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BORDER WRITING
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The border is a fascinating place, and inspires much of my writing. It's also one of the more unique things about San Diego: the only place in the world where two cities of a million people--one first world, one third--abut.
Website: http://linrobinson.com
Location: La Frontera!
Members: 7
Latest Activity: Nov 4
Discussion Forum
Why no "border school" in American books? 1 Reply
Started by Linton Robinson. Last reply by JeSais Jan 2.
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Comment by Michael Hemmingson on November 3, 2009 at 10:37pm - Oops...the blog page is here.
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Comment by Michael Hemmingson on November 3, 2009 at 10:35pm
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Have several border projects. One is my dissertation, Zona Norte, published by Cambridge Scholars, a qualitative research work on sex workers in Tijuana and San Diego, as well as an auto-ethnography about changes I went through during two years in the field:
The hardback is awfully pricey, but Borgo Press will issue it in paperback at a lower price in Jan. 2010.
Related is my short documentary, "Life in Zona Norte" that I did for Real Ideas Studio for Cannes FIlm Festival 09. My videographer won best doc at the San Diego Film Fest las Sept. The blog about the project is here. and you can find the doc link on YouTube. It's also on CNN's iReport.
My next border project is TIJUANA KINGS: The Rise and Fall of the Arellano-Felix Drug Cartel...my agent is shipping the 40 page proposal I have and we have some biters, I hope to announce a book deal by year's end.
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Comment by Linton Robinson on October 24, 2009 at 8:16pm
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If youre on Facebook, check out the new Border Literature group there,
http://www.facebook.com/inbox/?drop&ref=mb#/group.php?gid=293838745251
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I stated a Border Writing group on Facebook as well. If you're on Facebook, look it up.
OK, OK, I'LL look it up.... it's here http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=293838745251
There are already some fairly significant writers in the group. Come take a look
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Comment by Jaime J. romo on September 18, 2009 at 1:20pm -
Hi,
I'm new to SD Writers' Ink. I have a draft of my novel, "Migrant Professor," and I'm looking to join a group to share in the revision process. Am I in the right place? Thanks. Peace,
Jaime
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I hope you do it, Blanca. Sounds very interesting.
Same way, I think you'd get a kick out of Imaginary Lines by myself and Anita
http://adorobooks.com/booklines.php
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Comment by Blanca Calleja on August 2, 2009 at 6:28pm -
I've thought about writing stories dealing with border life for some time now. I am 33 years old, was born in the city of Tijuana and lived there until the age of 28. I married and currently live in the Chula Vista area along with many other "Tijuanenses" .
I´ve been crossing the border since I was a child. I attended a Catholic elementary school in San Ysidro and later on a Catholic high school in Imperial Beach for a total number of 13 years (including kindergarten).
I´ve read in many books that when writing about something you know rather than having lived it doesn't make much of a difference as long as you add some original detail. I personally think that the story will be much more richer and have greater flavor if you've actually had the experiences or spent time and researched with someone who has.
Being bi-cultural has always been a plus in my life and I have my mother and father to thank for that. It was my father's choice to have us attend school in the U.S. and it was my mother's dedication (driving us EVERY SINGLE DAY across the border (to and fro) to get to school, plus the organization and sacrifices that come with this decision) that helped us accomplish this adventure.
I think that living the daily border life and crossing it once or twice a week make for good border storytelling, just different perspectives and different details, but all in all, it is a border life.
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Comment by Anne Wayman on March 31, 2009 at 4:20pm - I don't write about the border, although I might. Have been involved in one protest against the triple fence through Friendship Park. Just introducing myself here mostly and seeing what's going on.
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Comment by Oscar Acevedo on February 6, 2009 at 7:05pm -
Yes, thank you. I appreciate your perspective; I have heard it from others. My own insecurities stem from feeling somewhat removed from the everyday humdrum of the border. I guess I could do something about it.
My cousin lives in Chihuahua, he's a lawyer who has been pressured, on occasion, to work for the traffickers in the area. He uses the word "cheros" as a contraction of "rancheros" because many of them like to dress like cattlemen (pointy boots, big hats, and ridiculously ornate belt buckles) despite not knowing one end of a horse from another.
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One thing that might be cool would be an anthology of border writing that is NOT all hispanic-centered. Show me a "border anthology" that's not about Mexico and Mexicans coping with the U.S.
It could help. But would it get published?
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Keep a few things in mind as you post here:
1. Posts are public.
This is a public forum and all posts are archived on the web. Bottom line, don't say anything here you wouldn't want everyone (and I mean EVERYONE: your mom, your little brother, your future employer) to see. Forever.
2. Be On Topic.
This is a group of writers. We're here to talk about writing, the creation of writing, the business of writing, events about writing. We are also a community of friends to some extent, which means that on occasion, non-writing topics will come up. Use the Start a New Discussion link if you want to change topics, and be sure to Title and Tag your post appropriately. That way your fellow writers will be able to scan the list of active discussions and see which ones are of interest.
3. Be Respectful.
Don't really foresee a problem here, but we gotta say it anyway. Disagreements are fine, but please please don't resort to personal insults and/or name calling. Mean people are not cool and harassment, intentionally inflammatory remarks, and bigotry will not be tolerated.
4. Privacy.
We'll respect yours. We won't give away or sell names, contact information, etc. Please do the same for your fellow community members.
5. SPAM. Don't.
6. Ads.
Part of the deal with using this wonderful, free online tool (ning.com) is that it has Ads running along the side. We can upgrade to a professional account, but it will cost $20 per month, so if it bothers you, be prepared to pony up.
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