A Girl Named Eve

I've been probing the internet for informative/insightful video interviews of authors, agents, editors. I came across this interesting interview with Marcela Landres, Acquition Editor. Marcela Landres is the author of "How Editors Think: The Real Reason They Rejected You". I'm adding it to my list of must reads after listening to this video. I would have added the video to this page but I wasn't able to. Here's the url to the video below. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3p3dy6TEDg There were several important points in this interview including the need for more Latino Acquistion Editors, and the need for talented writers to really hone their craft, and lastly: Buy the Books! Don't share them! Authors don't get paid for readers, they get paid for writers. Links: http://www.marcelalandres.com Recommendations:  The Columbia Publishing Course  BookJobs.com

I missed this year's Comadres and Compadres Latino Writers Conference! It slipped off my radar completely. I'm normally very good about such things. And even better, now that I have come to know and be embraced by a community of writers, they are usually the ones to give me a heads up about upcoming events and submissions. I'll be there next year for sure.  Were you able to attend? The goal of the Comadres and Compadres Latino Writers Conference is to connect Latino writers to the agents and editors who are looking to publish them. The conference centers on three themes: access, guidance, community. Access to publishing insiders who make decisions of who and what gets published and who are desperately seeking Latino writers. Guidance on how to navigate their writing careers from idea, inception to publication. And to foster a Community of like minded writers. Hope to build a nation wide community of authors that will hopefully support each other on their way...

This is also from an older draft post. I've since been part of a show, an extraordinary experience I still have to blog about but I'd thought I'd still post these earlier thoughts. I love writing so just having a story out their in print or online and getting commented on I thought was enough but as I was recently told by an actor, when your story is told on stage its a completely different experience because of the interaction between the actors and the audience. In this play I definitely felt the chemistry. Now and days and even back in the old days it was so hard to make a motion picture. To tell one of our stories would cost thousands of dollars and an experienced Hollywood budget and staff. At CASA 0101 what you need is an idea and some ganas to make your story into a play. And best of all its a community event with a very grass roots feel.

I'm diving into Sue Monk Kidd's The Secret Life of Bees. I don't like to be between books for very long. I found it much of a coincidence that I had heard Sue Monk Kidd's name over three times in one week from three very different sources. My sister lent me some CDs of Sue Monk Kidd's First Light audio book. The second  was in Wayne Dyer's audio CDs on Spitirtual Living. And finally, when I was perusing my brother's bookshelf right next to his infamous political commentary personality I don't want to even mention here, was the The Secret Life of Bees on the bookshelf of my 32 year old brother I asked to borrow the book. A diverse collection of books to say the least. Still though, I felt compelled to read and I'm immediately taken in.

While in Alaska, my family and I saw an bald eagle soar right above our heads. It made us stop, turn, and gasp a deep breath. Later on that same trip, a brown mother (or father) bear walked in front of our bus as we slowly approached our glacier destination. Everyone got up and raced to the left side of the bus almost trampling over each other to take pictures. Both those times my instincts led me to reach for my camera. I didn't succeed with taking the shots.  Thirteen, eleven, and eight years ago, a slimy new born baby was placed on my deflated belly and we both stared into each others eyes for the first time. I have to trust that my memory will preserve my memories for me.  While waiting to board our cruise ship, I took a picture of an ordinary pigeon I saw later that same day to celebrate the ordinary moments. The breath taking moments, I know are irreplaceable and I entrust them to my memory. But among the rare fleeting moments are all the ordin...

Intimate stories about women from the hearts of men. I was anticipating seeing this play since I had first heard of it when it's producer and writer X first mentioned on a producing class I attended at Josefina's Workshops. I liked the idea of men confessing the good and bad influences women have been in their lives. And I wanted to see the full cycle of a development of a grassroots play unravel. From the class it seemed that producing a play is much like planning a wedding. There are plenty of details to watch, and you have to schedule things out months in advance and work backwards to set deadlines such as when the script should be written to the auditioning of actors. It was nice to see this project in completion. From the workshop, I learned about stuff I never would have considered such as differences between union actors and proper budgeting of the smallest details involved The writer x, grew up in a household of 5 sisters, and a supportive mot...

On Saturday, June 26, 2010,  I attended a Writing Workshop Intensive taught by Cherrie Moraga and  Adelina Anthony. My sister is a big fan so I went even though I have yet to read Cherrie's This Bridge Called My Back, Loving in the War Years, or The Hungry Woman. There's other books but those are the ones I really want to read. We did several fun writing exercises. I was relieved that we would have a chance to read and share some of our work. We filled a old conference room. There must have been 30 of us. I counted. Some sat on the floor to listen. I remember a handful of advice Cherrie gave that I committed to memory. Only you can you do. So don't worry about someone else trying to steal our work because what makes it special is us. We all have different stories to tell from different perspectives, tones, opinions. Stay humble. Don't let pride or arrogance keep you stuck thinking that you know it all. Stay humble, stay open. Keep learning. I have no problem ...

