Monthly Archives: July 2008

Jul 31 2008

Author Interview: Misa Ramirez

Misa Ramirez is the author of Living the Vida Lola, a new, sexy, hip, private investigator novel. Living the Vida Lola will be released January 20, 2009. Misa will be participating in a countywide winery event in Amador County, California, at Shenendoah Vineyards on Valentine’s weekend. Everyone is welcome so come on up and join the fun!

She has one more book forthcoming, Dead Girl Walking, the second book in the Lola Cruz Mystery Series. She is currently working on the third book in the series, Bare Naked Ladies. She is the author of a children’s book, The Flight of the Sunflower and has been published in Romance Writers Report and Woman’s World, and is a columnist at Romancing the Blog.

After teaching middle school and high school, most recently with an independent study school for ‘at risk’ kids, Misa is now thrilled to be able to devote her time to her family and writing and the development of Chasing Heroes, a website about hero archetypes that she operates with fellow authors Virna de Paul and Lee Lopez.

Thanks for doing this interview, Misa! You’ve created a sexy new heroine in Lola. Can you tell us about her and her books?

Thanks for inviting me to your site, Suzanne! I like to think of Lola as my alter ego. She’s the person I think is buried deep inside me [if I were 14 years younger and a Latina =) ]. She’s clever, sassy, confident, and considers her family as an extension of herself.

After I had my fifth child, I was itching to get back to writing. Children’s stories weren’t working for me anymore–the result of spending too much time with my own kids! I decided to try my hand at writing for adults–something sexy where the characters were allowed to curse and be wild.

Enter Lola.

She came to me and the story really did just pour out of me. One hundred versions later, her first big case as a PI is ready to see the light of day. In Living the Vida Lola, Lola has to balance her first big solo case and the reappearance of Jack Callaghan, a man from her past who she’s always had a thing for.

In the second book, Lola’s identity’s been stolen and, still exploring her relationship with Jack, she has to deal with her ex-boyfriend and an untimely death. Lola’s always on a new adventure. In Bare Naked Ladies, book three, Lola will have to fight crime at a local nudist resort.

The big question is: Will she or won’t she bare all?

I can’t wait to read them! You also have a new trilogy in the works. How did you come up with the ideas for it?

My husband is Mexican-American and his culture is rich and interesting. The many things I love about his culture come to life in the Lola books. I wanted to continue to explore Mexican cultural elements in my writing because I find the culture so fascinating.

The Legends Trilogy was born out of that idea.

The first book centers around the Legend of la Llorona [the crying woman] and the second incorporates the more modern legend of Chupacabra. These books, however, haven’t yet sold. I’ve been rethinking my plans and my voice and have decided to revisit the la Llorona concept in the form of women’s fiction. Something less dependent upon the thriller elements and more character driven. After Bare Naked Ladies, this legend women’s fiction will be my next project.

When you were a teacher, how did you balance teaching, writing, and your family?

Ha! That’s a rhetorical question, right?!

There wasn’t much balance and I’d say that a good portion of our lives have been lived in chaos for the last five years or so. But we recently moved from California to Texas in great part to alleviate the chaos. Here I’ll be able to write full time and be home with our kids before and after school. We’ll have a slower pace here and balance might be a word we begin to embody. Teaching is a full time job that is so rewarding, but also so incredibly time consuming. Ditto for parenting. Writing tended to be the thing that was pushed to the back burner. However all that is about to change.

What is your favorite writing memory?

My favorite teaching memory was fairly recent. I began working with ‘at risk’ students about 2 years ago. I had a student–Eric– who’d been involved in gangs and came to our school to try to find a way out. He never smiled and hardly talked. He didn’t do much work, but the more we met, the more he tried. Then one day he came in, saw me, and smiled. That smile meant more to me than I can express; I’d finally made a connection with this student. After the school year ended, I moved to a different location. Eric learned that I had moved and transferred to that school site and when he enrolled, he told the registrar that he had to have me as his teacher.

Making a connection with this student was huge and I’ll always remember it.

