Daniel Olivas: The original
manuscript that I submitted to SDSU Press not only included essays and
interviews but also several short stories including one with that title.
Because I liked the title of that short story so much, I decided to make it the
title of the book. When I met with Harry Polkinhorn and William Nericcio to
discuss my project, they said they liked the manuscript but that the press did
not publish fiction. So, I removed the short stories but kept the title because
it spoke to an issue—in an ironic manner—that I see with the coverage of
Latino/a literature: the mainstream press doesn’t give it enough even as
academia has moved towards recognizing such literature in ways that I didn’t
see back in college back in the late 1970s. Since several of the interviews
have already been relied upon in academic circles (i.e., scholarly books on
Latino/a literature, Ph.D. dissertations, etc.), I thought that bringing them
together in one volume along with my essays might be useful. I want to note
that the stunning cover art is by Perry Vasquez, a San Diego artist and
educator who was a classmate of mine at Stanford and who worked with me when I
was the art director of the Chaparral,
Stanford’s humor magazine. I think his art conveys the broad spectrum of topics
covered by my essays and author interviews.
Interviewer: How was the
process in the making of this book different from previous books you’ve
published? What sparked the idea of it?
Daniel Olivas: My previous
six books were works of fiction so this was a departure for me—I never thought
that I’d publish a non-fiction book. Yes, it’s true that I’ve been writing
essays and interviewing authors for many years, but I never thought that I’d
have so much material for a whole book. And when I learned that my coverage of
Latino/a writers was being relied upon by professors and students alike, the
idea for this project began to evolve.
Interviewer: In the
introduction, you mention a reoccurring question in the background of your
essays: what does it mean to be a Chicano writer? Is this a question you
continue to ask yourself?
Daniel Olivas: In a sense,
yes. I am always delighted when Chicano and Chicana students attend my readings
and then come up afterwards to discuss fiction. There is this beautiful
connection based on some common cultural touchstones. And I am always thrilled
when they say that they are inspired to become writers themselves. Yet, in the
back of my mind as I’m having these interactions, I wonder if I have any
responsibilities as a Chicano writer. In the end, I think that my primary responsibility
is to be honest to my art and the representation of all people in my fiction,
essays and poetry. I also have a responsibility to be a mentor to those who
wish to express themselves through literature and to promote worthwhile books
especially those written by Latino/a writers.
Interviewer: Looking back
through all the interviews you included in this book, what is a reoccurring
message or experience that seems to connect all these writers that have been
successful in publishing Latino/a literature? Is there anything in an interview
that stands out the most and has helped your writing journey?
Daniel Olivas: None of the
writers I interviewed ever gave up the dream of publishing even when faced with
a society and publishing industry that is not always very understanding or hospitable
to Latino/a literature. That kind of bravery is so incredibly inspiring to me.
I would be hard pressed to choose one interview that stands out because, as
readers of this book will learn, each of the 28 writers offers some kind of
important insight on writing and culture. I think taken together, we can only
be heartened by the eloquence and energy these writers.
For more information on the author, visit his website at: http://www.danielolivas.com/
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