The connection with creating stories began in childhood. While watching animations on TV, little Amanda Aquino adapted the story of the cartoon into her own version, it was in these dreams that the carioca discovered what area she would like to act in as an adult. Coming of age did not have to happen, at just 15 years old, the young woman made her debut in literature with the book “Trono de Fogo”, published in 2019 by Grupo Editorial Coerência during the Bienal do Livro in Rio de Janeiro that year.
Little Amanda Aquino’s trajectory was guided by the doubts and uncertainties that surround the publishing market. The artist, daughter of a teacher, published her first book with her mother’s name because she thought that minors under 18 could not publish a literary work, but her dream became even closer to reality when she met writer Jadna Alana.
The artist, who lives in Cabo Frio, Rio de Janeiro, faced an editorial crisis that intensified during the Covid-19 pandemic when she released her second title, but today she surprised her readers with the release of “Aos Olhos de Osko”, his fantasy with a mature look available in eBook, which, however, will gain a physical release from Nova Editora Naipe. Check out the interview!
Cultivating a passion for creating stories since childhood, his biography says that many of his creations came from the animations he watched on television, adapting the stories to his own vision. Do you remember what those first experiences were and from which point they became a profession?
My mother always told me that I had the habit of telling stories through drawings even before I knew how to write. So, since I was a little girl, I created my own books with folded A4 sheets, and everything was narrated through the drawings. Also, as I got older, I got into the habit of writing alternate endings for movies I liked, and they ranged from princesses who ended up not finding their princes to different versions of Peter Pan, my favorite story. This materialized a little more when I wrote my first fanfic, and after realizing that I had a passion for writing, I started to develop my own ideas. I believe that everything became real even when I realized that I had developed a story, from beginning to end, purely with the ideas I had, and I realized that I could create the movies and cartoons that I so wanted to see on television.
Even before you turned 18, still in your teens, you released your first book – “Trono de Fogo”, in 2019, through Grupo Editorial Coerência, during the Bienal do Livro in Rio de Janeiro. How was the experience of being present on the agenda of the biggest literary fair in the country and where so many renowned authors go?
I think it was one of the most unique experiences of my life, and that, even preparing as I did, I could never have predicted the feeling. I always went to the Bienal with my parents, and going there as a writer was an incredibly gratifying feeling, mainly because, given my age, it was always a big issue to be able to declare myself a writer – I felt that I could only do that when I was older , and who until then would only be “author”. Everything became even more real when I met some schoolmates, and the feeling of being there because I was invited became even more concrete.
The narrative of her work revolves around Blair Brand, a rebellious and aimless girl, who, with neglectful parents, ends up living a routine that boils down to smoking and late nights, however, her view of her own life changes after an event. What were the paths that led you to the construction of Balir Brand and the context of the work?
Blair is inspired by some of the people I’ve met, both in real life and in the movies. I believe that women with personality in fantasy are always striking, and I dreamed of having a story with this kind of narrative that I could call mine. Everything else developed through the character – the settings, the characters, everything presented in the story was made to fit Blair’s story, not the other way around.
Regarding the behavior of the protagonist, unfortunately, according to a survey by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), the proportion of adolescents aged 13 to 17 who smoke increased by 0.2% in Brazil in 2019. more and more. Do you believe that your work could end up helping young people to rethink some behaviors that may be present in their lives?
The story of Throne of Fire, even though it is not essentially focused on that, brings the fact that Blair behaves the way she does because she doesn’t know who she is, and that, even though she doesn’t feel comfortable with the lifestyle she leads, prefers to keep for fear of change. I believe so, history can bring us the point of view of what happens when we challenge ourselves, and especially when we truly find ourselves.
Due to the fact that you are still a minor, you even considered carrying out the release under your mother’s name, due to the belief that underage people could not publish literary works. What led to this questioning and how do you hope to inspire other people in literature?
I always imagined that people wouldn’t read my books because of my age, so I thought that if I hid that, I could be judged purely as an author, regardless of external factors. Despite having considered this, I feel very proud of having assumed my identity, and I think that in this way, I can serve as an example for other teenagers who hold so much creativity within themselves, but are afraid to express it.
While researching the literary universe, you ended up meeting the writer Jadna Alana who had also published her book before reaching the age of majority. Just as, according to the 11th Panel on Retail Books in Brazil, carried out by Nielsen Book Scan last year, it revealed that young people aged between 18 and 29 began to consume more literature, having more young writers can be even greater motivation for the advancement of this habit?
I think so. We like to identify not only with characters, but also with authors. When I imagined that I might have to hold back my dream of becoming a writer at my age, I considered moving away from literature, because that would be a distant goal, but when I realized that it would be possible, I got even closer, since I dreamed of being part of that universe, and knew it was a tangible dream.
Another work that is also part of his career is “Aos Olhos de Osko”, which came after an editorial crisis suffered as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and which brought a mature look to this new work, which today reflects the maturity it has as a of age. How was the process of writing the book and how significant has it become?
“Aos Olhos de Osko”, for me, is a book that unites the best of all my universes ever created. I always felt that I held back in the creative process, not only because I didn’t know how to approach certain subjects, but also because I wanted to explore different formats of telling a story. My new book, in addition to bringing all the emotion and action of my previous works, also brings two narratives in different temporal spaces, which come together at a certain point. Therefore, I like to point it out as a work that addresses the duality of things. In one space, the consequences of choices that we would judge as erroneous, if we could not see that those characters also have their stories behind them. It is a work that I will always carry in my heart.
You also have a very strong presence on social networks, where in addition to promoting your content, you end up receiving support to sell your titles. How do you evaluate the importance of networks and technology as a growth tool in your career?
Technology brings us many innovative platforms, and just as books have become e-books, I believe they can bring names to the spotlight. I am extremely grateful for having platforms that allow us to have a voice, and audiences that receive us, because, in this way, what was previously done only by radio and television, can be done anywhere, and bring us even closer to the readership. Social media has definitely changed the whole outreach process for me.
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