Step into the vibrant tapestry of Dallas-based author Christine Suggs’ debut memoir “¡AY, MIJA!”—a captivating fusion of language, family, queerness, and the multifaceted aspects of biracial identity, all seamlessly woven into a compelling narrative of self-discovery and cultural richness. In the heart of “¡AY, MIJA!” lies Christine’s profound love for their Mexican roots, painted in warm browns, golds, and blues that animate their journey through vibrant visual storytelling.
As we embark alongside sixteen-year-old Christine Suggs through her Mexican summer, we witness the dynamic evolution of their identity as the narrative unfolds, tackling weighty themes with grace and deep understanding. The struggle against language barriers, the delicate dance between cultural norms, and the exploration of self-worth; all intertwine with the external events of the story set in the countryside of Mexico.
Yet, it’s within the canvas of Christine’s internal dialogues where the true essence lies.
“¡AY, MIJA!” is a celebration of home—a place that holds multiple meanings for different people. It’s a symphony of emotions, experiences, and connections, radiating Suggs’ affection for their lineage and familial bonds on every page. Their non-binary, bilingual protagonist breathes life into a story that tackles body positivity, cultural norms, and the nuances of gender. This memoir bridges the gap between experiences, offering solace to those grappling with identity and belonging. It serves as a mirror for many of us who continue to seek our place in a shifting world!
We recently had the privilege of chatting with Christine Suggs, who provided captivating insights into their dual roles as author and illustrator of “¡AY, MIJA!”. They shed light on their creative process, delving into drawing techniques, world-building, and the exploration of themes like identity and heritage through their work. Our discussions also revealed upcoming projects and the evolving trajectory of Christine’s artistic journey, hinting at more captivating stories from their unique perspective. Along the way, they shared lesser-known anecdotes that offered charming glimpses into their life beyond the memoir’s pages.
This interview not only expands into the creation of a remarkable memoir, but it’s also an exploration of Christine Suggs’ creative ethos, past memories, unique experiences, and the emotions that infuse their work. Join us as we journey through “¡AY, MIJA!,” a remarkable tale of home, heritage, and self-discovery that resonates far beyond its pages.
Congratulations on the success of “¡AY, MIJA!” How does it feel to receive such positive feedback and know that your personal journey resonates with numerous readers with similar experiences?
Thank you! It honestly feels great to have this book out in the world after working on it for so long. I’ve gotten several very kind messages from readers, sharing their own experiences—how they’re reading the book with their mothers or that this made them feel seen. I’m also lucky to have a great group of internet comic pals, and getting to see my book pop up on their shelves has been very gratifying.
Can you share your journey of turning “¡AY, MIJA!” from an abstract idea to a published legacy?
I had a super backwards process. I’d been posting comics on Instagram for over a decade, mostly autobiographical work. In 2019, I started working with The Washington Post, making comics for their gender and identity section, and that really increased my audience. Later that year, I got DMs from two different editors asking me if I had any interest in pitching a graphic novel to them. That’s when I said, “Okay, maybe this crazy dream can actually happen!” So, I literally googled “how to get an agent” and went from there.
What drove you to turn your life experiences into a memoir? Was there a specific “aha!” moment of inspiration that triggered this decision?
I’ve always been drawn to autobiographical work. I read a tonne of Erika Moen, Dustin Harbin, and Lucy Knisely when I was in high school. Soon, I began to use comics almost like a journaling experience to process my feelings or just share funny stories. Once, when I got a request from publishers to turn in a YA graphic novel, I took a look at the themes I kept returning to and figured out which one of them had a story in it. I think I knew that “¡AY MIJA!” would be the one. My experiences in Mexico were so formative for my identity and are something I treasure dearly.
How did the people who inspired your novel react upon discovering it?
My family is my number one fan. I was a bit secretive about the book at first; I told them vaguely what it was about but didn’t let them read it until it was going through final proofing. I’m happy to report that I made them all cry happy tears. My mom even brought a copy with her when she went to visit her siblings in California and helped me translate a letter to my grandparents to put inside their copy.
