Novels
Writing a novel is like being in a relationship - it’s a great idea at first.
Until it’s full of all the drama and chaos you initially overlooked.
Until the new and exciting sours into existential boredom.
Yet once it’s over, you can’t help but miss all of those things you forgot to appreciate while you were in it.
Thank the universe you can go back to the novel after you get some space.
But it’s rarely a good idea to go back to your ex.
-jr lópez
The Un-Natural Order
The spell-binding romance between Selena Sálazar and Rubén Espinoza takes a deeper magical turn as they learn of their destiny to participate in the Mirror Spirit Trials — if either one fails the Trials, the agreements of the Natural Order dictate they must both be sentenced to death. While both gods and humans agreed to the Natural Order to ensure peace, a nefarious cabal schemes to break the agreements, restart the war, and become the ultimate rulers of both the god and human realms. With the scheming drama of the gods on the one hand, and the history of infighting between the magical human communities led by Las Familias on the other, Rubén and Selena must decide who is friend, who is foe, and figure out how they will survive the Mirror Spirit Trials. How will they navigate what is becoming an increasingly Un-Natural Order?
Comedy of the Anxious
Jorge Cruz here — teller of jokes and drinker of whiskey (informal and self-ascribed titles, to be clear).
The People (whoever they are) say I’m a rising stand-up comic on the edge of my big break — but I’m also on the edge of a nervous breakdown. That’s because there’s also the Other People (whoever those are) that hate my jokes and want to end my career before it ever really takes off.
Layla, brewery-owner and my partner in life — along with my sister María and brother in law Mike — hold me down. And the man my sister refers to as “our dad” breaks me down. But I survive it all with their love.
The comedy gods finally call my number, and I go on a nationwide tour with the angry yet lovable Elena and the comically depressed philosopher Nathan. I’m literally achieving my dreams — but the anxiety chokes me harder. Am I ready for this?
Comedy, realistic fiction, anxiety, growing into oneself
Circus of Weird
Oh, hello dear reader. Funny seeing you here — I hope you looked around to see if I was actually looking. Anyways, let’s get to it because there’s only so much space to work with here: What is sanity in an insane world? Aren’t we all just part of the absurd yet significant games in this Circus of Weird?
About Me: My mom named me Carlos — I had no part in the selection of this name, much like I had no part in choosing my hair color, or in getting evicted from a plush room and board situation in the womb and having to be part of this quite random blip of time in the larger scope of the infinite universe.
My fiancée Chloe, best friend Edwin, and I work at a psychiatric hospital. And, to be honest, I like it more “in there” than “out here.” Psych patients are more honest; they gave up on pretending to have it all figured out, unlike us who wander around on the outside, clapping cymbals together like obedient chimps for money or whatever we do.
Okay, here’s some drama: When the love of Edwin’s life, Breana, has a breakdown after her parents are deported, Chloe and I move into their house to take care of each other.
But as the four of us grow and change — along with our ambitions, or lack thereof — we have to choose what role we’ll continue to play in the Circus of Weird, until our time comes to an end…
Comedy, realistic fiction, existential, second-coming of age