Panel of Latina Authors
At least three Latina authors discuss a variety of topics including growing up Latina, how we became writers and authors, the craft of writing, and our experiences in the publishing world. A highly informative and often entertaining group, we speak about intimate moments that forged our careers, our early inspirations, set backs in life and in the publishing industry and how we persevered to become published authors. We often read from our works as well and sign copies of books for sale. As a group we have spoken at many book stores, book festivals, and libraries throughout southern California. We have presented at middle schools, high schools, colleges, and universities. We work within all budgets, so please don't hesitate to contact me at jamie@jamiewood.com.

"El Camino College’s 2010 women’s history month program spotlighted rising Latina authors Sandra Lopez, Sarah Rafael Garcia, Lara Rios, and Jamie Martinez Wood. The authors’ presentations of their works was stimulating and demonstrated the vitality, diversity and variety of life stories of Latinas in our society."

Gloria Miranda, Dean of Behavioral and Social Sciences/Professor of History

"Sarah Rafael Garcia, Jamie Martinez Wood, and Sandra Lopez offer dynamic insights into the complexity of culture, identity, and gender and the craft of writing. Perhaps best of all, however, they engage you with humor and are a hit with youth and college students!"

Erualdo R. González, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Department of Chicana and Chicano Studies
California State University, Fullerton

"Recently the Fullerton Public Library hosted a Latina Author’s form with Sandra Lopez, Sarah Rafael Garcia and Jamie Martinez Wood. The three author’s were very inspiring and offered good advice for young and old about how to get into the writing profession. They all three shared their stories of how they became writers and several people in the audience spoke with the authors after about their lives and their writing. I would highly recommend the three for any program focused on art of writing."

Tim Mountain
Adult Services Division Manager
Fullerton Public Library

Title: Facing the Inner Critic
This classroom talk and discussion faces the dreaded inner critic and explores the persistence it takes to reach your goals, whether writing or otherwise. Jamie speaks frankly of her road into the publishing world and how she has conquered writers' block. We will discuss how to build upon strengths rather than spending time trying to fortify weaknesses.
Q & A time.

Title: Your Writer's Voice
During this classroom talk and discussion we will concentrate on organizing and outlining theories, creative writing techniques, and the benefits of journaling. We will review different methods to uncovering the unique voice that creates strong writers.
Q & A time.

My sixth grade teacher, Ms. Kneece is still my friend. On Facebook and all! Recently I have found myself in a lot of conversations about creativity and pressure in schools. I love Miss K because she was tough on us, but believed in us, too. She was a fabulous teacher. When testing became more important than teaching, she retired. But not before getting in a last word - this poem, which I hope you enjoy and will inspire you in some way.

ODE TO THE CHILDREN

Come in children, you’re welcome here
We’re going to have a wonderful year
Just one pre test before we start
And perhaps just a few more before we part
We need to evaluate you all you see
So please pay lots of attention to me
I’ll try to teach you a bit here and there
But testing’s important-please be fair
I need grades for your report cards, four in all
So we may as well start testing in the fall
Get your erasers out and your pencil holder
I need lots of scores for your assessment folder
We have the Cat, the Sat and don’t forget the Star
We have to see if you’re up to par
Can you circle, can you bubble, can you fill in the blank?
Remember one day you’ll have me to thank
When you go on to college or is it middle school?
Your scores will show that you’re no fool
I know that reading The Cay was such a waste
And we should have gotten rid of Art Masters-with all that cut and paste
The debates, the poetry and the music too
Should all have been thrown out just for you
We only tried to do our best
But NONE of those things were on the test!
Just when you started to learn the most
We had to remember to start the “post”
How would we figure out what you knew
If we didn’t test you the way we do
Sit down children---and please stay awake
After 3 test booklets I’ll give you a break
Now see wasn’t that a lot of fun?
Hey, it’s summer, you’re testing is done
But students, before you go
I have a secret that you should know
It may not be right, It could be a sin
But I’ll bet in September, it will all start again
So good luck class, I’ll miss you a lot
Remember I’m the one who taught you to fill in the dot
I remember my teachers and my bottle of ink
They spent all of their time trying to get us to THINK
When all they had to do to make us the best
Is learn to remember to “Teach to the Test”
Some of here will be gone in September
But we want you to know that we’ll always remember
That even though we may be out of reach
We look back with fondness at the time we did teach
Now brighter minds make decisions, I know they’ll prevail
It will never occur to them that our children may fail
For testing is important and assessment is fine
But PLEASE educators, we’ve crossed the line
I know as I write this I’m being a pest
But PLEASE start to teach-not only to test
Our children will thank you for your time and your trouble
When school is for learning---not just filling the bubble!!!

