Louis Reyes Rivera

“Always there is need for song… And every human has a poem to write..." - From the esteemed essay “Inside the River of Poetry,” by Louis Reyes Rivera.

Louis Reyes Rivera (1945–2012) was a fellow Puerto Rican born in Brooklyn, New York, and already a legend when I reached out to him and asked him to speak at my organization's first writer's conference.  In 1969, it was Mr. Reyes Rivera that fueled the CCNY student movement that led to the creation of the Ethnic Studies Department, he also cofounded "The Paper," the first newspaper run by Puerto Rican and African American students at the school.

Louis Reyes Rivera’s well-known devotion and work in matters of social justice led to his extremely active role as a union organizer.  He was also instrumental in helping to establish the Freedom Party, and was also involved in the Writers for Mumia initiative.

Affectionately referred to as the "Janitor of History", Rivera’s many honors, and awards included a New York Foundation for the Arts Fellowship, a Special Congressional Recognition Award, and the CCNY 125th Anniversary Medal. Committed to the progressive and political power of jazz as well as poetry, Rivera appeared at dozens of jazz clubs and festivals and was inducted into the Brooklyn Jazz Hall of Fame.

One of his best known works is a 150-page epic poem "Jazz in Jail" that he was able to finish just before his passing in 2012. In a Spring 2009 interview with Eric Serrano, Rivera explained its purpose: “This project began roughly seven years ago. What happens if Jazz (personified) gets busted and put in jail? For what? For trying to stand against the exploitation of music by the music industry… For trying to bring together all of the music that comes out of the Diaspora—Reggae, Samba, Mambo, Calypso, Merengue, Hard bop, Cool bop, Be bop, the Blues, Mother Blues (the mother of Jazz), Grandpa Dirge, Grandma Praise Song, Work Song, Birth Song, the Chant—into one huge convention of the music, a family reunion – Let’s discuss our condition… So I had an opportunity to pay homage to poetry and music, to show you the conditions inside a prison and inside the court room, and I could even trace the history of it.”

So it was that this talented, accomplished poet, writer, essayist, historian and activist came to my writer's conference and blew everyone away with his eloquence,  and his mastery over words. I will always be grateful to Mr. Reyes Rivera for his presence at the conference, and many of us should be grateful for his many positive and creative contributions to the people of New York City, and for the community of persons of color in general. Wepa!

The 5-senses of Writing

Good writing is supposed to evoke sensation in the reader - not the fact that it's raining, but the feel of being rained upon. (E. L. Doctorow).

It has often been told to a writer:  "Don't tell me, SHOW me!"  As a writer, it's often simple enough to get totally involved in your writing and thus get lost in the storytelling.  In doing so we forget that we're not simply telling a story, we're asking our readers to believe in it; to immerse themselves in the world that we have created and to invest their five senses in it.  Unfortunately too many writers approach their stories as if their characters, and their readers, are devoid of one or more of these senses: Seeing, Hearing, Touch, Taste, and Smell.  This makes their writing, despite how good the story is, hard to fully invest in. 

When I was a kid, I took a book out of the school library titled, The Antmen.  It was a great story! When the summer ended, I made a beeline to the library and took the book out again.  But I was disappointed when I found that all of the wonderful illustrations had been removed!  When I reported this vandalism to the librarians, I was shocked when they told me that the book had no illustrations inside, except maybe one at the beginning of each chapter!  Apparently, the story had been so vivid that my mind conjured up a bevy of non-existent artwork to go with the story!  That's what you want from your readers.

The characters in your book must not only go through their paces in moving the story forward, but must also allow you to see, taste, feel, smell, and hear what they are experiencing as they live out their lives in your novel. Is that lemon meringue pie tart? Does it melt on the tongue?  Just how crusty is that crust?  Just what does the rain feel like on your protagonist's face? Hands?  Is it just sunny out? Or does your heroine find it uncomfortably warm?  Is it making her sweat?  Does it evoke memories of other times she was hot?  Or uncomfortable? 

Don't be afraid of experiencing the world that you created.  Let your characters walk you through old neighborhoods awash in the scents of fresh baked bread and a recent rain.  Let them invite you to run your fingers through the rough stubble on their chin. 

So go ahead, live a little.  And use all of your senses.

Writers and the daily commute...

One of my favorite authors to follow online is a talented gentleman by the name of Manuel Melendez.  I not only admire his well-crafted stories and heartfelt poetry, but I also admire the sheer volume of his work (11 books and counting!).  He is the type of prolific writer that I, and I'm sure many others as well, aspire to be.  Now, if memory serves me right, I'm pretty sure that I remember him mentioning that he has done plenty of his writing while on his daily commute to and from work.  And if you live and/or work in New York City, that means that your commute probably includes taking the bus and/or subway.  Many, if not most, of us grab our newspaper, bagel and coffee, and make that mad dash for the mode of public transportation that will take us to or from the place where we make our daily bread.  It's just the way it is; heck, it's practically a tradition!  Personally, I live in Queens, NY; and my daily commute to work was almost 2 hours long, with another 2 hours thrown in for the trip back home.  Most of that time was spent riding the subway, where I used to juggle my paper, coffee, and bagel on my lap (if I was lucky enough to get a seat!), while I lamented the waste of time this commute was.  Then one day I brought along a story I was working on and a pencil, and as I delved into writing, the time just seemed to melt away.  The commute seemed to go by faster and much more interestingly, and instead of viewing it as a waste of my time, I was able to see it as an opportunity to write.

  And I'm not the only one.  As I've mentioned earlier, prolific writer Manuel Melendez uses the opportunity offered by his commute to get some writing done.  I actually finished my first novel while commuting back and forth from work.  I also notice lots of folks working on their laptops or other devices while sitting on the train, and I like to think that they're taking advantage of this time to work on their latest poem, novel, or book.  But is this a good idea?  Can someone actually effectively use this sometimes chaotic block of time to work on their writing?  Is it realistic to think that you can concentrate and "get into" your writing while surrounded by hundreds of your fellow commuters; not to mention all of the other distractions that public transportation has to offer?  The answer is, and has been for many of your fellow writers, a resounding YES!

Here are some other examples...

Fiona Mozley, the author of Man Booker shortlisted and Dylan Thomas Prize longlisted Elmet, wrote her debut novel while travelling between Peckham, in South London, and her nine to six job in Central London.

Peter Brett's first novel is a dark, demonic fantasy - the Brooklyn author wrote it while riding on the F train.  Brett, 36, tapped out most of "The Warded Man," which hit U.S. bookshelves last month, on his smartphone on daily trips from the Fort Hamilton Parkway stop near his Kensington home to his job in Times Square.

Gabriel Gambetta, author of the Golden Legacy, says, "It is said that everyone has a book in them. Ask around and you’ll find most people have an amazing idea that would make for a great story — if they only had the time to write it! Having a full-time job, family, friends, and all these annoying “adult” responsibilities leaves little time to write. But I found the time I needed in the otherwise dead time known as “the commute”.

Anthony Trollope commissioned a knee-mounted desk to extend his morning writing session into the train journey. John le Carré squeezed in his first novel en route to his office. Jeffrey Deaver used the trip to his Wall Street law firm to crack one of the few things that pay better than a Wall Street law firm: bestselling crime novels...

And there are so many others!  And really, there is no reason why you can't join them.  So next time you're lamenting about what a waste of time your daily commute to your daily grind is, whip out that story or poem that you've been working on or thinking about and make that time productive.  Who knows, it could be the next commute-driven best-seller!

