Blog
Old Mr. Ma – Cara’s Story at Women Writers, Women’s Books
My historical novel, Candlelight Bridge, has just been released by FlowerSong Press. I grew up with my Mexican-and-Chinese American Grandma, and Candlelight Bridge was inspired by the stories she told me: tales of secret immigrants, mixed-race children, and trauma passed down like an inheritance from generation to generation.
My research for this novel took me to China, San Francisco, and the borderlands of the U.S. and Mexico. I wandered villages and archaeological sites, visited museums and historical societies, read histories of all sorts, interviewed family members and locals and historians. All to imagine the story of a young man from China and young girl from Mexico immigrating to America in the early 1900s.
I’ve told the story of one research adventure in front of many audiences, and in honor of my book’s release, today you can read Old Mr. Ma at the literary magazine, Women Writers, Women’s Voices. May it remind us, we need not view the past as either curse or blessing, but rather an opportunity to discover who we are and all that connects us.
Lost in L.A. – Cara’s Story for the Strong Words Holiday(s) Show
Getting Lost In L.A. is a rite of passage for Angelenos, and I’m no exception, though I don’t live there anymore. This is my favorite version of that story so far, thanks to the big-hearted community of Larry Dean Harris’ storytelling show, Strong Words. His Holiday(s) Show really did make me laugh and cry! What’s more, the L.A. Public Library’s Taper Auditorium made for a great recording. You’ll find me at 24:00, but I hope you’ll kick back and enjoy it all because everyone brought their A-game! Wait till you hear the true confessions of a Macy’s Santa…
Candlelight Bridge, by Cara Lopez Lee – coming soon from FlowerSong Press!
I’m excited to announce FlowerSong Press has signed an agreement to publish my historical novel, Candlelight Bridge! I grew up with my Mexican-Chinese grandma and Candlelight Bridge is my reimagining of her family history, a fascinating saga that bridges continents, cultures, and the lives of two unlikely partners. Please check out the video below to see why you won’t want to miss Candlelight Bridge. Then follow my newsletter for the latest on the release date, book events, and stories behind the book!
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Nada Nada Tamalada – Cara en el Moth StorySLAM en Español
Hola mis amigos y siguedores quien hablan español. Tal vez saben que soy ni sola una escritora sino una narradora también. Por siete años, había contado historias frente de audiencias en vivo, y soy una ganadora de The Moth StorySLAM. Esta primavera, por primera vez, conté una historia en español para The Moth StorySLAM de Los Angeles. Español es mi segundo idioma, pero me dio que pude conectar con la audiencia con una historia sobre mi familia Chicana. La tema fue Celebración.
También conté esta historia en inglés, lo que pueden ver aquí.
About Cara
Cara Lopez Lee is the author of the novel, Candlelight Bridge, and the memoir, They Only Eat Their Husbands. She’s a winner of The Moth StorySLAM and is featured in many personal storytelling shows. Her writing appears in such publications as the Los Angeles Times, Manifest-Station, and Rivet. Cara and her husband love traveling, but their home is coastal Ventura, California, where they enjoy tending their Certified Wildlife Habitat full of birds, bees, and butterflies.
