Last week I shared my review of Unbetrothed, a YA fantasy romance, and this week I get to interview the talented author Candice Pedraza Yamnitz! In addition to being an author, Yamnitz is a stay-at-home mom. Residing in Illinois, Yamnitz has many fun facts about herself including:
- She met her husband salsa dancing, giving her a soft spot for romantic dance scenes.
- She also has a huge soft spot for quirky mishaps. She stated, “That sums up many of my first encounters with my husband.”
- Her favorite sport is volleyball.
- She hates spiders and ticks.
- Many of her stories are based on her adventures at camp, Puerto Rico, and Mexico.
Learn more with the full interview below!
Q) How long have you been writing?
A) I’ve been novel writing for six years, but I’ve been journaling since third grade.
Q) Why do you write?
A) I write to glorify God. I have a heart for teens and children. I wasn’t seeing the story I wanted to see so I started writing.
Q) What are your favorite book tropes? What about least favorite?
A) I like most tropes if they are done well. I don’t like revenge tropes especially if revenge ends in a positive light.
Q) Describe yourself in three words.
A) Spunky, Talkative, Assertive.
Q) Who is someone (real or fictional) that inspires you?
A) I’m inspired by my abuela who was orphaned at nine years old. She raised ten children and loved her family fiercely. I admire her heart for God and her tenacity.
Q) Can you tell us what inspired Unbetrothed?
A) Unbetrothed was inspired by my time leading youth group. At that time, I have been wrestling with my own insecurities and change. I wanted to speak to teens who also felt inadequate.
Q) How does your faith intersect with or influence your writing?
A) I pray during the writing process. My answers to character problems are influenced by my relationship to God. Some stories are more about the fun and other about the message.
Q) Do you have a favorite Bible verse?
A) “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge him and He will make straight your path.” Proverbs 3:5-6
Q) Can you tell readers about any of your current writing projects?
A) I’m writing the sequel to Unbetrothed and editing a time slip dystopian. The timeslip dystopian is about friends who get abducted 100 years into the future.
Q) What goals do you have for your writing?
A) My goal is to continue. I don’t know what God has in store for me next. All of my writing is for teens and children.
Q) What advice do you have for aspiring authors?
A) Keep writing. Keep learning. Keeping meeting more people in the writing community.
Q) Is there anything else you would like to add?
A) Writing and publishing is discouraging. Learn to fall in love with stories so you can persevere.
Be sure to order your copy of Unbetrothed here and request a copy at your local library!
Annnd follow Yamnitz on social media. She is @candiceyamnitz on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and TikTok.