I think most teachers will appreciate that. What is your favorite teaching memory?

As to writing, the memory that sticks out in my mind is when my agent called to say we had an offer for Living the Vida Lola. I was at work and had been sick. I’ve had many conversations with my agent and so when she called, it didn’t even occur to me that she was calling to tell me about an offer. She asked how I was and I responded that I’d been sick. And then she said, “Well, this ought to make you feel better.” And it did!

You have a funny story about how a blonde haired, green-eyed girl ends up with the name Misa Ramirez. Would you share it with our readers?

Sure! I’m always super careful to never misrepresent myself as a Latina but I do say that I’m Latina by marriage. My husband’s family has always said that I’m pura Mexicana since I bore 4 boys [and one princessa. =) I'm happy to be part of such a dynamic culture.

Really, though, my name is Melissa and when I was in college, I worked at a Chinese restaurant. My husband worked there, too [though he'll be the first to tell the story about how I didn't want to hire him and how we didn't like each other at first]. The cooks couldn’t say my name, and somehow it ended up sounding like Misa. Pretty soon everyone that worked at the restaurant started calling me Misa [future husband included] and the name stuck.

Little did I know that Misa means Mass in Spanish. I’m sure that was a sign that we were meant to be together, though I still haven’t quite interpreted the sign. So, for the past 17 years I’ve been Misa Ramirez and after all the blood, sweat, and tears that went into Living the Vida Lola, there was no way I wasn’t going to have my name on the book!

Can you tell us about the special challenges facing Latina writers today?

I can’t really answer that since I’m not a Latina, but I can speak from my perspective. The biggest challenge seems to be breaking free of stereotypes within ‘Latina’ fiction. I’ve had editors tell me that my characters are extremely authentic and so free of stereotypes. I take this as a huge compliment.

My characters are American with cultural influences similar to what my husband grew up with and similar to what we try to infuse into our children’s lives. I write from my vantage point as the mother of Mexican-American children and as the wife of a Mexican-American man who was born and raised here. My characters and their lives have elements of these real people in my life and I think that’s what people have responded to.

My books are not for Latinas only. They are for everyone and anyone who enjoys a fun story, a sassy heroine, and a good mystery.

Misa, do you have any words of advice for teachers who are also writers?

At the risk of sounding cliche, my most meaningful advice is ‘Just Write!’

Beyond that, if writing is something you’re passionate about, then it’s up to you to make the time to write, no matter how fragmented that time may be. Never give up, finish your book or story or whatever it is that you write and then move on to the next step in the process.

Find a critique partner who you trust and can work honestly with–this is HUGE!! I have the best critique partners and we’ve become close friends–through the good and the bad, they are there for me and I’m there for them. They understand my passion because they feel it, too.

Never get stuck on what did or didn’t happen today and never give up on your dream. I just turned 42 and my first book is about to be published.

It can happen!

In the words of Scarlett O’Hara [I have this saying on a necklace I wear all the time as a reminder!]: “After all, tomorrow is another day.”

Misa, thanks so much for taking the time to do this interview and for your encouraging words. You are truly a SuperWoman! Good luck with Lola and your Legend Trilogy!

For writing advice from Misa Ramirez.

Don’t forget to stop by her blog Chasing Heroes.

Jul 30 2008

Wednesday Writing Tip: How Become an Excellent Writer

Many people wonder how some people get to be such excellent writers. How do they create scenes that resonate with you, how do they bring in details so vivid you can feel yourself there, how do they reach inside you and pull out your deepest emotions?

Practice, baby, practice.

Practice is the only thing that will help you improve your writing. That, and learning the craft through reading, taking classes, and going to conferences. Yet, at some point, you have to stop doing just reading, classes, and conferences, and sit your fanny down and write.

Ray Bradbury told us that many times. Steven King said it. In fact, every writing teacher I’ve ever had said it.

Excellence is attained through practice.

