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tkingrey

Oct 19, 2003, 6:31 PM

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Send me your stories!

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Hola all!

I'm new here but I LOVE Mexico and have travelled there for years with hopes of retiring in some lovely area. I am publishing a book of outlandish and funny tales and anecdotes from people who have vacationed or lived in this wonderful country.

Please send me yours! Along with your permission to edit and publish. I will publish any personal information you wish to give (or anonymously) as well as pictures.

I can be reached at chiliheads@rni.net.

Hope to hear from you!

Terri

believer111

Oct 21, 2003, 1:06 PM

Post #2 of 43 (1243 views)

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Re: [tkingrey] Send me your stories!

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hola:
your mexcon profile gives no information about you. who are you? what is your name? where do you live? email address? how can we contact you? who is publishing your book? what kinds of stories do you want?
have you checked out the various similar publications available?

are you remaining anonymous?
More information regarding who you are would be helpful.

Dios le bendiga,
hermana greta

Carron

Oct 22, 2003, 8:39 AM

Post #3 of 43 (1188 views)

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Re: [tkingrey] Send me your stories!

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Spend enough time in Mexico and you should be able to develop a book based on your own experiences. Most of us are already authors and probably don't want to share "freebies" with other writers. Sorry!

HHERRINGTON

Oct 22, 2003, 12:10 PM

Post #4 of 43 (1149 views)

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Re: [tkingrey] Send me your stories!

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Last year some one with a similar name post an almost identical request and never responded to any of the questions about what the request for for. Smells fishy to me.
----------------------------------------------------

Life is too complicated to be expressed in one liners.

alex .

Oct 22, 2003, 12:21 PM

Post #5 of 43 (1146 views)

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Re: [tkingrey] how would you know

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which outlandish stories are real and which are fiction? How will your readership know the difference? I assume you HAVE heard of the Chupacabra, right, or even more serious.....the magic dragon of Chiapas...................;<)
Alex

jennifer rose

Oct 22, 2003, 12:24 PM

Post #6 of 43 (1144 views)

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Re: [tkingrey] Send me your stories!

How interesting! What is the name of your publishing company, and how many titles have you already published? What are those titles, and what were the sales? What will the print run be? What will be the cover price of your book?

What is your rate of compensation for contributors?

Carron

Oct 22, 2003, 2:18 PM

Post #7 of 43 (1121 views)

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Re: [alex .] how would you know

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The more outlandish stories are the ones most likely to be true! Direct from the flaming mouth of the dragon.

tkingrey

Oct 22, 2003, 10:39 PM

Post #8 of 43 (1074 views)

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Re: [HHERRINGTON] Send me your stories!

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I sincerely doubt that, as I have never posted to this forum before (you can check if you like) and this is an entirely new project for me. If you can produce it, I will truly be amazed.

Anyway, about me:

I am a native Arizonan with an MBA (I'd be happy to fax/email you my transcripts as well as 50 pages of my graduate thesis on the environmental impact of global fisheries - it's really quite good - I got an A, which will show on my transcripts as well) and a few credits short of a minor in cultural anthropology.

Mexico has long been a passion of mine and my goal is to bring first a book that will capture the very short attention span of the average gringo (humor is wonderful for that), and hopefully later (if my publisher permits), a book with more spiritual and cultural siginificance. Any other questions?

Terri

tkingrey

Oct 22, 2003, 11:11 PM

Post #9 of 43 (1069 views)

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Re: [Carron] Send me your stories!

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I've spent a good deal of time in Mexico, but I doubt a tome full of singular experiences will sell that well, and BTW, the contributors WILL be paid. I'm sorry you are such a frustrated, and apparently, unpublished, author.

tkingrey

Oct 22, 2003, 11:42 PM

Post #10 of 43 (1064 views)

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Re: [believer111] Send me your stories!

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I'm sorry for the inadvertent lapse, I didn't know there was a profile for me to fill out, please direct me where to go.

My name is Terri Kingery, I am a native Arizonan and reside in Phoenix, see response to Harrington for educational references - any of you who would like a copy of my graduate thesis on global fisheries let me know, it's really interesting, but depressing. I gave my name and email address initially, but here goes again: chiliheads@rni.net . My phone number is 623-434-5194 and address is

3334 W. Morrow

Phoenix, AZ 85027

I’d give you my blood type, but it probably wouldn’t be helpful. OK, it’s O pos.

