Maika & Maritza:   Like our elementary school principal used to say each morning during announcements: read, read, read because reading makes you… smarter!  But seriously, reading allows you to see what’s out there, explore what you enjoy, decide what you think you’d like to do yourself and give you inspiration as someone who wants to enter the business of publishing. Also, write the exact type of story that you would like to read now or would have loved to read growing up. There is universality in specificity and you have to trust that readers will be able to appreciate your work, regardless of how different your characters may look or act.

Maika & Maritza:  You can pre-order now or buy once DEAR HAITI, LOVE ALAINE is out on Sept. 3, 2019: