We are thrilled to welcome the talented Yvette M. Calleiro to our platform today! With a captivating voice that brings to life enchanting worlds and unforgettable characters, Yvette’s storytelling has captivated readers across the fantasy and young adult genres. From her engaging novels like The Chronicles of the Diasodz to her insightful short stories, her work reflects her passion for adventure, growth, and the power of imagination.
In this interview, Yvette will take us on a journey through her creative process, the inspirations behind her stories, and the impact of her experiences as a middle school educator on her writing. We’re excited to delve into the depths of her creative mind, explore her writing journey, and discover what lies ahead in her literary path.
Introduction:
Yvette M. Calleiro is an accomplished author and dedicated middle school Reading and Language Arts teacher based in Miami, Florida. Her passion for storytelling shines through in her novels, where she skillfully blends elements of fantasy with compelling, relatable characters. Through her vivid imagination and heartfelt writing, Yvette invites readers into worlds filled with magic, adventure, and profound lessons about life.
In this interview, she’ll share insights into her writing journey, the themes that inspire her, and the impact her dual roles as a teacher and an author have on her craft. Whether you’re a longtime fan of her work or just discovering her for the first time, we’re excited to take you on this literary journey with Yvette M. Calleiro.
General Questions:
- What inspired you to become a writer, and how did your journey into storytelling begin?
Yvette: My storytelling journey began in seventh grade in my Language Arts class with Mrs. Beverly Hoffman. She would read books aloud to us. The one I remember most is The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien, and that began my love for fantasy. She gave us writing projects that opened our imagination and allowed us to be creative. Once I began writing, I never really stopped. I would write poetry for many years after that, mostly for my own therapy and release of emotions. I wrote less frequently when I hit adulthood, but I found my love of writing again after I gave birth to my son. I kept it all to myself until 2014 when I decided to publish my first novel, The One Discovered (Chronicles of the Diasodz, Book 1). My inspiration stems from that little voice in my head that spurs ideas I cannot ignore. I find great peace in writing and enjoyment in sharing my stories and poetry.
- Can you tell us about your latest book, “The Chronicles of the Diasodz,” and what motivated you to create this world?
Yvette: The Chronicles of the Diasodz began as a dream. I woke up one morning with tears streaming down my face. I immediately grabbed the journal I keep at my bedside and began scribbling the details of the dream. It became the ending scene of the first book in the series. I couldn’t let the dream go. I kept wondering who the four people where, what their relationships were, and why did they find themselves in that circumstance.
The characters all have different colored specks in the irises, an inspiration that came from my niece who was born with a large speck in one of her eyes. The Diasodz have unique powers that set them apart from humans, and their purpose is to protect and heal humans. Of course, they have their enemies, the Raizyns, who want to dominate both realms. Originally, the series was going to have three books, but the characters were quite loud in my head, and it turned into a series of five books and a short story. I thought I was done, but one character refused to let me stop without telling his story, so I’m in the final stages of the last book of the series (I think). You never know with these characters!
- Your writing often delves into fantasy and young adult genres. What draws you to these themes, and how do they shape your storytelling?
Yvette: I have always been drawn to fantasy. I remember attending my parents’ volleyball practices and roaming the area, creating fantasy stories in my head. I love that anything is possible in the world of fantasy, and I want to foster that love of imagination in others. The young adult genre comes easily for me. I taught high school for twenty years and am currently in my eighth year of teaching middle school. I understand how their minds work and feel connected with their experiences.
As an intensive reading teacher of students who struggle to read or hate to read, I wanted to create stories that would draw them in and make them realize that reading can be fun. I write my stories so they are easy to read for children like them. I always embed lessons to be learned within the stories so that young adults can ponder on their own choices in life. I want young adults to develop a love for reading and choose books over social media. It’s a lofty goal, but I’ll keep trying.
- As a middle school Reading and Language Arts teacher, how do your experiences in education influence your writing?
Yvette: Teaching provides much fodder for stories. Throughout the years, I have taught many students struggling through horrible circumstances. I have seen desperation and resilience, fear and strength, cattiness and kindness. The whole spectrum of the human spirit can be found in the walls of a classroom. I tap into that essence to create my characters. I want young adults to be able to see themselves in my stories, and spending over two decades within their world has helped me to do that.
- You’ve written both novels and short stories. How do you approach crafting a short story differently from a full-length novel?
Yvette: For me, short stories are harder to write than novels. I love long books and long series. I enjoy losing myself in a world and never want it to end. So, when I write, I find myself wanting to keep writing. The RRBC 90-Day Alpha/Omega Short Story Contest change my perception on short stories. I realized there was a beauty to sharing a short story that could stay with the reader long after they read it. When I write a short story, I’m looking for a snippet in time, a moment that is so intense that it needs to be shared but doesn’t need to be drawn out. My short stories normally focus on one character (with the exception of The One Chosen, but that is more of a novella). With my novels, I focus on many characters and dive deeper into their circumstances.
Writing Process:
- How do you balance your time between teaching and writing? What’s your typical writing routine?
