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Not Dead Yet!

6/2/2017

1 Comment

 
I have been spending time with my characters, not nearly enough, but spending time regularly.  This has been helpful and even though I haven't been able to get up early enough to write, that mental work is stewing ideas.  In my mind, the characters are growing into teenagers and facing serious conflicts.  Like at some point, Ashley is going to snap and show that nasty side of her the State has been responsible in creating, then rehumanizing again.

I have also been reading The Fireman and really honing in on Joe Hill's character development.  Well written books are such a joy and inspiration.  In my old age, I have learned not to be jealous of great writing, but to really study it.  I liked the turns his characters take and even the villains have a human side to them.  (Although the villain in that book is a pompous misogynist asshole who deserves to die.)

I also talked to the editor of Down South where the Water is Warm, and he is commenting on each story, but hasn't sent the feedback in yet.  That is OK.  I am not on an arbitrary timeline, although the way the political situation is going, we may be at war with a foreign country.  Hmmm.  Better get these puppies out while I can.  Truth is, I can't wait to get his feedback.

So, stay strong on  your writing journey.  (Yes, I cheated and blogged before writing.  Bad Jesú!)
1 Comment
Diana Garcia
8/2/2017 11:13:17 am

Keep up the great work Jesu. Can't wait to read some more of your work!

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

    I grew up in the desert, between Yuma and Somerton, AZ, close to the Cocopah Reservation. Because I was ever-bored, I became an avid reader of Spanish comic books or novelas. Then, once I learned how to read in English, I devoured everything in both languages.  

    I have been writing stories in mis lenguas since I was six years old. My fiction and poetry focus on working class issues, primarily about laborers in the Southwest.

    In real life, I am happily married, been so for over ten years and have a fabulous nine-year-old, son, and three-year-old, daughter, who keep me incredibly busy.  My husband is heroically supportive and encourages me to follow my literary passions.

    All of my degrees, including my Ph.D. from Washington State University are in English, which makes me a big fat English nerd.  Currently, I live in Chicago and teach full-time at Harold Washington College to an amazing student population.  Of course, one of my favorite classes to teach is Creative Writing, but I love all of my students and all my classes because I teach all the novels and story/poetry collections I want.  Lucky me.

    (Yeah, sometimes I let my students write non-serious fiction.)

    My next book coming out is Not Your Abuelita's Folktales, a Magical Realism collection of short stories for Young Adults.

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