International Memoir Writers Association is excited to announce Richard Villasana as our April 2023 Member of the Month! Please take a minute to read Richard’s interview with IMWA Board Member Janet Hafner.
- How did you first discover IMWA?
I discovered IMWA through Marni Freedman. I met Marni, her husband, and her son years ago. Marni’s son, Ben, wanted to interview someone about foster care for a school project and contacted me. Since then, Marni and I have stayed in touch. Of course, when I wrote my book, “Do No Harm,” I immediately thought of Marni for support and advice. She recommended that I become a member of IMWA, and here we are.
- What prompted you to become a writer?
Writing allows me to get my passion and ideas out to the world. I talk a lot. Ask any of my friends. Yet there’s something about writing. My thoughts flow in a different manner. I can’t simply rattle on. Good writing has to be tight, communicate to the reader, and draw them in. I love sharing information with a specific focus for a large audience. I enjoy that many say that when they read my writing, it’s as if I was sitting next to them talking away. Writing allows me to champion a topic and a cause and to have that message reach beyond me to hopefully inspire many to take action.
- What impacts have writing classes and workshops had on your writing?
I haven’t really taken any writing workshops. I did take a creative writing course in college that truly helped sharpen my skills. I already had a vast vocabulary, but the course forced me to refine my writing. I often reflect on some of the lessons I learned from that exceptional teacher. My biggest writing strength came from writing extensive reports and stories throughout college in English and other languages. I moved on to writing several articles for business and then a monthly column in “Foster Focus” magazine over a span of five years. If I don’t write, I don’t grow as a writer. Now may be the time to take a class or workshop to sharpen my skills further.
- We’d love to hear about what your next project will be.
I’m already pulling together articles and research for a new book. It will continue the story of the more than five thousand immigrant children separated from their parents at the Mexico-U.S. border from 2017 through 2021. Only 600 families have been officially reunited. The U.S. government is struggling to locate more than a thousand parents. This humanitarian tragedy is far from over.
- Who are your favorite authors? Favorite memoirs?
I like Robin Cook, Heather Graham, Tess Gerritsen, and Jayne Ann Krentz. I love Arthur Conan Doyle. I’m very proud that some professionals have compared my work and success to that of Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes. I enjoy books by successful business leaders such as Richard Branson and Howard Schultz. One of my favorite memoirs is “Courage to Soar” by Simone Biles. She is a fierce advocate for foster children, having been one herself.
- What advice would you give new writers?
My recommendation to new writers is to take a creative writing class. They want to have their work critiqued, possibly ripped apart, to discover weaknesses in their writing style. Then they should write, write, write, and write more while having someone competent edit their work. I taught an Advanced English class in Mexico. The students wanted me to spend much more time on grammar. While some grammar was folded into each lesson, I had them write every class. By the end of the semester, most of those students produced beautiful stories in English, well-written and grammatically correct. Finally, writers have to be readers so they can experience different writing styles and incorporate what speaks to them into their work. A writer will find their voice over time, and then the fun really begins.
- Richard, please tell us about your book and your publicity plans.
Latino children ripped from their parent’s arms at the Mexico-U.S. border have still not been reunited with their families, and many remain trapped within the foster care system. In Richard Villasana’s new book, “Do No Harm: The U.S. Border Child Tragedy Continues,” you’ll discover raw accounts of the struggle these kids face to survive alone in systems never designed to raise them. “Do No Harm” is a gripping insider account of a humanitarian crisis that enables abuse, sex trafficking, drug use, teen pregnancy, and death. It’s a riveting book that empowers you to become an agent of change.
Inside you’ll explore:
- The horrifying pipeline between federal immigration and local foster care
- Institutionalized barriers to reconnecting children with their families
- Dramatic proof that reuniting families improves lives and communities
Richard Villasana, Founder of the non-profit Forever Homes for Foster Kids, is a renowned expert in immigration issues and the foster care system. This riveting book is your ultimate guide to resolving the tragedy that began at the U.S.-Mexico border in 2017 as well as how you can create a safe and supportive community for kids to thrive.
As for my publicity plans, the book and I are being promoted on radio, podcasts, and TV. I am creating new presentations based on the book material for speaking events. Plans are underway to translate the book into Spanish as soon as possible. I also plan to use social media to generate interest in the book. I’m always open to suggestions from other authors who have ongoing sales of their books.
- Please let us know how we can reach you. Website? Social channels?