Author María J. Estrada
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Un Blog de Writing Musings

Onto Story #3 of My Young Adult, Magical Realism Collection & Upcoming Giveaway, Black Friday #barrioblues

15/9/2018

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Yesterday, on the road trip down here, to my writing cave away from home, I started writing the third story of my next book "El Encantado." Encantado could mean someone who is delighted, cursed, or haunted.  This will be my first attempt at writing any ghost story, and I am adding a twist.  However, I may have to delay the launch of this book, if it is to reach 150 pages.  There are so many legends that are a treat to infuse with my fiction.  There is El Cucuy, which legend says is an old man that carries a burlap sack and steals naughty children.  There is La Llorona, the weeping woman, who kidnaps children near bodies of water.  There are angels and saints that would make great characters. 

Anyway, the writing playground is vast. 

I have also been formulating the next giveaway for Thanksgiving and Black Friday holiday.  I am going to reduce the cost of all my e-books to $.99 and $0 when folks buy printed books. Unfortunately, I can't drop the cost of La Bruja del Barrio Loco, but people will still be able to buy it for $0.  I am also going to use Ingram to publish my next collection, if bookstores will take it.  I just won't be able to put it on Kindle Unlimited. 

The other thing I am going to do today is to grow a pair of balls and put the foundation for a reading of my books for next month.  I haven't sent the email yet.  I figure if I'm not done with the collection, though I hope to be soon, I can read from WIPs.  I am also going to try another venue to distribute my books.

My retired librarian friend offered to help me connect with the central CPS library.  The head librarian likes to sponsor local authors, so I am hoping she will take my next book.  Now, I need a snappy title for it, that is attractive to moms and kids, but I haven't been able to come up with one. 

My husband and I were brainstorming in the car, but nothing sounded appealing.  Send me inspiration this way.  Or else the title will be something lame like Grandmother's Magical Bedtime Stories.  I have never been stuck on a title before. This inertia is wholly annoying, but the writing is flowing, and that is what matters!  Once I am done with this collection, I am going to move on to finishing The Awakening (Book #3 in La Bruja del Barrio Loco) series and start revising The Harvest in real earnest. 

Overcome your creative struggles. Write on. #barrioblues


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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 BiografĂ­a
  • 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