As the year is winding down to a close, I notice the sudden pop up of the "New Year, New Me" posts on social media and blogs. I've been asked many times of my New Year's Eve plans and few have asked me what my goals for the new year are. 

Let's get a couple of things straight. 

I work during the day on New Year's Eve, most likely an almost full day. I will get up at 6 AM (or try to - snooze buttons are amazing) and travel from Corona, Queens to Wall Street, Manhattan. I will take the bus for 15 - 20 minutes to the R train and then alternate between standing and sitting for about 28 stops. I will get to work, make sure things are going smoothly with everyone (thanks to added on responsibilities.), and I will be counting down the minutes till I get on the R again. For most companies, it's the end of the year so the priority is making sure everything gets in, not New Year's Eve plans. I will be one tired lady at the end of the day and snuggling in bed with a book or a special someone while drinking tea sounds so much more appealing (Oh my goodness, I am such a writer - a book and tea? Haha!).

But what is New Year's Eve really?

The end digits of the calendar will change, but how does that affect our day to day lives? I could go celebrate the end of 2013 and the beginning of 2014 one night, but end up in the hospital or dead in the next two (knocks on wood!). What have I really achieved here? What have I celebrated? The change of year? The days change every day. Everyday we face new challenges and life is lived a little differently, even when things are seemingly routine. Heck, minutes change all the time. When I was a kid, my cousin and I used to have this thing where when we noticed the changing of the time, we would say, "Happy New Minute!" It was hilarious and delightful. It was also a little wise of us because we should be celebrating every minute, every day. New Year Goals? Psh, the concept is nice, but my goals year to year end up changing because of my day to day. One day, I want to write about being a lover scorned, but after I go through certain things within the span of the day or next couple of days, I want to write about hearts and Cupid. 

Then we have the concept of "New Year, New Me". 

Making changes in your life is good. It's a wonderful thing. Change is scary, but when you have goals in mind, it's satisfying when you have results. Everyone should always make a list of goals they want to achieve. My problem is the whole "I'm going to do it for the new year" bull. You're telling me that within the month of December, you will make a list of goals, but you won't start anything until January? WHY?!? What is stopping you? You want to eat better? Don't chow down on burgers every other day then say on January 1st, I quit - Hello Celery. You want to exercise? The gym accepts your money all year around! You want to try a new hobby? These things take time to learn. Instead of waiting until January to get piano lessons, how about you at least inquire and see when you can start lessons as soon as possible. If something happens to you between now and January, guess what? You just wasted time.

The "New Year, New Me" concept during this time of year is also impersonal. Everyone is doing it and sometimes there's so much pressure to do it better than anyone else. Even your list of goals can get competitive around certain people if you share them. There's a slew of emotions of that come with the over sharing of these goals for the New Year that I honestly don't want to get into. Especially because if you tell me, I will remember and be mildly disappointed when you don't follow through. I'll be like, "Why not? You are absolutely capable." I also apparently give these eyes that makes everyone want to either tell me their secrets,  feel as if I know they have secrets, or that they have done something wrong - so I might give you "the eyes" too. 

But all joking aside, these list of goals can consume people. Personally I rather make a list of goals around my birthday so that it's more personal (and so I don't have to hear about everyone else's goals all at once - I am a Summer baby!). Either way you do it, guess what? If you don't achieve a goal by a certain time, it's okay. Just keep working at it. Accept that though we may want to go to the gym everyday, that it may be only possible to go once or twice a week. If you do that, you're already doing better than those who don't.

We have to celebrate each day, each victory, each downfall....everything! 

So what if the year changes? The day changes! You don't have to go to a party and be socially awkward, drinking just so the time is more enjoyable on one evening a year just for that moment when the clock strikes 12. It strikes 12 everyday. We don't have elaborate parties for that. We don't go and dress up for Monday becoming Tuesday. We just live. 

So asking me about New Year's Eve or New Year's goals or who my "New Year, New Me" is going to be is pointless. Ask me how I am changing today and possibly tomorrow. Celebrate the fact that it's Friday and the work day is half way done (and that I posted a blog during lunch).  Be in the now. 

But this is just how I feel. And I might be dragged into a New Year's Eve activity after work or I may go home to that book and tea...or special someone. I may have a secret list of goals because I need new goals all the time once I achieve the old ones. It's just convenient that it's around this time. I just wanted to point something out...and vent a little. It came up in conversation today at work and it made my fingers itch to write something (Thank you very much for the idea B.M.!).