This is so sweet. What’s the significance of the book title “¡AY MIJA!: My Bilingual Summer in Mexico” for you, and how does it weave together the central themes of your book?
Mija means “my daughter”, and “ay” is kind of like “oh”. So, the title is probably familiar to anyone who has had a parent or relative sigh in exasperation at you. It’s something I hear a lot, mainly because I love to joke around with my family and push their buttons a little. Figuring out how to joke in Spanish was so important to developing my relationship with my grandparents, and the term “ay, mija” just reminds me of the unique love we share.
Your experience as an illustrator and comic artist shines through in your novel. Can you walk us through your detailed artistic process of visually translating your memories and bringing your story to life—from initial sketches to the final comic?
Yes! So once I grind my way through writing a script (definitely the hardest part), I move on to thumbnails. These are teeny tiny sketches that help me figure out the general layout of a page. Next are pencils, which are more detailed sketches. This is where I really had to make decisions on backgrounds—where the text will go, and things like that. My favourite part is hands-down the inking process, where I go through and do the final linework for the book. It’s when the book starts to feel real, in my opinion, and I’m just a sucker for a well-drawn line. For colour, I went with a very limited palette of blues and oranges found in Mexican pottery and Talavera tiles. This was a bit tricky, as using so few colours can end up feeling like a puzzle. You don’t want too many of the same colours to touch, but you also have set colours for skin tones, certain clothing, or the sky. I’m glad I didn’t jump into full colour for my first book, and I’m also really pleased with how unique the palette feels.
Do you have a favourite section or page you created in the book? If so, what makes it special to you?
Probably the moment we get to the country house. For one, it was a relief to stop drawing all those buildings and landmarks in Mexico City. But I also really loved getting to draw all the cacti, lime trees, and flowers in my grandmother’s garden. Looking up reference photos [from that time] brought a lot of memories back.
How does your personal background influence the stories you choose to tell through your books while representing a whole community? Do you think such sensitive and diverse explorations like “AY, MIJA” can contribute to cultivating a deeper understanding, compassion, and representation within society?
What I love about autobiographical work is its potential to create both representation and empathy. I was a kid who loved cartoons. I would redraw scenes from The Lion King in the hopes that one day I would work at Disney. But back then, there weren’t a lot of Mexicans on TV without sombreros and moustaches, not to mention fat people who weren’t portrayed as villains or comic relief. I knew something was missing, and I felt weird about it. Now, I’m in a position not only to fulfil some wishes on behalf of my younger self but to educate folks on what these perspectives are like. Memoir, especially, is so powerful as a way to put yourself in someone else’s shoes and hopefully walk away learning something.
Walk us through your thought processes behind the plotting and world-building for “AY, MIJA”. As there are various themes in your book, what was your strategy to effectively present such complexities without overwhelming your young readership?
Intersectionality is a big theme of my work because it pops up so much in my life. I can’t really write about being Mexican without also writing about being white, fat, and queer. These all affect each other and how I’m perceived in the world. For me, figuring out how to weave those themes together happened mostly at the outlining stage. Initially, I wrote down everything I could remember about my trip as closely as I could. I also wrote down flashback scenes that informed how I saw myself being made fun of as a kid, etc. Then, I tried to pace those pieces out in a way that made sense for the plot’s development. I also had to get comfortable with ambiguity and loose ends. Teen Christine definitely didn’t solve their body issues by the age of sixteen, so I had to accept that readers would understand that that’s an ongoing process.
What personal challenges and revelations shaped the narrative of your memoir as you delved into your memories? What message do you aim to leave with readers, especially those facing identity and body image issues, as they follow Christine’s journey?
Therapy was super helpful during this process, as I was revisiting some painful memories. I started EMDR to better process the trauma I experienced from feeling like I didn’t quite belong. And drawing this book helped too, as I got to crystallise these memories and find a way to channel them into a story that can hopefully help someone else out there struggling with the same feelings.