Making Pasteles

There's a traditional Puerto Rican dish that outgrew its humble beginnings to earn the status of culinary legend.  Pasteles, a tasty compilation of yuca, plantains, and various other ingredients, often occupy a place of honor at the tables of millions of Americans.several times a year.  If you've ever had one (or more!), or prepared them, then you know that not only are they delicious, they're also quite labor intensive. In fact, they take so much work to produce that they're usually relegated to the role of "holiday" food. Writing can also be labor intensive, but unlike the aforementioned (and delicious!) pasteles, you want your writing to be the opposite of holiday fare.  Just realize that if you want to produce writing that is enjoyed by your readers (delicious!), it will take more than just the casual rattling of those figurative pots and pans, you have to make pasteles...

Jane Trombley, a well-known travel writer, gives you 5 reasons why writing is so labor intensive:

 1. Writing requires focus
It sounds simple, right? But here’s the first catch: topics don’t fall from trees. You have to think them up. And think them over. It’s one thing to say, “here’s a topic”….and quite another to say, “Here’s what I have to say about this topic that is interesting, fresh, and authentic.”
Writing is hard.

2. Writing requires practice
The pros, the charlatans hawking writing e-courses, they all say you’ve got to write practice, a lot. And post frequently, here on Medium or a platform of choice. Practice your craft, they all advise.
The first week or so, that’s easy. The second week, not so much. By the third week the only thing that’s easy is to say, “not today”.
Writing is hard.

3. Writing requires diligence.
If you’re serious about writing you have to be all in. Or don’t bother. It’s too hard to be half-assed about it.
That’s where diligence comes in.
Diligence is not quite like focus, not quite like practice. Even worse, diligence is like commitment.
It’s about being dedicated. You’ve got to do it every day. You’ve got to be committed to getting better, to wrestling this tiger to the ground. It’s hard, the diligence thing.
Writing is hard.

4. Writing requires courage
Writing requires exposing your most vulnerable and insecure self…and that my friends, takes courage.
Taking up the mental exercise of focus, gingerly attempting to practice with diligence until the practice is a practice, you’ve revealed something essential about yourself.
You’ve revealed you have the courage to step outside of your comfort zone.
Writing, whether as a rookie or a veteran, requires the courage to be emotionally susceptible. Writing the courage to put your own insecurity — that uncertainty and anxiety that comes with the new and unfamiliar — aside in the service of the endeavor.
Writing is hard.

5. Writing requires humility
There are days when you’re just humming along. “Oh, I’ve got this,” as the focus is crystal clear, the muse is bouncing on your shoulder spewing garlands of poetic prose. The sense of accomplishment may be a bit premature or it may be valid, but it is probably short lived.
Writing not only requires humility, it demands humility.
To be good at writing is to take your ego out of the story, or at out of least the headline and certainly out of the lead. And that’s hard because at the same time, as confidence grows, the ego is encouraged as well.
There is a fine line between your creativity, the fruit of your ideas, your communications skills and your self-importance. It’s not about you. You, as the writer, are the vessel, probably not the source. Your gift is one of expression. Ideas themselves, most good ones at least, are also timeless.
Writing is damn hard.

So, now we're sure that writing is hard.  Does that mean you should give up?  Find something easier to do?  No, not at all.  It just means that you square your shoulders, hunker down, and get the job done!  As Stan Lee would say... "Excelsior!"

Best Halloween Reads.....

Hello all, just a reminder that the scariest season of all, Halloween, is almost upon us.  So as a way of celebrating the season in a literary fashion, I'd like to introduce you to works of horror with a Latino touch.  All of these books are available on amazon's and barnes & noble's websites.  I urge you all to treat yourselves to at least one this Halloween season, or who knows... you may be in for a trick!
Happy reading, bwah-ha-ha-ha!

Manuel A. Meléndez was born in Puerto Rico and came to the United States when he was ten years old.   He was raised in Spanish Harlem, better known as El Barrio.  His stories are gritty dramas of life that capture the flavor and the rawness of the everyday people that he sees or meets on the streets of New York. His novel, Wicked Remnants, dares you to walk with him on the dark side and enter into the macabre in this collection of 16 bone-chilling stories that will take you to the place your nightmares begin. From an old Gypsy curse to a serial killer at large to a whining tree possessed by old secrets to a diabolical enigmatic vampire, there is something here bound to scare you into the holiday spirit!

Mariana Enriquez is an Argentine journalist, novelist and short story writer. This year saw her English-lanaguage debut in the form of a short story collection called “Things We Lost in the Fire.” The collection serves as a great example of how horror can be a powerful vehicle for social commentary. Macabre and disturbing, the collection features stories that will chill you to the bone while also offering an insight into Argentina as experienced by the author.

Edgar Cantero originally hails from Spain. His English-language debut, “The Supernatural Enhancements,” is part classic ghost story, part mystery, as the two protagonists uncover the secrets of the haunted house they inherited.

Zoraida Córdova is quickly becoming a rising star in the literary world. “The Vicious Deep,” her mermaid series, is definitely worth a read. Her most recent novel and the first book in her Brooklyn Brujas series, “Labyrinth Lost,” just won an International Latino Book Award, among other accolades, and has been optioned by Paramount. In this book, a teenage bruja tries to rid herself of her powers and accidentally makes her family disappear. This precipitates a journey to an in-between underworld called Los Lagos to bring them back. Dark and magical, this is a fabulous Latino update for “Alice in Wonderland” devotees.

Carmen Maria Machado has been killing it for a long time as a short story writer, critic and essayist. Her stories have been reprinted in “Best American Science Fiction & Fantasy,” “Best Horror of the Year” and “Year’s Best Weird Fiction.” Her debut short story collection, “Her Body and Other Parties,” has already generated a lot of buzz, and is a finalist for the National Book Award. Machado brings women’s issues to the forefront with an approach to horror that will delight fans of the genre and bring those who are on the fence about it on board. It’s original, it’s feminist af and it will blow your mind.

Michael Paul Gonzalez is always busy with a new project. His body of work can best be described as noir with a healthy dose of carnage. His stories have been included in many anthologies, including “Gothic Fantasy: Chilling Horror Short Stories” and “Year’s Best Hardcore Horror.” If you are someone who likes audiobooks or podcasts, his newest endeavor is “Larkspur Underground,” a serialized fictional account of a woman with Stockholm Syndrome who is the sole survivor of a serial killer’s house of horrors. It is not for the squeamish.

Silvia Moreno-Garcia is a Canadian short story writer, novelist and editor. In her short story collections and novels, the real and the magical overlap, often examining contemporary issues like her modern take of La Llorona, “Lacrimosa,” which was printed in the November 2015 issue of Nightmare Magazine. Her second novel, “Certain Dark Things,” was on many best of lists in 2016. Vampires in Mexico City. Need I say more? As an editor, she is unapologetic about championing the work of writers of color, making her a great follow on Twitter.

Samanta Schweblin is an Argentine author who has garnered much attention for her Spanish-language work, being named one of the 22 Best Writers in Spanish Under 35 by Granta in 2010. Her novel, “Fever Dream,” was translated into English and published earlier this year. It’s part ghost story and part psychological thriller that you will find yourself compulsively tearing through, hurtling towards the end. It’s a wave you feel compelled to ride. Fans of David Lynch will find a friend in this book. It’s brilliant and grotesque.

Carlos Ruiz Zafón is a much-celebrated author in Spain. His most popular series, “The Cemetery of Forgotten Books,” is a noir mystery which just saw its final installment late last year in Spanish. However, English language readers have one more year to catch up on the first three books before the translation comes out. His novel, “Marina,” is a cult classic. It features two teenagers who get caught up in the mystery behind a woman who ritualistically comes to the cemetery at the same time every month to leave a rose on a grave. There’s a little creep factor, a little romance and a lot to love in regards to the beautiful writing.

While YA author Guadalupe Garcia McCall is not known for horror, she did write a novel that incorporates the mythology of Mexico into an epic supernatural tale. “The Summer of the Mariposas” takes place on and across the Texas border, and starts as a female-driven version of “Stand by Me” when four sisters find a dead body. From there, the story takes on a hero’s journey where the girls find themselves encountering all the monsters your abuela warned you about.

To Free or not to Free?

(Reprinted from 1 year ago)

It is apparently the nature of humankind to try and obtain the coveted, but ever elusive, freebie. Oh, you know what I'm talking about. It turns out that if you're a person with a skill (doctor, lawyer, plumber, artist, writer, etc.), folks want you to share what you know ...for free (or close to it!).
  I've been guilty of it in the past, and just chalked it up to me getting some helpful tips... which they were. But some folks don't know when to quit and insist on more than mere tips. If you crochet, they want full-blown lessons and even free yarn. If you write, they want free critiques, editing services, or even your *ahem* help in writing their book or novel.
  So what do you do? That's entirely up to you, there's nothing wrong with sharing some knowledge or passing along some helpful hints. But there is something wrong with being taken advantage of. Your hard-earned skillset, whatever it is, deserves to be acknowledged and rewarded. The same way you wouldn't expect a car mechanic to fix your car for free (unless you got the hook-up), is the same way that folks shouldn't expect you to speak, critique, edit, write, or teach without some sort of honorarium or financial remuneration. The late and venerable poet, Louis Reyes Rivera of the National Writers Union, was a strong and outspoken proponent of this. Unfortunately many uninformed people consider those of us that work in the arts to be indulging in hobbies rather than actual "work", so they don't understand why we'd like to get paid.
  Ultimately it's your decision of course, but I'd urge you not to sell yourself, or your art, short.

Editing and Reviewing Services

Latino Authors & Writers Society

Are you working on your latest short story, novel, novella, or non-fiction book? You may want to have it edited and proofread before shipping it off to that agent or publisher!  Or maybe your work has already been published and you'd like an honest review that you can post onto your website or on social media.  Or maybe you can use some help with some basic promotion and marketing.  Well the Latino Authors & Writers Society, an organization dedicated to Latino Literature and literacy, will soon be offering these important services at reasonable prices!  Other companies, agencies & organizations may charge THOUSANDS of dollars for their services, while we provide those same services at prices much more affordable to the beginning, aspiring, or struggling writer (with a special understanding and appreciation for the works of POC). Of course, veteran writers can take advantage of these very reasonable prices as well!

1. Editing for Fiction (novels, novellas) - Flat rate of $150.00 for up to 74,000 words, with an additional 5-cents per word after the initial 74,000.

2. Editing for Non-Fiction (Memoirs, Religious, etc.) - Flat rate of $400.00 for up to 80,000 words, with an additional 5-cents per word after the initial 80,000. 

3. Editing for Short Stories (any genre) - Flat rate of $20.00 for up to 3,000 words, with an additional 5-cents per word after the initial 3,000.

4. Book Reviews (any genre) - Flat rate of $40.00 for works of up to 74,000 words, with an additional 5-cents per word after the initial 74,000.

5. Marketing & Promotion (any genre) - Flat rate of $200.00.

Please check out the traditional businesses that offer these services first, and then make up your mind.  We look forward to working with you!

https://www.facebook.com/LatinoAuthors.org/

Who inspired you?

Quite often, at various writing events that I have attended, someone will ask me what inspires or inspired me to write.  My answer is always the same: my parents.

I know that plenty of other writers may find this answer kind of corny, but it's the truth.  I was always somewhat eccentric when I was a kid, if you call having a lot of very varied interests "eccentric."  I read everything that I could get my hands on, built models (usually of the Universal monsters, animals, or scientific subjects), studied most of the sciences (I even had a lab in my parent's basement), practiced boxing and the martial arts, played baseball, I also kept a menagerie in my home that consisted of all sorts of reptiles, amphibians, and birds. And I still found the time and the wherewithal to write.

Throughout all this, my parents always encouraged me and never put me or my ideas down.  When the encyclopedia salesman came to our door, even though money was scarce, they bought me the entire set. I read the whole thing, including the bonus dictionary, that summer.  My father built me a huge terrarium out of 2X4's and Plexiglas to house my burgeoning collection of reptiles. And when some neighborhood kids brought a sick seagull to my house in the hopes that I could nurse it back to health (which I did), my mother didn't say no.

And so it was that through all of the problems regular folks go through like bills, health concerns, etc., my parents still found the strength and patience to encourage me, and thus to inspire me.  I learned more from observing my parent's strength, positivity, support for their kids, hard work ethic, and love, than I ever learned from any books.  I was inspired to be patient, loving, strong, and hard-working. These things in turn inspired me to write, and it's no coincidence that my first published work was titled, "My Mother: Superstar!"  My father and I used to visit used bookstores where I'd buy books and comics, and this inspired me to write a guest column for D.C. comics where I extolled the benefits of reading comicbooks.

So, it was my parents and their truly unconditional love that inspired me most to put pen to paper and share parts of my life with the world.  My mom passed away a few years ago, and took a huge part of my heart with her. I will always miss and treasure her.  My father is still here, and we try to make it to his favorite restaurant, IHOP, about once a month.  His resilience at having lost his best friend is another source of inspiration to me.

Thanks mom. Thanks pop. For inspiring me to live. Love. Write.

So fellow writers, who or what inspired you to write?

The Story of... Me.

  As a writer, you've probably already experienced having someone approach you and mention how they would like to write a book about their life and experiences, but they don't know where to start. These folks are usually earnest about sharing their story, some may even be driven to do so, thinking that this would be a way to exorcise their demons.  Or it's possible that they feel that their story would make for an exciting, worthwhile, or cautionary tale.
  Maybe you're actually that potential author that feels that your life is worth writing about.  Yes, maybe you are and maybe it is.  Let's talk about your life story...

  First you have to realize that just about every person on the planet feels that his or her life story is unique and worth telling.  And they're right.  Which means, of course, that you're right.  Your story is worth telling.  Almost everyone has a story to tell, and if that story has to do with what you have experienced or gone through in your life, then it's probably worth sharing.  Maybe you were (or still are) an arsonist, or a drag queen, or a Walmart's cashier... it doesn't matter.  Your life is unique and different from any other.  You have a unique perspective, and a different way of saying or doing things that other people may not have thought of or experienced.  Some of the best novels, non-fiction books, and movies, are based on people and/or situations that to the casual observer or reader may seem ordinary and mundane at first, but which blossom into full-blown life-altering experiences full of "ah-h-h" moments.  So if you're teetering on the proverbial threshold of whether or not you should write the story of your life, or a chapter of your life, take that step and do it.  It's always a good bet to go with your first mind on certain things.  If for some reason you honestly feel compelled to write about something you and/or your family have gone through, then it's probably a good idea to do so. It can be a cathartic experience that may help answer questions that maybe even you and your loved ones didn't know you had.  "Each of us is a book waiting to be written, and that book, if written, results in a person explained." ~Thomas M. Cirignano, author of The Constant Outsider: Memoirs of a South Boston Mechanic.

  Speaking of loved ones...   Be aware that if and when you do write the story of your life, that there have probably been  many persons that have shared your experiences with you - mom, dad, grandma, the mailman... and not all of them would be happy to have their lives and experiences immortalized alongside yours.  In writing the story of your life, this issue may become a big, glaring one that may cause you more pain and angst if not handled correctly.  One avenue to consider as a way of avoiding trouble is to "change the names to protect the innocent", or guilty, or whatever.  This is okay, but it's by no means the best option.  You can change people's names in your book, but they may still be easily recognizable.  In which case this person or persons can argue in court (yes, court!) that you have used their likeness without their permission, or that you may have actually defamed them if your part of the story that includes them is less than positive.  In this case you may have to go as far as changing their appearance, job, relation to you... all in an effort to keep yourself safe from trouble and possible litigation.  Depending on the story you want to tell however, this may water-down or alter your story in an unsatisfying way.  In this case, it would be a good idea to familiarize yourself with the laws concerning the use of real names, etc. in your written work.  I would also like to recommend Helen Sedwick's wonderful book, The Self-Publisher's Legal Handbook.  The following is an excerpt from her website, http://helensedwick.com/how-to-use-real-people-in-your-writing/
 "Writers face three big risks when using real people in their writing: defamation, invasion of privacy, and misappropriation of the right of publicity. Yet every fiction writer bases characters on real people. Memoirists and nonfiction writers identify people by name. How can writers use real people in their work without risking a lawsuit?
First, a simple rule. If what you write about a person is positive or even neutral, then you don’t have defamation or privacy issues."
  But, that may be the problem.  Rarely do we want to write a life story in which everyone, everything, and every experience is positive or neutral.  So, in that case, read the article on Helen's website and then buy her book.  It's better to be safe than sorry!  Also, be prepared to have family, friends, relatives, and acquaintances tell you how they're not being portrayed correctly, or how their memories of the same events are different than yours.
  Another thing you can do is to have everyone mentioned in your book sign a release form or waiver which absolves you from any litigation for using their name and/or likeness in your book.  Often, that's just not practical however.

  Now let's get to the nitty-gritty, the actual writing!  Many people that want to write about their life experiences just don;t know where to start.  They stare at a blank sheet of paper and get intimidated.  What's the first thing I should say?  Well, I'm going to give you a word of advice that I give most aspiring writers... don't "write."  You see, the part of the writing process that intimidates most new or aspiring writers is the writing process itself.  Many folks get bogged down with grammar, spelling, making sure that their T's are crossed and their I's are dotted.  The process becomes a chore and next thing you know, that manuscript is relegated to the underwear drawer maybe to never see the light of day again.  Write?  No.  What you want to do is tell your story.  Don't sit there trying to give birth to a book that's probably a breach anyway.  It will be all pain, grunting and screaming with an outcome that could have been achieved in an easier, gentler, and more accommodating way.  Just. Tell. Your. Story.  When you're talking to your friends and family about things that really interest you or mean a lot to you, you don't worry about grammar or spelling.  Your words come from your heart and your gut.  That's how you're going to successfully tell your story to that blank sheet of paper.  Disregard the "writing" part for now and just let your words flow from your fingertips, even if you have to speak aloud while you're doing it (a lot of writers do this!).  Forget about spelling, punctuation, grammar, or anything you may have learned in a writing class.  Let your gut and heart do the talking, your brain can fix and clean it up later.  Tell the story as if you are talking to your friend while sitting in your livingroom, or at the bar, or standing around the water cooler at work.  Get comfortable and let the memories and the words flow.  The most important thing is to tell your story.

Tell your story.

'

Latino Reads: Arnaldo Lopez Jr

Summer Reading List!

Summer is officially here, and one of our favorite activities while sitting at the beach or lounging by the pool is, of course, READING!
So below we have compiled some of our best choices to help with your summer reading list. Enjoy!

1. I am not your perfect Mexican daughter- by Erika L. Sanchez
2. Covering the Sun with my Hand- by Theresa Varela
3. Drown - by Junot Diaz
4. The House on Mango Street- by Sandra Cisneros
5. When I was Puerto Rican & Casi una Mujer- by Esmeralda Santiago
6. Battle for a Soul- by Manuel Melendez
7. The Invisible Guardian- by Dolores Redondo
8. How the Garcia Girls lost their accents- by Julia Alvarez
9. Isla Negra- Pablo Neruda
10. Tell me how it Ends- by Valeria Luiselli
11. "97" - by Jonathan Bonhomme
12. The Shadowshaper series- by Daniel Jose Older
13. Wicked Weeds - by Pedro Cabiya
14. City of Beasts - by Isabel Allende
15. Who's Ju? - by Dania Ramos
16. Her Body and other Parties - by Carmen Maria Machado
17. Un Espejo en la Selva- by Silverio Perez
18. Chickenhawk- by Arnaldo Lopez Jr
19. The Education of Margot Sanchez by Lillian Rivera

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS!

CALL FOR

SUBMISSIONS! - Ellen Aponte

I am very happy and excited to announce that I am putting together an anthology to help Puerto Rico! But I need your help! Please share this post and read through the Call for Submissions I have posted below. If anyone has any questions, just send me a message or contact me at the email below.

Now accepting poetry, fiction, and short essays for Boricua en la Luna, an anthology of work by artists from Puerto Rico or of Puerto Rican descent.

Proceeds from this anthology will go to the Hispanic Federation to assist with Hurricane Maria and Irma recovery relief.

Work may be on any subject, but should reference or relate to Puerto Rican identity. Work may be in Spanish or English or both; we are open to work in translation, but require translated artist or estate permission. We will not consider work that is sexist, racist, or in other ways bigoted.

Submit .pdf or .doc/.docx attachment of 1-6 poems, 1-3 flash fiction or nonfiction, or short story or essay up to 3000 words to LunaBoricuas@gmail.com by September 30th. Please include a brief biographical note of up to 50 words. Please place title(s) of work in a list within the email, and include name and contact information on the first page of your submission.

Acceptance decisions will be made by December 31st, with release of anthology in mid-2019.

Previously published works considered. We acquire one-time print and electronic rights. Simultaneous submissions are accepted, but if a work is accepted elsewhere, please alert us at the above email.

All contributors will receive a copy of the anthology, which will be distributed in both print and electronic forms.

Happy Father's Day!

Today is June 17th, 2018 and today many of us celebrate that most noteworthy, yet also often dubious, of holidays... Father's Day.  Noteworthy because, despite what many mothers and/or wives think, being a father is a tough job.  And dubious for pretty much the same reason.

Long ago, when my son was expecting his first child, I explained to him that being a father is no easy task.  Let me explain... I told him that no matter how good a father he will think he is, his partner or even just other folks may always say that there is room for improvement.  His own kids will love him one minute and vilify him the next.  A father must always walk that thin line between sage advice and tough love... figuring that he knows best, but secretly afraid that he may make a mistake.  Often feeling like the odd man out, but always being willing and able to lend a hand physically, emotionally, spiritually, and financially.  A father must be the secret keeper, yet must sometimes violate that trust in order to safeguard his child.  A father must be the good guy, the bad guy, the strong, stoic guy, and the guy that cries when his child goes off to school or the military.  A father must be able to weather the storm of doubt or criticism that may come his way with good humor, quiet strength, a calm demeanor, and, hopefully, common sense.  He must exude confidence when his family is unsure, he must portray skill and know-how when his ability is needed.  He must be willing to graciously accept being ribbed about his attire, his singing voice, or even his hopes and dreams so that his family may benefit from the strength of his patience and love.  I told him that a father must also emanate a barely restrained ferociousness when it comes to the health, safety, and well-being of his family.  Bad guys must be able to sense that messing with his family would be a bad idea filled with dire consequences.

