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Authors, Chingonas, Denise Chavez, Kathy Cano-Murillo, Pedro Infante, Strong Women

Loving Pedro Infante…

Mona Alvarado Frazier
Do you remember Pedro Infante, the Mexican movie star from the Gran Epoca of Mexican movies? Maybe you don’t, but I mention this because he came into my little ‘blog’ life last week. But I’ll start at the beginning. 

I follow a blog penned by Kathy Cano-Murillo author of two books. She is at http://www.chicawriter.com and http://www.craftychica.com. (She has terrific sites). Kathy asked her readers if we read any of the books she listed on her “to read book list” and if we had she invited us to write a review. One of the books was from one of my favorite authors, Denise Chavez. I’ve read all of her books, including “Loving Pedro Infante.” So I took the plunge and wrote the following review, which you can find, among the others on Kathy’s website. The cover of the book es muy sauve, but I don’t know if it’s copyrighted so here’s another photo of Pedro Infante.
Denise Chavez creates real, flesh and blood characters whose lives touch ours even though they live in fictional border towns, between two cultures. Chavez describes Cabritoville as “…a one-horse-two-dog-mangy-one-cat town…” Her main character, Tere, is a teacher’s aid who  lives “…in the little house, next to my mother’s bigger house.” She is a very engaging, funny, late thirty-something divorcee who spends most of her free time watching old romance movies while waiting for a married lover to give her some attention. Most of us have been there, done that (substitute unavailable for the married). 
Tere says she “…has a degree in living…” and that may be true, but she gets a D in men and romance. She is the secretary of the Pedro Infante Fan Club and spends many an evening romanticizing the Mexican movie star in the humid El Colon movie theater with her best friend Irma. If they’re not in El Colon, they are in a bar, or a friends kitchen discussing relationships.  And herein lies the dilemma for Tere. She knows she’s not happy with a married lover and she yearns for a good man, a romantic man’s man, like Pedro Infante, but does she have the ‘huevos’ or ovaries to break up with the guy.  While she’s waiting for this cabron, she’s getting older, she’s not growing in her life, her quasi-socio-cultural savvy friend Irma mentions– more than once. And Tere knows this is true. 
There is a sub-plot, about a male friend of Tere’s, which isn’t effectively resolved, however it adds some interesting texture to the story. And there is a little confusion in the time sequence of the narrative. But these don’t detract from the ‘pleasure’ value of the story. 
The real romance here is the bond of friendship and family. It’s about the kinds of friends that stay with you long after the bad relationships end and are willing to pick you back up.  The story is enriched with Splanglish and cultural identifications which may put off some readers, but the themes in this book transcend cultures and language. 
If you haven’t read the book, try to find it in the library or order it from Amazon.com. It’s a story most women can identify with, whether you live in Goatville or not.   
Writing, Writing classes

Writing Classes

Mona Alvarado Frazier

     There was a time, not too long ago, when I thought writers just wrote. They picked up a pen or put their fingers on the keyboard, and off they went, into their novel. 
     Hah-What planet do you live on-Oh, please- I can hear you all say.
   
     But that was my mindset, BW (before writing). We all know that writing is hard work. Here’s three quotes and a picture that says it all:


    “There’s nothing to writing.  All you do is sit down at a typewriter and open a vein.” Walter “Red” Smith.
    “Writing is easy. All you do is sit staring at a blank sheet of paper until drops of blood form on your forehead.” Gene Bailey.
     Writing a book is a long, exhausting struggle, like a long bout of some painful illness. George Orwell





     And because it’s not easy, I thought I’d do a post on the classes and instructors that have helped me in the past three years. If you are within Ventura County these are within reach. The instructors charge varying rates and I believe they are pretty reasonable considering their expertise. If you’re not in Ventura County, look up these instructors blogs and websites. 


Ventura Adult Education. Most communities have Adult Ed, maybe they have writing classes. I signed up for my first class three years ago and it was free. I stayed with this group for close to a year until I felt it was time to move forward. Great experience and even better people.


Amada Irma Perez: She has published several children’s books and is an awesome teacher. I was fortunate enough to be invited to her women’s writer’s group, that is now closed to others. Her ongoing open group is: writersgroupsofventuraandbeyond@groups.facebook.com. Her website is http://amadairmaperez.com/ 


Shelly Lowenkopf: Professor Emeritus, instructor in the masters writing program at USC, and nationally renowned book editor. His book “Fiction Writer’s Companion,” comes out in July. His blog is http://www.lowenkopf.com/ You can find him on Wikipedia too. Best for intermediate and advanced writers.


Susan Hart Hellman: freelance writer, editor, and publicist. I heard her at Ojai’s Wordfest, for $5 which included wine tasting. Which reminds me to tell you to attend writing conferences. You can find free and low cost presentations. Susan has several classes at the Ventura Community Education Center.

May 18 & 25, 6:30-9:30: Submit Your Column – Get it Published,June 1, 6:30-9:30:  Working with the Media:  Getting Free Publicity for Your Writing    Community Education Center, 71 Day Road, Ventura, Room 3A.  (Info/Registration:  805.654.6459 or www.communityed.venturacollege.edu)


Toni Lopopolo. She used to be an editor and is now an agent. I’ve attended two of her “Boot Camps,” and learned more than I could just through books on writing. My first manuscript was near completion and I took the plunge into boot camp. Toni is a taskmaster. Her website is: http://lopopololiterary.com/ Look under “Tea with Toni,” for her next session of classes. She also has Oovo classes (like Skype sessions) with small groups of writers. Best for intermediate and advanced writers, IMHO.


I hope this is helpful. Now I need to go back to my MS and continue with revisions, my wrists aren’t burning yet. Good writing until next time.