Interview: Shawna Cain

Little Thoughts Press Issue Eleven: Stirring Words with a sneak peek of the story "Bocha Bocha Brothers" by Shawna Cain.

---

Shawna Cain writes with a mission to bring lighthearted fun to both kids and their grown ups. Before writing for children, she spent over a decade working in social justice and corporate responsibility within food systems. She has a Master’s Degree in Sustainable Systems, and was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Lesotho, Southern Africa. She currently lives in Oregon with her two toddlers, husband and terrier. She loves messy, muddy nature play and the bocha bocha bathtime that follows.

---

Little Thoughts Press: Bocha bocha is a perfect word for a children’s story. Have your husband and his family introduced your children to other Japanese words that have become part of your family’s vocabulary?

Shawna Cain: My husband’s family has brought many Japanese words into our day-to-day life. One we have been saying a lot lately is “Abunai!” (pronounced ah-boo-nah-ee, with the emphasis on the first syllable "ah"). It means “dangerous,” but I’m starting to think my 2-year-old thinks it means “Exciting!”

Little Thoughts Press: The bathtime challenges associated with the “stinging” shampoo in "Bocha Bocha Brothers" are ones that many families will be able to relate to. How much of an influence do your experiences with your children have on the types of stories you write?  

Shawna Cain: My young children give me endless ideas for picture books. The scene in BOCHA BOCHA BROTHERS where Kenji is resistant to washing his hair was inspired by my eldest son. He once had the misfortune of experiencing shampoo in his eyes with adult shampoo, and held a grudge against all shampoos, even “tear-free,” for ages. After many weeks of trying to come up with a suitable solution for him, he eventually found his own. 

Little Thoughts Press:  For young writers who want to try their hand at writing short stories, what do you think are some of the key ingredients that make a good story?

Shawna Cain: You know best what kids want to read. Start there. Then, make your story focus on a main character—your story’s hero, and follow them through the journey of overcoming a problem. A good story needs growth. A surprise ending is always a great bonus!

Little Thoughts Press: Our Stirring Words issue is all about odd, interesting, or inspiring words and phrases. What is your favorite word right now? Why do you love it?

Shawna Cain: I was a Peace Corps volunteer in Lesotho, Southern Africa where they speak Sesotho (pronounced Se-SOO-TOO). Some words have this wonderfully fun “click” sound you make by popping your tongue on the roof of your mouth. My host family taught me to click like a local, and I just loved it. Why shouldn’t language be fun?! 

My favorite word in Sesotho is “senqanqane,” wherein both “qa” sounds are a hard click. Try it: 

SEN-click-on-click-on-EE. It’s a riddle for your tongue! It means frog. 

Little Thoughts Press: How did you get started writing kid-lit and what do you find most challenging and rewarding about writing for kids?

Shawna Cain: I began writing kid-lit when my eldest son was 2 and became interested in picture books. I was impressed by the emotional depth of many picture books. In less than 500 words they could contain whole universes. What a challenge for a writer! 

I also appreciate that kid-lit has to reach two audiences: both a child, generally aged 4-8, as well as an adult. All these elements make it like a puzzle to write. 

I’ve been a writer of other genres for most of my life, but once I found picture books, there was no going back. Picture books are my happy place. 

Little Thoughts Press: Which kid-lit authors and books were your favorites growing up?

Shawna Cain: Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein for its humorous poetry and mischievousness. Adventures of Winnie the Pooh by A.A. Milne for its cast of lovable characters and story of friendship. 

Little Thoughts Press: And what about today? Any kid-lit writers you love and want to shout out?

Shawna Cain: Some recent favorite fiction include:

• MIXED RICE: A MULTICULTURAL TALE OF FOOD, FEELINGS, AND FINDING HOME TOGETHER by Sophie Dipti Sarkar for its tale of managing family conflict, mixed cultural ancestry, and introduction to mindfulness.

• BOOKIE AND COOKIE by Blanca Gomez for its creative interactivity between pages and its message of compromise in friendship. 

• LEIF AND THE FALL by Allison Sweet Grant and Adam Grant is a new seasonal favorite for its message of learning by failing (i.e. experimentation). It’s the perfect kid’s version of what in business school we called, “fail fast.”

Some recent nonfiction include:

• ONE DAY THIS TREE WILL FALL by Leslie Barnard Booth for its beautiful imagery and message of growth, death, and rebirth.

  
  

Little Thoughts Press: What advice would you give to young writers?

Shawna Cain: Write what stirs you. What makes your heart jump. What you see that no one else does. 

Write from your heart. 

Then, hone your craft. Learn about storytelling by taking notes on your favorite stories. Get advice (“critiques”) from trusted mentors, but always follow your own intuition to keep the parts of your story you feel are important. 

Also, writing doesn’t have to be done in a silo. My picture book writing group keeps me accountable, asks hard questions and pushes me to be a better writer. Gather some friends who like to write and make space and time to be together while you write. Share your work with one another, and encourage each other to submit your work to magazines like Little Thoughts. 

Little Thoughts Press: Is there anything else you wish I had asked? Any upcoming projects, publications, or other news you'd like to share?

Shawna Cain: I have several seeds I’m planting that I hope to blossom in good time. Until then, you can follow me @Shawna_Cain_Books