It's a lot to ask of someone, especially someone who is embarking on the path of fatherhood for the first time, but that's why I stated that being a father is no easy task.  And when a father makes it look like it is, that's proof that he's a great father.  I'm proud to say that my son is twice a father now, and everyone tells him (and me too sometimes) what a great father he is.  I like to think that maybe I had a little something to do with that.

And now, I'd like to mention some well-known fathers in literature that may have exhibited one or more of the traits that I mentioned above.  I know that I'll miss some, and for that I offer my humblest apologies.

 1. Mr. Bennett and Elizabeth Bennett, Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.
 2. Atticus Finch and Scout Finch, To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee.
 3. Liesel and her adopted father, Hans Hubermann,The Book Thief by Markus Zusak.
 4. King Lear and Cordelia, King Lear by William Shakespeare.
 5. Jean Val Jean and Cosette, Les Miserables by Victor Hugo.
 6. Bob Cratchit and Tiny Tim, A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens.
 7. Xenophilius Lovegood and Luna Lovegood, The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling.
 8. The unnamed man and his son, The Road by Cormac McCarthy.
 9. Belgarath and Polgara, The Belgariad by David Eddings.
10. Tom Harry and Rusty, The Bartender's Tale by Ivan Doig.

I had to stop  at ten or else I'd still be writing.  There are a lot of books with great Father/child relationships, I just don't have the time or space to list them all.  If you know of one, please let me know via a comment.  Anyway, 'til next time.  Happy Father's Day!

Writer's Conferences

Tis the season for Writer's Conferences!  Every year about this time writers all over the world are gearing up to attend one or even a series of conferences dedicated to writers, writing, and the business of writing.  Some conferences are huge affairs featuring a grand multitude of speakers, booths, classes, vendors, and fellow writers.  These big conferences, usually located in cities like New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, etc., can be intimidating to attend for a first-time or beginning writer.  A big conference that attracts big crowds can seem like the superstore where you mostly just wander around trying to navigate on your own, or where you look around in frustration hoping to find someone to help you.  I've met quite a few new writers that attended a big writer's conference and came away feeling a little lost, and maybe even a little rejected.  A new writer that is used to working alone on a project with a little soft music playing in the background can be easily overwhelmed by the orgiastic literary event that a large writer's conference can become.  Does this mean that big writer's conferences are bad?  Oh, heck no!  I've personally gone to big writer's conferences where I left feeling re-energized, inspired, and where I even learned a thing or three.  I got to meet some of my literary heroes, hung out with like-minded, talented people, and was even able to pitch my work to an agent.  I had a great time and brought back ideas and goodies that I was able to use in my writing.

So why am I trying to dissuade you from attending a writer's conference?  No, what I'm trying to point out or suggest is that, for the beginning writer, maybe forgoing the larger, flashier writer's conferences for one of the smaller, cozier, less frenetic ones might be a good idea.  There are a lot of conferences that are quieter, more intimate, and much easier to handle.  These smaller conferences can be found in the big cities too, but are also often found in quaint small towns, charming villages, libraries, schools, or even historic old mansions.  Now, while these conferences may be smaller in terms of attendants, speakers, etc., they are no less energizing, inspiring, or helpful to your career as a writer.  In fact, many established writers actually prefer the smaller venues to the larger ones, enjoying the more laid back atmosphere and the opportunity to interact more closely with fellow writers.

Either way, there are some things to expect at most writer's conferences regardless of size.  Writer's conferences almost always have guest speakers that range from famous and wildly popular writers, to literary agents, publishers, and other people in the literary field.  The larger conferences often feature vendors that will sell you (or giveaway!) items from t-shirts to writing software.  Conferences may have classes about different aspects of writing, marketing, or business-tips geared specifically for writers.  There are also conferences that prepare you to, and arrange for you to, pitch a manuscript to an agent or publisher.  A harrowing but fun experience!

So, before you actually attend a writer's conference, I strongly suggest that you do your research and prepare yourself well beforehand so that you may have the best experience possible.  Here's what you need to do:

1. Visit their website.  Gather as much information as you can.
2. Make sure it's the right conference for you.  If you write romances, don't go to a horror writer's conference.
3. Download maps and directions.
4. Download and go over the conference itineraries, especially if you're going to one of the larger conferences.  This way you have a pretty good idea of where to go to see or experience the people and/or events that are the most meaningful for you.
5. Pack some business cards... hey, you never know!
6. Be sure to bring your phone and a charger.
7. Pack a bottle of water and some snacks.  All that walking around can make you thirsty.  Some conferences have vendors that will sell you (or giveaway!) bottled water, but it's better safe than sorry.
8. Bring a pen (make sure it works!)
9. Bring some extra money.  Some of your fellow writers may want to hang out after the conference and drinks are expensive!
10. Bring your "A" game!  Be polite, patient, respectful, positive, confident, and informed.  You don't want to turn off the very same people that may be able to help your career!

All that being said, you should attend at least one conference in your lifetime, if only to bask in the creative energy of so many talented and like-minded souls.  By the way, below you'll find a list of writer's conferences for 2018.  It's not a complete list, but maybe it will help to get you started.


14th Annual Eckerd College Writers' Conference: Writers in Paradise
Florida
January 13, 2018

14th annual Mayborn Literary Conference, July 20-22, 2018
Texas
July 20, 2018

2018 Agents & Editors Conference / Writers' League of Texas / Austin, TX
Texas
June 29, 2018

2018 BookBaby Independent Authors Conference
Pennsylvania
November 2, 2018

2018 Summer Writing Program :: The Capitalocene :: Naropa University
Colorado
June 10, 2018

2018 Writing By Writers Fall Manuscript Boot Camp
California
November 9, 2018

2018 Writing By Writers Tomales Bay Workshop
California
October 17, 2018

2019 ASLE Biennial Conference
California
June 25, 2019

26th Annual Winter Poetry & Prose Getaway
New Jersey
January 18, 2019

30th Summer Fishtrap Gathering of Writers
Oregon
July 10, 2017

Algonkian Writer Conferences
New York
Year Round

Antioch Writers' Workshop at University of Dayton--Summer Program
Ohio
July 14, 2018

AWP Annual Conference & Bookfair
Florida
March 7, 2018

Boldface Conference for Emerging Writers
Texas
May 21, 2018

Chesapeake Writers' Conference at St. Mary's College of Maryland
Maryland
June 24, 2018

Dallas-Fort Worth Writers Conference (DFWCon)
Texas
June 9, 2018

David R. Collins Writers' Conference
Iowa
June 28, 2018

Elephant Rock Retreats for Writing & Yoga
Wisconsin
Year Round

Furious Flower Collegiate Summit: Poetry Without Boundaries
Virginia
March 22, 2018