Learning is most relevant when students are allowed to become co-creators in the process. Gail Brower-Nedler, the drama teacher at Newport Harbor High School in Newport Beach, California, and I found a way to engage the students in a lesson that taught story development, characterization and plot by adapting a book into a play. The organic nature of this creative process allowed the students to manipulate dialog and scenes, while maintaining adherence to the core of the story. The students learned to assume responsibility, problem solve, think critically and take risks.

We worked with my young adult novel, Rogelia's House of Magic, a coming of age book about three Latina teens learning about friendship and magic under the guidance of a curandera (spiritual healer). I edited the book into the play format and brought to class two to four scenes at a time. As the students read the script, the actors and audience collectively decided what needed to be cut, reworded or added. At first the kids were tentative about making changes to the script, but became increasingly empowered as we encouraged their suggestions and ownership. As the author, I maintained final editing vote, depending on what needed to stay as an essential part of the plot.

Hilary, a junior, stepped up to be the student director and cast the kids into their roles. Whereas this story features four Latina main characters, this school mainly has a population of Caucasian students, with a growing number of Hispanic students. One girl, a new transfer student who hadn't volunteered for any roles, asked to be in this play. She was Latina and felt this story really spoke to her and so overcame her shyness to step into a strong character that celebrated her heritage.

Over the next several weeks, I visited the class and watched their progress with the play, which took longer than we all thought. With the flexibility established from the beginning, we altered our course and created what would be Act One, approximately eight chapters.

Students filmed the final project. One of my favorite parts was when the four students who dressed in the colors that coincided with each direction. Hilary had written a prologue that set the tone of the play, in which the four directions introduced themselves, their corresponding element (air, fire, water, earth) and colors, and their powers. One girl, who at first didn't really seem to be into the play at all, insisted she was standing in the wrong direction. She was right and so we made sure everyone moved into their proper positions.

When the editing is complete, we'll have Act One on film. My intention is to work with other classes to create Act Two and Three and someday have an entire play from start to finish, created by the students for the students. For me this experience went beyond my expectations, in the organic, empowering way it awakened creativity, tolerance, and pride of ownership for all who were involved.

Rogelia's House of Magic can be used in classrooms for theatre adaptation.

"It is a rare opportunity for high school students to work with a published author. Jamie Martinez Wood originally contacted the theatre department at Newport Harbor High School for the purpose of casting an actress for her on-line Rogelia's House of Magic book trailer. During the audition process, it was obvious that our students were intrigued by the novel and eager to be involved in any way possible with the process. The idea of providing a "workshop" experience where our high school students could participate in creating a script and theatrical version of Rogelia's House of Magic was born. Over the course of three months, students in beginning drama were able to participate in meaningful dialogue with Jamie Martinez Wood which allowed them to write, direct and act out a segment of the novel. The process of moving from page to stage was especially meaningful because our students had access to the "soul" of the novel--it's delightful author. By virtue of allowing young artists to add their voices to her work, Jamie encouraged the beginning drama students at Newport Harbor High School to see the connection between art and life. Her generous spirit opened avenues of communication and encouraged collaboration in our classroom setting. While she could easily have "told" the students what to include in the performance, Jamie opened her heart and mind to the ideas of high school teens--allowing them to grow as writers, actors and artists. I believe that the students involved will never forget this incredible learning experience."

Gail Brower-Nedler
Theatre Educator
Newport Harbor High School