Tami Charles is the much acclaimed author of books for children of all ages. Her debut middle-grade novel LIKE VANESSA received three starred reviews, was a Junior Library Guild selection and on the Indies Introduce and Spring Kids Next lists. She received more kudos for her picture book biography FEARLESS MARY and her humorous DEFINITELY DAPHNE series. Her most recent novel, BECOMING BEATRIZ, was released last month and takes Tami into young adult readers.
How does she get inspired to write all these wonderful stories? We asked…
Booking Biz: What does your average day look like?
Tami: I typically wake up around five a.m. to write. It’s the best time because everyone is sleeping and no one is begging me for snacks! I write for about two hours and then shift to mommy mode: breakfast, packing up, and off to school! Life as a writer can be quite sedentary (and lonely!), so I make sure I get to the gym a few days a week. My mid-morning/afternoons are filled with more writing (with a side of reading!). Once school is dismissed, it’s back to mommy mode. (homework, sports, more homework) Repeat. Repeat.
Booking Biz: When you’re not writing, what do you like to do best?
Tami: I love to cook! I think in my past life I was a chef. My specialties are empanadas, cheesecake, and any type of seafood. Seriously, I throw down in the kitchen!
Booking Biz: Where do you get the inspiration for your books?
Tami: I’m the child of a retired teacher-turned-principal. Reading was as routine as breathing in my household. I read so many books growing up, but I often didn’t see myself in them, which is probably why I didn’t think I could be an author. As a teacher, my students helped change my mind. Together, we read so many diverse books—the kind I would’ve loved reading as a child. My students inspired me to revisit my childhood dream. And aren’t I lucky they did!
Booking Biz: Did you always want to write books for children, or was there another career you wished for as a child?
Tami: I also wanted to be a singer. I was even in an R&B singing group a really long time ago. And I’ve already said too much, so I’m just going to stop right here.
Booking Biz: If you ruled the world, what would it look like?
Tami: Hear ye! Hear ye! If I ruled the world, these would be my demands:
• Mandatory, uninterrupted naps for moms between the hours of 1-3 pm daily
• Extend summer by two weeks
• International vacations for all, a minimum of twice a year (because the world is our classroom!)
• No kids in cages
Booking Biz: Yes! A great world that would be.