Please read my response to Harrington, I want outlandish tales and funny anecdotes involving experiences in Mexico. This is the first book I have worked on of this kind and am looking for the right publisher that will be fair for all involved. The terms will be worked out when I sign the contract.

tkingrey

Oct 22, 2003, 11:46 PM

Post #11 of 43 (1063 views)

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Re: [alex .] how would you know

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Alex,

Yes,

I have heard of this demon. And, yes, the more outlandish, the more true a story seems to be...makes you wonder about the human imagination doesn't it? Or lack thereof?

Terri

Carron

Oct 23, 2003, 7:17 AM

Post #12 of 43 (1032 views)

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Re: [tkingrey] Send me your stories!

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I think what all of us are trying to tell you is that if you truly want to write a book about personal experiences in Mexico, you should do the research yourself in Mexico. In six months you will have enough anecdotes to write a series of books. Don't ask for other people's stories. Develop your own. You will have a wonderful time. And if you have actually lived here for a while, you won't be challenged for your academic credentials. (And, I have a Master's Degree and yes, I am published. In Mexico that just doesn't matter to anyone I know.)

I once read a delightful article about some American English teachers in China. They observed that when a foreigner visited there for a week, he (she) went home and wrote a book. If he (she) stayed for a month, he wrote an article. Those who stayed longer were so busy living their own lives they never had time to write anything!

Uncle Jack

Oct 23, 2003, 7:25 AM

Post #13 of 43 (1028 views)

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Re: [Carron] Send me your stories!

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When I first started in the television news business back in 1958, my crusty old boss, Coy Watson, told me:

"Jack, in about a year you will start believing that you should write a book. If you ever outgrow that.......you might actually become a newsman."

uj

believer111

Oct 23, 2003, 12:52 PM

Post #14 of 43 (967 views)

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Re: [tkingrey] Send me your stories!

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teri:

now that you have the information and advice that the best stories are going to be your own, you're just a hop, skip, and a jump from your home in Phoenix to Mexico!

Have a good time and enjoy the friends you make.

shalom,

Dios le bendiga,
hermana greta

Nick

Oct 23, 2003, 9:39 PM

Post #15 of 43 (927 views)

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Re: [Carron] Send me your stories!

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Thank you Carron..... We live for several months a year in an area that many who contribute to this forum will never experience. Yet I learn something new each time I visit.... When we come back to the States, family and friends ask us what is is like to have lived in "Our" Mexico where "Gringos" are not known. I tell them that the experience is something they will never know, and cannot be described unless one lives it.....

Stories? Yep, there are several. Xmas without commercialismn. New Years with food cooked all day for eating near midnight. A nativity scene in front of the richest home or the poorest shack, many that cannot afford a door, with only a blanket to keep out the elements. No damn bunnies hopping around during Easter but the best breads in the world to savor. Pride that is abundant without material wealth. Real food and trips to see relatives that accept one as family even if they have never met you - but being married to a niece make you theirs... Stories about an uncle who shot a man who was going after his father (my wifes grandfather) then placing a concrete cross where he shot the man.... Being attacked by bees exploring a cave where an uncle mined "Cal" fifty years ago.... Swimming in hot water from underground sources, then going to a river that folks are steaming shrimp in water that is so hot you can't put your finger in it. Listening to older family and neighbors talking about their ancesters fighting the Gringos with Pancho Villa....

I suppose there are thousands of stories to be told, but being who I am without the talent to put it into words, I just live and enjoy my blessings...

I think one has to live here like I am blessed to do with Mi Esposa to get the "real" feeling of Mexico.... Even then, at 62 years of age and several years being here, I am the novice....

The measure of a person is determined by the way he accepts responsibility for his actions.

(This post was edited by Nick on Oct 23, 2003, 9:47 PM)

tkingrey

Oct 23, 2003, 9:41 PM

Post #16 of 43 (925 views)

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Re: [Carron] Send me your stories!

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Thanks for all the great replies, but I think you all are missing the point...what I want to do. Yes, I love having my own experiences, and as I said, I have had many already as I have been visiting this wonderful country for a while.

I want people to read about the experiences of MANY people, it brings something of an air objectivity, and imparts a sense of what this country is really like from many voices and experiences, not just in the context on one person which can't possibly convey the nuances of the incredible diversity of this country (for all you academics - sorry for the long sentence).

Lastly, I am working on a more personal piece that is very different from this. I grew up in the southwest, on Mexico's doorstep, and still I had a distorted view even though my family was very liberal and well educated. Hell, I thought good Mexican food was Garcia's! If this was my view, you can imagine what the average Iowan thinks.

Americans are disgracefully ignorant of other cultures (and geography in general), with extremely short attention spans, and you need to capture their attention to teach them, I can think of no better way than with humor.

