Posted by Kathleen Pooler/@kathypooler
” The history of every country begins in the heart of a man or woman.” Willa Cather
I am very pleased to feature Memoir Author Lorenzo Martinez in this interview about his upcoming memoir. The working title is “From Cuba to Freedom.” Lorenzo and I met on The National Association of Memoir Writer’s Facebook members only group.
I am fascinated by his story of a young boy leaving his homeland as part of Operation Pedro Pan, 1960-1962. Lorenzo has a varied and rich background to share with us today, including musical contributions to the Captain Kangaroo TV show. That certainly takes me back in time.
Welcome, Lorenzo!
KP: Your memoir deals with your participation in Operation Pedro Pan, a program that helped Cuban minors come to the United States without their parents between 1960 and 1962. In researching Operation Pedro Pan, I learned that it was created by The Catholic Welfare Bureau at the request of Cuban parents to provide an opportunity for them to send their children to Miami to avoid Marxist-Leninist indoctrination. The history itself is fascinating. What made you decide to write a memoir about it?
LM This was a defining moment in my life. It turned my life upside down but opened up many opportunities for me as well. Everything I am today sprung from that experience. I always knew that someday I would write about it. We were getting close to the fiftieth anniversary of the Pedro Pan program, a historic moment that I had been a part of. I realized that it was now or never.
KP: I am envisioning how difficult it must have been for both the parents and the children to leave each other. There must be many stories related to this historical event. Tell us a little about your memoir and how you decided on what stories to tell. What is your main theme?
LM: The Pedro Pan children came to this country believing their separation from their families would be a short one. Our “job” was to apply for our parents’ visas and to bring them over until we could return to Cuba together. It was a common belief that “Fidel would not last long.” The Cuban Missile Crisis, however, changed everything. Our parents were stuck in Cuba. Would we ever see them again? Some Pedro Pans never did. I decided to write about the period of waiting for my parents to join me, which took many years. Many years of crying for Cuba. Many years of shattered dreams. Many years of trying to find my way. Of learning who I was. Those struggles defined the theme of my book: “accepting your past before creating your future.”
KP: What impact has writing your memoir had on you? In particular, how did you get through writing about the difficult parts, such as leaving your parents or adjusting to foreign country?
LM: It was an emotional experience. By the time I started writing about it, my parents had both died. Writing brought all the heartaches of that separation to the fore, a separation that their death made so final. There were many nights of writing through the tears. And thinking I would never be able to get through it. Reliving those moments, however, made me realize how strong I was during the time I was writing about, and how that same strength helped me at other times in my life.
KP: Your credentials include musician , composer, author of children’s books, overseeing communication and marketing for an international organizations in education, health and the arts. How have these roles prepared you for writing your memoir?
LM: it’s been said if you want to be a writer, you have to “live life.” Everything I did, prepared me for writing my memoir. Music is very much a part of my memoir, because I had left a promising future in Cuba as a pianist and this is sprinkled throughout my manuscript. I gave up a music scholarship and performances that were already scheduled when I came to this country. Having books of children’s songs published by traditional music publishers gave me experience with agents and traditional publishing that has been invaluable in working with my agent now and pursuing the traditional publishing route for my memoir. Overseeing communication and marketing departments for various international organizations has prepared me to deal with the new world of publishing in which an author has to be involved in his own marketing and publicity.
KP: You are currently working with an agent who has been submitting your manuscript to editors since September, 2012. You mentioned that you have received positive feedback but no tangible deals yet. Have you considered other publishing options, such as self-publishing?
LM: I am going the traditional way for now, particularly since so much of the feedback has been positive. Because of my experience with traditional music publishing, I’ve decided to continue along this path. Self-publishing is still an option, and I will consider it once all the traditional avenues have been exhausted.
KP: What memoir writing and publishing tips would you like to share for those of us in various stages of memoir writing?
LM: Never give up. There will be times when you wonder what you’re doing. And why. That’s the time to ignore the negative voice and keep writing. I used to trick myself saying, “You don’t have to finish this book, just finish this one paragraph, or this one section, then you can quit.” Of course, I never gave up. I believe it is important to have feedback from people you trust. Their feedback is crucial during various stages of writing. The most important thing, however, is that you trust yourself and allow yourself the doubts that will creep in along the way. Eventually, you’ll find yourself crossing the “finish line.”
KP: Thank you for sharing your heartfelt story with us, Lorenzo. You have shown us how facing the pain of the past can help us become strengthened for the future. I anxiously await the publication of your memoir and I’m sure I’m not alone in that feeling.
