Location
El Paso, TX | Las Cruces, NM
Page 2
Richard Yanez: While much of the book is rooted in facts, I consider it a total work of fiction. What I mean is that while some instances (like the mudballs thrown at our house, my grandmother's demise in a nursing home) are true, the stories that grew out of them are a result of my creative energies. Still, the fictional stories, in many ways, are as significant to me as the factual events. Storytelling is one of my personal tools for understanding and healing in the real world.
I am not sure why, but I relate to Tony from "Amoroza Tires" more than other characters, even Ruly, who is a fictional me, from "Desert Vista" and "Sacred Heart." I spent a lot of time reflecting on Tony as a character. His story consumed me in so many ways. Mostly in the way that we have to be strong in the face of such obstacles. I continuously made his widower's life a challenge, and he kept coming back for more. He challenged me. He made me consider my own weaknesses and how I might survive from one day to the next.
Again, I'm going to pull a quote from the Desert Vista chapter. "You think faster than you can write", Mrs. Harris wrote on my paper. "Stay within the lines." What does "stay within the lines" mean to you today? Do you feel this hurts or helps student writers in junior high school?
Richard Yanez: "Stay within the lines" is how I would categorize most students' writing experiences. You know, the grammar and mechanics of writing as opposed to anything creative. I am sad for many students who are never allowed to fall in love with writing. Too many teachers, I feel, impose the rules of writing on their students because they have to prepare them for testing. Not enough students are encouraged to exercise freedom on the page. I am thankful for all my teachers who did allow me to be creative and express my truest feelings in journal assignments.
When did you first begin teaching? What subject were you teaching and where? How did your first day as a professor go? Was it an encouraging or discouraging experience?
Richard Yanez: I began teaching at the college level while I was a graduate student at NMSU. I taught freshmen composition courses. Later, at ASU, I did begin teaching creative writing classes for the first time. I remember being very excited about being in front of a class full of students. While I knew they were required to be in the composition class, I took it as an invitation to share my love for writing and reading. I must have been encouraged because I am seven years later still learning in front of students. Each day gives me more experience to build on. I look forward to each lesson students offer me.
Tell us about the cover art of El Paso del Norte. Was this solely a creation of Hal Marcus (www.halmarcus.com), or did you also provide input? If so, was this discussed after or before the book was written? Explain the importance behind the cover in terms of its relationship with the short stories inside the book.
Richard Yanez: Hal Marcus painted "Ave. Juarez" many years before my book was published. If you live in El Paso, you will have seen his paintings around town. He is very prolific and paints the people and landscape of El Paso in very unique ways. I originally thought his painting, "El Paso Gracias a Dios," might make a good cover. Sandy Crooms, who was the editor at the University of Nevada Press, really liked "Ave. Juarez," so that is the one they chose. I feel very fortunate to have this beautiful image on the cover of my first book. It is such a great protrait of El Paso - Juarez. I am drawn in as much by the colors as by the number of people in the image. Like a good short story, Marcus's painting is filled with sensory details: the songs of street musicians, the aroma of taquerias, the taste of aqua de melon...
Throughout the book, you have several references to music artists and groups including Led Zepplin, Bon Jovi and Santana. In case these didn't fall into the genre of music that you listened to, which artists did you really enjoy listening to between the age of 17 and 25? What do you like to listen to today? Have you purchased any cd's as of late? If so, which?
Richard Yanez: I must admit that I am a child of hard rock. In eighth grade, I saw the cover of Van Halen's first album and was struck by the strong sexiness of their poses. Even before I heard the LP, I knew there was something magical about rock music. And I still find Eddie Van Halen's guitar inspirational, a true genius with his instrument.
Since then, I have gone through cycles, usually on the side of classic rock (Jimi Hendrix, Pink Floyd) and some alternative rock (Nirvana, Rage Against the Machine). A few years ago, when I became disappointed in most of what the radio and MTV called rock music, I heard a tribute to Bill Monroe, the great bluegrass musician. I am not sure what happened, but I made a switch in what CD's I purchased. I began looking for any musicians who were more interested in language than in noise. These include songwriters like Bob Dylan (from mid-nineties on), Lucinda Williams (a true poet), and Johnny Cash. I think Cash's "Live from San Quentin" is better than many novels I have read. He was a true storyteller. I had mixed feelings about doing a reading in Nashville the week after he died in September. There will always be only one "Man in Black."
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