When I received Dear Haiti, Love Alaine, I was so excited. It’s not often I get to read books co-written by sisters who are telling a story from a singular voice. Not only do they tell the story of Alaine as one voice, but they do so in such a genuine and careful way. They capture the essence of Alaine and while it is contained within the pages of this book, her character will seep into your very heart. You should check it out! I guarantee you won’t be disappointed!
Hi Maika and Maritza! Can you tell us a little about yourselves?
Hi! We are Maika and Maritza Moulite, sisters and authors of our debut novel Dear Haiti, Love Alaine. We’re from Miami, Florida and the two oldest of four sisters in a Haitian American family.
Dear Haiti, Love Alaine publishes on September 3rd. Could you tell us about the idea behind the novel?
Alaine came to us fully formed actually! She was so smart and sarcastic and confident and we decided to build a world around the character we had envisioned on a whim.
How did you process work while writing the book between the two of you? What would you say were some of the hardest parts of co-writing a book?
We started with a really extensive outline and then got to writing. We were both responsible for everything so we would go back to sections the other had written and combed through to edit and add our own spins so we ended up with one cohesive voice.
Alaine is an absolute treasure, is she modeled after anyone in real life?
Not really. We were actually shocked that we were on the same exact page for what type of person Alaine would be. We did have Kamala Harris when she’s asking questions in a hearing in mind a bit for Alaine’s mom Celeste though!
You have so many dynamic characters, my personal favorite was Tati Estelle and Tony, but who were characters that you two loved or had fun writing?
We love writing in Alaine’s voice! She says all the things we’re thinking but don’t always express ourselves.
I loved that you used the Haitian Creole when you were naming the different parts of the book. Could you tell us a bit how this language might have helped shape your lives at home as well as within the book?
We decided to include made up Haitian proverbs at the beginning of each section because we used to hear actual proverbs growing up from our grandmother and parents. And even though English is our first language, some emotional phrases and descriptive words are better expressed in Creole. Language really helps to connect you with others so it’s always fun when you meet another Haitian person somewhere and exchange a few words.
Which relationship was the hardest for you both to write about when you were writing the book?
Hmm. Great question. Alaine’s relationship with her mom Celeste is very tenuous. Celeste is also a bit distant which is very unlike the relationship we have with our own mother so we had to go to a different mental place to explore how they would be together.
Could you please talk more about the amazing food culture that you describe in your book? Parts of your story definitely made me hungry.
Haitian people know how to cook! We knew that we wanted to highlight our delicious cuisine in this story. We have some of the classics that anyone would find in a Haitian Food 101 course but also a few dishes that are just as delicious, if not as well-known. Food is definitely a Haitian love language!
Alaine’s perspective is shaped by her being a first generation Haitian American, having to walk between and meld two cultures into one. How similar is it to your own experiences in terms of blending culture, food, behaviors?
Being first generation Americans is like walking down a tightrope. You can’t fall too much on either side of the line because sometimes you don’t feel like you belong. We’ve definitely had moments (and still do!) where we find ourselves feeling that we’re not enough of either. But we think that’s just a symptom of being a child of immigrants. In reality, there’s no one way to be and we’re proud to be an amalgamation of Haiti and America.
What’s been something about this writing journey that you have both absolutely enjoyed?
All the free books! We are readers first and foremost and going to all these amazing conferences and conventions to talk about our book has been a huge honor and leaving with about 10-15 books each time is our favorite perk by far.
Are you working on a new project, and could you tell us a little more about it (if you’re not bound to secrecy of course)?
We are working on our second book right now! Our working title is the GREEN BOOK BOOK while we wait for a better title. Here is a summary: In which a teen girl decides to honor the memory of her sister who died in police custody by taking a road trip inspired by her history buff sister’s heirloom copy of the Nogro Motorist Green Book, the civil rights-era guide to safe traveling for African Americans.
Lastly, do you have any book recommendations for us?
Maika: Elizabeth Acevedo’s The Poet X
Maritza: Kendare Blake’s Three Dark Crowns series
You can find Maika on Twitter and Instagram and Maritza on Twitter and Instagram, along with their Facebook page.
