Links

http://www.nanowrimo.org
I just participated in my first-ever NaNoWriMo. I went into it hoping I had it in me to write a novel and came out of it knowing I do. What a great feeling! If you have ever dreamed about writing a book, check it out. November 2012 might just be the year you make it happen, with a little push from NaNo.

http://www.hunterdonhispanos.org
This is the non-profit that I co-founded five years ago. Today it is a brick-and-mortar agency serving the community as a family success center, but at the beginning it was just me, two other women, and a dream. None of us is actively involved in the daily operations today, although we do volunteer here in there, but I will always have a soft-spot for this agency and, most of all, the Hispanic community of Hunterdon County. Si se puede!

http://www.writersdigest.com
I love this magazine - in part because they do such a fantastic job with the layout. I like the website, too, especially the daily writing prompts and the online community.

http://www.smashwords.com
My mom, a three-time novelist and four-time NaNoWriMo winner, turned me on to this site. I still have a long way to go editing and revising the novel I wrote during this year's NaNo before I can say it is really done. But you might just see me listed here in the relatively near future, so keep an eye out for me and my novel "Kate Gets On With It."

www.shirleyewatson.com
This is a link to my mom's website, in case you missed it in my blog roll. Her writing is full of memorable characters and vivid imagery. If you love a good cozy mystery you can find several good ones to curl up with on her site.

www.zarela.com
This is my go-to site for all things related to Mexican cooking. Aside from being an expert on the subject of Mexican cookery, Zarela is herself a wonderful writer. Her anecdotes are just as delectable as her recipes and her passion for the people and culture of Mexico comes shining through in both. You will also find links to her many wonderful cookbooks on her site.

www.xaviermontes.com
Xavier Montes - Big X as he is affectionately known - is not only a great artist and musician, but a great asset to his community as well as an all-around great person. He runs the De Colores art show, teaches ESL at his local library, and teaches music to neighborhood kids. He's a pied piper, always tailed by a gaggle of rowdy little boys who all remind me of my own boy when he was that age. I wish we'd had a neighbor like Big X back then. Xavier's artwork, inspired by his Mexican American heritage, is available through his website.