Author’s Bio:
Born in Cuba, Lorenzo Pablo Martinez was part of Operation Pedro Pan, a secretive mass exodus of children fleeing the Castro regime that landed in America between 1960 and 1962. He holds a master’s in piano performance from the Manhattan School of Music and a doctorate in music education from Teachers College, Columbia University. As a pianist, he has appeared in recitals and on radio and television. Also a prolific composer, his music has been performed nationally and at international festivals. The television show Captain Kangaroo featured some of his works, and for Group Soup, a children’s book published by Viking, he contributed the title song. In addition, a book of his children’s songs, The Circus was published by Clarus Music Ltd.
Mr. Martinez has published a children’s story, The Ballerina and the Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich, and has recently completed a memoir of his Pedro Pan experience that is awaiting publication; he’s currently working on a series of bilingual stories for children and a Young Adult mystery novel.
He can be contacted at:
(blog): www.lorenzo-martinez.com
(Email): fadoremi2003@yahoo.com
(Facebook): Lorenzo Martinez
(Twitter): @lmpartin
How about you? Has your story ever involved making history?
Lorenzo will give away a free copy of his children’s book, “The Ballerina and the Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich” to a random commenter.
We’d love to hear from you . Please leave your comments below~
Announcement: Congratulations to Paula! Your name was selected in a random drawing to receive a free copy of Linda Joy Myers’ memoir, Don’t Call Me Mother: A Daughter’s Journey From Abandonment to Forgiveness.”
This Week: I am also over at Lorenzo’s blog with a guest post, ” Defining Moment: Where Will Your Memoir Begin?”
Next Week: “Finding My Hope in Philly: A Memoir Moment”
Hello Kathy and Lorenzo, Mr. Martinez,
Our paths cross again. How lovely. I feel part of a his/herstory that has yet to be identified. There are stories to be told. I’m learning how to do that now. I would like to invite All LGBTQ to write memoir. The memoir are invaluable. A window to the essence of our being.
I love your interviews and so does Flo.
Take care,
Jan
Hi Jan, So nice to see you here. I appreciate your comments, especially “memoir is a window to the essence of our being.” I’m happy you and Flo are enjoying the interviews. I find Lorenzo’s story to be fascinating. Thanks so much for stopping by.
Jan your statement that a memoir is a window to the essence of our being is so profound and elegantly stated. Thanks for the insight and your encouragement.
“Trust yourself;” the best advice from and for an artist. A fascinating interview, Kathy, thanks for sharing Lorenzo’s story. And all the best in your publishing endeavors, Lorenzo!
I appreciate your comments, Terre. I agree, Lorenzo’s story is so intriguing and I find myself wondering how all those children and their parents endured such heartbreak. Lorenzo’s story will be very enlightening and I am looking forward to reading his memoir. Thanks for stopping by.
Terre,
Thanks for your support.
Fascinating story and interview, Lorenzo. Best wishes!
Susan Bernhardt
http://www.susanbernhardt.com
Welcome, Susan and thank you for your comment. I’m happy you enjoyed Lorenzo’s interview and agree, he has a fascinating story to tell.
Incredible interview of a fascinating man. I had never heard of Operation Pedro Pan. I can’t wait to read Lorenzo’s story. I am intrigued about finding out how he ties his passion for music into his writing. I am also uplifted by his advice for aspiring writers – to “trust yourself, ignore the negative voice and keep writing!”
I’m with you, Pat. This interview leaves me wanting to know more. I’d love to hear Lorenzo’s response to how he ties his passion for music into his writing,too. His was a brave story to write and the lessons he shares about the memoir writing process are priceless. Yes, “trust yourself” We can never hear that too much. Thanks so much, as always, for stopping by and sharing your thoughts.
Pat, thanks for your inspiring words.
Kathy, thank you for introducing us to Lorenzo.
Lorenzo, thank you for sharing your story. How difficult it must have been — both for the children and their parents — being separated indefinitely. I especially like your advice to “ignore the negative voice and keep writing.”
Debbie, It’s my pleasure to feature Lorenzo in this gripping story of a little boy having to leave his parents at such a young age. What a brave story to relive and write about. I agree, we can never hear “ignore the negative voice and keep writing ” enough. Thanks , as always for stopping by and sharing.
Debbie, you’re right. The time I write abou was as dificult for the parents as it was for the children. Hope you’ll read the memoir when it comes out.
