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MEET STEFANIE A. CRUZ
by Bonnie O'Brian

When you were a child did you ever have moments when you decided that you were going to be a writer when you grew up?

Stefanie A. Cruz

I always loved telling stories. I knew I wanted to work in TV news because I loved hearing the days' events and watching the pictures. It was an event for the family at the end of the day to watch the evening news. I've wanted to be a news anchor and reporter for as long as I can remember. It's a terrific and immediate way to tell stories.

Was your first book accepted immediately? or did you experience a number of rejections?

The publishing world is a lot like TV news. It's a very subjective business. I never intended to become an author. I was just inspired by the real events of Delta & Dawn wandering up the Sacramento River. I wrote the story and started calling various publishers. Some liked the story, others thought it was "contrived" and needed work. It reminded me of the rejections you get in TV when someone doesn't like your look, the sound of your voice or how you deliver stories.

What kinds of things inspire you to write?

The true story of Delta & Dawn was an inspiration in itself. Beyond the great story of two whales lost and the rescue effort, the mother and child bond inspired me to write. It reminded me of my love for my own son.

How did your life change when you got married? and had children? Did it make it easier or harder to find time to write?

Getting married and having a child have been the best things to ever happen to me personally and professionally. As a news writer, I have perspective to draw on as a parent. The stories I cover about children mean so much more to me. I understand the tragedies and have compassion. As a children's author, I take my own experiences from reading to my son and apply them to my writing style. I am a more conversational writer.

When you do school visits, what question do children ask you most?

Kids want to know what happened to Delta & Dawn. From all accounts, the whales made it back out to the ocean and are happily in their natural environment.

What do you most want the students to get out of your school visits?

I hope the students feel motivated to read, learn about the world around them and pursue their dreams. I never anticipated becoming an author. It just happened. I hope they feel they can do whatever they feel inspired to do. It can happen!

What other jobs you had before you became a writer/illustrator?

I continue to work in TV news as a news anchor and reporter. I've held a number of other jobs in newsrooms as well: executive producer, editor, photographer. I have enjoyed every one of those jobs!