Daily Inspiration: Meet Claudia Recinos Seldeen

Today we’d like to introduce you to Claudia Recinos Seldeen.

Hi Claudia, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’ve been writing since I was a little girl. I wrote stories in a spiral notebook and even published a poem in middle school. But when I got to college, I let myself be persuaded that writing wouldn’t be a viable career choice. It took several years of slogging through a Biochemistry Ph.D. before I realized science didn’t make me happy the way writing does. And once I realized that there was no going back. I finished my degree, left the lab, and never looked back. It was a tough road. I missed out on a lot of formal writing training and had a lot of ground to make up. But it was worth it to me to put in the work. I joined writing groups and attended conferences and workshops. I read books about plot structure and narrative. I did everything I could to fill in my knowledge gaps.

Most importantly, I practiced writing. I wrote a couple of books that, unfortunately, didn’t go anywhere. But, with time, I got better and eventually hit my stride.

Let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what challenges have you had to overcome?
It has been a challenging road. Writing can be difficult and lonely work. It takes a lot of motivation and self-discipline to face a blank page. I wrote two books that failed to capture the publishing industry’s interest. There was a period when I couldn’t open my inbox without seeing a rejection. Picking myself up and starting over after hearing “no” so many times was incredibly challenging. Fortunately, I have a great network of writer friends. We encourage each other and lift each other’s spirits. For any career, having good people who have been where you are and faced your challenges is essential.

Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I write YA verse novels. I currently have two books – “To Be Maya” and “Catch Me if I Fall” – and a third book will be released in August 2023. All my books are published by West 44 Books, an imprint of Enslow Publishing focusing on hi-lo titles. “Hi-lo” refers to stories with high-interest subject matter and a comparatively low reading level. Because they feature short chapters, straightforward language, and an engaging storyline, hi-lo books are ideal for struggling and reluctant readers. I’m a first-generation Guatemalan American, and all my books feature Latinx main characters facing problems many teenagers can relate to. I aim to create stories that let young adults see their struggles and challenges reflected in themselves. One of the reasons we read is to feel like we’re not alone in the world. Others have been where we are. Making young adults feel seen and validated is one of the things I’m most proud of.

We all have different ways of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
My book, “Catch Me if I Fall,” discusses success and hard work. The main character, Angela, is a fifteen-year-old trapeze artist obsessed with perfection. She’s so afraid to make a mistake – to fall – that she hurts herself and the people around her. I believe success is facing the fear of failure we all feel at some point and knowing we will survive, even if we fall. We will only sometimes achieve that goal, win that prize, or make that dream come true, But trying is everything. Trying is an act of self-faith. Having a strong belief in oneself is the basis of success; when a person has that, failure becomes little more than a hiccup.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.recinosseldeen.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/recinosseldeen
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/recinosseldeen
• Other: amazon.com/author/recinosseldeen 

Image Credits
Kory Reid Photography