Hampton Roads Writers Tenth Annual Writers' Conference
Virginia
Year Round

Highlights Foundation Workshops
Pennsylvania
Year Round

Indiana University Writers' Conference 2018
Indiana
June 2, 2018

Iota: Short Prose Conference
Maine
August 15, 2018

IWWG 41st Annual Summer Conference
Pennsylvania
July 6, 2018

Juniper Institute for Young Writers
Massachusetts
July 22, 2018

Juniper Summer Writing Institute
Massachusetts
June 17, 2018

Kachemak Bay Writers' Conference
Alaska
June 8, 2018

Kauai Writers Conference
Hawaii
November 5, 2018

Kentucky Women Writers Conference Inc.
Kentucky
September 13, 2018

Kenyon Review Writers' Workshops
Ohio
Year Round

Key West Literary Seminar and Writers' Workshop Program
Florida
January 10, 2019

Longleaf Writers' Conference @ Seaside, Florida (formerly Seaside WC)
Florida
May 13, 2018

Memoir in a Year-2017
Illinois
Year Round

Mendocino Coast Publishing Boot Camp
California
August 5, 2018

Mendocino Coast Writers' Conference (MCWC)
California
August 2, 2018

Midwest Fiction Writers Workshops
Minnesota
Year Round

Minnesota Northwoods Writers Conference
Minnesota
June 18, 2018

Napa Valley Writers' Conference
California
July 29, 2018

NCWN Squire Summer Writing Workshops
North Carolina
July 19, 2018

New York State Summer Writers Institute
New York
July 2, 2018

Nonfiction Authors Association Free Teleseminars
California
Year Round

North Carolina Writers' Network Fall Conference
North Carolina
November 3, 2017

North Words Writers Symposium
Alaska
May 30, 2018

Odyssey Writing Workshop
New Hampshire
June 4, 2018

Pacific MFA in Writing | Residency Writers Conference
Oregon
Year Round

Pennsylvania Writers Conference (PWC)
Pennsylvania
July 29, 2018

Postgraduate Writers' Conference
Vermont
August 13, 2018

Publishing Workshop
New Jersey
March 2, 2019

San Francisco Writers Conference & Pre/Post Classes
California
February 15, 2018

Sewanee Writers' Conference
Tennessee
July 17, 2018

Steel Pen Annual Writers' Conference
Indiana
October 27, 2018

Summer Retreat at Ragdale
Illinois
July 20, 2018

The Creativity Workshop in New York
New York
Year Round

The Frost Place Conference on Poetry
New Hampshire
July 8, 2018

The Frost Place Conference on Poetry and Teaching
New Hampshire
June 23, 2018

The Frost Place Poetry Seminar
New Hampshire
July 29, 2018

The Frost Place Writing Intensive
New Hampshire
June 27, 2018

The Loft's Pitch Conference
Minnesota
April 20, 2018

The Writer's Hotel 2018 NYC Writers Conference
New York
June 6, 2018

Tinker Mountain Writers
Virginia
June 10, 2018

University of New Mexico Rananim Online Writing Workshops
New Mexico
October 2, 2017

University of North Dakota Writers Conference
North Dakota
March 21, 2018

Unworkshops: Your Room to Create
Pennsylvania
Year Round

Washington Island Literary Festival
Wisconsin
September 13, 2018

Washington Writers Conference
Maryland
May 4, 2018

Wesleyan Writers Conference
Connecticut
June 13, 2018

Western Reserve Writers' Conference
Ohio
April 28, 2018

Willamette Writers 2018 Conference
Oregon
August 2, 2018

Writers at Work 2018 Writing Retreat
Utah
June 6, 2018

Writers at Work Annual Writing Competition
Utah
November 15, 2017

Writers Studio at UCLA Extension
California
February 8, 2018

Writers Week at Idyllwild Arts Summer Program
California
Year Round

Writing from the Inside Out: Getting to the Gut of Your Words with Laura Munson at Madeline Island School of the Arts (MISA)
Wisconsin
July 16, 2018

I know that the dates for some of these may have passed already, but if you're really interested in attending that particular conference, Google them and if they have a website they'll probably have information concerning the time and date of their next conference.  Good luck and enjoy!

4,645

Up until a few weeks ago, that number, 4,645, didn't really mean anything... except to maybe the people on the ground in Puerto Rico who knew that the government's estimate of 64 dead in the wake of Hurricane Maria wasn't right.  On a sub-tropical island populated by millions of people, 64 dead after the devastating effects of such a powerful hurricane would seem like some sort of miracle.  Even if it were "only" 64 dead, I'm sure that the families and friends of those dead consider their loss to be incalculable.  How much more so then when that number balloons to almost 5,000 souls lost?  One must understand the enormous amount of damage that can cause the collective psyche of the people on the island.  A people that are as close-knit and proud as the denizens of any small-town on the mainland U.S.A.  A people connected and made sturdy by the sharing of many decades of neglect, pain, and often outright abuse at the hands of their federal and local governments.  Such is the case of the "Cenizas", the ashes that were being dumped all over the island and whose dumping was being vehemently protested against by environmentalists and island residents.

 "Environmental pollutants increase the risk of developing cancer, which by the way, is the leading cause of death in our country. Exposure to environmental carcinogens is one of the main factors that leads to the development of multiple types of cancer, and one of those toxic wastes that dangerously contaminates our environment and that today is in public discussion, is the ashes product of the burning of coal. These ashes are deposited in Peñuelas, but it is known that they affect many towns and sooner or later it will be to the whole island.
The Guayama AES coal plant generates between 600 and 800 tons of ash daily. These ashes contain extremely toxic metals such as arsenic, mercury and lead, among others. The scientific evidence on the damage of these metals, the radioactivity and the particulate itself that produce the ashes is serious and forceful.

Ashes increase the risk, not only of certain types of cancer such as lung cancer, but also respiratory problems. It is no coincidence that Puerto Rico leads the list of respiratory diseases when compared to other countries. And although there may be genetic predispositions, it is known that environmental factors are largely what make these and other diseases manifest. But, in addition to cancer and respiratory conditions, the ashes also increase the risks of other problems such as spontaneous abortions, malformations, reduced cognitive capacity, severe allergies and other diseases."
 - by Vilma Calderon, writing in El Nuevo Dia newspaper

So should it really come as a surprise that in the midst of the worst natural disaster to hit American soil in decades that the people of Puerto Rico would once again be victimized by their own government?  It's a damn shame that the vulture capitalists, the equivalent of modern-day carpetbaggers, arrived faster and stayed longer than the Army Corps of engineers, FEMA, the Red Cross, or the USNS Hospital Ship Comfort; which only admitted 6 patients a day before leaving long before the job was finished, and whose early and ignoble departure certainly contributed to the deaths of so many. 

Arelis R. Hernández and Laurie McGinley, in writing for the
Washington Post, wrote:

"At least 4,645 people died as a result of Hurricane Maria and its devastation across Puerto Rico last year, according to a new Harvard study released Tuesday, an estimate that far exceeds the official government death toll, which stands at 64.

The study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, found that health-care disruption for the elderly and the loss of basic utility services for the chronically ill had significant impacts across the U.S. territory, which was thrown into chaos after the September hurricane wiped out the electrical grid and had widespread impacts on infrastructure. Some communities were entirely cut off for weeks amid road closures and communications failures.

Researchers in the United States and Puerto Rico, led by scientists at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, calculated the number of deaths by surveying nearly 3,300 randomly chosen households across the island and comparing the estimated post-hurricane death rate to the mortality rate for the year before. Their surveys indicated that the mortality rate was 14.3 deaths per 1,000 residents from Sept. 20 through Dec. 31, 2017, a 62 percent increase in the mortality rate compared to 2016, or 4,645 "excess deaths."

"Our results indicate that the official death count of 64 is a substantial underestimate of the true burden of mortality after Hurricane Maria," the authors wrote.

"The true burden of mortality."  An eloquent way to phrase the deaths of so many.  Puerto Rico is, right now, suffering through something akin to death throes.  Although far from dying, the island and it's people are still reeling from the effects of the storm and the laissez faire attitude of those with the power, resources, and obligation to help.  But one thing that the people of Puerto Rico have learned over the years is how to survive.  This is undeniably their toughest test yet, but Puerto Ricans are nothing if not resilient, resourceful, smart, inventive, gracious, and possessed of an infectious can-do spirit and an ancient music in their soul that is irrepressible.  We as a people will survive this, as we have survived so many other things, and we will be the stronger for it.

So what does this have to do with writing you may ask?  The answer, dear reader, is everything.  Everything.

 

In Memoriam

Memorial Day has come and gone.  The somber and celebratory rites honoring our fallen heroes have taken place in towns and cities across the U.S. in the forms of prayers, parades, bar-be-cues, wreath laying and flag waving.  Fitting, and yet somehow inadequate, tributes to the brave men and women in uniform that died in faraway lands fighting for ideals, or people, that didn't always understand or appreciate their sacrifices.  Three of my favorite uncles were veterans, Duhamel Lopez, Pablo Rosario, and Esmeraldo "Cuquito" Lopez (I'm sure there are more), and while at one time I was too young to fully appreciate  the substance of their military service, I still saw them all as heroes, and I still do.

And while we honored, and continue to honor, our fallen in uniform, there is another group of fallen that I'd like to pay homage to as well.  I'm talking about our fellow writers that passed away in 2018.  Now, before you start getting up in arms about me paying tribute to writers in this way, please Google how many writers (usually reporters) sacrificed their lives in the theater of war doing what they believed in... 26 since 2001 in the war in Afghanistan alone.

But it's not just being a War Correspondent, most writers die far away from any military battlefront.  Yet, the weight and poignancy of a writer's words have sometimes even turned the courses of battles, or started or ended a revolution, or contributed to the making or changing of laws that have improved people's lives.  Books like 1984, Animal Farm, The Good Earth, or Fahrenheit 451 have all served to open the eyes of those being unfairly governed, and have all helped lead to change.  Remember those famous words, "The pen is mightier than the sword" by English novelist and playwright Edward Bulwer-Lytton?  Well, the same is true today.

"Handle them carefully, for words have more power than atom bombs." -Pearl Strachan Hurd

And so with the power of the written word in mind, I'd like to include in this blogpost the names of those writers that have passed away this year.  Whether prose or poetry, no matter the genre, no matter if their sacrifices were great or small, they were a part of our greater brother and sisterhood.  They were writers.

Richard Peck, (1934 - 2018)
prize-winning children's author, died Wednesday, May 23, 2018, at his home in New York City, after a battle with cancer, according to the Associated Press. He was 84.

Philip Roth, (1933 - 2018)
the prize-winning novelist and fearless narrator of sex, death, assimilation and fate, from the comic madness of "Portnoy's Complaint" to the elegiac lyricism of "American Pastoral," died Tuesday night, He was 85.

Tom Wolfe, (1930 - 2018)
the white-suited wizard of "New Journalism" who exuberantly chronicled American culture from the Merry Pranksters through the space race before turning his satiric wit to such novels as "The Bonfire of the Vanities" and "A Man in Full," has died. He was 88.

Sergio Pitol, (1933 - 2018)
the celebrated Mexican author, essayist and translator and winner of the most prestigious award for literature in the Spanish-speaking world, died Thursday. He was 85.

Anita Shreve, (2018)
the best-selling novelist who explored how women responded to crises past and present in her native New England in favorites such as "The Pilot's Wife," ''Testimony" and "The Weight of Water," has died, she was 71.

Emily Nasrallah, (2018)
Lebanese author and feminist Emily Nasrallah has died following a struggle with cancer. She was 87.

Penny Vincenzi, (1939 - 2018)
British writer Penny Vincenzi, whose stories of romance, rivalry and family secrets topped best-seller lists, has died. She was 78.

Jack Ketchum, (1946 - 2018)
a prize-winning horror and screenplay writer known for such fiction as "The Box" and the controversial "Off Season" and once labeled by Stephen King as likely the scariest writer in America, has died. He was 71.

Ursula K. Le Guin, (1929 - 2018)
the award-winning and best-selling science fiction writer who explored feminist themes and was best known for her Earthsea books, has died at 88.

Walter Skold, (2018)
the founder of the Dead Poets Society of America, who visited the final resting places of more than 600 poets, died Saturday, Jan. 20, 2018, of a heart attack, he was 57.

Peter Mayle, (1939 - 2018)
the British author known for his books set in Provence, France, has died, he was 78.

Julius Lester, (1939 - 2018)
an author, musician, civil rights activist and university professor who made a late-life conversion to Judaism, has died, he was 78.

Well, that's about it for now.  There's no doubt that unfortunately, the list will grow as the year plays out.  I apologize for any writers that I may have missed, especially those who may not have been quite as famous or mainstream as the ones mentioned above.  May they Rest in Peace.  And as for the rest of you, get back to writing.

Writers: Tough as Hell!

Writers are often portrayed in the media as introverted nerds, men and women possessed of buttery muscles barely suited for carrying a ream of paper to their printer.  And if you want to be really honest about it, a lot of writers are indeed introverts, preferring to dwell in the worlds of their own making than deal with the hassle of navigating the real world outside of their cozy, little writing nook.  But hey, what's wrong with that?  And besides, there have been plenty of famously tough writers, like Ernest Hemmingway and Dashiell Hammett, among others.  But it's not always about physical toughness, writing, contrary to what many, if not most, non-writers believe, is hard work!  It isn't easy creating believable characters, engaging dialogue, thought-provoking conflict, and so on.  Is it any wonder then that so many writers develop writer's block?

Writer's block - Wikipedia
Writer's block is a condition, primarily associated with writing, in which an author loses the ability to produce new work, or experiences a creative slowdown. The condition ranges in difficulty from coming up with original ideas to being unable to produce a work for years.

For many writers, their biggest obstacle is that first blank page.  Yet, a writer cannot and must not wring their hands in frustration and cry, "Woe is me!"  A writer has to reach deep inside and overcome whatever physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual obstacles may be hell-bent to deter them from accomplishing the task at hand.  And believe me it isn't easy.  As I have mentioned earlier, a lot of writers are introverts.  This is of necessity.  How can you write that great poem, short-story, novel, or script, if you're out and gallivanting about instead of actually writing?  Okay, I know, I know...   F. Scott Fitzgerald, the author of "The Great Gatsby," was famous for doing just that.  But that argument brings us back to the question of toughness.  He had to have been hella-tough in order to have written as well as he did, after spending much of his time living it up.  And as I've pointed out before, it's not just a question of physical toughness.  There are many, many writers out there that have suffered through break-ups, the death of a loved one, the trauma of becoming homeless, the horror of being abused... and yet these same folks have the guts to sit down, look at a blank sheet of paper, and share their experiences with the world.  They are quite literally laying their souls out to be scrutinized by an audience that is no way guaranteed to be understanding, accepting, sympathetic or even polite.  That takes an enormous amount of guts.  A writer has no choice but to be tough as nails.

