Category Archives: close to home

Giving thanks for 5Calls.org, or, How Donald Trump is making me a better citizen

Posted on June 2, 2017 by José Iriarte

Not too long ago, somebody I followed on Twitter was wondering basically where and how our dystopian novel hero would arise. A decade or so ago it seemed we were getting fed a steady diet of dystopian young adult novels … Continue reading →

Posted in close to home, first world problems, tech geek, this I believe | 3 Comments

“My Writing Process” Blog Hop

Posted on June 17, 2014 by José Iriarte

YA writer and dear friend Marlana Antifit tagged me on the writing process blog hop that’s been going around, for which I’m so grateful—I genuinely love being tagged in things like this, and yet I seem somehow to be overlooked … Continue reading →

Posted in artist's life, bookish life, close to home, rants, storytelling, teen issues, the latino thing, writing | 6 Comments

What’s in (40% of) a name?

Posted on January 24, 2012 by José Iriarte

I’ve recently undergone a name change. I didn’t have to fill out any forms, and my driver’s license hasn’t changed, but legal forms hardly represent the reality of day to day life anyway. This change has only taken effect at … Continue reading →

Posted in close to home | 6 Comments

Fifteen Years: A Shared Dream

Posted on January 10, 2012 by José Iriarte

Fifteen years ago tonight, my best friend Lisa and I made official a journey that we’d begun months before. On an amazing (but freezing) night, in front of all our closest friends and relatives, we shivered through our vows and … Continue reading →

Posted in artist's life, assorted nerdom, blargety-blog, close to home | 15 Comments

Fundamentally, We Deliver Ourselves

Posted on January 1, 2012 by José Iriarte

If you look toward the right and down a bit, down where it says “Currently Reading,” you’ll notice that I’m reading a work of nonfiction. Unlike most people, apparently, I read way more fiction than nonfiction; in fact, other than … Continue reading →

Posted in books you might enjoy, close to home | 12 Comments

Survivor Guilt, 2011 Edition

Posted on December 31, 2011 by José Iriarte

I’ve been seeing a lot of blog posts around talking about how 2011 was a terrible year, either for the blogger or for the world in general. I’m not so sure how terrible it was for the world–yeah, we saw … Continue reading →

Posted in artist's life, bookish life, close to home | 4 Comments

The Archetype of the Tortured Artist

Posted on July 25, 2011 by José Iriarte

I wasn’t particularly familiar with Amy Winehouse before her death. I knew the name, and I had the general impression that a lot of the people I respect admired her art and her intelligence. My days of keeping up with … Continue reading →

Posted in artist's life, close to home | 6 Comments