Abrazos y Besos, Mexico!
I'm so happy to have my friend and sister blogger, Clarissa Draper, visiting here today. Most of you probably know Clarissa from her blog - especially if you tried to decode her A to Z entries. I had so much fun :)
Clarissa is also the author of The Sholes Key, an excellent code-based mystery set in London. I can't wait for the second in the series to come out.
So I'm handing Clarissa the keys to the Tiki Hut. Y'all be cool :)
Three Things Mexico Taught Me About Writing
I have lived in Mexico for a few years now and it's the place where I was able to start writing full time. Mexican culture has taught me a lot and I guess some of it has affected my writing. Here's what I have learned:
(1) When You're Hot, Stop
From the month of May, the weather can get extremely hot. Some afternoons reach 40C/104F. When that happens, people either seek air conditioning or they take a siesta. That may mean stopping in the middle of a project, but when the weather cools down, they're eager to continue.
What does that have to do with writing?
I believe it's a good idea to stop writing when you're on a roll. When you're hot! It comes down to enthusiasm.
In an October 1935 article in Esquire ( “Monologue to the Maestro: A High Seas Letter”) Hemingway offers this advice:
"The best way is always to stop when you are going good and when you know what will happen next. If you do that every day when you are writing a novel you will never be stuck. That is the most valuable thing I can tell you so try to remember it."
(2) Read the Newspaper
In Mexico, almost every intersection has a man or woman selling newspapers and people buy them. With all the bad news, I'm not sure why people like to read the paper. However, people do. For writers, this is important as well. Not only do we keep abreast of current events, it is a wonderful source for story ideas.
(3) Take the Time, Do it Right
I hate cooking. If the recipe takes more than a half hour to prepare, it's not going to be made. That's one reason I don't make a lot of Mexican dishes. For great tasting Mexican dishes, a lot of preparation is needed.
(a) Delicious salsas are made from scratch. Some even grill the peppers before they boil it and make salsa.
(b) Tamales--and I have made these--are incredibly time consuming to make. You have to prepare the
Why go through all the trouble? Because when you take the time, the dish is muy rico!
Writing is the same. When we take the time to organize and edit our work, the results are a book you can be proud about. Don't rush through the editing, prepare a nice cover, and format properly.
Have you ever been to Mexico?
What have you noticed?
What have you noticed?
My Links:
Email: clarissadraper@gmail.com
Comments
I have been to Mexico and I noted that most driving laws don't apply. (At least not in the area I visited.)
I've spent a month traveling through Mexico and loved it. So much color everywhere you look.
I'd love to visit Mexico. One day, one day...
I so agree about stopping writing when we're on a roll. More often than not, I tend to plod on until I'm well and truly stuck. I shall try to remember this great piece of advice in future.
We took a cruise to Mexico ten years ago. I remember lots of Coronas. And genuine Mexican ponies from Kentucky.
It's our family's tradition on Christmas Eve to eat a Mexican food meal, including tamales. When they're made right, they're to die for! Yum! We always buy extra and freeze them for later. :)
And guacamole...my favorite, easy homemade thing. :)
And I make tamales every Christmas. Takes two days, but so worth it. Just like writing. :)
Love the tips and post!
Slowing down is sometimes necessary. I'd rather have a quality first draft that requires less revision and editing than a hot mess done quickly.
Happy Monday, Clarissa & Carol!
Enjoyed the post very much. Thank you.
Yvonne.
I spent one winter in Mexico, primarily along the coast of Baja and in Mazatlán. The weather was amazing. January was perfect. I remember friendly people. Even in the smallest villages the residents walked the paseo, and everyone would stroll and stop to chat. The food was incredible. Because I was on the coast, there was a lot of fresh fish, beautifully prepared, and very little of what Americans (I'm from California) consider Mexican food. I also remember very pebbly beaches and fresh, warm tortillas purchased on the street corner.
VR Barkowski
And I do love the concept of stopping while things are going well and before they turn pear-shaped. Thank you.
What great tips.... I am a FIRM believer in taking time to edit. ANything rushed is never good.
I also think it's a great idea to stop when you are on a roll, Hemingway had a great point.
And it's so true about taking time to make a meal. I LOVE to bake, but I do take the time to do it. IT is so worth the effort. BUT like those Mexican woman I make double batches of my biscotti.
Hi, Carol.
Thanks for featuring Clarissa today!
And since I like code mysteries, Clarissa, I'm checking out your book.
Julie
Mexico is a beautiful country. Some people aren't aware of this because they never get past the northern border towns or off the Peninsula of California. I hope you had a wonderful time.
I am now in the process of getting rid of the bad habit of rushing through the writing process. I'm a little better but I still need some improvement in enforcing the habit of taking as much time as it truly needs.
Hi Carol!
Hi Carol. Always enjoy dropping by.
Loved the advice, great post.
Since my hubby retired in 2002, he's become a firm believer in daily siestas. I WISH I could take them, but I haven't quite gotten the knack yet. But sometimes, just lying down and closing your eyes for ten minutes is a real refresher.
At first blush, the idea of stepping away from writing when you're on a roll seems counter-intuitive. (I mean, how can I stop NOW??? The words are flowing, and my heart is pumping with excitement!) But after thinking about the concept, it's actually brilliant advise. It'd be much easier the next day to pick up a thread in the middle than to start a brand new one. (Now if I can only discipline myself to FOLLOW that brilliant advise!)
Nutschell
www.thewritingnut.com
Delicious salsas are made from scratch. Some even grill the peppers before they boil it and make salsa.
I grill my peppers, I lightly grill my tomatoes to bring out a slightly smokier taste, and I mince up fresh cilantro from my garden... around here, salsa is serious business, and is eaten so much it might better be described as "drank." The extra prep is always worth it.
Would love to visit Mexico.
Nas
I love Mexico. I also love Mexican food. And Tex-Mex food. I've also been stopping while I'm on a roll this week. It seems to be working. Thanks again, Clarissa.
And thanks to all of you who commented.