"By far the most damaging thought I’ve heard from the confessors – and other authors have told me the same thing over and over – is the expectation that writing should be a “fun” or “leisurely” activity. Pop culture reinforces this by perpetuating the image of the writer as a mega-talented, but lazy and self-indulgent buffoon (think Hank Moody).
And so, many overcome the first hurdle – deciding to start – ready for the magic to happen. Expecting it all to emerge, freshly baked and ready for primetime.
Then, of course, it doesn’t.
Then anxiety kicks in.
Fear of judgment by others, doubts about one’s abilities. Mounting frustration as to why it’s so much slower and more agonizing than one expected.
The plain truth is, writing is a predictably painful process. It is far more hard labor than careless play.
And it’s not like the greats haven’t warned us.
Becoming a masochist early on – embracing the pain to the point of enjoyment – may be the single best investment an aspiring writer can make.
The pain takes many shapes, all of them useful along the writer’s path.

1. Embrace the Road to Hell
As Hemingway once so elegantly put it, “the first draft of anything is shit.”
And that’s only when one produces something so elaborate as to be called a “draft”.
Most of the time, writing remains stillborn, in a kind of literary purgatory. Outlines, random notes, sketches, hackneyed bits and pieces – they have a way of quickly prematurely bursting into life, only to suddenly stop breathing and just hang there.
Philip Roth was slightly more inclusive when he said “the road to hell is paved with works-in-progress.”
Both Hemingway and Roth touch on the elemental truth of all writing: it’s not good.
At least not at first.
Kerouac’s celestial typewriter notwithstanding, good writing doesn’t just naturally “babble flow”. And when it does, it’s usually shit.

2. Connect to the Pain of Others
Pain is not, however, an end in itself.
Its purpose is often times to link the writer to the pain felt by others. Most entertainment distracts us from the pains of daily life. Writing and reading, can, at their best, be about placing those pains under a shining light.
Anais Nin implores us that “if you do not breathe through writing, if you do not cry out in writing, or sing in writing, then don’t write. Because our culture has no use for it.”
Likewise, for Kurt Vonnegut, the pain of writing is a mere reflection of the pain of existence – you provide others with relief by admitting to the suffering publicly.
“Do you realize that all great literature is all about what a bummer it is to be a human being?” Vonnegut asks. “Isn’t it such a relief to have somebody say that?”
One of the tragedies of social media has been its penchant for turning writing into oceans of brainless typing – another trivial form of expression in a culture filled with them.
But, at its core, writing is – and perhaps always has been – a cathartic activity.
Those who disagree would do well to keep Nin’s advice handy."
 - Frederick Pinto

When it comes to the toughness of writers, we can even turn to a group of people that are world-renowned for their toughness: The Marines!

“In my younger days dodging the draft, I somehow wound up in the Marine Corps. There's a myth that Marine training turns baby-faced recruits into bloodthirsty killers. Trust me, the Marine Corps is not that efficient. What it does teach, however, is a lot more useful.
The Marine Corps teaches you how to be miserable.
This is invaluable for an artist.
Marines love to be miserable. Marines derive a perverse satisfaction in having colder chow, crappier equipment, and higher casualty rates than any outfit of dogfaces, swab jockeys, or flyboys, all of whom they despise. Why? Because these candy-asses don't know how to be miserable.
The artist committing himself to his calling has volunteered for hell, whether he knows it or not. He will be dining for the duration on a diet of isolation, rejection, self-doubt, despair, ridicule, contempt, and humiliation.
The artist must be like that Marine. He has to know how to be miserable. He has to love being miserable. He has to take pride in being more miserable than any soldier or swabbie or jet jockey. Because this is war, baby. And war is hell."
― Steven Pressfield, The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks & Win Your Inner Creative Battles

And there you have it.  It was probably tough just reading through all of this stuff, but I also hope it was worth it.  When it comes to your chosen profession, nobody ever promised you a rose garden.  Writing is hard work, it costs you, it bleeds you dry and then asks for more.  But it's the job we chose... it's what and who we are.  So gird your loins, strap on the big guns of patience, research, and talent, grab that second or third cup of coffee, and go kick some ass!

Cats and Keyboards

As I write this, my son's cat is sitting on the floor staring intently at my fingers as they move across the keyboard.  She is joined shortly by my daughter's cat, and now they're both staring . hard.  They can't be hungry because I just gave them a huge meal consisting of wet and dry food.  They can't be thirsty because I just filled their water dish with some nice, cool refreshing agua.  So what's going on?

 If you're a writer (and I'm assuming that you are if you're reading this), and if you have one or more cats in your home, then you know what's probably going to happen next.  It's a situation that I was hoping to avoid by feeding them and filling their water dish before I sat down to write.  Yes, you know what I'm talking about.  In a few minutes or less, one or both of them will pounce on my keyboard and then proceed to walk across the keys, or sit there and look at me as if pondering why in the world would I be doing something as silly as typing away on the keyboard when I could be doing something much more constructive like, say, scratching her back or rubbing her belly.  At one time I actually thought that I was the only one afflicted with cats that felt divinely endowed with the right to interrupt my writing, but I soon found out that many cat-owning writers were under a similar siege from their feline friends.

"Cats are narcissistic. Their needs come before ours. They don't understand the word "No." They carry themselves with that aloof, arrogant sense of perpetual entitlement, they will jump up and insinuate themselves wherever they please--on your lap, on your newspaper, on your computer keyboard--and they really couldn't care less how their behavior affects the people in their lives."
 - Caroline Knapp

Does Caroline's assessment match up with your experience?  The cats here in my home still haven't moved, so maybe they're enjoying my discomfort or maybe they just haven't made up their minds... geez, there's a horror story in this somewhere.  Cats, as you may well know, are curious, intelligent, and territorial.  So you pounding away at your keyboard as you wend your way through your most recent work-in-progress, may set off one or more of your cat's natural attributes.  They may jump up on your keyboard because they're simply curious about what it is that you're doing.  Their inherent intelligence may also prompt them to see how what you're doing correlates to their own lives and quality of existence (am I reaching here?).  Your cat(s) may also be wondering why your keyboard, a usually inanimate actor in their territory, warrants more attention than he/she does at the moment.  I mean, really, who knows?  I could go on at length but must stop myself short before I find myself anthropomorphisizing these wonderful creatures further and thus relegating them to the realm of cartoons.  Let's hear (or read) from another cat-owning writer:

"Recently, Japanese website My Navi examined this issue that has confronted cat owners as long as there's been computer keyboards. Cats, My Navi pointed out, love warm places, and computers offer just that. In fact, cats like temperatures as hot as 126 degrees Fahrenheit! This is why cats are always lounging in the sun, and this might be due to the animals' desert ancestors.
What's more, cats love things that move and make noises. Computers are a hive of activity, with things happening onscreen as well as blinking LED lights on monitors, computers, and keyboards. The cursor, in particular, is of great interest to our feline friends, My Navi notes. Its movement probably reminds cats of insects.
Keyboards are somewhat pliant in that they "give" when they cats walk across the keys, pressing them down. Cats love soft things, and this probably also helps your keyboard seem like a cool kitten place to hang out and punch out a few paw strokes.
And finally, cats want attention. They want your attention! And if you are spending too much time at the computer, a stroll across your keyboard is your cat's way to say, hey, look at me. But since the area is warm, active, and tactile, it makes the computer a place your feline friend likes just as much as you do."
 -Brian Ashcraft

So there you have it.  I hope that this post has helped solve why cats are so darn attracted to your keyboard, especially while you're using it.  The two cats here seemed to have gotten bored and wandered away, giving me the rare opportunity to get some writing done uninterrupted and unimpeded... Or maybe they're just plotting their next move.