Hola friends,
If you’re new here, welcome! This is a space I created to celebrate how creators show up to their work in full, busy lives. I’ve always been fascinated by the how of it all. How do we keep creating when life is full? How do we make room for the stories we want to tell?
I wanted to have honest conversations with other creators about that process, in hopes that it might bring insight into our own journeys.
Today, I’m so happy to welcome Delia Ruiz to Showing Up to the Page! I’ve been following Delia’s journey for many years, and I’m so happy for all of the beautiful books she’s bringing into the world. She’s also such a wonderful champion of the children’s writing community, and I love how she’s always cheering on diverse creators and books.
It feels extra special to have her here with me today.
Delia Ruiz is a Latina teacher-turned-author from San Antonio, Texas. Her books include Ways Papi Says I Love You (Las maneras en que papi dice te quiero), Moon Chef, My Sister’s Quinceañera, the bilingual ¡1, 2, 3 Baila! board book series, and Roqui’s Pandero Beat, winner of the International Latino Book Award. Delia hopes to inspire the next generation of writers who also come from immigrant households.
And I live in San Antonio! I knew we were meant to be friends! 😊
The first book of Delia’s I fell in love with was Roqui’s Pandero Beat. I loved the way it brings music, culture, and so much joy to the page.
That feeling has stayed with me. There’s something so special about seeing culture, family, music, and love reflected in a book, and Delia brings these stories to children (and all of us) in such a beautiful way.
I’m so happy to have her here to talk about balancing motherhood and creativity, finding those pockets of time to create, and the joy behind her books.
Let’s find out how Delia makes it all happen!
What does balancing motherhood and your creative work look like for you right now?
Delia: It’s an ongoing process of adjustment with a toddler who keeps decreasing his naps. Balancing work with motherhood means a lot of time management in my daily life. When I have big projects due, I know I have to schedule work blocks before my child’s wake-up time and at night. Usually, I can fit work in the middle of the day once my child naps, with timers going to maximize my time on the computer. When my kiddo is up, it’s full mother role and no touching work. I’ve made it work for the past three years, and having a routine for my child and myself has made the balance possible.
When you sit down to write picture books, what helps you get into that creative space on busy or tired days?
Delia: Music is my go-to, especially a calm indie playlist. Since I’m more of a night owl (until 11 p.m. because mother duties call in the A.M.), I usually do a 30-minute to 1-hour walk on the treadmill before starting my writing session to help clear my mind and get into that creative space.
What do you hope readers and families take away after reading your books?
Delia: My book, Ways Papi Says I Love You (Las maneras en que papi dice te quiero), touches on the five love languages between a parent and child. I hope parents/teachers walk away with opening up the conversation on all the ways love can be demonstrated to little ones. There is no right way to love, and love can be given and received in many ways.
For kids, I hope they walk away with real-life examples on how love is shown through the illustrations. I hope they connect with the love of their preference and use it as a tool to let others know how they want to be shown appreciation.
If you could bring one of your favorite characters to life for a day, who would it be, and what kind of day would you have with them?
Delia: I would love to bring the Papi character to life! The father in the story looks like my dad and is modeled after the ways my father gave my sister and me love. I’d love to experience a truck ride again and go on one more adventure through the rancho with this character.
A few things I’m taking away from my conversation with Delia:
🌙 Night owls unite! So fun to hear that Delia is also a night owl. Me too! 😊
⏰ Use the pockets of time. Showing up to the page doesn’t always mean finding hours of uninterrupted time. Sometimes it means working before the kids wake up, during a nap, or for a little while at night.
🧘♀️ Know when to put the work away. I love that Delia has made a clear boundary between work time and being fully present with her family.
💛 Balance is part of showing up, too. It doesn’t have to look perfect. It’s about finding what works for you in the season of life you’re in.
I also have to mention Ways Papi Says I Love You (Las maneras en que papi dice te quiero), which has been a favorite in our home. I love the way it shows all the different ways we can give and receive love.
The author’s note at the back of the book shares more about the rides Delia took with her father in his 1984 Ford F-150 and how those rides became such a special bonding experience. So sweet, especially after hearing her talk about wanting to experience one more adventure through the rancho with the Papi character. ❤️
If you want to support Delia’s work and discover more books celebrating Latinx culture, you can visit her Bookshop, where she shares diverse book recommendations. Delia also uses the commissions from her Bookshop to help with shipping donated copies to public libraries and book giveaways on her platform.
Delia has been such a light in our community, and I always feel a little extra special when I see her posts, especially when I read her stories- the kind I wish I had growing up.
A little thank-you poem for Delia:
Your words inspire us,
your stories bring us joy,
filling pages with the love
we all deserve to see.
Thank you for showing up,
for sharing your gifts,
and for leaving a little joy
wherever you go.
~Steena
And... Delia is generously giving away a copy of Ways Papi Says I Love You to one person who comments on this post! YAY! 🎉
Thank you, Delia, for this sweet giveaway, and good luck to everyone who enters!
I’m so happy you joined me here and shared a little of your creative journey with us. ❤️
Check out some other episodes of Showing Up to the Page, and thank you so much for being here and following along.
Something exciting is in the works for another episode! I’m hoping to sit down with another special creator soon and share more of their journey with you. 🎙️✨
Thanks for being here with me!
Sonrisas,
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