"Reading Julia Alvarez's new collection of essays is like curling up with a glass of wine in one hand and the phone in the other, listening to a big-hearted, wisecracking friend share hard-earned wisdom about family, identity, and the art of writing." —People The rich and revealing essays in Something to Declare offer Julia Alvarez's dual meditations on coming to America and becoming a writer. In the first section, "Customs," Alvarez relates how she and her family fled the Dominican Republic and its oppressive dictator, Rafael Trujillo, settling in New York City in the 1960s. Here Julia begins a love affair with the English language under the tutelage of the aptly named Sister Maria Generosa. Part Two—"Declarations"—celebrates Alvarez's enduring passion for the writing life. From the valentine to mythic storyteller Scheherazade that is "First Muse," to a description of Alvarez's itinerant life as a struggling poet, teacher, and writer in "Have Typewriter, Will Travel," to the sage and witty advice of "Ten of My Writing Commandments," Alvarez generously shares her influences and inspirations with aspiring writers everywhere. Grandfather's blessing Our papers My English My second opera I want to be Miss América El Doctor La Gringuita Picky eater Briefly, a gardener Imagining motherhood Genetics of justice Family matters First muse Of maids and other muses So much depends Doña Aída, with your permission Have typewriter, will travel A Vermont writers from the Dominican Republic Chasing the butterflies Goodbye, Ms. Chips In the name of the novel Ten of my writing commandments Grounds for fiction Writing matters