As some of you may recall, before leaving Las Vegas I donated the notes and memorabilia from my first two books to UNLV’s Special Collections. They’ve sorted through the boxes and made the contents available to the public. Here’s a write-up on the collection, along with a few pics.
Results for Category: Uncategorized
Book update
I finished the third (and perhaps final) draft of the tunnel survivors book. It’s a little more than 80,000 words. It could probably be trimmed a bit more, a few things shifted around, etc., but I’m pretty satisfied with this version.
The options now seem to be to let it sit for a bit and take one more whack at it or to pitch it immediately to agents and publishers. I’m leaning toward pitching it immediately, as I think I’ve done all I can with it (at least for now, without feedback from an editor or agent).
If you have thoughts on this, please share them. Also, if you know an agent or publisher that may be interested in survival stories from the Las Vegas storm drains, which bust myths and paint a larger picture of homelessness in America, let me know. (I may also reach out to some of you individually for advice.)
Thanks in advance!
Salud, El Salvador!
I’m at the airport in San Salvador, preparing to vacation in the States after a year of teaching in Central America. I can’t recall a year in which I’ve learned and been challenged more: a new job, culture, language, lifestyle, relationships. At times, I traveled so far out of my comfort zone I couldn’t remember its coordinates, which, of course, was part of the idea.
Salud, El Salvador, to an amazing primer año! I’m already anticipating the second one!
Vegas, baby!
Yet another Vegas paradox: that you can be so anxious to visit a place you don’t really like that much.
Book update
I finished and printed out a second draft of the tunnel survivors book. It’s solid, I think, and around 90,000 words, which is close to its “fighting weight.”
I’m in the process of editing the hard copy. I hope to finish the book in the next week or two and then start shopping it around. #ShineALight #TwoCopsAndACricket
Summer plans
I’ve solidified my itinerary for the summer: Las Vegas (June 18-23), Atlanta (June 23-July 1) and Ambergris Caye, Belize (for the month of July). (I’ll return to San Salvador around August 1.) Let’s get drinks, play blackjack, practice Spanish, workshop over coffee or tea, do outreach in the drains, go on a run or hike, play team trivia, snorkel or something!
PS- When you live behind towering, razor wire-topped walls guarded by vigilantes with guns, posting information like this isn’t a concern.
Book update
I’d planned to edit the first two chapters of the first draft of Two Cops and a Cricket: Surviving the Las Vegas Storm Drains, then use them as the sample in a book proposal and to apply for grants and fellowships. However, the first two chapters aren’t really representative of the book and I’m in a groove, so I think I’m going to finish a solid second draft and go from there. I’m almost halfway through the draft, and it’s now under 100,000 words, and I should be able to finish it in the next month or so.
As always, I’ll keep you updated. #TwoCopsAndACricket #ShineALight
Voice of America
Voice of America followed Shine a Light’s Paul Vautrinot into the tunnels. This short video will give you some insight into what life is like in the drains and what Shine a Light does, while also touching on Paul’s remarkable story.
https://www.voanews.com/a/las-vegas-homeless-find-homes-citys-drainage-tunnels/4259123.html
Book update
As promised, an update on Two Cops and a Cricket: Surviving the Las Vegas Storm Drains. I’ve finished the first draft of the book. It’s 107,000 words. My task now, begun this morning, is to edit and streamline the first two chapters and make them more narrative and cohesive. I then plan to use them as the sample in a book proposal and to apply for grants and fellowships.
I will continue to keep you updated. Thanks again for your support of me, this book project and Shine a Light! #TwoCopsAndACricket #ShineALight
Reflections
“I loved Las Vegas. I wouldn’t trade those years for the world. I was a big kid—still am—in an adult playground. The tunnels were just a resting place. I never felt weird or guilty when I stayed or hung out in them, because I didn’t have any responsibilities. I didn’t have anyone to take care of or to worry about. I stayed in them till I didn’t need to anymore. I was always in and out of places. When you’re doing drugs and gambling you’re a prince one day and a pauper the next.”—Zero, in the drains from 2009-2011 #ShineALight #TwoCopsAndACricket