Opinions and Ideas Column by a Latina Writer

By Jo Ann Hernández – July 5, 2009

Okay here it is. I am writing a Sunday column. That may not sound like big news to you and it certainly is in my life. You’ll learn why soon enough. Keep reading each Sunday to find out why. And that’s not a teaser to keep you coming back. It’s for real.


I am afraid. Really afraid. You’ll also find out why later. I began my twitter account, @BronzeWord, expecting to never have any followers. I’ve reached 2,600 followers and can hardly believe it. Who would want to listen to what I have to say?


With this twitter account, I promised myself that I was going to be me, with all my zits, wrinkles, and paranoia. I was going to speak my mind as frankly and direct as I do in person. I truly expected to be thrown out of Twitter.


I practiced with a few remarks. With time, I became bolder. Then I actually said something about racism, and the roof didn’t fall on my head. I’d like to think that some of those followers liked my honesty, but I don’t know. No one has ever said anything to me directly.


This experience has strengthened my resolve to the point that I can now take the first tentative steps to writing this column. I am a good person. However, I am opinionated as heck. I am also paranoid. (With laughter, I recently read a comment in an article that stated, Authors are accused of being paranoid. Of course, we’re paranoid. That’s what makes us good authors. I very much liked that as a cover for my own paranoia.) I tend to see layers upon layers of intrigue and dubious constructed logic. Logic that is usually aimed at those “others” which I am a proud member.


I am still afraid, and I am going to write this column. I am going to write a lot about writing. The book industry. The blocks to Latino success in the book industry. Who makes it and why/Who doesn’t make it and why? I am going to write about contests?-not just about doing them, but about the chancing of winning them. I am going to write about authors, and style, proposals, queries, agents, editors, you name it. I follow everyone, receive numerous newsletters, and read & listen a lot. I have the keen skill to assimilate vast amounts of information and spit out a concise representation of what I read.


I am also going to break the sin of all sins for a Mexican and talk about my personal thoughts/ fears/ goals/ hopes/ despair, my life as a writer, and my life as someone with an illness. I am going to write about taking chances with your dreams, going for your dreams, and what you need to do to make them come through. I am especially going to write about you and how you can do different, more, and better to support each other and yourself. If we don’t begin to support each other, there won’t be an “other” soon.


Everyone talks about the networking and social mentoring of Latinos. Where is it? Who does it? What does it look like? Organizations? Associations? Building Esteem workshops? Phleeezzee!


Want to know how? Keep coming back. Keep reading each Sunday. You challenge me and I’ll keep on delivering. I can promise you one thing. It’ll be interesting.


What would you like to read about on this column? What subject/topic would you like me to cover? Send me your suggestions and questions.


Thank you

Tags: Column, Jo Ann Hernandez