Diana Mercedes Howell Shares Her Journey From Late Bloomer to Literary Success

PHOTO: Diana Mercedes Howell, photographed in her Washington State home, where she transforms childhood memories into enchanting stories that captivate readers of all ages.

A Childhood Of Dreams And Stories The Making Of “Wishes Are Free” Finding Her Voice At Fifty-Three Creating Magic For Young Readers

Diana Mercedes Howell discusses her late-blooming writing career, the creation of “Wishes Are Free,” childhood influences, and her approach to crafting stories that resonate across generations.

Diana Mercedes Howell, the brilliant mind behind the universally acclaimed middle-grade novel “Wishes Are Free”, brings a refreshing perspective to children’s literature that resonates deeply with readers of all ages. Her masterful storytelling, woven with threads of compassion, understanding, and the magical essence of childhood, has earned her a distinguished place in contemporary children’s literature.

The remarkable journey of this California-born author, who embarked on her writing career at fifty-three, serves as an inspiring testament that creative pursuits know no age boundaries. Her debut novel, set in 1959 Campbell, California, masterfully captures the zeitgeist of an era when summer days stretched endlessly and children’s adventures held unlimited possibilities.

Through our delightful conversation, Howell shares fascinating insights into her creative process, her childhood influences, and the universal themes that make “Wishes Are Free” such a compelling read. Her authentic approach to storytelling, drawing from real-life experiences and genuine emotions, creates a narrative that bridges generational gaps with remarkable ease.

As Editor of Reader’s House, I am particularly struck by Howell’s ability to craft characters that linger in readers’ minds long after the final page is turned. Her protagonist, Rose O’Reilly, alongside the wonderfully drawn Grandpa, represents the perfect blend of innocence and wisdom that defines truly memorable children’s literature.

We are honoured to present this exclusive interview with Diana Mercedes Howell, whose work reminds us that the best stories, like the best wishes, come from the heart.

Diana Mercedes Howell masterfully weaves compassion and childhood wonder into timeless stories that touch hearts and inspire young minds across generations.

What inspired you to write “Wishes Are Free,” and how did you come up with the idea for the story?

When I began writing fiction, I discovered I enjoyed making up children’s short stories. In the beginning, my main character in Wishes Are Free, Rose O’Reilly, was a five-year-old named Sally. I read these stories aloud to my intellectually challenged BFF, April. She loved them, and I thought, “I may have something here.” I linked those stories together, aged Rose/Sally by five years, added more stories and Wishes Are Free was born.

By linking these short stories together, Wishes is naturally episodic. There is an over-arching conflict, but each part is a mini-novel within the whole. So, I ended up with several stories in one book.

The over-arching theme, losing your best friend, was my only intentional idea for the book. 

“It was time to stop ignoring the signs. It was a now-or-never decision. Jump off the cliff and see if you can fly.” – Diana Mercedes Howell

How did your childhood experiences influence the themes in your writing, particularly in “Wishes Are Free”?

Like anyone, there were good times and not good times growing up. Uncertainty ruled my upbringing. My father suffered from alcoholism and my mother dealt with depression. It was an atmosphere of shifting sands. The main theme of the book is misunderstandings. Rose’s kind acts somehow backfire and she gets into trouble as did I growing up.

All the fun stuff, slumber parties, trips to the beach, middle school crushes, making new friends, and Saturday Kiddie Matinees are there, too.

Could you tell us more about your decision to start writing seriously at the age of fifty-three? What motivated you to pursue this passion later in life?

It was time to stop ignoring the signs. It was a now-or-never decision. Jump off the cliff and see if you can fly.

I knew I was on the right path, an almost spiritual path. All is right with the world feelings enveloped me each time I sat down at the keyboard to put one word in front of another. Ironically, the first piece ever published was an essay entitled: “It’s Never Too Late.”

Do I regret not starting earlier? No. Things happen as they are meant to. 

“I knew I was on the right path, an almost spiritual path.” – Diana Mercedes Howell

How do you approach character development, especially for young protagonists like Rose in “Wishes Are Free”?

Every character in Wishes Are Free is based on me or the people I encountered growing up; the kids in my old neighborhood, teachers from school, and relatives. The characters most like me are Rose and Grandpa. Because my two sides are represented, it’s part autobiographical.

What do you believe makes a children’s story resonate with both young readers and adults?

Emotions are universal. Adult friends repeatedly use words like compassion, kindness, and heartwarming to describe Wishes Are Free. Many say they were reminded, in a delightful way, of their own experiences growing up. Reviewers, without exception, write that Wishes is a splendid read for any age.

Adults identify with Grandpa, and kids identify with Rose. Parents recognize themselves in the way he bonds with Rose and guides her through ten-year-old challenges. Whether children are lucky enough to have a kind adult guiding them, or not, they take to Grandpa’s respect for his ten-year-old granddaughter. And how Rose deals with parents, teachers, bullies, and a big brother keep kids engrossed.

Wishes Are Free is optimistic. Each part ends with Rose writing her thoughts about what has happened in her diary. She draws her own conclusions, which makes her a good model for kids.

How do you incorporate your love of imagination into your writing process?

This is the fun part! I love the freedom to go wild. I have total control of the narrative within the boundaries of how my characters would naturally act and react. 

Wishes Are Free opens in 1959 in Campbell, California. Geography is a given. For the rest, I usually start with dialogue. As ideas come to me, I’ll add layer after layer of description, emotion, and reactions using the same method as Bob Ross the PBS landscape painter of the 70s. He would start with a sketch and add depth and dimension with countless strokes of his brush.

Innumerable edits, additions, and subtractions follow until I have created a vivid, entertaining scene that reads smoothly and moves me in some way.

Villains are the most fun to create. Their actions and words flow effortlessly from my imagination. I don’t know why that is. Is there a part of me that would like to be a villain in real life?

What advice would you give to aspiring authors who are just starting out or considering writing at a later stage in life?

If you can’t not write, there’s your cue. Choose a genre. What excites you? Romance? Thrillers? Mystery? Fantasy? Non-fiction? Poetry?

Write, write, write. Rewrite, rewrite, rewrite. Let “It isn’t good enough” be your mantra. That is the only way your writing will be the best you have in you.

So when do you know if it’s good enough? You will know. You will put it aside for a time and come back to it. Many times, the thought, “I wrote this? This is good!” will hit you. You’re done!

Join critiquing groups. You will not regret it. For every misguided critique, there will be feedback worth its weight in gold.

Read, read, read. Read the best writing in every genre. Don’t give up. Kate DiCamillo, renowned and prolific children’s book author, endured 473 rejections before Because of Winn Dixie, which has now sold 10 million copies, was accepted by Candlewick Press.