When I first stepped out of the hotel on a warm and muggy end of May morning. I wanted to go right back in through the revolving doors of the hotel I stayed at and come back out again as I was unexpectedly greeted with the sound of concrete drilling, traffic of local businesses setting up for the day. At first glance it felt like I flew 4 hours booked a hotel room only to awaken in L.A. Don't hate me New Yorkers. I did end up failing for NYC but it wasn't love at first sight. I found after the fact that I am not the only one who was shocked to find that NYC is not as glamorous as it appears in Sex N City. I know it's nieve but that's just why I was so surprised by my first impression. So when did I fall in love with NYC. Days later after waiting in line with hundreds of people of many different ethnic origins waiting in line to see the city from the top of the Empire States building. And after witnessing the Statue of Liberty and learning about the struggles i...

Advice I Would Give To My Sister... Every now and then, I come across lessons I have learned through either good advice or lessons I've learned  the hard way through experience. I usually find myself passing them along along to my sister. I don't think she wants to hear my so felt, "Words of Wisdom" but at least I feel I did my part. Now and days, I'm more inclined to post some new found insight on my blog as a way for me to archive my thoughts and also share any insights with the world. I figure if fate brings them to my page, then the message was meant for them. So what's my guiding word of wisdom for today. I'm not sure I can dispense of one today. I doesn't feel as easy as it sometimes is for me. As I'm clearing out my blog posts from saved drafts, I think about why I was holding on to not submitting these posts sooner. What did I think was lacking? I've come to write as if I were talking to my sisters. I think my readers and fello...

This is another older post I found saved as a draft. Since I've been logging my journey. I'll post it now.  After church we had another grueling soccer game. I wasn't completely in my element the second half of the game when I had to block two men who ran quickly past me leaving me quickly behind.  After the soccer game, we came home to shower and get ready for my nephew's Baptism. It was a good party with a kid's mariachi band that sang. They were young and inexperienced but it made the party memorable.  We are a good type of busy. In all of this, I am trying to keep myself centered and in good spirits. And I do enjoy it.  We have a big family so it seems like there is always parties from June to October. There is a difference from oh, I'm chasing my tail to oh, I have a rich life and I am living it to the fullest, working on my dreams, spending time with my family.  I remember Sunday afternoons, I used to think about having to go to work on Mo...

Since when did it become okay to refer to our society as consumers? I first heard this word "consumer" in the corporate news media. A decade or so ago, I thought I was being smart by using this word when I was referring to my family and I about a certain product we were looking at when I was at the store. A man looked at me and my kids when I said this and said I got to get away, and then walked away. His wife turned to me and excused him by saying he's been listening too many conspiracy theories and something about Rockefeller. That was several years ago before I knew any better. Since then, I've become familiar with neuro-linguist programming and I also learned about some of those conspiracy theories that have since begun to show they have valid points. It's as if they are trying to undermine the power of our humanity through the use of that language. At first, the word consumer was used in business to business speak to refer to "consumers...

I'm posting now, a series of draft posts I had started and didn't finalize til now. This one I started back in 2010 and here it finally is, three years later. I was at the San Diego Wild Animal Park today. It was 10 am and the park had just opened.We were making a stop to the restroom when we saw a teenage angry boy with Down Syndrome yell to his mother "Bitch!" He was angry. She called out to him but it only made him more distressed, and he called out more vulgarities to her. His mom stayed calmed and warned him they would go back home. The teen headed towards the men's bathroom and I could see my own seven year old son hesitate to go in so I called to my son to use the adjacent family restroom. When my own sons would act up when they were younger, I've had to make the decision to leave events because of their behavior. At theme parks we would make the mistake of stopping by a shop and they would end up crying because they wanted something. I'v...

On Saturday, March 2, 2012, I was fortunate enough to follow my heart to Boyle Heights to enjoy a day of film at the Boyle Heights Latina Film Festival.  I had never been to a movie festival before and thought of all the ones I'd missed since my calendar was full. But this one I went a lone to. I walked into the new CASA 0101 and bought my tickets for two blocks of movies. I went to be inspired and see all the Latinas in the Film industry from Directors, Producers, Writers. I enjoyed the talk back back after each of the blocks. And I enjoyed that each film had its own message. Some comical and hilarious, and others sweet and tender. BHLIFE is a celebration of Latinas, their voices and their visions. The mission of the festival is to build a network of Latina Filmmakers that will draw attention tot the growing number of Latinas working behind the camera. The films of these Latinas constitute a body of work that acts as a powerful statement against the stereotypical portray...

Orange Coast College World Dance Concert On Friday, May 18, 2012, I attended the unforgettable Orange Coast College World Dance Concert at the OCC Robert B. Moore Theater. This is an annual event I've come to love. For only $10 you are given a ticket that transports you around the world in your very seat. Last year, I finally made it to the theater in time to catch the introduction of the dancers lined up all along the theater isle as they made their entrance onto the stage. They wore gorgeous elaborate costumes. Each year the show focuses on different types of regional dances from around the world so its always a different show with something to learn and be dazzled by. The dances are performed by college students and  some college instructors such as Angelika Nemeth and some other professional musician/dancers are invited to perform as well. I'm looking forward to attending this years event as well which will be coming up in May. I'll post the flyer as soon ...

