When We Make It is an unforgettable, torrential, and hopeful debut young adult novel-in-verse that redefines what it means to “make it,” for readers of Nicholasa Mohr and Elizabeth Acevedo.
We chat with debut author Elisabet Velasquez about When We Make It, along with her publishing journey, writing, and much more!
Hi, Elisabet! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
Hi! Thank you for speaking with me today. In a nutshell, I’m a girl from Brooklyn who has two children and writes poems.
When did you first discover your love for writing?
I was 9 years old and discovered my sister’s diary. It was the first time I saw the power of personal narrative and felt represented in a book.
She found out and I got in trouble of course but her writing her stories down gave me permission to write mine.
t did not click in my head until I read her confessions that I could do that too. I’ve spent the rest of my life since then confessing on the page.
Quick lightning round! Tell us the first book you ever remember reading, the one that made you want to become an author and one that you can’t stop thinking about!
The House On Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros. I was in 9th grade and it was assigned text. The teacher made us write about our own “homes” In my new book, The Apartment On Troutman Street is an homage to Sandra and her book.
Your debut novel, When We Make It, is out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Torrential, Healing, Hopeful, Courageous, Lyrical
What can readers expect?
I never like to tell readers what to expect because reading is so personal but I think what I am finding is that folks have been reaching out to me connecting to their own stories.
I am excited to see what journey these poems take the reader on.
Where did the inspiration for When We Make It come from?
I was inspired by my life growing up In Bushwick, Brooklyn. As someone who dropped out of school and was welcome into the land of statistics where all Puerto Rican girls end up on Welfare, and that was supposed to be shameful, part of what I wanted to do was interrogate the ways in which people of color internalize shame and assign value to ourselves based on ideals that are not created with the struggles and challenges of communities of color in mind. I want us to view ourselves as worthy and successful at every moment in our lives not just when we meet the predetermined most celebrated markers of success. i.e. graduating, getting a 6 figure job etc.
Can you tell us about any challenges you faced while writing and how you were able to overcome them?
I wanted each of the poems to be able to stand alone and come together as part of a collective story. I think I was trying to mirror who we are and how we exist as a society. Alone. Together. My job then was to make sure each poem carried significant weight that was then alleviated when the poem was surrounded by its peers. I don’t know if I achieved it or overcame it but if I was trying to mirror life then not knowing is kind of the point.
Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
I really enjoyed writing Estrella. She embodies so much of the bravery and badassery I think I wanted to possess growing up and even now. Sometimes when I’m faced with a challenge that I’m shying away from I ask myself what would Estrella say?
What do you hope your readers take away from When We Make It?
I hope they think about the things they were told either by society, their teachers, their parents about what it takes to “make it” and then decide that who they are right now at the moment is making it.
What was the road to becoming a published author like for you?
It’s been highly emotional. I cycle through I can’t believe this is my life to wondering if this will be the first and last book I write? I am constantly thinking about what things mean. How my life decisions impact others.
I lead with gratitude and when I have moments where I doubt myself I go back to reminding myself that at any given moment I am where I am supposed to be. This moment will lead me to my next moment and so on.
What’s next for you?
In terms of writing projects: I’m working on a children’s book, a poetry collection and a new novel in verse but I want to get into screenwriting so I’m putting that out into the universe.
Personally, I just want to be a good mom, daughter, partner, friend and leave a legacy that my descendants can find and be proud of.
Lastly, do you have any book recommendations for our readers?
I have way too many but these are some of my faves:
- Novel: The Boy Without A Flag by Abraham Rodriguez
- Novel in Verse: Me Moth by Amber McBride
- Poetry Collection: Bendicion by Tato Laviera
- Graphic Novel: A Wild Seed Sharon Lee De La Cruz