In the story, Christine finds a sense of belonging over the course of the summer. Do you feel that her story is complete, or do you have plans to explore more events from your life in future graphic novels?
There are definitely a few more stories I want to tell about my teenage years. But I’m also looking forward to trying out fiction, as jumping forward in time allows me to play with characters that are a little more confident, queer, and overall a little more like me today.
What was the hardest challenge you faced while writing this book? Were there significant scenes, ideas, or subtle moments of reflection that didn’t make it into the final version?
I think the immigration storyline was something I was really worried about. I got permission from the person to write about this element of our story together, and I really wanted to do it justice. It’s obviously a sensitive topic, and I wanted to create a lot of impact on the character while showing that the rest of the family just kind of treats it as normal.
Being a fellow food enthusiast, a captivating aspect of your book is the vibrant cultural references and mouthwatering food descriptions. Have your culinary inclinations transformed with age, or do you retain the same affection for classic Mexican treats like pan dulce and conchas, reminiscent of sixteen-year-old Christine? What would you recommend I savour on my next trip to Mexico?
I have levelled up my spice game a bit, but I still can’t handle my family’s salsa. But I can handle some spiciness as long as it doesn’t cross over into pain. I also live in the Oak Cliff neighbourhood in Dallas, which means I have access to so many amazing tortillerias, paleterias, and panaderias. As far as food recommendations, I’d say definitely go to a panaderia and get some puerquitos and enjoy them with a cafesito. Albondigas are another personal favourite of mine; it’s kind of like a stew with meatballs in it. Ultimate comfort food!
How do you stay motivated while managing your workload and personal life and avoiding burnout as a published author?
I’m a scheduling nut, which helps a lot. I keep really detailed deadlines and calendars so I can break things down day by day and not get too overwhelmed. That being said, my husband deserves a trophy for how many times he got me out of bed when I was dramatically declaring “I suck at drawing”, “nobody will buy this book” and “I am the literal worst”. I also owe a lot to my friends and family for their support in coming to my events, helping me set up, and just being wonderful people that make me feel lucky to be alive.
So, what’s next for Christine Suggs? Are there any new projects lined up or any new stories, themes, or styles you’re excited to explore in the future?
Yes! I’m super happy to report that I’m currently working on my next book, also with Little Brown. It’s a fictionalised story about the summer I went to a pre-college programme to take an illustration course in Baltimore. I’m very excited to dip into fiction, as it gives me a chance to write a fat, out, nonbinary character, considering back in 2009 (the year ‘¡AY, MIJA!’ is set) I didn’t even know the word “nonbinary”. The story is about finding your community of art weirdos, cute queer romance, coming out as nonbinary, and the financial barriers to art education.
Before we wrap, can you share three lesser-known facts about you that your fans have yet to discover?
- One time, my cat smuggled himself away inside a sofa we were getting reupholstered, and I had to go down to the warehouse to bring him home.
- I love to sing Phantom of the Opera while dramatically descending the stairs.
- My new favourite accessory is a cuff earring with a chain, and it’s technically a reproduction of a Bajoran earring from Star Trek: Deep Space 9, so yeah, I’m a huge nerd.
Thank you, Christine, for generously sharing your time and insights with us today.
As we close this chapter of our conversation, it is certain that “¡AY, MIJA!” is undeniably a gem, poised to resonate with those seeking stories of personal evolution, self-discovery, and the richness of cultural heritage. The memoir has unveiled a narrative that unites us in shared human experiences while honouring our individual paths.
We look forward to witnessing Christine Suggs’ continued success as a talented author and artist through their upcoming projects, as they continue to weave their creative magic onto the canvas of our lives.
Did you find this interview as enjoyable as we did? What aspect of the story resonated most with you? Please share your thoughts on Twitter by tagging us at @CelebMix!
Order ¡AY, MIJA! now or look for it on shelves, as it’s available everywhere!