Thanks Kathy for this insightful interview. I love Lorenzo’s advice to never give up. I feel like we are of the same mind on that one.
Lorenzo, I wish you much luck in getting your book published. I held out and went the traditional way, and I couldn’t be happier.
All best.
Thanks, Madeline. I agree, we all can use a reminder to not give up now and then! Glad you enjoyed Lorenzo’s interview. I appreciate you stopping by, and sharing your experience, as always.
Thank you Kathy for allowing me to share my story with your readers. Their feedback is very reassuring. I thank them, also.
Lorenzo,it is a pleasure to feature you and your courageous story. Thank you for sharing not only your heartwrenching story but also some valuable memoir writing tips. Now we are all anxious for the release of your memoir!
Dear Kathy and Lorenzo, I was especially intrigued by this post because of my links to Latin America. I am a Panameña (now Americana) and am finishing my own memoir about a difficult mother absent in some essential way and the power of an extended family–a community–to make things whole for four children who had also lost their father early on. My excitement about Lorenzo is his creativity–from music to writing in many forms. I also feel a kinship with anything having to do with another country in Latin America. One of the most difficult things I am facing with my own writing is how to include some basic history/description of a country that most readers will know little about (Panama) in the context of a story that is very specific on an experiential level. I bet that you, Lorenzo, have had to address this important issue. Best wishes Lorenzo. I plan to read your book.
Dear Marlena, I appreciate you sharing your story and am happy Lorenzo’s interview resonated with you.The theme of alienation from family and country is a powerful one. Weaving in cultural details will certainly add depth and context to your memoir. Best wishes on finishing your memoir. I hope you’ll keep us posted. Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing your thoughts.
Marlena, dealing with how much history/description of Cuba to incorporate in my story was the hardest challenge I faced. I tried to weave it into the story as not to overwhelm the reader. You might want to visit my blog on “info dump” where I deal with this issue.
http://Www.lorenzo-martinez.com
Kathy and Lorenzo, congratulations for a very powerful produce! There is so much to take from this story. Remembering how difficult it was for me to leave my mother when I was sent to England to be wed, I can’t imagine how difficult it must have been for all those children who were migrated without any other family member, esp. the mother. I also appreciate to remind me :” Trust yourself and not to give up”. I should remember this mantra.
All the best and looking forward to read Lorenzo’s creation.
Hi Smita, I can see how Lorenzo’s story of being separated from his parents did strike a chord with you, even though you were older when it happened.I think we all can relate to being torn away from our parents and homeland and I, too, can’t imagine how difficult it must have been for him as a young boy. But he did survive and thrive and therein lies his story. I agree, both his story and his tips for trusting ourselves as writers are valuable. Thanks for stopping by and best wishes on your writing.
Skits,
Thanks so much for your kind words. And keep writing!
I first heard about the Pedro Pan experience when I read Carlos Eire’s Waiting to Die in Miami. Willa Cather became a writer when she was uprooted from the Shenandoah Valley to the great plains of Nebraska. And many other writers have had the impulse to record powerful impressions and emotions when they have had similar experiences. I only moved five miles away at the age of 13, but that move changed my life. I can only imagine what whole new cultures and languages do to a child. All the best with bringing this book to the world, Lorenzo. Thanks, Kathy and Lorenzo, for sharing this story.
Interesting, Shirley,that I chose Willa Cather’s quote to represent Lorenzo’s story. I didn’t know the story behind the quote so thanks for enlightening me! Moving to another country and out of one’s comfort zone would evoke powerful feelings and responses and it makes sense that many who do feel compelled to write about it. I am looking forward to Lorenzo’s memoir too as many of us are. Thanks, as always, for sharing your thought-provoking and enlightening thoughts.
Shirley, every time we’re uprooted from our place of comfort our soul gets shaken. This discomfort provides wonderful sodder for our stories and they in turn become our memoir. I hope you use those experiences that changed your life to dig deeply into your emotions and turm them into a story. Good luck!
To Lorenzo, my thanks for reminding me to “never give up.” It is so easy to give into negative thoughts about one’s writing, a project, life in general. I appreciate also your words about the impact of music on you. My parents began my piano training when I has just turned 6 and I continued into high school and early college. However, it was never taken away from me as your experience was.
Like Shirley Showalter, I first learned of the Pedro Pan project when I read Carlos Eire’s memoir. At the time it was taking place, I was in high school and any news about it slipped over my head. The promises made and not kept must have been painful. Thank you for sharing your story and wisdom with the rest of us.
