Book Review Tuesday: Trejo: My Life of Crime, Redemption, and Hollywood by Danny Trejo; with Donal Logue

I was very excited to find a copy of this book at Barnes & Noble while I was on vacation this past summer. When I heard about it, it automatically was on top of my to-read list for 2021. Here’s my quick review of Trejo: My Life of Crime, Redemption, and Hollywood:

Trejo: My Life of Crime, Redemption, and Hollywood is an absolute must-read. Even if you’re not a fan of Danny Trejo’s work as an actor, his life story is an inspirational journey that everyone can learn from. Trejo has literally been to the depths of hell and back. His struggles with addiction, his multiple stints in prison, and the issues he faced from both situations evolved into one of the greatest human success stories.

I’m a huge fan of Danny Trejo. He was terrifying in Con Air, was excellent in Machete, hilarious in commercials, and honest in interviews. He’s the real deal, a man who isn’t ashamed of his past and is willing to help others overcome their problems and find success in their own lives. 

I highly, highly recommend Trejo: My Life of Crime, Redemption, and Hollywood. It’s a quick read, but definitely a memorable one.

Check out an interview Trejo did about the book below:

What did you think of Trejo: My Life of Crime, Redemption, and Hollywood? Leave a comment and let me know!

Writer’s Workshop Wednesday: Maya Angelou

A powerful and iconic voice in American literature and poetry, Maya Angelou’s life and her works have mesmerized and empowered generations of people worldwide. Her resonant poems and her series of autobiographical works give us insight into who Angelou is. Her struggles and how she overcame adversity and racism to become the strong African-American woman she’s known as today continue to empower those who learn about her.

Most people have heard of her first autobiographical work, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. Others are familiar with her powerful poem, “On the Pulse of Morning,” which she read at former President Bill Clinton’s inauguration in 1993. Angelou has authored eight autobiographical books, fifteen books of poetry, two cookbooks, seven children’s books, several personal essays, and numerous writing credits in film, TV, and theatre.  

Sadly, Maya Angelou passed away in 2014. Still, her legacy as a writer, poet, and speaker continues to impact and influence the lives of those who encounter her works and her words. Her voice is forever a part of American literature.

Learn more about Maya Angelou HERE.

Below are several interviews with Angelou over the years discussing her works, her life, her activism, and her writing.

Enjoy!

Check back next week for another great author!

Are You a Writer Who Reads?

I love to read. If I see a book I think I would enjoy, I either buy it or add it to my wish list. My coworker buys me books for my birthday and Christmas. If there’s a topic I want to learn more about, I don’t Google it; I try and find a book about the topic instead.  Reading has always played a significant role in my life and my education post-school, and it’s an activity that I enjoy.

One of my favorite authors, Stephen King, has said: “If you don’t have time to read, you don’t have the time (or the tools) to write. Simple as that.” I have a feeling King knows what he’s talking about.

If you’re a writer, I encourage you to take the time to read.  Not books about writing, which I’ll talk about next week, but a wide variety of fiction and non-fiction books.  

Read Outside Your Genre

If you are an author who writes primarily in a specific genre – Young Adult, Romance, Thriller, Mystery, etc. – I encourage you to read novels that aren’t from your chosen realm. While it’s essential to know and understand your genre’s tropes, themes, and other elements, it’s equally important to see how different genres work within their various story conventions to see what you can learn. You can often glean some new bit of story structure or character development idea from a novel outside your chosen area of expertise.

Read Different Authors 

We often get comfy with a couple authors we enjoy and stick with them. Dare to pick authors you may not be familiar with and read their works as well.  Your favorite author isn’t going anywhere.  

Read Books from Other Decades

We are creatures of habit. Most of the time, if it’s a book that’s a current best-seller, or one on display at Target, it’s the book we grab to read. However, it’s also important to delve into the past and read authors whose work lives long after their passing. The classics have inspired authors for generations, and by looking at these works, you can learn new aspects of storytelling that you can possibly apply to your work.

Read History, Autobiographies, and Biographies

The real world can offer up some great story ideas, and you can learn a thing or two along the way. Real human beings, human behavior, and human drama can sometimes be more engaging and fascinating than fiction, and these types of books can give you a fresh perspective on topics you think you know about.

Read to Learn

As you read, observe how the author crafts their chapters, characters, and story arcs.  Look at how they format certain things.  For example, I’ve seen text messaging and phone calls formatted in many different ways in novels, depending on the author. 

If you found yourself up until 3 in the morning not wanting to put the books down, ask yourself why? What was it about the story, the characters, or the pacing that made you have to keep reading?  These are elements you can analyze and apply to your work as well.  

Always Go with Variety

If you’ve plotted out your 2021 reading list, consider adding books and authors you usually wouldn’t read. Maybe an author whose work you don’t enjoy, or one whose opinions bother you. Look at them less as annoying reading assignments and more like learning opportunities. Each book you open can inform your own writing methodology and how you create your worlds and story.  

And all you need to do is turn to Chapter One and start reading.

As a writer, how do you decide what books to read?  Leave a comment and let me know!