Chickenhawk
award-winning crime thriller by Arnaldo Lopez Jr.
Wednesday, October 28, 2015
Tuesday, October 20, 2015
Shortly before he passed away in March of 2012, eminent and much-loved Puerto Rican poet, writer, essayist, and master of the spoken word, Louis Reyes Rivera, honored me personally and honored my fledgling organization (The Latino Authors & Writers Society) particularly, by agreeing to be the guest speaker at our first ever writer's conference.
Mr. Rivera's highly anticipated turn at the mic had the audience electrified! Everyone, myself included, alternated between applauding wildly and crying unashamedly.
His words and his delivery were that kind of powerful, poignant, and timely.
In short, he was GREAT!!
I thanked him effusively of course, and I was hoping that over time we would move beyond the boundaries of colleague and fellow writer, to the realm of fast friends.
Alas, he left us too soon physically, but his amazing body of work will continue to inspire, move, entertain and elevate us for generations to come.
Mr. Rivera's highly anticipated turn at the mic had the audience electrified! Everyone, myself included, alternated between applauding wildly and crying unashamedly.
His words and his delivery were that kind of powerful, poignant, and timely.
In short, he was GREAT!!
I thanked him effusively of course, and I was hoping that over time we would move beyond the boundaries of colleague and fellow writer, to the realm of fast friends.
Alas, he left us too soon physically, but his amazing body of work will continue to inspire, move, entertain and elevate us for generations to come.
Earlier this month I had the pleasure of attending Latina author Theresa Varela's reading and signing of her latest novel, "Nights of Indigo Blue."
I had enjoyed the novel thoroughly, and so I looked forward to meeting the writer as well.
I was not disappointed. Theresa is such a gem that she sparkled the entire evening: witty, knowledgeable, attractive, and forthcoming, she made time for everyone and I, along with everyone else, was swept away by her energy and good humor.
Needless to say I got my copy of her wonderful novel autographed. I also enjoyed the poetry and spoken word of her invited poets and readers, and I had the pleasure of meeting Manuel Melendez; author of "When Angels Fall" and "Battle for a Soul".
It was a good and feel-good experience, particularly seeing so much Latino(a) talent and their supporters.
I definitely need to attend more of these functions.
I had enjoyed the novel thoroughly, and so I looked forward to meeting the writer as well.
I was not disappointed. Theresa is such a gem that she sparkled the entire evening: witty, knowledgeable, attractive, and forthcoming, she made time for everyone and I, along with everyone else, was swept away by her energy and good humor.
Needless to say I got my copy of her wonderful novel autographed. I also enjoyed the poetry and spoken word of her invited poets and readers, and I had the pleasure of meeting Manuel Melendez; author of "When Angels Fall" and "Battle for a Soul".
It was a good and feel-good experience, particularly seeing so much Latino(a) talent and their supporters.
I definitely need to attend more of these functions.
Friday, October 16, 2015
Real Life Crime
I write about a lot of things. The truth is that writing and reading are passions of mine. One of favorite genres, whether I'm reading or writing is crime fiction. I guess it started years ago when I was a kid in school and I discovered Encyclopedia Brown. Then of course I practically devoured all of the Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew mysteries I could lay my hands on.
Of course over the years I progressed to more "mature" fare as I went on to immerse myself in the works of Agatha Christie, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and so many others.
Well, it's one thing to enjoy crime as a fictional element in one's literature, and horrifically quite another to have an actual crime touch your family. Last week my nephew Jonathan was shot in the head after exiting a club in Miami, Florida. He's a fighter though, and he's currently in stable condition at Jackson hospital. He's only 23.
His mother (my sister), and his sister flew down to Miami from New York to be by his bedside. Many people have shown their support in the forms of well-wishes, prayers, and funds. I am immensely grateful to them all. I am also very grateful for the doctor's hard work and positive medical diagnoses.
Writers rarely expect what they write about to land on their doorstep. I know I didn't.
I hope they catch the guys who did it, and I hope and pray for my nephew's speedy and complete recovery.
And let's hope violent crime only occurs between the covers of a book.
Jonathan's "Go Fund Me
Of course over the years I progressed to more "mature" fare as I went on to immerse myself in the works of Agatha Christie, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and so many others.
Well, it's one thing to enjoy crime as a fictional element in one's literature, and horrifically quite another to have an actual crime touch your family. Last week my nephew Jonathan was shot in the head after exiting a club in Miami, Florida. He's a fighter though, and he's currently in stable condition at Jackson hospital. He's only 23.
His mother (my sister), and his sister flew down to Miami from New York to be by his bedside. Many people have shown their support in the forms of well-wishes, prayers, and funds. I am immensely grateful to them all. I am also very grateful for the doctor's hard work and positive medical diagnoses.
Writers rarely expect what they write about to land on their doorstep. I know I didn't.
I hope they catch the guys who did it, and I hope and pray for my nephew's speedy and complete recovery.
And let's hope violent crime only occurs between the covers of a book.
Jonathan's "Go Fund Me
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)