No ha dejado de llover durante más de 12 horas. Pedíamos lluvia después de tanto calor y ahora que llegó lo hizo con ganas. Ni siquiera mi perra Becca quiere salir a la calle, aunque le pongo su impermeable. Al asomarme por la ventana, me quedé pensando en cómo el clima puede y debe ser una parte muy importante de un cuento o novela para que, desde el inicio, el lector intuya, entre otras cosas, qué tipo de historia se encontrará entre las tapas del libro. No es lo mismo un día lleno de sol a uno oscuro y frío o donde llueve a cántaros. Va directamente ligado al tono de la historia. Por ejemplo, me parece que un cuento de terror es más creible si es de noche, hace frío y, además, sopla el viento a través de las ramas de los árboles. Pronto saldrá mi libro Un grito en la oscuridad, con cuentos de terror del México colonial, ilustrado por Rubí Juárez y bajo el sello editorial Yo sí leo. En todos los cuentos cuidé el tema del clima para que estuviera ad hoc con la historia. Cuando salga el libro les aviso.
It hasn't stopped raining in over 12 hours. We were asking for rain after so much heat and now that it's here it arrived with a vengeance. Not even my dog Becca wants to go out, even with her raincoat. When I looked out the window, I thought about how weather can and should be an important part of a story or novel so that, from the beginning, the reader can begin to discover, among other things, what type of story he or she will find between the covers of the book. It's not the same to have a day full of sunshine to one that is dark and cold and raining buckets. It is directly linked to the tone of the story. For example, I believe that terror is more believable if it is dark, cold and, also, the wind is blowing through the branches of the trees. My book Un grito en la oscuridad, with spooky tales from colonial Mexico, illustrated by Rubí Juárez and published by Yo sí leo books, will be out soon. In all the stories I took care to include weather that was ad hoc to the story. When the book is out I'll let you know.
jueves, 30 de junio de 2011
lunes, 20 de junio de 2011
Librerías especializadas/Specialized bookstores
En este momento, estoy viendo la película "Tienes un e-mail" con Tom Hanks y Meg Ryan. Es una película romántica (obvio) pero lo que me ha llamado la atención (desde que la estrenaron hace mucho años) es el tema de la pequeña librería especializada en libros para niños, cuya dueña es Meg Ryan, que se enfrenta a una cadena gigante bajo el mando de Tom Hanks. Es una lástima que estas pequeñas librerías, donde hay atención personalizada y donde los empleados conocen los libros y se los pueden recomendar a los lectores, están desapareciendo. Hoy en día, por ejemplo en los Estados Unidos, la sección infantil y juvenil de estas cadenas tiende a ser un lugar agradable lleno de libros buenos pero las personas que trabajan ahí casi nunca tienen idea de lo que están vendiendo y, por eso, rara vez pueden recomendar un libro para un lector específico. Si el lector llega buscando un libro le ayudan a localizarlo pero no le pueden decir nada sobre el tema porque no lo han leído. Estas lilbrerías, enormes, con cafetería, son un buen lugar para encontrar montones de libros pero el lector joven que tiene un interés específico muchas veces no tiene idea de dónde encontrarlo o cuál puede resultar ser el más idoneo. En México hay muy pocas librerías que son especializadas en la LIJ y sobreviven con muchas dificultades. Ojalá hubieran más. Y en Estados Unidos cada vez hay menos.
Right now I am watching the movie "You've Got Mail", with Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. It's a romantic movie (obviously) but what's always caught my attention (since the movie was released many years ago) is the theme of the small specialized bookstore specialized in kid's lit, owned by Meg Ryan, confronting a huge chain directed by Tom Hanks. It's a pity that these small shops, with personalized attention and where the employees know the books and can recommend them to the readers, are disappearing. Nowadays, in the US, the kid's and YA sections tend to be very nice and are full of good books but the people who work there rarely know what they are selling and usually can't recommend a book to a specific reader. If a client looks for a book, the staff can help him or her locate it but they can't say what the book is about because they haven't read it. These bookstores, huge and with a coffee shop, are good places to find tons of books but the young reader with a specific interest might not know where to find such a book or which might be better suited to him or her. In Mexico there are few bookstores specializing in kid's books. I wish there were more. And, in the US, there are less every time.