What musician doesn’t get better at their instrument the more they play it? Think of writing as your own musical instrument. Perhaps much of your practice writing isn’t anything you could ever sell anywhere, (don’t even ask me about some of the stories I count as practice,) but it definitely will teach you something. Take those lessons to the next level, and practice writing some more.

Finally, one day, after all that practice, you’ll be able to look at your writing and say to yourself, “This is excellent.”

Best wishes to you on your road to excellence.

Jul 29 2008

Tuesday Teaching Tip: Teach With Your Strengths

The teaching tip for today is the book, Teach With Your Strengths that I read this summer. It helps a person to identify strengths using a profiler called Strengthfinder, and then to use those strengths to become a teacher that inspires students. You can read the article at Suite 101.

Jul 28 2008

Web-O-Shooter Earns a Scholarship

I blogged earlier about my student who designed an invention called the Web-O-Shooter.  After discussion, we decided it was really the Huevo Shooter, or Egg Shooter. Who would think that something like that is worth a $100,000 scholarship?

For Patrick McLaughlin it is. By a twist of coincidence, I opened a magazine recently to read an article about McLaughlin, a high school senior interested in civil engineering, who designed and built his own egg shooter. The egg shooter can catapult an egg into a frying pan 54 feet away. McLaughlin’s is so accurate that it can shoot the egg to within 18 inches of the frying pan target.

His design beat out other high school students’ projects, garnering him a $25,000-a-year scholarship to prestigious Merrimack College where he’ll be studying engineering. The article appeared in the Boston Globe on April 27, 2008.

Kudos to Patrick McLaughlin!

Jul 24 2008

Using Venn Diagrams In Your Teaching and Writing

Most teachers have used Venn Diagrams at one time or another. We use them to compare and contrast, to find things in common, to see if the new boyfriend is a good fit for our family. They work well for writers too, if you’re trying to map out possibilities in your plot or areas where plot lines converge.

The blog Indexed takes Venn diagramming to a new dimension. Little known facts are made clear with these visuals. Such as the relationship between March Madness and orthodontics.

It’s a fun place to take a break. Remember to set your timer, or you’ll lose an hour before you know it!

 

 

 

 

Jul 23 2008

Author Interview: Donna Del Oro

 

Donna Del Oro at UC Davis

Donna Del Oro at UC Davis

Donna Del Oro is the author of a new, humorous women’s fiction novel, Operation Familia. She was a teacher for many years before becoming a successful, published author. She is a member of the Romance Writers of America, and the Sacramento Valley Rose.

Donna will be reading and signing copies of Operation Familia on July 26, from 1-3 p.m. at the Barnes and Noble Bookstore at the Birdcage Mall in Sacramento, on Birdcage St. and Sunrise Blvd. If you’re in the area, stop by and meet her!

She’ll also be appearing as a guest reader in September at the Sacramento Valley Rose 3rd Annual Readers Appreciation Luncheon at the Holiday Inn on Date Avenue. You can check the Sacramento Valley Rose website for details.

Thanks for doing this interview, Donna. You’ve made a splash into the publishing world with your new novel, Operation Familia. Can you tell us about that?

It took me two years to write and do multiple revisions until I was satisfied with the finished manuscript. After a lot of rejections from the major New York publishers and pressure to rewrite it according to their “formulas”, I found myself resisting. I wanted MY story, not THEIR story, to make it into print.

A small publisher in Silicon Valley named Floricanto Press loved it and immediately within a few days of receiving it, offered me a contract. Naturally, I jumped at the opportunity.

Your main character, Dina Salazar, is a schoolteacher. You were also a teacher. How does your experience in education influence your writing?

The scenes that feature Dina interacting with her students were easy to write. The fondness and humor I felt towards my students, I hope, is reflected in my main character.

As a former high school English teacher, to be able to retire after 34 years with my physical and mental health intact, I think, is a major accomplishment. Not all of my colleagues made it to that point. Towards the end, they were dropping off due to physical problems brought on, I think, by the stress of the job. The ones who had lots of other outside interests fared the best. Maybe a note of advice to all your teachers out there. It’s a noble profession but very stressful.