All input is welcome, just make it fair.

Cheers,

Terri

tkingrey

Oct 23, 2003, 9:45 PM

Post #17 of 43 (924 views)

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Re: [Nick] Send me your stories!

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Nick,

You illustrate my point beautifully.

Bless you

Nick

Oct 23, 2003, 10:45 PM

Post #18 of 43 (913 views)

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Re: [tkingrey] Send me your stories!

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Terri - I think you may be the one missing the point.... I'm just the son of the best damn dirt farmer in the great state of Colorado and later in Northern California with little formal education myself. It seems to me that there are others in this forum, far more experienced and educated than I, who are suggesting that what you are asking for is not to be. What you are looking for is not going to come from those of us who actually live the life you are seeking information from. It will come only from you based on your experience....

I supervised officers whose reports would be reviewed by not only me as a lowly patrol supervisor, but district attorneys, judges and up the ladder to possibly the US Supreme Court. My best advice to my officers was to "Paint a picture with words"... So that whoever read that report could see in their own mind what occurred at the time the officer saw it....

You, with your "A" in whatever you studied at the time, are not going to capture Mexico with stories from someone else.

Go for the real story yourself Terri, no one else will do it for you..... Take the word of an old guy, the story will be better and you will be better for the experience....

The measure of a person is determined by the way he accepts responsibility for his actions.

tkingrey

Oct 23, 2003, 11:18 PM

Post #19 of 43 (908 views)

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Re: [Nick] Send me your stories!

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Nick,

What your are telling me is "enlighten myself", which is always my personal goal, however, that is very different than trying to enlighten others. Again, you illustrate my point:

"My best advice to my officers was to "Paint a picture with words"... So that whoever read that report could see in their own mind what occurred at the time the officer saw it...."

Many shared experience paints a more complete picture of the whole than any one. My aim is to show this culture from many pictures from many people, this is held in much more esteem and, as I stated, paints a more complete picture overall than from a single individual. Whether they wish to share with others is their choice, but why withhold? I will give complete credit and share revenue, this is a labor of love, not greed. Perhaps I haven't approached it with the slick presentation of a salesman, but I'd rather choke...and take the criticism.

Terri

Nick

Oct 23, 2003, 11:27 PM

Post #20 of 43 (905 views)

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Re: [tkingrey] Send me your stories!

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Best wishes Terri. Hope you get your stories. Hope I'll be one of the first to read your literary success in this area.....

Nick

The measure of a person is determined by the way he accepts responsibility for his actions.

alex .

Oct 24, 2003, 7:46 AM

Post #21 of 43 (870 views)

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Re: [tkingrey] The German Shephard and the Tennis Ball

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Am I reminded of the time I was playing with a big dog and a tennis ball. Once that canine clamped his jaws on that tennis ball there was no convincing him to let it go.
This idea of soliciting stories is your tennis ball, evidently.
You came asking for our stories, not our advice, and I have none of either for you so I'll sign off. As the others have said, best of luck.
Alex

(This post was edited by alex . on Oct 24, 2003, 7:47 AM)

Uncle Donnie

Oct 24, 2003, 4:17 PM

Post #22 of 43 (825 views)

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Re: [alex .] The German Shephard and the Tennis Ball

Alex,

You already know I'm a fan of your stories but will you tell the others how to find them?

UD

Shameless self-promotion:
http://www.headformexico.com

tkingrey

Oct 24, 2003, 9:39 PM

Post #23 of 43 (785 views)

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Re: [tkingrey] Send me your stories!

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Hola all!

Lest you all think I'm napping, I'm not. Just answering the deluge of private replies and e-mails I've gotten.

Seems there are more than a few people unhappy with the direction of this forum.

Isolationism and paranoia is never a good thing, perhaps some introspection is in order.

alex .

Oct 25, 2003, 7:40 AM

Post #24 of 43 (748 views)

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Re: [Uncle Donnie] I think they are here:

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http://www.mexconnected.com/...orsindex.html#vinson

alex .

Oct 25, 2003, 7:47 AM

Post #25 of 43 (745 views)

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Re: [tkingrey] Tell me about Fords!

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I drive a Ford sometimes. I'd like to know how to fix them. So how about everybody send me stories about how to fix a Ford? I'd publish a book about the subject, acknowledging each contribution of course, and the world will then be enlightened about Ford repair. I DO have a college degree, Engineering Physics to be precise, so I could figure it out myself, but that would be an awful lot of work. So whaddaya say, help me with the loose nut behind the wheel???
Thanks,
Alex

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