It's not Happy New Year for me. It's Happy New Day...or may I dare say it...it's Happy New Minute!

Enjoy the rest of your holidays my loves. If I don't have time before the year is out, here is your year-end post =)

This is the process that goes through my head when it starts snowing:

Oh my GOD! It's snowing. I have sneakers on. If this turns into a blizzard, I die. I will absolutely die. Okay, calm down. You're going to the supermarket. It's 2 and a half blocks away. It will be okay. I'm sure it won't get heavier. It better not get heavier. Not while I am out here. Better not.

Walks at a moderate pace to the supermarket, already looking for patches of ice.

At the supermarket:

Okay, so let's hurry this up because it's snowing. I don't need much. Maybe some almond milk and some ice cream. Hmm ice cream, maybe if the ice from snow was ice cream, I wouldn't mind busting my ass in the snow. Snow should be ice cream. Oh yay! They have Peppermint Wonderland ice cream. I hope it's not a snowy wonderland by the time I finish. Maybe I should get more stuff. It would be great if it snowed enough for work to be closed. I don't think I am that lucky though. They would want us to come in, even with ten feet of snow on the ground. I know I wouldn't make it to work. The way they don't shovel around here, I would die from just walking down my driveway. Forget about the rest of the block. If I was a cat, all of my lives would be done. Okay, is Dad ready yet? I want to get back in the house. I knew I should have put on my boots. Not that they are magic boots and will stop me from falling, but I should be least likely to fall with them on versus sneakers. Okay, about to check out. Yay, the ice cream was 3.34. That's really cheap for special edition ice cream.

Steps out of the supermarket.

OH MY GOD IT'S HEAVIER! Okay okay, we can do this. Just two and a half blocks...NO DAD I AM NOT GOING WITH YOU TO THE CORNER STORE ON CORONA SO YOU CAN GET YOUR CIGARS. Just give me the bags. Argh, what does he think? That I am going to go an extra three blocks with him so he can give himself lung cancer, while I'm wearing sneakers IN THE SNOW. Nope, not me. I am not the one. Okay so I can do this. Just take your time Chris. Take your time.

A block and a half into the journey, while looking at the accumulations in the cracks of the sidewalk.

Oh lordy just take me now! These bags are heavy and I feel like I am walking so slow that I'm going nowhere. I shall stop right here and let the snow overtake me. I have food with me. I'll just eat this raw meat that we just acquired and let it sustain me until rescue comes. Dad is bound to notice that I didn't make it home. But what if it gets worst in the next ten minutes? They may not be able to find me. Just keep going. Keep walking. OMG now this car might run me over because I am not crossing fast enough. Ugh, what did we buy? My ice cream isn't THIS heavy. Okay I am almost home. I wonder if Dad got to the store yet. I hate those damn cigars he smokes. Wish they would die in the snow. Let's cross this street carefully. I think all is clear. OMG why does that part of the sidewalk look icy already?! Okay you are just a few houses away. Wow Mr. Chinese Food Delivery guy on that rickety ass bike, how do you live so dangerously? Your ass and all of that food can slip on the ice on that thing. Though if you fell right now in front of me, I wouldn't mind a free eggroll.

Stops at driveway and takes in the falling snow seen through the street lights.

You're so pretty you evil little ice balls. I wonder where...oh there he is. Thank God because I wasn't going to attempt the basement steps with all of these bags in my hand. He needs to walk a little faster though. Not too fast because if he falls down the block, it's going take me five minutes to walk 30 feet with this damn snow falling. Okay, two bags for you. I really hate that we get puddles along here. This is definitely going to turn into ice by morning and it's going to take me 10 minutes to walk down the driveway. Alright, take it easy now. These steps aren't slippery yet, but just go down a step at a time. Both feet. You got it. You're almost there. Oops, almost! No, you're okay. OMG I AM HOME AND I MADE IT DOWN THE STEPS. Hurry up with the keys Dad. I want to get inside. Okay yes!!! Survival.

Kicks off sneakers and puts down the bags. Continues to walk straight to the room.

Dad: Chris, where are you going? Aren't you going to help unpack?
Me: I'm going to go have a heart attack now. Maybe later.



Welcome to the beginning of snow season!

Hello My Write Queeners,

The first week of December is filled with many poetry treats! First up is a feature on The Body Narratives. In collaboration with The Digging Deep, Facing Self course, The Body Narratives presents a week filled with poetry from incredible women. I was asked to be a part of this wonderful week. I am extremely honored and I am having a mini dance party in my head all day to celebrate my post, which came out today, December 4. 

