My Reading

I had my reading yesterday and it was a success. I had quite a lot of people show up. Most of them were my friends or family, but I was especially thrilled to see a group of about five little girls from the Houston Institute for Culture Camp Dos Cabezas. They were around 11 or 12 years old and they seemed so interested in the story.

I spoke to them afterwards and two were especially interested. One of them told me the story reminded her of her aunt and uncle. I gave another one the copy I had of the portion that's published on the website. I read a page from that part first to give them a sense of what the story was about because I read the continuation of it last night. I only read one page though and she wanted to read the rest of that part so I gave it to her and she was so cute and asked me to sign it. Awww!!!

If what I can do is touch the lives of children like that and show them a Latina woman who writes and then encourages them to write too, then it's all worth it. Like Rey said this morning, when we were lying in bed talking before the kids woke up, those girls thought it was great and that's all that counts. I agree!

What I like about doing readings is that it pushes me to finish because then people ask me about it and encourage me to finish. So do that. Encourage me along by asking me how it's going. I only have 2 chapters to finish and even those 2 are already started. I just need to finish them!!

The other writer who read with me last night was awesome. Rose Mary Salum is a true published writer! Check out her bio at www.houstonculture.org/forums. She is the publisher and editor a literary magazine called Literal. www.literalmagazine.com. Very cool lady. I can't wait to get to know her better.