Category: Uncategorized

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Working Two Jobs with Maria Canals

Photo credit: Disney

Actress Maria Canals likes to think that her role on Wizards of Waverly Place is preparing her to parent adolescents. Her alter ego, Theresa Russo, is the mother of three wizards-in-training. The three teens are trained by their father until one is chosen to be the next wizard of the family. Although Theresa is not magically inclined, she helps them navigate the “normal” challenges of teen life.

“This show is a complete blessing to me on so many levels,” Canals said. “It’s a funny comedy and as an actor you get all kinds of material that’s not very funny. It’s a kids show at a time when I have kids.”

When she first watched the show with her two daughters, ages four and two, she feared her oldest might get jealous of her on-screen “kids.”

“I told her that I’m the pretend mommy and that’s my pretend kid,” she explained. “I totally underestimated power of pretend, which is what kids do all the time. When she visited set she’d say, ‘that’s the pretend big kid!'”

Canals began her career when she won a scholarship to the University of Miami. As she went from high school plays to paying roles, she realized acting was something to she could do for a living.

In 1993, she booked a role on the TV series, Key West and moved to Los Angeles. Unlike Hilary Swank, Canals never had to live out of her car.

“I got a great agent and when I moved to L.A., I was prepared and trained,” she said. “This business is unpredictable. I was very, very blessed to have worked steadily and there have been wonderful projects – some came and went. You have to love the work.”

Married to actor, David Barerra, Canals admits that its tough continuing her twenty year career in acting while raising a family. Recently, she brought her girls and her nanny with her to Toronto where she filmed Camp Rock, a teen musical that will be released in summer 2008.

“My husband and I have the same priorities: we love our work and committed to it but it’s not our identity,” she said. “I don’t want to be one of those people who missed out on this.”

Watch Maria in action on Wizards of Waverly Place Friday nights at 8:30/7:30 Central on the Disney channel.

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Supporting The Writers Strike (An Eva Peron Moment)

Although I’m not a screenwriter, a writer is still a writer and I support the men and women of the WGA on strike.
There would be no shows, no movies nor the trendy “webisodes”, without writers. And yet you don’t hear of any who get $20 million per picture. That kind of money goes to the guy who memorizes the lines and walks the red carpet.
Authors have their complaints as well. In my experience, it takes months for a contract to be drawn up, signed and then a few more months later – to add to the suspense – I get a check. I wonder how many people work jobs that compensate them six months to a year later?
Furthermore, what’s up with the used book thing? I realize books are pricey but does Amazon have to put the used book price in bold print over the regular price? For TV or movie writers, if a piece is re-run, everyone gets a residual. Authors don’t make residuals on used copies of their books because there is no system to track those sales. I agree with the striking writers that they deserve a cut from the advertising dollars a network makes when a show is downloaded and watched online. Too bad, something can’t be done for those of us who write books.
By the way, if you support writers, don’t watch TV shows for free online. And if you can help it, try not to buy a used copy of my book. I’d much rather you check it out at your library because at least they bought it and give it a good home.
Also, when an author writes a book and then jumps through all the hoops to get it through copyeditting, etc., the publisher doesn’t advertise it. Have you noticed that? All the major brands advertise in magazines and on TV, but publishers don’t, which is probably why editorial book coverage space is really small if non-existent in most magazines. Occasionally you see an ad for a major New York Times best-selling author but what about all the other writers who are future best sellers? I would think that as a business, a publisher would want a maximum return on every dollar spent to acquire, produce and distribute all of its products.
I’m lucky in that Avon has one heck of a publicity department with professionals who love books and authors. Also, we’re backed up the editorial team who have created the Avon Romance blog, which allows us writers to brag about ourselves.
But I’m really, really lucky in that I have a PR, web writing and journalism background and can do a lot of my own promotion. Until I’m at the level of Nora Roberts (who by the way, worked darn hard for the last 26 years to get where she is and deserves every perk she can get!), you won’t see me in a commercial between segments of Oprah or Good Morning America. But one day … oh yes, one day you will!
So now you know how I feel about the strike. But you should also know that there is no other job that gives me greater pleasure than writing. (In other words, I’m one lucky bee-yotch!)
How do you feel about the strike?
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Last Night at the East Los Angeles Library

Last night, the East L.A. Public Library hosted a chica lit panel moderated by Margo Candela. I had the honor of sitting up with the likes of Reyna Grande, Sylvia Mendoza and Lara Rios. The place was packed and even though many students received class credit for attending, I could see their excitement and energy. (And yes, we signed tons of books so THANK YOU!)

Hopefully in a few years, I’ll be in an audience listening to them talk about their work and their paths to publication!


Me (probably making a bad joke), Margo, Sylvia and Lara. (Reyna was off to the side eating the fabulous sandwiches they had at the event!)

