Author: Carlos

Anniversary Garland of Sonnets for Claire: Oct 2021 Edition

Today is Claire’s and my anniversary! This year, I am going to write her a “garland” of sonnets (also known as a “crown” of sonnets). The last line of one sonnet becomes the first line of the next one! We’re starting off with this, the first entry, October 2021: Anniversary Garland of Sonnets for ClaireOctober 2021 October is the year’s late-middle age.It sits in its … Continue reading Anniversary Garland of Sonnets for Claire: Oct 2021 Edition

Carlos1 Comment
Three Cards from the Negocios Infernales Deck Used to Write This Poem

New Poem! “Plenty of Room”

Plenty of Room—for Claire, 1/20/2021 Bone and air,my beautiful body,how I miss you,how I am you,how I unbecome you. How I mend youwith stints and circuits.How I die, piecemeal.How I watch myself withan ice sculpture’s ruedeliquesce.How I strugglefor balanceone-footedon time’s steel wire,a wild umbrella in my hand.How I forget to breathe and remember to breathe.That’s where love lives,in the breath,right next to the rosesand the … Continue reading New Poem! “Plenty of Room”

CarlosLeave a comment

Dealing Out Poetry II: Mother’s Day Edition

Claire and I are continuing to experiment with using the Negocios Infernales cards we created for a game as inspiration for writing. On Mother’s Day (May 10 2020) we started out the day by driving around Phoenix and handing out bouquets to the many mothers in our lives. When we got home, we headed for the front porch to meditate on mothers, the cards providing inspiration and spooky, all-too-on-the-nose guidance. Continue reading Dealing Out Poetry II: Mother’s Day Edition

Carlos1 Comment

Dealing Out Poetry: Writing Verse Based on the Negocios Infernales Cards

One of the missions of making the Negocios Infernales RPG that Claire and I are working on has nothing to do with the game. We also wanted to make a writing tool to inspire writers and help them break out of their traditional ways of thinking. That, in fact, was one of the stated missions of the sabbatical: using game mechanics and gamic thinking to stretch my writing.

Today was our first official try at using the cards not for the game, but for art.

You can judge the results for yourself, but I have to tell you, folks: I am pretty pleased. Continue reading Dealing Out Poetry: Writing Verse Based on the Negocios Infernales Cards

Carlos2 Comments

Brane-Surfing: Alternate Carlos Hernandezes from Across the Multiverse!

In a recent tweet, Rick Riordan posted: Everybody in the multiverse is ordering their copies of SAL AND GABI BREAK THE UNIVERSE, so when the book comes out Tuesday, they can post pix of themselves (or maybe even their alternate selves) w/a copy of the book! Will you be joining us? I’ll repost the best! I can’t compete with Rick Riordan’s alter egos from other … Continue reading Brane-Surfing: Alternate Carlos Hernandezes from Across the Multiverse!

Carlos2 Comments

Fran Wilde’s RIVERLAND

The day before my book releases, I’d like to talk to you about… Fran Wilde‘s upcoming MG novel, RIVERLAND! Why? Because its greatness is a particular type of greatness worth teasing out. Let us thread then, you and I! The short version is this: Riverland is going so save some kids (and adults). That’s because it uses fantasy to portray an all-too-recognizable kind of household: … Continue reading Fran Wilde’s RIVERLAND

Carlos2 Comments