In addition to that, I am performing as one of the featured acts for the River of Honey's cabaret showcase on Friday, December 6th. This show happens every first Friday of the month. The theme for their last show of the year is Offerings. This is definitely going to be a new exciting, but scary experience. Come out and support the show if you can!

Finally, I have another mini e-book for you...and I mean mini! When You Down A Margarita is a series of haiku (about 24 in total, I think.) about my experience of falling for a woman during college (If you didn't know this about me, now you know. If you got a problem, you know what to do - we don't tolerate any intolerance here!). 

I previously published this on Smashwords, but now with my Creative Book Builder app, I wanted to give it a little facelift. To download it, head over to my "Store" page.

That's it for now my loves. I have a couple of blog posts coming up soon. Be on the look out!

This is the most recent anthology I was published in...five poems! A little section just for me! I feel so blessed. I finally received my copy of the book after someone I know kept it hostage from me. Though there is a reason for that if you glance at the next picture.

My lovely boyfriend decided that I should receive a little praise along with the book. I nearly cried on the train when I found the card and read it. Look at it...there's even a typewriter on the front of the card! This almost was better than the book (almost...very few things beat publishing). Even though it's just my boyfriend, this kind of acknowledgement makes me feel like I am doing something right. Also makes me feel downright special.

The first anthology was a challenge for me. It was a theme-based contest. Writing my piece brought me back to my experimental days. It was also the first longer piece that has been published in an anthology. The fact that Lady Chaos Press has given me the opportunity to do this twice is a blessing. It's amazing to know that people have the opportunity to be exposed to my work when they purchase these books. Thank you so much Lady Chaos Press! Check out the press my loves.

In between all of that, I took an online writing course over the summer. The class put together this amazing and powerful e-book anthology, available for free. I have two pieces in it, one being very special to me. But I'll just let you read about it if you click on this awesome lady's name: Caits Meissner. This also gives you a chance to explore the blog if you are a first time reader (or one who needs to catch up!).

Even my best friend threw me and these ladies some praise on his site, NerosisMuse.com. I was so touched when I saw that post. Once again, it was my best friend, but knowing that my crew was paying attention shows that bring brave and making moves to improve and showcase my writing is the path I need to be on now. 

It's one thing to work hard. It's another to gain some accomplishments. Knowing that you have people behind you and willing to tell the world or go out of their way to give you a bit of praise is a warm glowing feeling I can't describe (which means I must work harder because a writer should be able to!). Don't fuss when they want to, just let them. It's okay to be celebrated.

Most importantly, take the time to acknowledge and celebrate yourself. It's okay to give yourself praise once in a blue. You work hard. When you have something to show for it, darn right you better have a mini dance party and say YAY! 

So now it's time for us to have a mini dance party!

YAY!

I hope to be able to have more mini dance parties soon. 

Take care my lovely readers! Celebrate yourselves!



P.S. I have an official mailing list now. Don't forget to subscribe here to get updates from the blog and more!

Also, don't forget to check out my fundraiser for publishing my own books. Every little bit counts! Even just sharing so please pass this along to all of your friends.

My heart goes out to motherly observances from hearts worn on tattered sleeves. Battle-worn women who have dragged themselves out of bed - smiling at nagging husbands, crying children, or to no one but themselves. They occupy train seats, lean over, and glance at preoccupied youth on smartphones and tablets, smiling to themselves in wonderment about technologies that will outlive their sacrifices. 

I do the same when I see young teachers marking cranked out pages from foolish, aspiring writers, leaning over to glance at potential on my way home from work. 

I spend my days with money hungry zombies for the chance to sneak metaphors onto blank pages into the wee hours of the night. I wake up at the cusp of six every morning, only to spend rapidly falling minutes staring into a space that doesn't involve morning commutes, ringing phones, or demeaning bosses.

I sold out a long time ago with only survivor's guilt to cling to at night. Too tired to attend shows, excuses easily prepared on my tongue as to why I can't read, why I can't write, why I can't breathe. Sometimes I think I'm ready to live a life of regret. 

But then I wake up with metaphors tangled tightly in my sheets. Verses haunt me as I wipe the remnants of night from my eyes. I carefully adjust cool streams of water over a body struggling to mutter rhyme schemes to the beat of soap scum. I practice delivery of poems with tooth brushes angled in my mouth.

