Have you ever written a book? It’s not easy. But writing a book that requires extensive research, interviews in a language not your own, in countries unlike where you live and being a ‘quite’ senior citizen is no small feat.
Yes, my business partner has challenged us once again, this time with the writing of the first draft of Central American Contemporary Art.
So, I find myself in Managua, Nicaragua, starting the process. I bring copies of our first book, Central American Modernism, and the sheer weight of 8 of them at 7 pounds each is enough to send the customs official wondering. I explain they are gifts for the artists. I don’t think they really care as I point out my name on the jacket cover, but they always let me pass…probably they just want to stop hearing my broken Español.
It is breezy and fresh when I step out from the airport. My colleague, Johann, takes over as we load the suitcases and a box of artworks - We stop at a small pizzeria and have the most delicious carpaccio dinner.
I stay at Johann’s house that he shares with his uncle. There is another guest staying here from Little Corn Island, off the coast of Nicaragua on the Caribbean side. They have no cars or motorcycles or golf carts on the entire island and of course you can only get there by boat or ferry. Paula is a writer who left Italy to get away from the bruhaha of city life and now has 2 guest houses (Farm, Love & Peace) and makes coconut soap. She is interesting, passionate and opinionated. Tonight she is cooking spinach and ricotta cheese nudi.
Johann and I spend the day on the patio researching, arranging interviews and deciding the questions we should ask. We have successful responses and have 6 meetings in the next 2 days. Even a reclusive artist who sees no one these days has agreed to meet.
The sun is shining and a gentle breeze brings the scent of heliotropium and activates the chimes. The cats roam and ask for attention and Paula’s dog does, too. We drink coffee and eat rosquillas (small traditional biscuits) while we brainstorm.
See, it is not so bad writing a book, you should try it.