One lives in Vermont, the other in Illinois, and
the other in NY. No, they are not the Charlie’s
Angels! They are the Sister Chicas! In a
society saturated by the mean girl culture
comes a refreshingly sweet novel about three
girlfriends called Sister Chicas.
The three authors are good friends that live in
different states. They wrote Sister Chicas over the
phone and via email. Constant collaboration and
interweaving of writing styles produced a uniquely
distinct novel.
Lisa, Ann, and Jane met at Vermont College and
instantaneously formed a bond that they describe as
magical. These hermanas, as they call each other,
are familiar with loyalty and allegiance because their
own friendship was the inspiration for the novel.
Driving home one day Ann had the idea of writing a
story about sisterhood and immediately called her
hermanas to recruit them. Ann was nervous about
their response, but they all excitedly agreed, mostly
because of the added benefit of working together.
Each author focused on a character, and although
they were never in the same room during the writing
process, they were in constant contact over the
phone and by e-mail. “Latin women are multi-
layered and multicultural, so it was important for us to
portray the characters in the same light,” states
Jane. Ann adds, “It was important for us to
conference whenever our characters were meeting
in the story, to be sure that their voices, Leni, Taina
and Graciela stayed true throughout the novel.”
the other in NY. No, they are not the Charlie’s
Angels! They are the Sister Chicas! In a
society saturated by the mean girl culture
comes a refreshingly sweet novel about three
girlfriends called Sister Chicas.
The three authors are good friends that live in
different states. They wrote Sister Chicas over the
phone and via email. Constant collaboration and
interweaving of writing styles produced a uniquely
distinct novel.
Lisa, Ann, and Jane met at Vermont College and
instantaneously formed a bond that they describe as
magical. These hermanas, as they call each other,
are familiar with loyalty and allegiance because their
own friendship was the inspiration for the novel.
Driving home one day Ann had the idea of writing a
story about sisterhood and immediately called her
hermanas to recruit them. Ann was nervous about
their response, but they all excitedly agreed, mostly
because of the added benefit of working together.
Each author focused on a character, and although
they were never in the same room during the writing
process, they were in constant contact over the
phone and by e-mail. “Latin women are multi-
layered and multicultural, so it was important for us to
portray the characters in the same light,” states
Jane. Ann adds, “It was important for us to
conference whenever our characters were meeting
in the story, to be sure that their voices, Leni, Taina
and Graciela stayed true throughout the novel.”
| The title itself stands in stark contrast to the culture of meanness that permeates our world, an irony that isn’t lost on the authors. Jane reflects, “Unfortunately, society sometimes focuses on tearing others down. I’m proud of what we wrote- a book focusing on the positive aspects of sisterhood. It was important for us to write a novel in which women are portrayed as true friends that support each other contrary to popular belief.” As the friendship between the characters blossomed, so did their own relationship and personal growth. Ann recalls, “My own father passed away when I was young, and writing about Leni’s experience with her father’s death brought me back to a place that I hadn’t been to in many years. As I wrote Leni's story, it bought back emotions and unresolved feelings that I had as a child. Although the details weren’t the same, the emotions were. It was my hermanas that helped me get through it.” During a promotional tour, a mother and daughter thanked the authors for writing a story that they could both relate to and plan on saving it for their future granddaughter. Another woman of Philippine and Irish ancestry thanked them for writing the novel because she understands the challenges of being a child with two heritages. They plan on creating a Sister Chicas trilogy both mothers and daughters can enjoy. According to Lisa, “It’s important for us to write a novel that connects with people and says that young women, all women, should depend and trust each other.” I walked away from this interview inspired and wishing I was a Sister Chica too! It was exhilarating to be around women who collaborated on an amazing project and are supportive of each other without an inkling of suspicion, jealousy or mistrust. I challenge all of my Divas out there! Be encouraging! Be dependable! Be trustworthy! Be a |
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| Our mission is simple: Inform Inspire Ignite! Latinas everywhere! |
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| Sister Chicas by Jennese "La Diva" Torres |