I struggle against the clock, itching to call out for a week straight and write. Is a week enough? Would I even go back? I fear I will eventually empty...and then where will I be? Do I have what it takes to live as writer day in and out? Is the chance of the word more thrilling with obstacles or will I fold with more freedom?

I aggressively scold fellow writers to always give it their all. I don't want to find mirrors in their eyes. I can live with the haunts of motherhood with blank wombs and hidden paper children under my own veins, but I cannot find love in the misery of others. I tightly grip their pen to their hands and tell them, "No matter what, always keep this by your side. Your pen comes before anything else. Do not let the world make you sacrifice your word. And please, more than anything else..."


...don't become a sell out like me.

Hello my lovely Write Queeners,


We all have something (or someone) that we greatly admire as writers. 

That dream publication that we want to see our writing in because we are enamored with every piece we read in there. 

Or that writer who seems like they take the words out of our mouths and spins the reality of life into perfection. 

We all have those things/people that we place on a pedestal.

As a writer, I know what most of my aimed achievements are: I want to work for this literary magazine, I want to be published on this site, I want my manuscripts to be picked up by this certain press. Through the power of positive thinking, I imagine and almost feel like that I am doing these things already.

So when these places or people reject me, the sting is greater.

The more you want something, the higher you elevate it to a level so great that everyone is afraid of the fall. Pedestals are pretty, but you will scrape your knees.

I have been trying to get my chapbook manuscripts in presses that I admire and adore. A place I would be proud to call home for my books. 

I would be hopeful and confident about my submissions in the beginning. As time would pass, my confidence would shrink a little, but I would still be good. Until I received that e-mail. That hardly personal e-mail that thanks me for my submission, but they have chosen another manuscript. The worst ones are the e-mails announcing the winning chapbooks and finalists, but barely acknowledge the fact that you submitted at all. Guess the losers are supposed to just take the hint.

And that sting? Those scraped knees? 
Bloodshot red like your eyes after crying for hours. 

What shocks me the most is the bitterness that stays. 

I guess since it's easier to hate (sometimes) than it is to continue to love, I tend to shy away from places/people that have rejected me for while. While I lick my wounds.

In my head, which is always a better practice than actually doing it in a public forum, I will bad mouth these publications or people. Most of the time, I don't know why my manuscript wasn't strong enough, why my résumé was disregarded. Editors hardly have the time to say why. This is one thing that I wish was different. If they were required to give feedback, then I would know what's wrong (sooner) and be able to fix it, instead of wasting time on anger and the bitterness of rejection.

If you tell me what I'm doing wrong, I will take it into consideration so I can build a stronger piece! Editors, I wish you had that mercy on us poor writers sometimes. No one likes being rejected. I know this is going to happen from time to time, but still. How am I suppose to improve?

Here's a little secret: 

Writers take courses, workshops, go to conferences and writing groups. All of 
this is beneficial to our writing. But what should be incorporated more is feedback from editors.

Editors are the ones that we are trying to build relationships with. Editors are the key to getting publish. We study their publications and try to figure out if they would like us. We take chances and then feel confused when we deliver a piece that seems perfect for their taste, but then fails to deliver. 

I personally feel betrayed in a weird way. I feel like I invested so much time in a particular scenario for it to end up in failure. I don't want to be angry at myself so I take it out on a publication and editor who won't let me in on the secret.

My most reoccurring fault that I throw out there is that maybe they are pretentious. Maybe if it doesn't reek of the shadows of Whitman, Eliot, or Plath, that it's not poetry. 

Or I might say, "Oh they want the stereotype poet, you know the ones that speak in exclusively in metaphors and talks about the struggle and the beauty."

Occasionally, my thoughts even get a little racist, sexist, almost -ist there is. I think of every possible reason I could think of. This is all within a course of a hour after reading a rejection e-mail or at some point during the day. 

It's a vicious cycle. Because eventually you start to blame yourself. You think that your writing stinks and that you should quit while you're ahead, while you still have half a heart. 

This doesn't work either. Any writer with an ounce of passion will not stop writing. However, we will always be left with questions inside of our head. Getting feedback from other writers or workshops helps, but we will never get inside that editor's head. 

Recently, I have decided to go the self publishing route for my manuscripts (more on that this week), but I am taking my time because they are still under consideration at a couple of presses and contests. Yesterday morning, I got another rejection. Even though I have decided to take fate into my own hands, it still hurts when you get that "Sorry, but..." e-mail.