Kathy, as always, you have brought to us through your blog another gem in the world of writers. Thanks so much!
Dear Sherrey, I appreciate your lovely comments on Lorenzo’s post and agree his heart-wrenching story and his words of advice are inspirational. I vaguely remember Operation Pedro Pan. To read more about this historic event through Lorenzo’s lived-experience and to know he turned into an accomplished musician leaves me feeling very intrigued and ready to read his memoir. Thank you, as always, for stopping by and sharing your thoughts and words of encouragement.
Sherrey, thank your for support. I’m glad you read Eire’s memoir, which is a fascinating book. I hope you continue writing. I find that musicians understand how the rhythm of words creates exciting prose. I would love to read your own writing.
Hola Kathy and Lorenzo:
I’m the author of “Operation Pedro Pan–The Untold Exodus of 14,048 Cuban Children.” (Routledge 1999) a broader non-fiction historical look at this little known Cold War drama and also one of those children. When asked if I’d write a second book on the subject my reply is always, “There are 14,000 stories out there. Please write your own. Go for it Lorenzo, good luck.
Yvonne
Hola Yvonne and thank you so much for stopping by to cheer Lorenzo on. We are all interested in hearing more about Operation Pedro Pan from a personal perspective. I appreciate you sharing the information about your book. Best wishes, Kathy
Yvonne, I read your book. In fact it was after reading it that I felt inspired to put to paper my own experience with the Pedro Pan program. So, thank you for leading the way. In my acknowledgement section, I mention your book as the most comprehensive resource on the Pedro Pan program, and gave you a rave review on Amazon. I would love to stay in touch. My email is fadoremi2003@yahoo.com. You can also find me on http://www.lorenzo-martinez.com
Dear Yvonne. So great to hear from you. I’ve read your book. In fact it was after reading it that I felt inspired to write my story. In my acknowledgement section I mention your book as the most comprehensive resource on the
Pedro Pan program and gave it a rave review on Amazon. would love to stay in touch.
Fadoremi2003@yahoo.com
Lorenzo, Thank you so much for helping me remember a lovely young girl who joined my sixth grade class for a short time. She and her brother, in a different class, had come from Cuba during some mass migration, the details I no longer recall. I remember wanting to be her friend and loaning her my sweater. Then before the year was up, she and her brother had moved on again. I wish I could remember her name. Cuba is a land I have long wanted to visit. I hope I can do it before it changes, as I’m sure it must once these artificial walls come down.
Thank you too for validating my belief that one can write a memoir too soon. I have found that the longer the time between the years I write about and the greater the distance from those experiences, the sharper my focus is.
Thanks for sharing your story,Janet. How difficult it must have been for those young children not only to leave their homeland and families but to have to move all over once they came to the US. I agree, Lorenzo has so much to share , not only about his story but about his memoir writing process. I appreciate your comments, as always.
Janet,
You most likely came in touch with two Pedro Pan children without realizing it. I’m sure the girl still remembers your kindness. I’ve not forgotten those who offered me a helping hand then
This is the first time I’ve heard about the Pedro Pan children. It reminds me a bit of the Kindertransport – Jewish children during the Holocaust. A sad, forced separation from parents, homeland, and everything a child knows, a break in the security/comfort of his life for the insecurity of not knowing when or if he will be reunited with his parents, or ever able to go home again. Adjusting to a different culture and becoming, as a child, someone he isn’t but will have to be from then on. He is told he is fortunate to be here, and he is, but in his heart his home will always be the place that he had to leave.
I don’t know, Lorenzo, if these were your feelings and if they weren’t I’ll be interested to find out. I remember Havana as being a happy, rollicking, dirty, music everywhere place, but then I was only ten and on a freighter that took me from England to Veracruz, Mexico.
Dear Penelope, Thank you so much for stopping by and sharing your heart-wrenching story. I visited your blog at donthangupbook.com and am fascinated by all you have endured. I can’t even imagine how difficult it must have been for you and Lorenzo to have been torn from your parents as children and sent to another country. You both have much to teach all of us.
Best wishes,
Kathy
Penelope,
The Pedro Pan airlift has often been compared to the Kindertransport, the exodus of Jewish children during the Holocaust. Your recollection of Havana was right onthe mark. It was a happy, rollicking city with music everywhere. Your understanding of how my separation from my parents felt was also insightful. Thank you for your comments and your support.
Best to you,
Lorenzo