From Story-telling to a Book
The telling of family stories planted the seeds of this book. There were stories I knew from my childhood as well as stories I uncovered in family pictures and keepsakes. Stories unearthed when I started going below the surface and asking more questions of my family and myself. Stories I heard from the Mendez family when our families connected for a few short years in the midst of World War II in the 1940s. Weaving these told stories together became like a jig-saw puzzle until the whole story and full picture was finally revealed, but I still never intended to write a book.
As Sylvia Mendez and I shared these family stories to others, we found that our intertwined family stories inspired hope to those who heard them. This is a story of two families who met through a mutual business friend in a time of crisis. Both encountered different kinds of prejudice, but at the core, the same ugly racism. Yet, throughout the story, acts of kindness from family, friends, and strangers nurtured hope for a better future, not just for them, but for generations to come.
I started writing, story after story in 2019 at the consistent urging of Dr. Jeff Hittenberger and Dr. Al Mijares, Orange County Department of Education. When I would share these stories, I found so many who never heard of Mendez v. Westminster and many never heard of the Japanese American incarceration either. On a summer day in 2019, I was having appetizers with a cousin of mine at a patio restaurant and was sharing the stories that I had uncovered to date. Suddenly, a woman at the table next to us turned around and said, “you should write a book! Oh, and sorry, I was eavesdropping and heard your story.” Then I found out she was a published author!
As I continued to write, I uncovered so much more - one story led to more questions, and more questions led to investigating and researching to fill in the gaps of this true story. In all, what I most love about this story is that it is not just a Mexican American story or a Japanese American story, but an up-lifting multicultural story of what can happen when we collaborate in community. It is a symphony of how the kindness of many - White, Mexican, Japanese, Jewish, Black, Native Americans - can help to overcome adversity and nurture hope for the future.
And the collaboration did not end with the story. It takes a team to take the pages on my laptop and create a published book and e-book! I knew little about publishing, so what a gift to work with so many who love this story and helped birth a book! They also brought their authentic enthusiasm and passion in everything they did. Many authors say they feel alone on the journey of writing, but I never did with this wonderful team of colleagues who I now call dear friends.
This team, led by Drew Tilton of Asio Creative, made sure my words welcomed the reader into the story, page after page. Endless gratitude and thanks to Drew who led me through the storyline development and the publishing process; your advice and guidance has been invaluable to me. Drew, I could not have done this without your expert counsel!
I am so grateful to Jessica Snell, who thoughtfully and superbly edited the manuscript, polishing the text till it shined. Jessica has an expertise in editing and offers wonderful suggestions to make the most of every idea and every word on the page.
Natalie Lauren Design created an inviting design that complements the story and offers hospitality to the reader. From a pdf to a book to website, Natalie’s talent in layout design and graphic placement brought the manuscript to life as a book, as well as this website!
I hope this will inspire you to be curious about your own story and find out more. Who knows? You may write a book one day and find others to partner with you on the journey.
Grateful and blessed, Janice
In the Press
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