Writer tells kids daydreaming not a bad thing

May 7, 2007

Writing, editing 'like a car you keep polishing until it really shines'

Reprinted from the Daily Gazette , March 28, 2007

By Matt Volke

SARATOGA SPRINGS–Sandra Cisneros wrinkled up her nose and held out a stiff arm with outstretched fingers Saturday as she described putting on an old, filthy, red sweater that smelled like cottage cheese.

The children in the Lake Avenue Elementary School auditorium were fixed on the author Saturday morning as she read a short story, part of the weekend-long culminating "Saratoga Reads" festivities, which conclude today.

The story she read, "Eleven," is partly based on experience Cisneros had as a child. The character in the story is forced by a teacher to wear a sweater that had been left behind in the cloak room for weeks.

Cisneros, a Chicago native, was in town for communitywide reading program festivities to recite from her works and talk about her approach to writing. Cisneros was also scheduled to participate in an adult session focusing on her novel "Caramelo." She told her audience, largely made of children, that daydreaming isn't a bad thing, and writing takes work.

Cisneros said she can write a little more than a page a day, which she then edits over and over again.

"It's like a car you keep polishing until it really shines," she said.

She admitted she was not a good student when she started writing at the age of 11. Her classes had 40 students, and her attention would drift off.

"Nobody told me being a daydreamer is just what you need to be a writer," she said.

Cisneros said she tries to wake up and go directly to her desk to write.

"I try to get from my night dreams to my day dreams," she said.

Cisneros has written a variety of books, many for children like "HairsPelitos." She took time to chat with children and sign their books.

Marlena Zygaldo, of Saratoga Springs, said she's a big fan of Cisneros and is reading her book "The House on Mango Street." Author Sandra Cisneros, speaks at Lake Avenue Elementary School in Saratoga Springs Saturday.

"I am 11, and I can really relate to it," she said. "I like how she can really relate to life. I like how her characters aren't perfect. They have flaws."

Her stepfather, Paul Mastrodonato, said he was glad to have the reading program.

"We have to turn off the cartoons and come to something like this," he said. "They easily could have been watching TV this morning."

Cisneros has earned several awards for her work, including the MacArthur Foundation Fellowship, Texas Medal of the Arts Award, two honorary doctorates, and two National Endowment of the Arts Fellowships for fiction and poetry.

Saratoga Reads is now an annual event that centers on the communitywide reading of a single book, one compelling enough to inspire lively conversation and diverse educational and cultural activities.

Cisneros' book "Caramelo" was chosen, and she was scheduled to read excerpts Saturday evening at Skidmore College.

The community votes on a book that must be a novel written in English, readily available—preferably in paperback—and capable of stimulating lively discussion and creative programming by interested individuals, groups and organizations.

Today's Saratoga Reads events include: Chico's clothing store on Broadway will donate 10 percent of sales to Saratoga Reads.

From 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at The Mexican Connection, 41 Nelson Ave., there will be Latin jazz and salsa.

The Saratoga Film Forum presents Mexican munchies and a movie featuring "Quinceañera." There is a $10 fee.

Food will be served from 6:30 p.m. and the movie will start at 7 p.m. "Quinceañera" won both audience and jury awards at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival.