Many Latines living in the US share numerous sentiments and experiences that come with being a part of two cultures. With this in mind, author and illustrator Jose Pimienta created their latest project Halfway to Somewhere, a story about changing family dynamics, the importance of friendship, and learning about yourself.
Latina Medio Co contributor Jassyel Gomez spoke with Jose to discuss their most recent middle-grade graphic novel Halfway to Somewhere which comes out today, culture clashes, and what inspires their creativity.
JASSYEL GOMEZ: What made you want to be a writer?
JOSE PIMIENTA: Even to this day I have a bit of a, quite a reaction to the term, or to the title of “writer.” I think of myself predominantly as a cartoonist first, but then someone also has to nudge me, “But you’re writing your own stories as well? You’re interested in storytelling. Why is that different?” And I don’t know… I’ve always loved drawing, I’ve always loved storytelling… It’s something that I’ve always been in love with and love doing.
JASSYEL GOMEZ: What do you enjoy most about creating stories for young people?
JOSE PIMIENTA: That’s a really big question. I really love writing for the middle graders and younger readers in particular. I think it’s because it’s a very difficult age, but it’s also a great age of discovery… There’s so much of the world that you’re uncovering, but also so much of yourself that you’re still uncovering. Your own body is going through different things, you’re coming into a different perspective, you’re starting to be perceived differently. It’s something I’ve always wanted to figure out how to put into words [to capture through] comics.
JASSYEL GOMEZ: How did some of your personal experiences influence Ave’s character or the circumstances they find themselves in?
JOSE PIMIENTA: Well, first of all, we are both non-binary, so that’s great [laughs]. I grew up in Mexicali. I love Mexicali and I came to a point when I was in my late 30’s [where I realized] that I’d been living half of my life in the United States… I just started having this gnawing thing.
The longer I’m alive, the more time I will be spending in the US, the farther I will be feeling from my hometown. What is that feeling? [It’s] so very similar to the character Ave… They happen to be in a place where they don’t feel at home. As much as I love living in LA, it took me a while to refer to LA as being home.
Halfway to Somewhere is not autobiographical, but it is extremely personal… Even though [Ave] is very determined and confident in that they are non-binary, they have a lot to figure out, and have a lot they are juggling and so is their family. So those are some things that helped me write a story of this complicated family with very specific dynamics.
JASSYEL GOMEZ: I like that within Halfway to Somewhere, you push back on some things that can be interpreted as culture, but in actuality are unhealthy stereotypes or dynamics – women should be responsible for all cooking and household chores, carilla, etc. Why was it important for you to bring this critique into the story?
JOSE PIMIENTA: For anyone who has experience between Mexican cultural dynamics and living in the US, it’s a mess. There’s no one solution. For anyone who is having experiences of culture clash, I think it’s important to examine and analyze them.
It was important for me to bring those things up because my motto is, “if I’m experiencing this, surely I can’t be the only one.” I will never forget talking to younger people, Mexicans included, about carrilla being referred to as bullying. They’re not wrong, but I’m also just thinking, “Why is it that my generation and older perceive it as a good thing or an affection thing?” I don’t have the answers. Everyone gets along in different ways, everyone has their dynamics, but I think it’s important to pay attention to them, call attention to them, talk about it, and make a choice whether it’s something you’re okay with or shouldn’t be practiced.
JASSYEL GOMEZ: What do you want readers to take away from your book?
JOSE PIMIENTA: I hope readers take away that it’s okay to not have things figured out. It’s okay to not have it all solved. It’s okay to have multiple homes or not know where your home is.
Another would be, you may encounter people that really genuinely want to be your friend, so appreciate that. Give them a chance, you may discover wonderful things.
[Lastly], keep your eyes open. Keep looking around. The world is a beautiful place – it has a lot of interesting details, so keep paying attention to your surroundings. You might see things you hadn’t noticed before or that carry a certain significance or tell their own stories while just being there. Go out for a walk.
Halfway to Somewhere is available everywhere books are sold. You can check out more of Jose’s work on their website josepimienta.com or follow them on Instagram @thejoepi.
