One year after Alejandro (Alex) Grattan-Dominguez arrived in Ajijic in 1987, a woman approached him who knew of his screenplays and suggested that he start a group for writers.
Grattan didn’t think there were many writers in Ajijic, so he was taken by surprise when 35 people showed up for the first meeting.
Thirty years later, the Ajijic Writers Group is still going strong and Grattan claims that he hasn’t missed more than ten meetings in three decades.
During Ajijic’s “high” season, as many as 80 to 100 people show up at the twice monthly meetings. Many are working on their memoirs or books, and a number of poets come along to read their poetry.
“The group’s original format remains close to what it is now,” says Grattan. “Our interest is in reading our stuff, hearing other people’s stuff and critiquing each other’s stuff. We are not a debating society. When it comes to critiques, we suggest that writers take what works for them, throw out what doesn’t, and not take anything personally.
“Occasionally, I run across people who have attended a meeting. They thank me for inviting them, but tell me they will not be returning because the critiquing part seemed way too tough.”
It’s at that moment that Grattan tells them about the first chapter he read from his first published historical novel, “The Dark Side of the Dream.”
“After reading the chapter, I told the group that I couldn’t decide whether it should be the first or third chapter. One elderly lady raised her hand and said, ‘Would you like to know what to do with that chapter? Burn it, throw it in the trash!’ Now, that’s harsh criticism and not what I’d call constructive. Luckily, that’s a rare thing.”
access public}
Please login or subscribe to view the complete article.
{/access}
Grattan is proud that a number of successful publishing endeavors have come out of the group.
“Barbara Bickmore was a high school English teacher in Arizona who joined our group when she arrived in Ajijic. Before she died, about 12 years ago, she wrote eight novels; two were on the New York Times Best Seller list. She knew history very well and used that knowledge as a backdrop for her historical novels.
“Group member Ray Rigby had been in the British Army in World War II and wrote the novel ‘The Hill,’ which was later made into a movie, starring Sean Connery.
“Another group member, Richard Vasquez, wrote ‘Chicano,’ the first major novel about Mexican-Americans. It was published by Doubleday and translated into 12 languages.”
Grattan continues: “And then there’s Jim Tuck, a freelance journalist who wrote and sold 400 articles to major magazines. While in our group, he wrote two non-fiction books: ‘The War in Los Altos’ and ‘Pancho Villa and John Reed.’
Every March, members of the writers group partake in the three-day Lake Chapala Writers’ Conference, held at various hotels around the area.
Says Grattan: “Nearly all of our group members attend. Although it is not quite as famous as the San Miguel de Allende conference, it’s not very far behind. The last conference included well-known writers and teachers, along with editors from major New York publishing houses.”
Over the years, some members have suggested that Grattan change the group to be by invitation only.
“The reason I don’t like that idea,” he says, “is that we have been stunned many times over by people nobody knew of who read their stuff and knocked our socks off. If the group was by invitation only, those people wouldn’t be there.”
Grattan arrived in Ajijic in 1987 from Los Angeles, California, where, as a screenwriter/film director, he wrote 21 screenplays, including “Only Once in a Lifetime,” the first major film about the Mexican-American experience. The film, which he also directed, premiered at New York’s Kennedy Center.
About Ajijic, he says, “I can’t imagine living anywhere else. My mother is from Mexico and I’ve been in and out of the country all my life. Much of what I did in Los Angeles was Mexico-oriented. My second book, “Breaking Even,” has a Hispanic theme.”
Last week, the group held a surprise celebration for Grattan at their regular Friday morning meeting at La Nueva Posada Hotel, honoring him for the 30 years that he’s been leading the group. Members brought out a chocolate cake and a new lectern with an engraved plate that recognizes Grattan as the group’s founder. With 40 to 50 people in attendance, a handful stepped up to the new podium to praise Grattan, who was sitting nearby, soaking it all in.
“I found myself getting wistful and nostalgic because many people from the group are no longer with us,” says Grattan.
As for receiving all the praises, Grattan reflects with a smile, “If you live long enough, somebody is finally going to say something nice about you.”
For more information about the Ajijic Writers’ Group, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..">.