Prepping for My Reading This Saturday

I have been going back and forth about which segments to read.  I have ten minutes max to read from my work, and I will probably go with two magical realism pieces.  I have to make a decision tomorrow, so I can practice.  I am probably over thinking it, but I have not read in front of an audience in so long, I want to do a rock star job!  I hope it's like sex, and the motions come back. 

I also have my outfit picked out, and am still hoping to trim my hair.  Unfortunately, I have put on a little weight, and even though this is a friendly audience, I want to look my best.  Even better, my doctor is putting me on diabetes alert, which should motivate me to eat less sugar and processed foods.

She's thinking, "I know. . . .I should lose weight, but I hate losing. . . ."

The book is still going great.  I have a few more friends reading it over.  I am still not done with "Los Detectives," as I had to take care of various appointments, including my son's final immunization.  He did not take the shot, blood draw, and TB test graciously.  What kid would?  Anyway, I'm back on my game and tackling this awesome project daily, even when I go on weekend vacations.  When I'm not writing, I'm talking about the work with my husband and thinking about writing choices.  

Truthfully, this summer, an organic writing schedule is working out for me, but I am still aiming to write or work on the book for a couple of hours a day.  That is the goal, so I can start my next project.

Well, that just inspired me to work on the translation footnotes!  (That is the not so fun part, still.)

Here's to doing the not fun things with as much love as the fun parts, Jesú Estrada, Ph.D. 

Writing Energy! Zoooom!

That is what I feel like this morning.  I only got about four hours of sleep, but woke up at 6a.m. and wrote for about an hour.  I am working on "Los Detectives" this morning, and thus far,  have 12 pages.  Not too shabby for a woman my age pulling a near-all nighter.

My point is that you know you love what you are doing, when you lose sleep to do it and get even more energized after you do it again.  (I know that sounds like sex.)  That is one of the beauties of creative work. (Again with the sex analogy.)

And, that is all I have this morning because I am awake, energized, and ready to eat!

I hope you all have a day filled with creativity and the doings that give you purpose in life, Jesú Estrada, Ph.D.

Working on My Professional Image

This weekend, I went to Saugatuck, MI with my husband and son to celebrate Father's Day.  Well, it was a brilliant excuse to go shopping and start planning how I want to look at readings and for work in general (I teach English composition and literature full time, and urbanite students appreciate the professorial “upgrades”.) I have a reading in two weeks or so, which should be a great opportunity for me to dazzle the audience. After much thought, I decided since I am so fond of cowboy boots that I am going to wear the ones my sister got me last Christmas. They are a tan, neutral color, but will go well with the fantastic outfit I have planned.

I am also fond of Calvin Klein tight pants, so I am on the lookout for a pair of those in a bright red or electric blue. If not, I am wearing jeans and a gorgeous French blouse I bought over the weekend.

Do I normally buy such fine garments? Hell no!

My sister sent me a wonderful care package that also included the oil paintings for the potential book cover for my anthology, tentatively titled Down South Where the Water is Warm and Other Totally True Barrio Stories. The package also contained a late Mother’s Day gift, which touched my heart; that is how I was able to buy the top. (Thank you little sister.  You can watch a somewhat entertaining video of me opening the package here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSn29Yjn25U.) I spent over $100 dollars on it, and as soon as I am gussied up, I will post a picture. I usually shop at the Goodwill and only get one-of-a-kind clothing items. The same rule applies for department store shopping. Well, this was definitely one-of-a-kind, black with an elaborate flower pattern. It really looks like a color explosion, and what is even better, it slims me down. That right there is worth gold.

I am also changing my haircut because I swear I am wearing the exact same bangs and hair length I did in Jr. High. The only difference is that I have extra layers and a few shiny white hairs, here and there.  I have not made final decision on the hair, but I may go with something like this.  

Best Brunettes

Folks, there is something magical about opening the floodgates of creativity. Once you do that, the energy touches every part of your life and makes it truly wonderful.

