Back to the Drawing Board, Pt. 2

© 2014 Marcin Kaliski

Now that I’ve had my tantrum and flipped some tables and burned some bridges, I can, with a clear head, discuss what I meant by “legitimizing” what I do in order to make my dreams come true.

After sitting in a mostly-empty, free performance space at the Hamilton Fish Library in Manhattan, leading a workshop about writing authentic characters, I discussed the lack of support from the Black and Latino community to the other event curator. We both acknowledged that the REAL problem was in the Latino community, because I know of a few arts groups for African Americans that get plenty of support from the community.

I swear, if it’s not some spoken word, poetry-from-the-streets-of-El-Barrio, or a Junot Diaz appearance, I cannot get Latinos to show up to literary events. I do understand that part of that is because I’m still relatively unknown, but that hardly explains why the people that DO know me aren’t there to support.

So we decided that it’s an issue of legitimacy; it has to be. Folks don’t think we know what we’re talking about, that it’s bootleg or ghetto. I suppose if I could get an endorsement from Hennessy or Bacardi, then MAYBE I could fill some seats, but I digress. People aren’t convinced that what we have to offer is legit.

Okay, then, I accept the challenge. I’m going to write until my fingers are numb, get published everywhere, read at as many events as possible, mingle (even though I loathe people) at literary events, and show my face at bookstores all over the City on a regular basis. There won’t be a mover or shaker in the Book World in the tri-state area who won’t have one of my business cards in their bag or know about my work or events. You’re going to KNOW me. When you think of books or writing or reading, I’ll be what pops up in your head first. I have a plan and I start executing it this month.

That’s the beauty of a writing career—it’s never to late to “make it.”

I just hope that when I’m “there” I won’t be as petty and as adept at grudge-holding as I am now. It really isn’t a good look on me.

xoxo,
Raquel Ivelisse