Sylvia Mendoza and Lara Rios



Reyna (hey wake up!), Evita – I mean me! – and Margo.

If you’re in San Diego, come on down to Bay Books in Coronado on Thursday, Nov. 8th from 7 to 8:30 p.m. for Switchcraft and the Spicy Mexican brownies!

Cheers,
Mary

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Dia de los Muertos

A year ago, Mom brought over a box of my old stuff. Like I need more stuff in a house that looks like Toys R Us stocked for Christmas! But inside were some outfits that my Grandma Nana had made for me. They’re stained, terribly out of fashion and smell like moth balls and I have no where to store them. But I couldn’t throw them out.

So this morning when I read Kathy’s post about Dia de los Muertos, she really got me. I’ve been thinking about my Grandma Nana a lot lately.

Eduvijen Holguin Melendez was a very quiet, simple woman. She wasn’t one for calling attention to herself. During Christmas, Thanksgiving and Easter she mostly spent her time in the kitchen. She’d be the last to sit down for the meal, still wearing her apron and jumping up to get what anyone needed.

She was also a very talented seamstress, making extra money by sewing wedding and quinceanera gowns. My Grandma Margie remembers how she’d buy a bolt of cloth and then work through the night making matching dresses for her three girls. I can imagine Grandma Nana’s sewing machine whirring with the steady pressure of her foot on the wrought iron pedal. Outside the street would be dark, except for the light of her room glowing againt the mammoth Eucalyptus trees that lined her yard.

If you’ve read Hot Tamara and remember Senora Allende’s shrine with the glow-in-the-heart Jesus statue, that was inspired by the santos Grandma Nana had in her sala behind the TV. When we’d spend the night in the pull-out bed, Grandma would sleep on the lumpy couch so we wouldn’t be lonely. But I’d stare at Jesus’ heart, wondering if it would start beating like the animatronics in the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland.

Even though my Grandma Nana died when I was 11 years old, I still miss her chicken soup and I can still feel the tortilla masa between my fingers. I wish she could’ve lived to see the Little Dude in action because she would’ve just adored his big personality. Actually, I know she does love him because I can feel her when she’s decided to pay a visit. I bet she still covers her mouth when she laughs at his antics, like she used at mine.

Today, I’m starting a new book and I have her picture on my desk. There’s a little sadness in my heart as I write this but there’s also a lot more love and gratitude to have had a Grandma Nana like her and to still have her in spirit.

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It’s The Most Wonderful Time of The Year!

The sidewalks are shadowed with damp and the air crisp with the smell of fallen leaves and wet grass. Pumpkins smile grotesquely from porches and front windows while skeletons and ghouls creep up from the grass. Ghosts dance under the trees, their gowns whipping in the breeze. A waning moon lingers in the western sky and giant spiders busily take down their webs after a night of patient hunting.

Yes, it’s the most wonderful time of the year when you dig out your sweaters and boots. A cup of coffee or tea warms your fingers as you get to work or school. It’s my favorite time of the year … Halloween!

Before I don my kitty ears and take Little Batman trick or treating tonight, I want to thank all of you for taking the Chica Lit Halloween Tour and thank my fellow authors, Berta Platas, Sofia Quintero, Caridad Pineiro and Kathy Cano-Murillo for a week of freaky and fabulous stories!
If you haven’t read these amazing stories, don’t miss out!
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Southern California Wildfires Volunteers & Donations

Thank you so much for your thoughts and prayers. The last Mom heard was that my dad was back at his station. The fires are still going so there’s a chance his strike team will be deployed.

I also received the following list from the Las Comadres network and wanted to share this with everyone.

To make a cash donation: Your donation can help organizations obtain goods and services locally to issue assistance to victims.

  • American Red Cross: Support their Disaster Relief Fund which enables them to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to victims of disaster
  • San Diego Humane Society and SPCA: Help to rescue and evacuate pets
  • Volunteer San Diego: Support their Disaster Program which allows them to meet volunteer needs locally
  • San Diego Foundation: Support their After-the-Fires fund which will provide food, shelter, housing and address healthcare needs of the victims.

To offer non-cash donations (blankets, food, etc):

  • Please call a special hotline set up by the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services to offer your non-cash donations, 1-800-750-2858
  • To volunteer: Search for ways to volunteer at www.californiavolunteers.org
  • You can visit also : http://www.wishuponahero.com/ to give and receive help.

Here’s a link to help out in Orange County: http://www.ocregister.com/news/font-normal-style-1903511-span-class

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While I’m Stuck in the House…

I wanted to share what I’m doing while the Little Dude sleeps.
By the way, the sunlight is tangerine because the sky is a smutty pink gray. Everyone has been told to stay inside and after a brief venture with Rascal the Pug during his morning constitutional, I’m taking it seriously.

