Peeking Between the Pages

...escape into the pages of a good book

Guest Post & Giveaway with Belinda Acosta, author of Damas, Dramas, and Ana Ruiz

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I am very pleased to have Belinda Acosta, author of Damas, Dramas, and Ana Ruiz to Peeking Between the Pages today. I read her novel for her blog tour and really enjoyed it. You’re welcome to take a peek at my review here. I asked Belinda what her inspiration for writing Damas, Dramas, and Ana Ruiz was and this is what she had to share with us…

When I was contacted about writing a series on quinceañeras I had just reviewed Julia Alvarez’s nonfiction book, Once Upon a Quinceañera for The Austin Chronicle. So, the subject was in high on my radar.

What intrigued me about the subject was similar to what intrigued Alvarez: What does it mean to be a woman today? Is there something about the Latina experience that is unique? Why have a ritual to mark this “passage”? Where did the tradition stem from? And on and on and on.

I find it amusing that I did not have a quinceañera, I had never been to one prior to writing this book, and I don’t have any children. I do know, from first hand experience, how complicated the relationship between mothers and daughters can be.

Part of what makes Damas, Dramas, and Ana Ruiz stand out is that it focuses on that relationship—the good, the bad, and hopefully, with honesty and candor. In short, I drafted an outline and once it was approved, I began writing.

About the Book

All Ana Ruiz wanted was to have a traditional quinceañera for her daughter, Carmen. She wanted a nice way to mark this milestone year in her daughter’s life. But Carmen was not interested in celebrating. Hurt and bitter over her father Esteban’s departure, she blamed Ana for destroying their happy family, as did everyone else. A good man is hard to find, especially at your age Ana was told. Why not forgive his one indiscretion? Despite everything, Ana didn’t want to tarnish Carmen’s childlike devotion to her beloved father. But Ana knows that growing up sometimes means facing hard truths. In the end, Ana discovers that if she’s going to teach Carmen anything about what it means to be a woman, it will take more than simply a fancy party to do it…

About the Author

Belinda Acosta has written and published plays, short stories, and essays. As a journalist, her work has appeared in the Austin American-Statesman, The Austin Chronicle, the San Antonio Express-News, The San Antonio Current, and AlterNet. Her short story Tortilla Dough appeared in Saguaro, a publication of the University of Arizona in 1992. In 1993, she produced, directed and performed in a multi-media dance-theater performance of La Llorona. National exposure came in 1995 when she read her personal essay Gran Baile, on Latino USA – the Radio Journal of News and Culture, carried on National Public Radio.

Acosta received a Master of Fine Arts in Writing from The University of Texas in 1997. She lives in Austin, Texas and is the TV and media columnist for The Austin Chronicle.

Be sure to visit Belinda Acosta’s website here and join her Facebook Fan Group here.
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Belinda, thanks so much for joining us at Peeking Between the Pages today and sharing some your thoughts with us. I can’t wait to read Sisters, Strangers, and Starting Over!
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GIVEAWAY DETAILS

I’ve got 3 copies of Damas, Dramas, and Ana Ruiz by Belinda Acosta to share with my readers. What do you need to do to enter…

  • For 1 entry leave me a comment with a way to contact you.
  • For 2 entries follow my blog. If you do let me know and the extra entry is yours.
  • For 3 entries blog or tweet this giveaway to spread the word.

This giveaway is open to US & Canadian residents only (no PO boxes) and I will draw for the winners on Sunday, August 30, 2009. Good luck everyone!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Hey Dar! Just wanted to say I Was here 🙂 Don't enter me for this one though.. and I love the profile pic change! Love your dog!

  3. Wow, I find it interesting that Belinda didn't have a quinceañera herself. I feel kind of bad for her! I would love a chance to win this one.

    I am also a follower.

    joannelong74 AT gmail DOT com

  4. #2's Spanish teacher just explained what a quinceanera was. Hard word to say!

    No need to enter me. I am dropping in to say thanks for the e-mail. I've got this posted at Win a Book.

  6. After your review, I want to read this one. Please enter me! milou2ster(at)gmail.com
    +1 I subscribe in Google Reader

  11. Looks like a good book, please enter me into this drawing.

    I'm also a follower via Blogger.

    Thanks for hosting this giveaway.
    jake.lsewhere[at]gmail.com

  20. I would like to be entered for this giveaway. This book looks interesting.
    linn.hsu (at) gmail (dot) com

    +1 already a follower

  29. I would love to be entered. This sounds like a great book.

    I subscribe with Feed Demon, if that counts.

    carolsnotebook at yahoo dot com

  31. I forgot to mention that I'm a follower thanks.
    unforgetable_dreamer_always(at)hotmail.com

  37. I loved this book!

    I raved about it so much that my sister-in-law has taken my copy.

    +1 Is it possible to sign up for the contest for my mother? I know that she'd love this.

    +2 I'm a follower
    +3 I've posted about the contest on my blog – under the review and Q&A with Belinda Acosta.

    http://startingfresh-gaby317.blogspot.com/2009/08/book-review-damas-dramas-and-ana-ruiz.html

    AND

    http://startingfresh-gaby317.blogspot.com/2009/08/damas-dramas-and-ana-ruiz-quinceanera.html

    I'm listing this in my sidebar too.

    http://startingfresh-gaby317.blogspot.com

    Thanks!

    gaby317nyc AT gmail DOT com

  40. Please include me in your giveaway

    +2 I follow your blog

    Canadian Contests, Freebies, Coupons, Deals, Games and Chat – join us at CoolCanucks.ca

    bluebelle0367(at)hotmail(dot)com

  43. I might not have picked up this book if I hadn't read your review. Thanks! I'd love to win it. I also just signed up for your blog.

  44. Please enter me to win a copy of Damas, Dramas and Ana Ruiz! This book sounds fascinating. Thank you for the chance!
    knittingmomof3 (AT) gmail (DOT) com

  50. I would love to win this book please enter me in your giveaway.

    I am a follower.

    budletsmom at yahoo dot com

  52. I would really like to read this book. Please enter me. Thanks!

    ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

  55. Sounds like a great book. Thanks for the chance to win!
    ruthann (dot) francis (at) gmail (dot) com

  59. I've heard a lot about this book lately. I'd enjoy reading it. Thanks for this giveaway and please count me in.

    chinook92(at)gmail(dot)com