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”