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It’s fascinating how words can either unite us or drive us apart. Growing up bilingual in Spanish and English, I noticed how each language brings its own cultural differences, the nuances in the sayings and idioms. For me in my writing it's always been a challenge trying to merge these two worlds. Now, I’m diving into my family’s history, mixing personal stories with a bit of fiction. While digging into my genealogy, I found some surprising connections, like a possible link to Caribbean slaves and a complex family tree with both slave owners and the enslaved. This journey has opened my eyes to the many shades of history’s injustices.
My writing weaves together childhood memories from Puerto Rico, family tales, and a touch of imagination.
Temporal: María, a young girl living in rural 1950s Puerto Rico, prepares with her family for a massive storm. While helping her parents secure their home, she uncovers deep family memories of past hurricanes and personal loss. As the storm bears down on them, she discovers not only the resilience of her family but also an unexpected connection to her heritage. The story beautifully captures the tension between fear and hope in the face of nature's unpredictability.
Gigi, September 1, 1985 – August 15, 1988: Gigi is about to turn 14, when a night out to see a movie takes an unexpected turn, she must balance her longing for freedom with the reality of her protective home life.A short story mixed tension, humor, and the nuances of friendship, giving a nostalgic glimpse into being 13 in 1980s Brooklyn.
Old Blog:
I came across my old "Blog Spot" page. I'd completely forgotten about that page. For some older reading from my trainer days you can check it out: Joanna M Bartell Blogspot - Trying to focus on one ring at a time. It's mainly very brief essays and thoughts from the days before social media took over.