So true. We need to remember to be balanced to stay healthy. You are proving your generosity and support of education by donating a portion of the proceeds from sales of Operation Familia to the Sigma Lambda Gamma scholarship program to help support Latino/Latina students. What led you to do this?

I read about the sorority and their scholarship program in the Sacramento Bee and thought I could help in a small way. These smart, serious Latinas invited me to La Raza Cultural Fiesta Day on the University of California-Davis campus and I was so impressed by these young ladies, I had to do something to help.

Your generosity is inspiring. You seem to be very busy these days, and yet you still have time to write. Would you like to tell us anything about your upcoming novels?

My second novel is titled Hasta La Vista, Baby. It’s another humorous women’s fiction story about a woman whose handsome but morally challenged husband of 17 years announces at a family BBQ that he needs a divorce so he can marry his young, pregnant girlfriend. OUCH!!!

Double ouch!

Every married woman’s nightmare, right? But in Sonya’s case, this turns out to be the best thing that could have happened to her.

My third is a total departure from the first two: It’s a thriller with paranormal and romantic elements. Called The Delphi Bloodline, it’s about mother and daughter psychics who are being hunted for their extraordinary psychic abilities that a billionaire tycoon plans to exploit.

That sounds exciting! Where can readers buy Operation Familia?

At these websites:

Or they can come to one of my booksignings:

  • July 26, 1-3 at Barnes and Noble on Sunrise in Citrus Heights, California
  • September 20, Readers Luncheon at the Holiday Inn on Date and Madison
  • September 27, Barnes and Noble in Roseville, California across from The Galleria Mall.

What fun things do you have planned for your book signing on Saturday, July 26?

Readers are welcome to come, buy my book, and take part in a drawing to win free dinners at Granite Bay’s best Mexican restaurant, Cabos.

Donna, do you have any words of advice for teachers who are also writers?

The old adage, write what you know, is very limiting, I’ve always thought. But teachers are smart, good researchers and generally optimistic. They should learn what they’re interested in–whether it’s the 19th century Regency period, WW II France, the contemporary spy scene or vampires of the night–and write what they most enjoy reading themselves. Every writer uses his or her personal experiences in fleshing out characters, but reaching beyond one’s own limited life experiences is the ultimate goal. That’s what makes writing fun for me. The learning, researching and creative part.

Thanks so much for spending time answering these questions, Donna. It’s been very interesting. Good luck with all your future writing!

Jul 22 2008

Wednesday Writing Tip: Words to Help You Write Better

As writers, we all make extensive use of the thesaurus and dictionary, some even using tools such as a descriptionary. I’ve written a shorthand list of words to use as a cheat sheet. You can pin it to your clipboard in your writing nook, or keep it as a handy reference in a notebook next to your computer. It’s faster than using the thesaurus, and for writing projects where you’re under a deadline, writing faster is better.

I designed Writing Words for my students, but find that I use it on a regular basis. The first two pages are directed more to novice writers, with words to replace said and transition words. The next three pages are organized by the five senses. You’ll find descriptive words for taste, smell, sight, sound, and touch. The last page is a listing of words that show movement.

Feel free to print it and distribute it to your students or simply use it in your own writing.

Jul 21 2008

Tuesday Teaching Tip: Organize Your Class With Color

Helping students learn how to organize their papers and projects is one thing teachers must do. Using colors can make that organizing much simpler. I’ve used a color system for a few years now, and the students love it. They feel proud that they can find papers and assignments at any time with no problems.

First, I assign a color to each subject.

  • Math is red.
  • Science is green.
  • Writing is blue.
  • Spelling/Vocabulary is purple.
  • Homework is yellow.

When school supplies go on sale in July, I buy 40 of each color folder. That gives me enough for my 32 students, plus some extras for replacements and new students. In addition, I buy spiral notebooks in the same colors for all subjects except homework. We use these for to paste handouts in, copy notes, and practice work. The notebooks and the folders usually cost between 5 and 10 cents each.