Right now I am watching the movie "You've Got Mail", with Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. It's a romantic movie (obviously) but what's always caught my attention (since the movie was released many years ago) is the theme of the small specialized bookstore specialized in kid's lit, owned by Meg Ryan, confronting a huge chain directed by Tom Hanks. It's a pity that these small shops, with personalized attention and where the employees know the books and can recommend them to the readers, are disappearing. Nowadays, in the US, the kid's and YA sections tend to be very nice and are full of good books but the people who work there rarely know what they are selling and usually can't recommend a book to a specific reader. If a client looks for a book, the staff can help him or her locate it but they can't say what the book is about because they haven't read it. These bookstores, huge and with a coffee shop, are good places to find tons of books but the young reader with a specific interest might not know where to find such a book or which might be better suited to him or her. In Mexico there are few bookstores specializing in kid's books. I wish there were more. And, in the US, there are less every time.
miércoles, 8 de junio de 2011
Libros para los más pequeños/Books for the youngest
Esta semana la autora Elena Dreser, Susana Baez, del colectivo Palabras de Arena de Cd. Juárez, y yo estuvimos en Facebook "platicando" sobre lo difícil que es escribir para los más pequeños. Contrario a lo que cree la mayoría de la gente, los libros para los de edad preescolar son los más complicados de escribir ya que se tiene que lograr un cuento redondo, interesante, bien escrito, con personajes bien logrados y con una historia que quieran leer muchas veces... con muy pocas palabras. Es un texto más bien poético. Claro que la ilustración juega un papel muy importante porque, además de iluminar el texto, le regala al lector mucha información que, por su brevedad, no aparecen en el texto. Bastante complicado, ¿no? Es un reto que me encanta y los invito a que lo intenten y después me cuenten cómo les fue. ¡Suerte! Una sugerencia es que vayan a la librería o a la biblioteca y lean muchos de estos libros para que vean cómo los autores e ilustradores lograron hacer un excelente cuento de este tipo.
This week author Elena Dreser, Susana Baez, of the Palabras de Arena group of Cd. Juárez, and I chatted on Facebook about how hard it is to write for the younger set. Contrary to popular belief, books for preschoolers are the most dificult to write since you have to produce a good, round, interesting tale with memorable characters and a story that kids will want to read again and again... and all with very few words. It is a poetic text. Of course, the illustrations play a very important part because, besides illuminating the text, it provides the reader with a lot of information that, because of its brevity, does not appear in the tale. Quite complicated, don't you think? It's something that I enjoy very much and I dare you to try it and later let me know how you did. Good luck! One suggestion is to go to the library or bookstore and read many of these books so you can see how the authors and illustrators told an excellent story.
This week author Elena Dreser, Susana Baez, of the Palabras de Arena group of Cd. Juárez, and I chatted on Facebook about how hard it is to write for the younger set. Contrary to popular belief, books for preschoolers are the most dificult to write since you have to produce a good, round, interesting tale with memorable characters and a story that kids will want to read again and again... and all with very few words. It is a poetic text. Of course, the illustrations play a very important part because, besides illuminating the text, it provides the reader with a lot of information that, because of its brevity, does not appear in the tale. Quite complicated, don't you think? It's something that I enjoy very much and I dare you to try it and later let me know how you did. Good luck! One suggestion is to go to the library or bookstore and read many of these books so you can see how the authors and illustrators told an excellent story.
lunes, 30 de mayo de 2011
México Lee
Ayer, en el Monumento a la Revolución, se llevó a cabo el evento México Lee. Hubo venta de libros y lectura en voz alta de poesía y cuentos infantiles. Las autoridaded reportaron que hubo 3,000 asistentes y los organizadores dicen que hubo cerca de 10,000. Creo que la cantidad no es tan importante como que fue un muy buen inicio de un evento que, ojalá, se siga llevando a cabo año con año y cada vez con más lectores participantes. También se entregaron paquetes de libros a representantes vecinales de las 16 delegaciones del DF para formar clubes de lectura en todas las colonias. Ojalá estos clubes de lectura se aprovechen y no se conviertan en un lugar para almacenar libros que nadie lee.
Yesterday, at the Monumento a la Revolución, the México Lee (Mexico Reads) event took place. Books were sold and poetry and children's books were read out loud. The authoroties reported that there were 3,000 asistants and the organizers said 10,000. I don't think the quantity is that important since, for being the first time, it started out well and hopefully, it will continue to take place each year and each time with more participants. Packages of books were also handed out to neighborhood representatives of the 16 delegations of the capital with the idea of forming book clubs in all the neighborhoods. Hopefully, these book clubs will be used and not become mere repositories of books that nobody reads.
