Today we’d like to introduce you to Alda P. Dobbs.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I was born in Mexico but moved to the United States as a baby. I grew up in a neighborhood where everyone spoke Spanish, even at the “tiendita” – the little corner store. I wasn’t exposed to English until I started kindergarten, and learning it was a real challenge for me. My teacher was impatient, and another immigrant child and I were often punished—spanked or shaken—because we couldn’t learn English fast enough.
I ended up having that same teacher for three years: kindergarten, second, and fourth grade. By fourth grade, I understood some English, but I didn’t like the language. I rebelled against it. I refused to read books in English or write in it. Still, I loved stories—especially family stories. I just never made the connection between stories and books.
That connection came when I was sixteen. One day, while riding the bus home from work, I found a book someone had left behind—The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger. I opened it out of boredom, thinking I had nothing else to do since my homework was already done. But once I started reading, I couldn’t stop. I read the whole book in one sitting. That was the first time I felt the spark of wanting to be a storyteller.
Still, my fear of English lingered. When I entered college, I did well on the math placement test but completely bombed the English one. I took it as a sign from the universe that I wasn’t meant to be a writer. So, I studied physics and engineering instead. But the stories never stopped bubbling in my mind.
Years later, when my husband and I moved to Italy, I struggled to find work as an engineer. That’s when he suggested I try writing. At first, the same fear returned—but this time, I decided to face it. And that’s when I finally began to write.
In my presentations, I often tell readers that to be a writer, you don’t have to speak or write perfect English. All you need is to love stories and love to tell them. That’s what truly makes a writer.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The greatest challenges in writing have always come from my own insecurities. The best way to overcome those insecurities is to find mentors—people who take you under their wing and show you the ropes. I’ve been fortunate to have incredible mentors throughout my life—in high school, in college, and later in my writing career. Without them, I wouldn’t be where I am today.
Mentors not only guide you toward your goals; they also help you face your inner struggles. For me, those struggles were tied to English not being my first language. Another challenge was staying committed to the long and often demanding process of writing a novel. Projects like that can take years, especially when you’re still learning the craft.
Navigating the publishing world has brought its own set of challenges, and I still learn something new every day. But I’ve learned that surrounding yourself with good, wise people—mentors who believe in you—is essential in any career. Passion and perseverance will keep the fire alive, but community will help you keep it burning. Keep nurturing that spark, stay curious, and never forget why you started in the first place.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a writer who specializes in children’s books. My stories aim to connect readers with their past—with history, with nature—and to highlight the importance of community. What makes me most proud are the moments during school visits when a student comes up to me and says, “I didn’t like books. I didn’t like reading—until I found yours.” When I hear words like, “Your book is the first one I’ve ever read, and now I love reading,” it feels truly magical—because a book once changed my life too.
I’ve been fortunate that my books have received recognition at both the state and national levels, but what matters most to me is the reaction of young readers and how my stories inspire them to explore their own family histories. I strive to bring a unique perspective to the way we see history—one that connects the past to the present and looks hopefully toward the future. That sense of connection is something I always aim to weave into every story I write.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
So many people deserve credit for where I am today. As I’ve mentioned before, I’m here because of mentors. I’d have to begin with the organizations that helped guide my career, especially the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. They provided invaluable resources and mentorship opportunities that deeply influenced the way I write.
Through that organization, I also met my greatest mentor and phenomenal writer, Laura Resau. She writes across genres—from children’s to adult fiction—and has been an incredible source of wisdom, inspiration, and friendship.
I’m also fortunate to have an amazing literary agent, Jill Greenberg. She’s not only a brilliant advisor but also an extraordinary listener. Whenever I come to her with a question, she lets me talk it through, and somehow, by the end of our conversation, I realize I’ve found the answer myself. It’s as if she knows the answer is within me all along. I feel so lucky to have her in my life.
And, of course, my family plays a huge role in everything I do. My husband, Michael Dobbs, reads my very first drafts—often when they’re still rough and unpolished—and never sugarcoats his feedback. He tells me the truth, and I value that deeply. His honesty, shaped in part by his military background, and his natural sense of story have helped guide me in countless ways. My children, Annabella and Nate, are my biggest cheerleaders. They inspire me with their creativity and curiosity, and they have a special way of energizing me exactly when I need it most. Their joyful spirits remind me why I tell stories in the first place.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.aldapdobbs.com
- Instagram: @aldapdobbs
- LinkedIn: Alda P. Dobbs
Image Credits
For “The Giving Flower” credit Emily Mendoza
For “Barefoot Dreams of Petra Luna” credit John Jay Cabuay