That is all! I hope you follow your dreams, daily and make your life unique, Jesú Estrada, Ph.D.

Writing Two New Pieces, But First, Played Soccer Mom

Today was productive and not so writing-productive.  I got up at 2a.m. and realized I couldn't write jack. So I worked on my online forums which I'm using to set the foundation to promote my book and future books.  (Wow, that's a lot of verbs.)  Anyway, I Facebooked and Pinterested for about an hour and went back to sleep. 

I woke up at 7:00a.m. and BAM, I had the worst migraine!  I could not even type out a preposition, so I took my migraine pills and went back to bed. 

A couple of hours later, I got back up and headed off to play soccer mom.  It was my son's first day at camp, and for a first-timer, I'm proud to say he did beautifully.

My son is the little fellow sitting down.

But, now he is napping from all of that hard work, and I am about to start on a couple of stories.  One is called "Los Detectives", and it's my first shot at a mystery.  The other one is not titled yet, but is a piece of magical realism about evil curanderas, inspired by my little sister Diana who painted those images below (no thematic relationship).  It, too, will be a mystery.

We will see!  A shot at a new genre is always exciting, but the first few attempts could be a bloody disaster.  Or writing murder.

Until next time, Jesu Estrada, Ph.D.

Great Progress on Two Fronts!

Yesterday was a fantastic day in my anthology’s progress.  First, I started workshopping my stories with a good friend who needs feedback on her brilliant dissertation draft, the best kind of quid pro quo.  Secondly, I got a hold of my friend who is designing the book cover.

My workshopping friend gave me some outstanding advice concerning the whole language translation debate (see previous blog entry).  I don’t know why I didn’t think of this before, since I read so much Junot Diaz (who is the master of this technique). She asked me, “Why don’t you translate the Spanish words in footnotes?” LIGHTBULB!  Granted, the translation process is tedious, and I am doing my own work, but whether the text is printed or online, I would rather read a footnote than an endnote or a vocabulary index. 

I also said, “I don’t know if I should make the Spanish terms clickable.  The reader might find them cumbersome.”  She gave me the look she probably gives clueless people, and said, “Are you kidding?  Readers will love that!” (or some-such).  I thought about that for a moment, and realized she was right.  So, now I am making the Spanish terms clickable, so they link directly to the footnotes. 

By the end this thing is done, I will have ALL the e-book formatting done.  I get why people pay professionals to do this work.  It is seriously tiresome work, almost the opposite of the fun part of the manuscript.

Regarding the book cover, yesterday by good friend Brett came over for dinner.  He just happens to be a professional photographer and is quite savvy with Photoshop and other software.  I explained the book concept and showed him some examples of book covers I really like.  I want an image that represents the dessert like a saguaro cactus in bloom or something.  He hopes to get it done by July (he’s busy too).  

 This is an example of a book cover I like by one of my favorite Chicano writers (yes, I like Chicana writers too, but not their book covers):

On a touching note, Brett humbly refused payment, but I still want to give him a small sum.  The dude has talent, real talent and designs other media, so I am really excited to have him on the team!

So, here’s to god-sent friends who help you achieve your dreams!  They are definitely making the labor fun and collaborative, which makes the writing process far less lonely.

Inspiring Words from My Amazing Sister

My sister, my most beautiful sister, posted this on my FB wall this morning about my writing:

How unique and special that "Estrada writing gene" turned out to be. We all have it, we just don't allow it to flow out of us enough. So open the flood gates of inspiration, motivation and claim your own personal miracle... The gift of having the courage to stand out (trembling or not) instead of blending in with the crowd... The gift of being YOU. I am so proud of you. I always have been.
                                                                                         --A. Estrada 

Thanks sis.  You just motivated me to write even more!

Another Book Cover Idea

This oil painting by my sister is actually really close to what I want for the book cover.  I would love a silhouette of a young girl, but I would have to Photoshop it into the piece.  That concept has been overdone by other Latina writers anyway, but it fits.