Ten Questions with Ain Heath Drew
"I can’t remember ever not wanting to be a writer."
What inspired you to tell this story?
Ayo’s Adventure was born from a desire for children to understand the interconnectedness of Black people worldwide. I was also inspired by the traveling I do with my son. Every time we visit somewhere new, it’s my goal to learn about that location’s Black history, whether in the States or abroad. Showing him that he can find his reflection almost anywhere we go, is truly beautiful and helps him see himself as a citizen of the world. In a smaller way, Ayo’s Adventure is intended to do the same.
Who was your biggest influence in wanting to become a writer and why?
I can’t remember ever not wanting to be a writer. My influences have always depended on what I was consuming or experiencing at the time. As a preteen and teenager, I was first drawn to the lyricism of Hip-Hop artists. I started writing raps, which eventually morphed into poetry when I began reading the works of Nikki Giovanni, Lucille Clifton, Langston Hughes, etc.
Once I became an educator and a mother, I was reintroduced to the magic of picture books. So as a writer, I gravitated towards writing for children. I’m also diving into narrative writing because I’ve been in a space of deep reflection - navigating my way through grief and motherhood. I need to get those reflections on paper.
How did you know you were done? What did you discover about yourself upon completion?
I knew I was finished when my editor sent me an email that read “Final edits for Ayo” on the subject line. Once I submitted the final edits, not only did I want to do backflips because the process had been so long, but I discovered how invaluable the “right” feedback is for writers.
Ayo’s Adventure was a huge undertaking because it’s packed with information and it also needed to be digestible for children. I benefited from the input of expert readers who ensured that I was accurate in all ways. Before this project, I lived on an island as a writer. Ayo wouldn’t have been what it was if I’d created it without the feedback of my talented team.
What was your agenting process like?
I’m currently un-agented and occasionally looking. I’ve sent out a few queries and I have more manuscripts that I’d love to eventually publish. However, right now my focus is making sure that Ayo’s Adventure reaches as many hands as possible.
What was the best money you ever spent as a writer?
I believe travel is the best experience a writer can have. Whether I’m visiting somewhere to broaden my knowledge and gain new experiences or renting out a cabin to focus on a work in progress, it’s always money well spent.
What is your ideal writing environment?
When I’m writing, background noise is a must. I generally have a 90’s sitcom or music playing, a candle burning, a cup of tea by my side, and I’m in my writing space just letting it flow. Silent spaces are the least productive for me. There’s something about complete silence that causes my mind to drift from whatever I’m working on. My mind becomes my own distraction.
What are your top three tips to help develop your writing muscle?
Read - a lot. And I mean all types of genres, not just the genre in which you write. There’s inspiration to be found in narrative essays, romance, historical fiction, op-eds, YA, picture books, etc.
A lot of writers recommend developing a regular practice of writing and I would never encourage otherwise. However, I don’t have a writing “habit.” I go long stints without writing anything and consuming everything - from music to articles to movies and documentaries. Then I have bursts of creativity where all the inspiration I’ve received from consuming is transformed into ideas and words. My tip is to do what works for you.
Third, find your writing tribe. Friends who you can bounce ideas around with, read your work and give you honest feedback, and hold you accountable to your writing goals, are the real MVPs.
What does literary success look like to you?
Going into a bookstore and seeing my work on the shelf, and hearing children and parents tell me that they love my books, is the highest reward. Everything else is icing on the cake - being invited to speak, read, or write about my work. Being traditionally published in a world of gatekeepers and understanding how many beautiful stories may never be published while mine slipped through the cracks, feels like an honor. But the ultimate success would be to share space with more Black authors writing about the experiences of Black children.
What other authors are you friends with, and how do they help you become a better writer?
I have a small circle of writer friends who are all in different stages and thriving in different spaces. My dear friend, Olamma Oparah, is a writer and filmmaker who inspires me in so many ways - as a mother and as a creative. She’s the first person I went to when Ayo’s Adventure was just an idea. She is a force who’ll never let me put my pen down. Just by proximity, she urges me to create.
Who are you writing for?
I write for my younger self and Black children. I write stories that I wish I’d been able to read as a child and stories that give representation to the myriad of experiences that Black children have. At the end of the day, all children benefit from having diverse bookshelves because literature can either serve as a mirror or a window.
Thank you for supporting us in big & small ways since 2015! Paid memberships allow us to pay our contributors and create a sustainable future. Help us reach our first goal of 100 paid annual members. Invest in amplifying the parenting & personal narratives of Black, Asian, Latine(x), Indigenous and other voices from the global majority at our many intersections.
Before you go, leave us some love by tapping the ❤️. Also, restack & share! Help others find us. We’re @raisingmothers all over social media.