Listing Biography

Sometimes, I wake up with an extra will to have that poetry book (THE PAWNSHOP) finally published with its cover, fine pages, illustrations on random sheets, and maybe a little biography on the back. Biography? What would it have to say there? I am 29 and have never done most of the interesting things I wish I had done. Gosh!

It is pretty common to find those lists on the back of all fiction books saying what the author had previously published, or having a list of his/her greatest prizes, or even mentioning his/her achievements. Well, my literary biography would have to start with...

You see, when I was a kid, I had this red Remington typewriter ( a gift from Dad) that I would place it on my lap while watching kids show on TV. Then I would look around and start typing lists of objects that I was able to find in my house that started with letter A - like ANTS, ANTACIDS, ANTHENA... Or perhaps, I would list things that were the same color: tomato, my skirt, my typewriter, the neighbor's beetle, my mother's nails...

Then, when I started Middle School, my Portuguese teacher called Maria Thereza asked the entire class to come up with poems because those short pieces of art were going to be published in a school book. By the end of the year, I had my little poem published which spoke about my identity. The name of the poem was "WHO AM I???" - very philosophical, but not very rewarding with answers for that matter. Anyway, I felt important since my name was in that publication.

It's true that I seeked for a journalist career later on. My intention was to become an international correspondent for BBC or CNN while living in this country filled with unjustice and urban violence. The country is still filled with those, however I have never made to be a journalist. Excpet the fact that I was a great news intern in some independent media for not letting out a single item of the suppliers' lists. Love putting together information by categories.

I am and have always been interested in being a writer. That's what inspired me to leave Brazil and get to know other cultures and get in touch with other publishers. Well, it was pretty easy to be involved with other cultures in the USA, since Americans fear getting connected with foreigners. I got to make friends from all over the world in Uncle Sam's land and they have added in me a great amount of faith in humankind. Whereas, I barely got to meet any person in the publishing business there. At least, I have saved some of their names and their emails in alphabetical order on the back of my green binder just in case I might need to contact them.

Now, I am here - being a teacher who teaches languages -- who helps her students write better in English and even in their native tongue (Portuguese) by asking them to list irregular verbs, adverbs of frequency, and other grammar tools -- after having finished two thesis for two different university majors and minors, not winning many poetry contests, and not finding much to add to my listing biographical section when this MAYBE-poetry book finally comes out.

What does it take to have a real biography of a real poet???

Curious Fact - I love being helpful anyway!!!