Omar Valerio-Jiménez, a Professor of History at the University of Texas at San Antonio and an associate dean, discusses the journey from engineering to academia. He delves into the impact of collective memories from the U.S.-Mexico War on Mexican American civil rights. The conversation highlights how personal anecdotes enrich historical narratives and shaped his writing process. Omar's innovative work log system and the interplay between family memories and historical context offer valuable insights into crafting meaningful stories. His reflections on mentorship and feedback also inspire aspiring writers.
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Write Mornings, Find Quiet Spaces
Omar Valerio-Jiménez recommends writing in the morning and adapting to your life changes, like family duties.
Use quiet, familiar spaces at home for focus, and avoid noisy environments unless necessary.
insights INSIGHT
Engineering Shapes Writing Process
Omar believes engineering shaped his problem-solving and attention to detail in writing.
His practice of keeping detailed writing logs and timing sessions reflects an engineer's methodical approach.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Family Story Sparks Identity Inquiry
Omar Valerio-Jiménez shares a family story about his niece Christy navigating dual identities as Mexican-American.
This conversation inspired him to explore collective memory's role in shaping identity across generations.
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Remembering Conquest: Mexican Americans, Memory, and Citizenship, delves into the lasting impact of the U.S.-Mexico War on Mexican-American identity and civil rights movements. The book examines how collective memories of the war shaped activism across generations. It explores the complexities of memory, highlighting how different groups interpreted and utilized these memories for social and political purposes. The author uses personal anecdotes and historical analysis to illustrate the strategic use of collective memory in civil rights campaigns. The book offers a nuanced understanding of the ongoing legacy of the war and its influence on Mexican-American communities.
Bird by Bird
Some Instructions on Writing and Life
Anne Lamott
Susan Bennett
Bird by Bird is a comprehensive guide to writing that covers various aspects of the craft, from the initial stages of starting a project to the technical details of plot, character, and dialogue. Lamott emphasizes the importance of persistence, faith, and hard work in writing. She advocates for writing imperfect first drafts and warns against the pitfalls of perfectionism and self-criticism. The book also delves into the emotional and spiritual aspects of writing, encouraging writers to confront their deepest fears and desires. Lamott's approach is down-to-earth, humorous, and generously filled with personal experiences and practical advice.
Nothing Ever Dies
Viet Thanh Nguyen
In *Nothing Ever Dies*, Viet Thanh Nguyen delves into the complex ways the Vietnam War has been remembered and forgotten, examining various cultural forms like novels, films, and monuments. He argues for a 'just memory' that acknowledges both humanity and inhumanity, advocating for peace and reconciliation. The book is a personal and philosophical exploration of war, identity, and memory.
Show Your Work!
Austin Kleon
In 'Show Your Work!', Austin Kleon provides a manifesto for succeeding as any kind of artist or entrepreneur in the digital age. The book emphasizes the importance of generosity over genius, getting 'findable' by using the network, and self-discovery through sharing your creative process. It offers ten transformative rules for being open, generous, brave, and productive, including chapters on sharing something small every day, engaging with your audience, and the etiquette of sharing online. The book is filled with illustrations, quotes, stories, and examples to inspire and guide readers in their creative journeys[2][3][4].
Drafting the Past is a show about the craft of writing history, hosted by historian and writer Kate Carpenter. In this episode, Kate is joined by historian Dr. Omar Valerio-Jiménez. Omar is a professor of history at the University of Texas at San Antonio, where he is also an associate dean for graduate studies. He originally worked as an engineer before going back to school to become a historian. His work focuses on histories of Mexican American civil rights, citizenship, education, and memory. His first book was called River of Hope: Forging Identity and Nation in the Rio Grande Borderlands, and his second book, which is the focus of this interview, is Remembering Conquest: Mexican Americans, Memory, and Citizenship. Remembering Conquest explores the collective memories of the U.S.-Mexico War and how those memories motivated civil rights campaigns among several generations of Mexican Americans. Omar is a pleasure to speak with, and his thoughtful approach to his work came through in our conversation. Keep an ear out especially for his work log system, which I might have to try out myself.
Drafting the Past 