How does one get over this kind of rejection? How do you recover from the fall?

Well, these are just my methods. If it can help someone else, then some of this is worth it:

• Breathe - Don't forget to breathe. It hurts. I know it does. But take a deep breath and remember, it's not the end of the world (yes, cliche, but true).
• Allow yourself to feel it - it's okay to feel sad, angry, or hurt. Rejection isn't a good thing. Don't wallow in it though. Just take a little time and in your head, feel it and be angry, shout. Say how dare they! No one expects you to take rejection without feeling something.
• Do not vent in a public forum - it makes you seem like a sore loser. And if you are networking correctly, you may be connected to presses and zines via your social networks already who might see this and may not want to work with you. We all understand the struggle, but calling out individuals is not nice. They have their reasons and maybe in the future, another piece could be published by them. 
• Talk to someone - someone who really understands your writing or at least your passion for it. Getting feedback on a situation always helps. Sometimes, these ears will also be mouthpieces as to why you are great. Let them tell you and reinforce it. Your writing soul has a boo boo and it needs soothing.
• Go ahead, get some ice cream - it's okay to do something for comfort. As long as you are not putting yourself at risk or in debt, it's okay to get that ice cream cone.
• Get back to work - Go and edit that piece or start a new project. Do not wallow in the sadness of rejection. Let's get corny and say that you need to get back on the horse and try, try again! Use this as a motivation to become a stronger writer.

These little things help me and other writers I know, but it's different for everyone. You have to find the positive methods that work for you.

It hurts to fall off the the pedestal. Rejection is not pretty, but it is necessary. If we never got rejected, we would never find the right fit that could be waiting for us with the next submission or job some place else. Feel your rejection, comfort yourself, then move on. That's all any writer can do.

Oddly, writing about this has made my rejection sting a little less (See? Getting back to work helps!). We need to talk about these things so that the next generation of writers know that they are not alone on their journey. 

That's probably one of my biggest problems with being a writer. As I try to learn and grow, I find myself having to search long and hard for peers and mentors that I can connect with so that I know my experiences are normal and common. Writers can be such solitary creatures sometimes! But that can be for another post for another day.

Until next time my Writer Queeners, take care and keep grinding!

Hello My Wonderful Write Queeners,

I hope that the month of September has been treating you well so far. It's back to school for most and back to a regular routine at work for others (don't you miss your Summer allowances already working people?).

Today I have a very grand recommendation to make. I can't even say I recommend just her classes because Caits Meissner herself is a wonderful writer and person. This summer in July, I took a 30-Day intensive writing course called Digging Deep, Facing Self. You may have read many references to this course on my blog over the summer. If you haven't, you can catch up here.

Not only did I have the opportunity to push myself and write pieces I wouldn't have dreamed of writing at this point of my life, I've had the opportunity to work with Caits and a beautiful group of women. Caits is always supportive, creative, and inspiring. She gently pushes and always the mama bear with her wonderful daily messages throughout the course. One of the things I love about her is that she is not afraid to be herself, to make mistakes, and to hear us out despite being the head hancho of the course. Everyone needs the opportunity to work with this wonderful woman!

...Especially when she sets assignments up that lead to pushing you to be brave and speak to your literary heroes. If you are an active reader of this blog, then you know that for the particular assignment that I am talking about, that I ended up speaking with the poet Sonia Sanchez. It was an incredible experience that I carry with me during the rougher days of writing.

I thank Caits so much for being wise and giving us that assignment. If you want to read up on the experience, take a look at these two posts: Open Letter to Sonia Sanchez and The Write Journey: When The Light Shines Back.

The absolute conclusion of that experience came in the mail about two weeks ago. I've been so busy that I haven't had the chance to share, but take a look:

These are the kind of things Caits inspires you to do and the results that come about. I absolutely recommend that you take her courses or work with her in general. The next round of Digging Deep, Facing Self is now open for registration. If you register before September 15, you'll get an early bird special. She is also offering a FREE teleclass called Writing in Technicolor: Editing your poems to full vibrancy on October 1, 2013 at 8PM EST.

If you want to see what incredible writing comes out of this course, please check out the anthology from the July course (and yes I am in it - so a little bias, I'll admit it!). It's called A Thing Of Beauty Painted By Words and it's absolutely FREE and available online for your reading (and sharing) pleasure.

She also sends you awesomely wonderful gifts at the end of the course. I won't tell you what it is, but it's certainly a treasure!