Yvette: I have no writing routine, though I’m trying to create one. I live a very busy life. I wake up at 5 am to work my part-time online job (teachers don’t make a great salary), and I get home from teaching around 4:30 or 5 pm, unless I have a doctor’s appointment or meeting. I try to go to the gym or go walking at that time.
Then, it’s all about making dinner and spending time with my son. By that time, I am usually exhausted, and my creative juices are not flowing, so I will jump online for a bit to support other authors by sharing their blog posts. On work nights, I’m in bed by 9:30 pm.
Rinse and repeat. I am finding moments here and there to write poetry. I also have two critique partners and spend time editing their writing, and I work on my own novel in spurts. I managed to produce two short stories last year, even with my hectic schedule, and I will release book six in the Diasodz series this year. So, somehow, I make it all work.
My typical writing routine for a novel begins with character development. I dive deep into all aspects of what makes that character unique. I keep a journal for the story and dedicate a page to each character. Then, I create a timeline of the events. I think in dialogue, so I let the dialogue lead the story and then create the circumstances around it. I need to see the whole story in my head before I begin writing, but I always leave space for new developments. I let my characters lead the way once I start writing. After I finish a chapter, I send it to my critique partners to get feedback from them.
After my entire rough draft is written, I distribute it to beta readers and gather their feedback.
Then, I spend some time away from it before starting my revising and editing process. I set a soft deadline, but I’ve been known to push that back. I care more about the story being perfect than publishing it on a certain date.
- Do you have any specific rituals or habits that help you get into the “zone” when writing?
Yvette: I don’t have any rituals. I write when inspired. If I have my journal with me, I will pull it out and write. If not, I’ll jot it on the Notes app on my phone. With a schedule as busy as mine, I write whenever an idea comes to me.
- Where do you draw inspiration from when creating the worlds and characters in your books?
Yvette: The Diasodz world was inspired by a dream, and I let my imagination run wild with it. I read a lot of paranormal and fantasy stories, so I find it easy to sprinkle a little of that into my stories. HYPE, my only book without a hint of paranormal, was inspired by the circumstances of students I taught many years ago. I try to make my stories as realistic as possible, even if they are paranormal stories.
- How do you develop your plotlines and keep your stories engaging for readers?
Yvette: I am a planner. I outline my stories, focusing on dialogue and action. I want the reader to feel as if he/she is there with my characters, experiencing it all as if they were in the scene. I love story twists, especially in my Diasodz series. I want to keep the reader guessing and wondering what will happen next.
- What challenges do you face as an author, and how do you overcome them?
Yvette: My biggest challenge is finding time to write. Soon, my son will be heading off to college, and I am sure I will fill that alone time with writing. Right now, though, I sprinkle it in when I can. Another challenge I face is emotional scenes. I am an empath, and even my fictional characters can wreak havoc on my emotions. So, I tend to struggle with writing certain scenes. In those moments, I show myself grace and give myself time to accept what must be written. It isn’t always easy, but I know the final story will be worth it.
Themes and Characters:
- What message or theme do you hope readers take away from “The Chronicles of the Diasodz”?
Yvette: There are a few messages/themes in The Chronicles of the Diasodz. In fact, book six, the one I’m currently revising, truly focuses on lessons to be learned. One of the bigger themes is that we all have the potential to be good and bad. It is in our choices that we pick our path. Another is about the importance of love and acceptance. A third is that actions have consequences. That is a very strong theme is this series.
- Your characters often face significant conflicts and growth. How do you create well-rounded, relatable characters?
Yvette: I love learning about the human psyche and what makes people tick. I have also spent my entire life analyzing people and their actions (as well as my own). Plus, my time as a teacher has given me the opportunity to be surrounded by so many interesting personalities. I make sure my characters are multi-faceted so they represent the complexity of humanity. Not a single one of my characters is perfect. Even my protagonists have flaws. I like to think we are all perfectly imperfect, and I make my characters reflect that.
- Which of your characters do you feel most connected to, and why?
Yvette: That’s a hard question. I pour a little bit of me into each of my characters. In the Diasodz series, I’d have to say Sofia and Angel are the ones I feel most connected to. Sofia’s journey is not an easy one, and she has to rely on her inner strength and belief system to help her survive. I admire her tenacity and commitment to focus on positive energy. Angel is always trying to keep the peace and make others feel loved, and as an empath, I sense others’ emotions and always want to try to make them feel better. In my other stories, I connect with Cici in HYPE.
Though I did not experience the horrors that she did, I have dealt with depression and anxiety and the journey to overcome them.
- How do you ensure cultural and ethnic diversity in your stories?
Yvette: In my Diasodz series, there are characters from various ethnicities, including White, African American, and Hispanic. I try to write what I know because I want my characters to have an authenticity to them. HYPE and my short stories, Escaping the Woods and A Christmas Homecoming, all have Hispanic characters. A Christmas Homecoming is probably my most cultural book as almost all the characters are Hispanic.
- Can you talk about the role of family and community in shaping your stories?