Yesterday, at the Monumento a la Revolución, the México Lee (Mexico Reads) event took place. Books were sold and poetry and children's books were read out loud. The authoroties reported that there were 3,000 asistants and the organizers said 10,000. I don't think the quantity is that important since, for being the first time, it started out well and hopefully, it will continue to take place each year and each time with more participants. Packages of books were also handed out to neighborhood representatives of the 16 delegations of the capital with the idea of forming book clubs in all the neighborhoods. Hopefully, these book clubs will be used and not become mere repositories of books that nobody reads.
domingo, 15 de mayo de 2011
De vuelta/Back again
Después de un periodo de mucho trabajo (¡qué bueno!) hoy me di cuenta que no he escrito nada en el blog desde hace tiempo. Pero hoy es domingo, las cosas están algo más tranquilas y, antes de hacer otras cosas, decidí visitar el blog después de ¿dos o tres semanas? El año se va pasando con alas, tan rápido que ya casi se pasa la mitad.
La buena noticia es que el 4 de junio me invitan a platicar con niños en la nueva librería de Editorial Porrúa en Chapultepec. Está muy linda y justo enfrente del Museo de Antropología, en la entrada que está frente al Lago (que, por cierto, tiene agua de color verde limón, ¡guácala!). La librería es como una cajita de cristal, con cafetería y una zona de libros para niños muy linda. Estaré el sábado, 4 de junio, a la 1 de la tarde para platicar con el público sobre mi libro Amol iz gevén/ Érase una vez, libro con dos cuentos de tradición oral judío e ilustrado por Aurea Freniere. También estará un cuentacuentos. Ojalá me puedan acompañar.
After a period of a lot of work (great!) today I realized that I hadn't written anything in the blog in a while. But today is Sunday, things are a bit calmer and, before doing anything else, I decided to visit the blog after two or three weeks (?). The year is flying by, so fast that it's almost midyear.
The good news is that on the 4th of June I have been invited to speak to kids at the new Editorial Porrúa bookstore in Chapultepec park. It's lovely and right in front of the Anthropology Museum, at the entrance to the Lake (which, by the way, is a horrible bright green tone!). The bookstore is like a crystal box, with a cafeteria and a very nice kid's books area. I'll be there on Saturday, the 4th of June, at 1 pm, to chat with the public about my book Amol iz gevén/Érase una vez, which has two Jewish folktales illustrated by Aurea Freniere. There will also be a storyteller. I hope you can accompany me.
La buena noticia es que el 4 de junio me invitan a platicar con niños en la nueva librería de Editorial Porrúa en Chapultepec. Está muy linda y justo enfrente del Museo de Antropología, en la entrada que está frente al Lago (que, por cierto, tiene agua de color verde limón, ¡guácala!). La librería es como una cajita de cristal, con cafetería y una zona de libros para niños muy linda. Estaré el sábado, 4 de junio, a la 1 de la tarde para platicar con el público sobre mi libro Amol iz gevén/ Érase una vez, libro con dos cuentos de tradición oral judío e ilustrado por Aurea Freniere. También estará un cuentacuentos. Ojalá me puedan acompañar.
After a period of a lot of work (great!) today I realized that I hadn't written anything in the blog in a while. But today is Sunday, things are a bit calmer and, before doing anything else, I decided to visit the blog after two or three weeks (?). The year is flying by, so fast that it's almost midyear.
The good news is that on the 4th of June I have been invited to speak to kids at the new Editorial Porrúa bookstore in Chapultepec park. It's lovely and right in front of the Anthropology Museum, at the entrance to the Lake (which, by the way, is a horrible bright green tone!). The bookstore is like a crystal box, with a cafeteria and a very nice kid's books area. I'll be there on Saturday, the 4th of June, at 1 pm, to chat with the public about my book Amol iz gevén/Érase una vez, which has two Jewish folktales illustrated by Aurea Freniere. There will also be a storyteller. I hope you can accompany me.