When the students come to my class in the beginning of the year, we practice using the folders. I give them papers to put in their folders, then the next day, ask them to find the papers. After a week or two of practice, the students can find anything they need, anytime.

I’m also a stickler about where they keep their folders. I make them store the folders and notebooks on the left side of their desks, and their textbooks on the right side. This prevents the problem of students not being able to find their folder. It has a place, and it should always be there when they’re not using it.

Every year there are always some students in a class that are terminally disorganized. This system helps them stay on track and eliminates wasted time while they search for things during transitions between subjects. That will make any teacher happy.

Jul 20 2008

Five Tips to Fit Exercise Into Your Day

Listen up teacherwriters. You are busy people. You’re probably busier than most people you know, hence the complaint from most teachers that they have no social life during the school year. To get your writing done, you’re squeezing every minute of every day for all it’s worth.

We all know exercise is important for staying healthy and for sustaining a good mood and high energy level. What we don’t all know is that it doesn’t have to be done perfectly or all in one block of time in order to reap the benefits.

Some people don’t work out unless they get into their gym clothes, drive to a gym, sweat for an hour, shower, and then  come home. All of that takes a couple of hours. I don’t have a couple of hours, except on weekends, do you? I know I would never exercise if I had to do all that.

Compliments of ErinsWorld

Compliments of ErinsWorld

Here are some ideas to squeeze in a daily exercise routine.

  1. Pick something you like to do. If you think it’s drudgery, chances are, you won’t keep doing it. I hate jogging, so there’s no sense in my even beginning a jogging routine.
  2. Do a few minutes of strength training each day. I do 15-20 minutes each morning. You can fit it in whenever you have time.
  3. Walk on your breaks. You can walk alone, with a partner, or with a group. Sometimes I walk with a friend, sometimes I walk with my entire class.
  4. Get some aerobic exercise at least three times a week. Again, you can do it for twenty minutes to get the benefits you want. Dance, jump rope, swim, play tennis, whatever makes you happy. Early evening swimming works best for me.
  5. Add some stretching. This you can fit in while you’re watching television, or when you feel your neck and back stiffen up after a round of grading papers. It only takes a few minutes to do some stretches.

So you see, you don’t need to do all your exercise at once. Fitting it in your day, a little here, a little there, makes it possible to stick with a routine. When you feel better, you can give more energy to your teaching and your writing. Good health to you!

If you have any tips to share for getting in your dose of exercise, let me know.

Jul 17 2008

How to Avoid Writing Contest Scams

When I choose writing contests to post to my blog, I try to be sure they are legitimate and not using the contest to scam new writers. There are several things I consider when evaluating a contest.

  1. Who is the sponsor? Contests need a sponsor if there are to be prizes.
  2. Is the fee reasonable? If the fee is free, then the sponsor is footing the bill for the prizes. Alternatively, if the winners are published in a print anthology, sales of the anthology could cover the cost of the prizes. I try to stick with an entry fee of less than $25. In my opinion, anything more than that is excessive, unless the prize is worth thousands of dollars.
  3. How many times has the contest been offered? Many reputable contests are offered annually or seasonally. If the contest has been held a few times, you might be able to read the winning entries online. If the entries are polished and professional, the contest will likely to attract excellent writers.
  4. Who are the judges? Not every contest can afford to have a bestselling author be the judge. However, the persons judging the writing should be involved in the publishing industry. You can do a search on the judges’ names to find out more about their backgrounds.
  5. Is there anything about it that seems to smack of advertising for suckers? If I see a site overrun with ads, flashing banners, and too-good-to-be-true offers, then I get out of there as fast as my mouse will click.

There are thousands of writing contests to choose from online. Before you enter a free one, or plunk down money on an entry fee, use this checklist to determine if it’s worth your while.

Contests are an excellent way to practice writing according to guidelines and meeting deadlines. If you win one, it can be a fantastic writing clip. If you don’t win, you still have a story or aricle you can submit to other places for publication. If you choose your contests well, you’ll come out a winner, whether you take home their prize or not.