So....what are you waiting for guys? Go sign up for one of Caits' classes today!

Until next time, my loves, be well and write!

I've been writing poems since before I had my first kiss. I was writing scriptures of how to wrap your tongue around a burst of sweetness before I even knew the recipe of enticing fingerprints on the edges of pens, bending over pages all hours of the night.

My teen years were spent over poems I barely knew the meaning of, collecting books of secrets that lit the way of my adult hours, reciting verses of future aches. It was second nature to express myself this way, to live under the guise of this life. My lips knew the path between heart and syllables. There was no question that this would always be a part of me. It was a question of how I was going to live this fate.

It is common to deviate to different paths from time to time. From caressing EQ knobs to flicking at camera shutters, I tasted the peel from every fruit in the basket. But I always went back to the poisonous apple, the ruby madness of traitorous juices dribbling down a thousand deaths, written in ink and lead. I've been Eve, Snow White, Helen of Troy, any women betrayed by sin of a coiled snake. One bite lead to another and now I'm here, a couple of thousand poems later, written under a pile of pleasure and pain.

Yet I still scrap along. I let the apple dangle dangerously low, watching slow drips of inspiration stretch heavily down to my mouth. I wait for the break. Tilt back for the arrival. My lungs open sharply as I feel the slam of the downpour. I still tremble when the perfect line creeps in. This rush is ancient, but it's all about the renewal of faith, right? 

I have to believe we will always find each other.

This is a lonesome battle, the constant need to write versus writing. There are days spent as a wall with eyes, seeing and unable to scream. Weeks upon weeks, actually. These are the times I want to give up. The days where I don't care about the rush and being knocked into breathlessness by the ability to bend worlds on my tongue. I could retire into the insistent echoes of the rat race. I can survive and say I was once a writer, but now I'm just...here.

But I can't. When the apple dangles closes to my lips, I know I will always do this. I was writing poems since before I had my first kiss. Just like you can't undo knowing what it's like to tremble at the first contact of lips, I can't undo knowing how to make the world tremble through the art of the written.

I can't lose my grip on this.

Then I am a love poet. Everything I write or share is going to be about love, and I'm not just talking about romantic love. Creatively, this is my lifelong study because when you combine the concept of love with its many shades and kinds with any form of art, it's breathtaking.

Personally, it's simple: If I love you, you'll know it. If I don't, you'll know it too. If I am in limbo, I still think you'll know it because I am transparent...and because I'm a love poet. I'm eventually going to write about you anyway.

Just remember, it's your choice where this goes. Doesn't matter to me because...

It's all about love.

Hello Write Queeners,

I am starting a new section of the blog called The Write Recommendations. This is where I'll recommend my favorite books, music, websites and more.

I have two websites that I would like to start off with.

The first one is World Liberty TV, an online TV network that covers events, conferences, and trade shows, plus reviews products. Their website was under hiatus for a bit while they were redesigning it, but now they are back and better than ever. Honestly I also recommend them not only for their great content, but because I am a copy editor, blogger, and book reviewer for them. So a little bias with this recommendation, but if you want to check out videos that showcase the world with a multicultural understanding, I highly recommend it! 

The next website I would like you guys to check out is Organic Melinda. I cannot write an intro that does Melinda Gonzalez justice, so I am going to take it right from her about page:

Now I am not a super health person. I eat a lot of things that aren't good for me. But as a part of trying to make my life a little healthier, I like to see my options. I connected with Melinda through a writing course that I also highly recommend. I started to read her blog and found out a lot about eating organically. Which is why I pre-order her new cookbook, coming out on September 4, 2013. It's called L.I.V².E. (Latin Inspired Vegan & Vegetarian Eats) Local & Organic Recipes to Encourage a Healthy Lifestyle. This book also features a recipe from a lovely young lady who has also taught me a few things through her own page, Miss Priscilla Deleon (the stuff she makes is food porn, just from looking at it, I swear).

As a Latina woman, I appreciate that there are recipes out there that cater to healthier eating without losing Latin flavor. I'm certainly glad that Melinda is using her knowledge to educate not only people within the culture, but anyone who enjoys food from Latin culture. Definitely puts a spin to Vegan/Vegetarian living. But hey, check out her site and order the book to find out for yourself. 

So you actually got two websites, a book, a couple of Facebook pages and a course that you can go and inquire more about. You'll always get a little more than what you bargained for when you check out a Write Recommendation.

Think The Write Recommendations is a good addition to the site? Leave a comment and let me know!