Yvette: I am very close to my parents and sister. My mom and sister are huge supporters of my stories. In fact, my sister is a grammar guru and helps make sure my stories are written well. I surround myself with a community of readers, and my closest friends are very encouraging of my writing. My family is not perfect, and the flaws keep me grounded. My community is made of many cultures co-existing. I am also an Army brat, so I have lived in four different countries and five different states. I have also traveled to all 50 states in the USA and fifteen countries.
My experiences throughout my life have shaped my stories in so many ways. I tend to show flawed families whose love pulls them through. I show diversity and acceptance and the power of friendship.
Inspiration & Creativity:
- What authors or works have had the greatest influence on your writing style?
Yvette: I honestly wouldn’t even know how to categorize my style much less who influenced the way I write. I can tell you that JRR Tolkien inspired me to dive into the world of fantasy and paranormal. Reading Stephenie Meyer’s journey to become an author inspired me to finally take the leap and write my own stories. When I first started writing stories, I loved the world Cassandra Claire created in The Mortal Instruments series. I was also reading the House of Night series by PC Cast and Kristin Cast. Perhaps those worlds helped influence my dreams to birth the Diasodz world.
- Do you have any favorite books or authors that you enjoy reading during your downtime?
Yvette: I don’t have much down time, but I read when I’m eating lunch and when I’m on the elliptical at the gym. I’m a huge fan of the Black Dagger Brotherhood series by J.R. Ward. I have been reading that series for over ten years, and I love it. I also enjoy reading books written by many indie authors. Some of my favorites are PTL Perrin, D.L. Finn, Marcia Meara, and John Podlaski.
- When you’re not writing, what hobbies or interests inspire your creativity?
Yvette: I love being out in nature, so if the weather is good, I go to the beach on the weekends. I also go camping twice a year with my sister and our children. I enjoy walking around my neighborhood and bike riding in the local parks. I also enjoy kayaking, though I don’t get as many opportunities to do so. All of these activities soothe my soul, making it easier for me to connect with my creative side.
- Has your cultural background (being from Miami) influenced your storytelling in any way?
Yvette: I spent the first fourteen years of my life as an Army brat, moving from one country to another. I feel that has influenced my storytelling as much as living in Miami has. My childhood was Americanized on the military bases, so I didn’t really embrace my culture until I became an adult. Miami is a salad bowl of cultures, and I tend to blend their influences into my stories. In the end, our core values tend to overlap, so I instill those values in some of my characters.
- What advice would you give to aspiring authors looking to break into the fantasy or young adult genres?
Yvette: Read the genre you want to write. Analyze what draws you in and what turns you away. Find a community of authors who will support you and honestly critique your work. For me, that group is the Rave Reviews Book Club. And write! Write all the ideas that come to you. Then, flush out the ones that keep whispering to you.
Personal Insights:
- What’s one thing about Yvette M. Calleiro that most people don’t know?
Yvette: I tend to share a lot about myself on my blog. What most people probably don’t know about me is that I grew up with a father who insisted my sister and I play sports. We had to play every sport for at least one season. I participated in dance/tap, ballet, gymnastics, taekwondo, basketball, softball, soccer, swimming, bowling, cheerleading, and volleyball. I also took lessons in piano and guitar. In the end, a loI learned I am best at being a spectator. I love being active, just not in organized sports. I do, however, love watching sports, especially American football.
- How do you unwind after finishing a book or a significant writing project?
Yvette: I don’t really have an unwinding ritual after finishing a project. I celebrate it on my blog, promote it as best as I can, and move on to the next project.
- What’s your proudest achievement as an author so far?
Yvette: Several of my stories have won multiple awards, but I consider my proudest achievement to be finding the courage to publish my very first novel, The One Discovered. I have lived with an anxiety disorder for a decade, and choosing to share that story was nerve-wracking for me. Pressing the publish button was a milestone for me.
- How do you see your writing evolving in the next few years?
Yvette: After I publish The One Redeemed (book six in the Diasodz series), I plan to start working on the novel that follows after my short story, Breathless. I will continue to write poetry and hope to publish a book of poetry in the next few years. I will also write a few short stories in that time as well. I will most likely continue to throw a paranormal aspect into my stories because I love it so much.
- If you could collaborate with any author, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
Yvette: The authors over at Story Empire collaborated to create a paranormal series with each author writing a separate book in the series. It was phenomenal. I would enjoy being a part of a collaborative project like that. I have made many author friends through online groups, and I would choose working with them over anyone dead. I am all about the connections I make, and that connection would be paramount if I were to work on creating stories with other authors.
Thank you so much for the opportunity to share my stories with your readers. I truly appreciate you. 😊
Thank you so much to Yvette M. Calleiro for sharing her insights, inspirations, and experiences with us today. Her storytelling continues to captivate readers, drawing them into worlds where imagination knows no bounds. As we conclude this interview, we are left inspired by her passion for both teaching and writing, and the way she seamlessly blends her experiences into her creative work.
We hope you’ve enjoyed learning more about Yvette’s journey, her creative process, and the meaningful themes that shape her stories. Be sure to follow her upcoming projects, and keep an eye out for more adventures from this remarkable author.
Until next time, happy reading!
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