MasticateAndSwallow

Fabio Hurtado. Published memoir "Masticate and Swallow: A Cuban American Childhood (2017). Finished with second manuscript! Writer. Educator. Cuban-American.

[MasticateAndSwallow @fabhurtauthor]

The up/down, elated/deflated experience of releasing/publishing my (second) book continues. This weekend, my friend and owner of Editorial Termino, Roberto Madrigal read it (in ONE sitting!). From his email, I think he really liked it! Brought me joy! #CubanAmericanWriters.

[MasticateAndSwallow @fabhurtauthor]

I have now (officially) queried TEN agents. That was my goal. I already have 3 rejections. #CubanAmericanWriter

[MasticateAndSwallow @fabhurtauthor]

Rejection email # 2 received.

[MasticateAndSwallow @fabhurtauthor]

Just now, I received a kind email from an agent rejecting my project. At least she took time to actually send me an email rather than letting me languish in the maybe. #firstrejection

[MasticateAndSwallow @fabhurtauthor]

Finished watching In the Heights con mis dos hijas and I am from La Vibora and grew up in NJ and damn @Lin_Manuel I cried almost the whole way through, man!

[MasticateAndSwallow @fabhurtauthor]

@JesseLKercheval "As in my Poems" by Jesse Lee Kercheval

[MasticateAndSwallow @fabhurtauthor]

https://t.co/Cfqxhv5GUR

Is this worth five bucks?

[MasticateAndSwallow @fabhurtauthor]

I queried two agents today. This tweet makes it sound like I know what I'm doing. It should actually say "HOLY CRAP! What was I thinking? I actually emailed my work to two real professionals?!?!"

[MasticateAndSwallow @fabhurtauthor]

What's the protocol for finally deciding on the title for the (new) book you are about to send to agents? I am new at this!

[MasticateAndSwallow @fabhurtauthor]

entertaining "Walking Warinanco". But #theone has not appeared. Saying a prayer that I will receive/find a title soon! Isn't there a saying, when the author is ready the title appears?

[MasticateAndSwallow @fabhurtauthor]

Finding it hard(er) this time around to settle on a title. I started with "New Jersey Tried to Kill Me" then took a left turn way out to "Between a Roach and a Blizzard" which brought me back to "All the Time in the World" and "There But Not Back Again". And I am currently...

[MasticateAndSwallow @fabhurtauthor]

Julia Cameron's affirmation for writers today: "There is a divine plan of goodness for my work." Go ahead. Say it. Repeat it. Today I worked for two hours. I found my title. It found me. I am going to let it sit and simmer for a bit.
#CubanAmericanWriters

[MasticateAndSwallow @fabhurtauthor]

@mountain__dewy @mountain__dewy If you are looking to be more productive, you can agree to be a guest (writer) speaker in my 12th grade English class in August and share your brilliance...#opportunity

[MasticateAndSwallow @fabhurtauthor]

PART II: I'll share the first one if it helps you: "I am a channel for God's creativity, and my work comes to good." [substitute "the universe" for God, if that's your cup of Cuban coffee!]. Amen. #FinishtheBook

[MasticateAndSwallow @fabhurtauthor]

PART I: Woke up at 6:30 am and started writing/editing at 7 am. Just ran out of inspiration now at 11 - perfect timing because I am also hungry. The hours flew by. Julia Cameron's daily twenty "Creative Affirmations" moved me through the work today.

[MasticateAndSwallow @fabhurtauthor]

Quick poll: How many times can someone rewrite Chapter 1 before the whole thing disintegrates in your hands? #LosingMyselfinCh1

[MasticateAndSwallow @fabhurtauthor]

Waiting to get my manuscript back from a writer/reader. 50% of me is ready to go edit the crap outta this thing when I get it back and finish it. And 50% of me is like, can I just take a nap now cause I don't want to keep working on this.

[MasticateAndSwallow @fabhurtauthor]

Someone reminded me today that "all great love stories are tragedies". It's no wonder there is no Casablanca 2: The Happy Ending. Damn. Damn. Damn.

[MasticateAndSwallow @fabhurtauthor]

Still avoiding having to finish my proposal for the new book. But, in a possible breakthrough, a new title did reveal itself this morning. And for a vague connection for now, check out Willie https://t.co/EHhLcaYFkg

[MasticateAndSwallow @fabhurtauthor]

My students reminded me this morning, during our last class for the year, that transformative curriculum (material to be covered and explored) in a joyful classroom always ends up being the "us" we create and the relationships we share with one other. #humbled #Classof2021