Author María J. Estrada
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Un Blog de Writing Musings

Day 2 of Novel Writing

22/12/2017

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Worked on my novel a little more between making an epic breakfast, taking care of my sick son, and watching The Bright on Netflix. 

Today, I need to spend more time with my characters, and that's what I plan on doing when I'm not writing. 

Enjoy:  The Harvest

I'm off to take a nap.  The sick children woke me up at 1a.m. 

Write no matter what new obstacles the day brings.  #Resist

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Looked Over "La Bruja" and Designed a New Business Card

21/12/2017

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PictureFront of the card.
That's what I did today. I worked on my short story, "La Bruja del Barrio Loco" and added more of the backstory about the son.  See my previous blog for the long story post.

I also worked on this lovely business card, but I have to print it to see the proof.  I am not pro-print when it comes to business cards, but I have run into more people who wanted to know more about what I was writing.  A card would have been nice to hand out. 

Anyway, I'm off to veg out or plan out the X-mas menu and gifts.  My sister is sick and doesn't feel like doing anything, so we won't go shopping today.  Poor thing. 

Keep dreaming and scheming.  #Resist

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Back of the card.
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Can't Wait to Revise "La Bruja"!  Here Is a More Reader Friendly Version You Can Download

18/12/2017

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Draft images for the cover of this digital pub by Marcy Rae Henry. (Thanks Marcy!)
La Bruja del Barrio Loco 2nd Draft
File Size: 79 kb
File Type: docx
Download File

So, finally, I think I am going to get to revise and finalize this long story for digital publication before Christmas!  I found ideal readers in the oddest places, but I will take them!  (Thanks awesome friends and family.  My heart grows larger because of you.  Oh, that was not meant to be clever because of the cover.)

I am also waiting for my friend, Eric, to give me editing and revision comments.  I just messaged him that "I am not remotely fucking arrogant about my writing" or some such and will change the story as needed.  I know I need to cultivate a real revision process when it comes to my fiction.  (Don't tell my students.)

That's it.  I have to finish grading before I can sink my teeth into this work and finish my novel The Harvest. 

Keep hope alive.  #Resist
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A Bit More of The Harvest

12/12/2017

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PictureFollow Dr. Jesú Estrada @ drmariajestrada.
Wrote a little more of The Harvest.  I have been in my grading cave, and have not been blogging as much.  However, I am getting back on a morning writing schedule.  I can't wait to be on the road to see my sister and her family because the long days and hours of entertaining kids and being on the road help with the writing process.  Yes, they are strapped in their seats!  I really think I will finish this beast this month or at least before the end of the vacation.  

Also this week, I am having a small cultural event for my students.  Elizabeth Marino is going to read her poetry and explain her performance choices.  She is a fantastic poet, and I can't wait to learn from her.  I will post any good tidbits of advice here after she does her workshop. 

Keep on writing!  #Resist  

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More of The Harvest:  A Novel

11/12/2017

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PictureFollow Dr. Jesú Estrada @ drmariajestrada.
I posted more of The Harvest.  Enjoy! 

I ran into both of my friends who are editing different projects for me at a party last night.  (Happy Birthday Lew!)  And, Eric was like, "I read a few pages of your novel.  It's brilliant!  I wish I could write like that."  That just boosted my ego; however, he is an excellent writer, so I'm don't know what he's talking about.  I hope he can edit the novel and shepherd me through the revision process of The Harvest and the current short story he is editing. 

Adam is still giving me awesome feedback on my short story collection Down South where the Water is Warm.

That is all folks!

Keep writing, even through the holiday festivities!  #Resist 

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On Enemies

4/12/2017

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PictureDr. Jesú Estrada, follow @drmariajestrada
I posted more of The Harvest and as ever, the WiFi is not letting me post the draft.  However, I did manage to crank out a page or two this morning.  I am fleshing out Dean Andreana who will be a fantastic villain. 

I will keep working on the novel over the break, and have full faith that I will finish in a few weeks. 

Anyway, the process continues.

Keep writing.  #Resist

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Working on the Cover for "La Bruja del Barrio Loco" and  Writing Progress

2/12/2017

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PictureAt Starbucks in Hyde Park on a Mom-Son date.
I got the first set of images for the story cover.  We are focusing on the heart imagery, but I asked the designer, my friend Marcy Rae Henry, to add a bee and maybe a corn husk rope, which were key parts in the story.  I am not picky, since the artist is doing me a solid.  Here is that short story draft, if you missed it:  https://www.barrioblues.com/un-blog-de-writing-musings/finally-finished-my-novella-draft

I am paying the editor this weekend if I can, and my other friend who is editing the story collection.  I hope to get at least something out before Christmas.

That's all I have because I need to grade.  I am at Starbucks with my son, trying to get some work done.  Plus, I have been battling a cold, and my energy is low. 

On a high note, the damn draft of my novel finally posted.  The WiFi gods can be such bastards sometimes, but here you are:  The Harvest.

Here's to writing and publishing progress and to the mother fucking WiFi gods.  #Resist

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A Bit More of The Harvest

1/12/2017

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PictureNinja and Simona, My Girls
I posted just a little more of The Harvest.  I find that when I leave the project for more than a couple of days, I have to reread the past entries.  It's like being reacquainted with a lover and re-immersing yourself. 

So, I should have more done tomorrow.  I am also going to reflesh out the female characters in Ashley's story. 

I am both annoyed and awed by how writers create such deep genealogies and maps and shit.  I am not going to go that crazy, but I need to flesh the characters out again.  Or merge some.  Maybe. 

Reacquaint yourself with your words.  #Resist

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    Jesú Estrada
    Pen Name: 
    María J. Estrada
    Chicago, IL

    You follow me everywhere @drmariajestrada, except Twitter.
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    *********************
    MARIA J. ESTRADA is an English college professor of Composition, Literature, and her favorite, Creative Writing. She grew up in the desert outside of Yuma, Arizona in the real Barrio de Los Locos, a barrio comprised of new Mexican immigrants and first-generation Chicanos. Drawing from this setting and experiences, she writes like a loca every minute she can—all while magically balancing her work and family obligations. She lives in Chicago’s south side with her wonderfully supportive husband, two remarkable children, and a menagerie of animals.

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  • Home
  • Mi Biografía
  • My Patreon Page
  • Un Blog de Writing Musings
  • Author Interviews
    • Grayson Bell
    • Eric Allen Yankee
    • Mehreen Ahmed
    • Steve Carr
    • Martin Eastland
    • P.S. Malcolm
    • P.C. Darkcliff
  • The Harvested Draft
  • Books
  • Poetry
  • Useful Bits
  • Contact