StorylineOnline.net brings you online reading of colorful rich children's book by well known actors. One of my favorite books and readings from StorylineOnline.net is No Mirrors In My Nana's House by Ysaye M. Barnwell. It's read by Tia and Tamera Mowry. StorylineOnline.net reading of There Are No Mirrors In My Nana's house If you are a parent, educator, or community organizer this is a wonderful site where kids can learn to love reading.

I love Louise Hay! And if you see her video, You Can Trust Your Life, you'll see why. The 4 DVD set is a live taping of Louise Hay and Cheryl Richardson talking to an audience during a Hay House Seminar. They are inspiring people that clearly care about others. It's visible in the advice they comfort the people who ask questions, and in the advice the give people. They clearly want them to overcome their limiting beliefs and heal themselves. Hay House sent me a DVD set of You Can Trust Your Life by Cheryl Richards and Louise Hay for my honest review. I listened to it as I folded laundry, cleaned the house and cooked in an empty house, while the kids and my husband were away at sports. I felt as if I was at a weekend retreat. I had too much to do around the house to just sit with a notebook and blanket and watch the video like I wanted but I still enjoyed it quite a bit and plan to do just that if I ever feel I need some comforting words again. Some of the topics they cove...

I meant to write last night but I ended up falling asleep. I had a very nice date with my husband. While we were at a restaurant having dinner, I looked around to notice other couples. Some of them, young and old, sat in bitter silence, the kind that you can see the invisible wedge in the relationship that splits the couple in half and the table. We've been there before, for whatever reason, boredom, bitterness, not having a life outside the daily routines. I sat there for a moment to remember what our own version of that looked like. And then I returned to our conversation grateful we weren't there any more. Yesterday we set off on adventure date which ended up with our destination being closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays due to state budget cuts. It didn't matter, we had a wonderful date getting there.

Anxiety is not only an inevitable part of the writing process but a necessary part.  If you're not scared, you're not writing. ---RALPH KEYES Oh, good! I tend to be a nervous wreck when I write about anything that's of any real significance. Lesson 5 of Barbara Abercrombie's A Year of Writing Dangerously is about getting caught. To sum it up Abercrombie says it best when she writes, "We're caught like a fish on the hook of our own words, our secrets exposed, our inner life and imagination up for inspection." I guess that's what I'm afraid of the most. People will judge me for what I once said or felt. They'll forget about the fluidity of human thought and spirit, and will deny me the peace that comes with it because it was put down on a book to stay trapped forever. But maybe I'm just projecting.

Lesson 3 of Barbara Abercrombie's A Year of Writing Dangerously is best summed up by Elizabeth Gilbert's quote: "I believe that - if you are serious about a life of writing, or indeed about any creative form of expression - you should take on this work like a holy calling. I became a writer the way other people become monks or nuns... I was writing's most devotional hand-maiden. I built my entire life around writing."                                                                          -- Elizabeth Gilbert I was recently talking with some coworkers about my upcoming theater show and they asked, so this writing is what you do for a hobby? They know its not what I do for a living so its easy to apply labels and call something a hobby, but its what I do for a life. It's sort of hard to e...

I'm so happy I finally was able to attend the UCLA Writer's Studio this year. I attended Samantha Dunn's Memoir Writing: Works-in-Progress. For those of you unfamiliar with the Writer's Studio, every year UCLA Extension offers 4 day intensive classes in Creative Writing and Screen Writing. Space is limited to 15 students per class. This year, I applied early enough to get in. The experience was trans-formative  Why? You put yourself in a room with 15 other writers and one incredible supportive kind honest sincere instructor, Samantha Dunn and you write away. Sharing. Learning. Laughing. Crying. This was a memoir class after all. One of the lessons we had from the class was to bring a picture that moves us and write about what is not in the picture. Clever. I never would have thought of that one. There were several interesting exercises we participated in, but I'd say the real lesson doesn't come from one exercise or writing tip that you suddenly get...

I enjoyed reading Gordon Smith's latest book, Intuitive Studies A Complete Course In Mediumship because it took me into a whole new world I had never considered exploring before. I have been meditating for several months now on a daily basis. In my journey to learn more about meditation, I also have come across different websites that warn about the dangers or startling revelations that can occur as a result of opening up to the spirit world when you are under certain states such as deep meditation. I decided to read Intuitive Studies A Course In Mediumship in order to learn what to avoid so that I don't accidentally fall into some trance and inadvertently become a medium, like if that was even possible. From the Intuitive Studies, I learned becoming a medium takes much patience and practice.  I appreciate that Smith takes the readers step by step through each exercise, and walks them through being able to distinguish the calling card to ensure you are maki...