Also, my grandma and uncle were able to go home this morning. But they’re ready to leave if the winds change. My dad and his team were called to the fire near Jamul but were then sent back to the station. I think he’s bummed because like all fire fighters, he wants to put out fires.
I’m watching:

I’m reading my new favorite author:

I’m also wrote the first scene of my new book that I wanted to start on November 1st for NaNoMo but couldn’t wait any longer!
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Update on Mary’s Dad

First, thank you so much for your thoughts and prayers yesterday. I think it’s making a difference as the winds are very calm out here in Costa Mesa and down in National City where my family live.

Yesterday, my dad was at a high school fire set by two idiots who apparently were unaware that all of Southern California is burning. Luckily no one was hurt and the fire crews took care of the fire. Last night my grandma and uncle left Spring Valley and today, there are evacuations fo Spring Valley and Bontia.

It’s a very serious situation and I feel a bit helpless checking the updates. I think I’ll go through our stuff to set aside for donations.

If you want to stay on top of the news in San Diego, go to http://sosdfireblog.blogspot.com/.

For new in Orange County, go to the OC Register.

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In the Wings With Kikey Castillo

At the Catalina Magazine party last month I met Actress Kikey Castillo. (Isn’t she goregous?) It’s not often I meet another Castillo and when I do, we always wonder if we’re related.

Kikey will co-star in Virgin Love, a production of the new Ricardo Montalbán Repertory Theatre Company. Virgin Love is a musical Commeda set in the 1700’s on the fictional island of Latinia.

Chica Lit: In your bio, you said that you were on your way to becoming a CEO. How did you get into acting and what did your parents think?

Kikey: It’s true. I always envisioned myself a corporate career woman in suits. Senior year in college I took an elective course, “Intro to Acting” and really liked it. From there I pursued plays and got bit by the acting bug. I remember thinking: “I’m a month away from graduating college and all I want to do is move to LA and pursue acting. My mom is gonna kill me!” I think she was a little disappointed at first (though she may never confess to this) because she wanted me to have a better life and more opportunities than she had. And I can understand that, but when she saw that I was actually good at acting and that I was making money and appearing on TV, movies, and print then she really started to believe in me and now she’s my rock and my biggest supporter.

Chica Lit: Talk about your role in Virgin Love. What were the challenges of your character? What do you love about that character?

Kikey: I play Franceschina, the jeweler’s wife who loves jewels more than her husband and consequentially ignores him but is having an affair with the town bachelor (who is also having affairs with several women in town…it’s a comedy).

A big challenge for me was that i couldn’t sing and the play is a musical commedia! I was very nervous about singing and didn’t want to sound terrible in front of anybody, even my cast mates, so I hired a voice coach — thank God! She’s really brought me a long way.

I love my character Franceschina. She has an air of prim and proper about her but yet she has this youthful spirit about her. I found it really easy and fun to step into her shoes.

Chica Lit: How do you keep up the energy night after night, rehearsal after rehearsal?

Kikey: Energy? What is that? 🙂 The rehearsal process has been very physically tough at times. We have been rehearsing five nights a week for the last three months but it’s all worth it in the end. Our opening night is Friday, October 26, 2007, so high energy is definitely going to be required during our run. But for me that’s usually the easiest part. I can keep going and going during performances…there’s something about performing live that always gives me lots of energy.

Chica Lit: Where did you grow up? If not L.A., how did you adjust to becoming an actress in the Hollywood?

Kikey: I grew up in very small town in Eastern Oregon. My family were migrant workers and the work was good up there and we all stayed. Growing up in a small town was very nice, apple pie kind of nice, but I always wanted to live in a big city. So LA was an easy adjustment for me and I really love it. However being an actress in LA has been a lot of blood, sweat and tears…but it’s my passion, my dream and I wouldn’t dream of doing anything else.

Chica Lit: What struggles have you encountered in Hollywood?

Kikey: I think I’ve encounter the typical actor struggles here in Hollywood the whole “my agent doesn’t send me out enough”, “Getting good representation is hard”, having to constantly get new headshots, feeling like you never work enough and thinking to yourself why didn’t you know about that audition for the TV show, commercial or movie you just saw. Now saying it here makes it seem so comical but trust me, these are serious topics for an actor 🙂 LOL.

Chica Lit: What’s next after Virgin Love?

Kikey: I have a few projects in the works. I’m shooting a national Chevy commercial this month; I’m in an indie feature film called The Broken Hearts Club which shoots in December, more on-air hostessing projects and a webisode project. And si Dios quiere, a lot more!

For performances and ticket information, go to the Ricardo Montalbán Repertory Theatre Company.