martes, 3 de mayo de 2011
Nueva Mac/New Mac
Pues, por fin lo hice y me acabo de comprar una Mac de escritorio. Estoy encantada aunque todavía me falta aprender un montón, pese a las dos horas de clases que me han dado en la tienda. Claro que lo que te enseñan es lo más básico. Es cuestión de tiempo, tiempo que necesito para ponerme a jugar al explorador y meterme a todos los lugares donde no me he metido y hacer click sin miedo de que algo desaparezca. Mucha gente, entre ellos mi hijo, me dijeron, cuando se enteraron de que quería comprar una computadora de escritorio nueva, que comprara una Mac. Al principio, me detuve por la diferencia de precio entre una PC y una Mac pero, tomando en cuenta que es para varios años, por fin me decidí por ella. Confieso que, de lo que he visto hasta ahora, me va a servir muy bien. Espero que, en un par de semanas, ya sea más ducha en el asunto. Mientras tanto, ya estoy escribiendo cuentos en ella y trabajando en un proyecto multimedia, lo cual es muy emocionante.
Well, I finally did it and I just bought a desktop Mac. I'm thrilled though I still need to learn a lot of things, even though I've taken two hours of classes where I bought it. Of course, they teach nyou the most basic stuff. It's a question of time, time that I need to play that I'm an explorer so that I can enter a lot of places where I haven't gone yet and click without being afraid that something will disappear. Many people, among them my son, told me, when they found out that I wanted to buy a new desktop computer, to get a Mac. At first, the difference in price between a PC and a Mac detained me but, taking into consideration that it's for several years, I decided to get it. I confess that, from what I've seen till now, it will serve me well. I hope that, in a few weeks, I'll be better able to use it. Menawhile, I'm already writing a few stories on it and working on a multimedia project, which is very exciting.
Well, I finally did it and I just bought a desktop Mac. I'm thrilled though I still need to learn a lot of things, even though I've taken two hours of classes where I bought it. Of course, they teach nyou the most basic stuff. It's a question of time, time that I need to play that I'm an explorer so that I can enter a lot of places where I haven't gone yet and click without being afraid that something will disappear. Many people, among them my son, told me, when they found out that I wanted to buy a new desktop computer, to get a Mac. At first, the difference in price between a PC and a Mac detained me but, taking into consideration that it's for several years, I decided to get it. I confess that, from what I've seen till now, it will serve me well. I hope that, in a few weeks, I'll be better able to use it. Menawhile, I'm already writing a few stories on it and working on a multimedia project, which is very exciting.
sábado, 16 de abril de 2011
Highlights Founder's Workshops
Back from an excellent workshop focused on Middle Grade novels with Rich Wallace. Organized by the Highlights family, it was a great experience. I learned a lot, had a wonderful time, stayed in a comfy cabin (number 20, which everyone seems to covet), breathed fresh air, ate like a queen (Marcia is an amazing chef!), and talked constantly about kids books with like-minded people without having other people look at us as if we're crazy.
At first, we were supposed to be five participants but two had to cancel at the last moment. This, of course, meant that we had more individual attention from Rich. I had to rewrite and rethink much of my story, which was a good experience, plus add more details, something that I sometimes forget to do since I'm so used to writing picture books. So, now I have lots of homework but I'm happy with the path the novel is taking.
If you're interested, look for Highlights Founder's Workshops in the Internet to see what's available for writers and illustrators.
De regreso de un excelente taller sobre novelas para lectores de entre 8 y 12 años (más o menos) con Rich Wallace. Organizado por la familia Highlights (publican revistas y libros), fue una gran experiencia. Aprendí mucho, la pasé de maravilla, me quedé en la cabaña 20 (aparentemente la que todo mundo quiere), respiré aire puro, comí como reina (marcia es una asombrosa chef), y hable constantemente sobre libros para niños con gente que piensa similar que yo sin que otras personas piensen que estamos locos. Si les interesa, busquen HIghlight's Founder's Workshops en el Internet para ver que talleres hay para autores e ilustradores.
Al principio íbamos a ser cinco participantes pero dos tuvieron que cancelar al último momento. Esto, claro, resultó en que tuvimos más atención individual de Rich. Tuve que reescribir y repensar gran parte de mi historia, lo que fue una muy buena experiencia, además de agregar más detalles, algo a veces se me olvida hacer ya que estoy más acostumbrada a escribir libro álbum. Ahora tengo bastante tarea pero estoy contenta con el camino que va tomando la novela.
Si te interesa, busca Highlights Founder's Workshops en el Internet para ver que talleres están disponibles para autores e ilustradores.
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