NOVELIST TELLS HOW SHE USES FAMILY LORE IN HER WRITING.

Byline: Rick Coca Valley News Writer

Regardless of the genre, author Sandra Cisneros aims for some semblance of truth, a task made difficult when trying to decipher family lore.

``The problem with family stories, especially Mexican families, they only tell you the good parts,'' Cisneros said. ``They only tell you what they want you to hear, but not what you need to hear.''

But even Cisneros admits that the truth is nebulous - and that many true stories seldom come with an easy beginning, middle or end. So the acclaimed Latina writer, who now makes her home in San Antonio, Texas, says she must ``cut and paste'' fragments of real-life stories into fictional settings and add in a fictional character or two to arrive at new universal truths.

In this world, even lies can be true.

With ``Caramelo,'' Cisneros' 2002 novel, she takes a unique approach to the ``any resemblance to people either living or dead'' disclaimer found in most fiction work. In it, Cisneros states that she is continuing the family tradition of telling healthy lies, but begs forgiveness if she inadvertently stumbles onto the truth.

``All the fibers are real,'' Cisneros said. `(It's) essential that people not dismiss it as mere entertainment.''

It's hard to imagine anybody dismissing Cisneros' work.

With poetry and fiction like ``Caramelo,'' ``House on Mango Street,'' ``Loose Woman'' and ``Woman Hollering Creek and Other Stories,'' Cisneros' books have sold millions of copies, garnered numerous awards and earned her the prestigious MacArthur Foundation Fellowship.

The Chicago native recently spoke to about 250 people at Tia Chucha's Cafe Cultural in Sylmar, where she put her body and soul into her sensory-laden prose as she read excerpts from ``Caramelo,'' ``House on Mango Street'' and other works.

With ``Caramelo,'' Cisneros felt compelled to include footnotes to show readers the truth that inspired her. The book also includes a chronology that records the history of Mexican and some American migration from the early 16th century, when Moctezuma and Cortes met, to the present.

``I had to be a bit unorthodox,'' Cisneros said. ``(A) job of a good storyteller is you gather from all of these places.''

Cisneros, who worked on ``Caramelo'' for nine years, said she's currently working on two nonfiction books. One, ``Writing in my Pajamas,'' is a how-to guide for writers, teachers and students. The other, ``Tango for Tongolele,'' is a series of essays paying homage to actors, musicians, artists and others who have influenced Cisneros - people who might be household names in Mexico, but are little known outside of that country.

People like Yolanda ``Tongolele'' Montes.

She was an American woman who, beginning in the 1940s, found fame in Mexico as a Tahitian-style dancer.

``She made exotic dancing the rage,'' Cisneros said. ``She's Swedish with green eyes. She caused a sensation when she shimmied down the stage in Mexico. (She's in her 60s and) she still can dance. That's my kind of woman. I find these women fascinating. She's kind of a reverse Chicana.''

Cisneros said she'll complete those books as soon as she can get home to San Antonio and has enough time to write. With the Iraq war and the heated debate over immigration, Cisneros has felt compelled to spend a significant amount of time traveling throughout the world, participating in speaking engagements.

Cisneros said since Chicanos are a mixture of different races, with Arab, Jewish, African and indigenous roots, they are in a unique position to ease tensions in these contentious times.

``We're in a prime place to be able to be the peacemakers, to be able to be the bridge-builders,'' Cisneros said.

``It's an interesting time to be a brown writer,'' said Cisneros, who sees herself as a one-person peace demonstration.

When faced with an audience whose views oppose her own, Cisneros said she tries to find some common ground, often connecting through humor or spirituality.

``I do ... believe in the power of a story to change people's minds,'' Cisneros said. ``We need to tell people stories to soften people's hearts. (The) aim for me is to make them see themselves in the people who are most unlike themselves.''

For more information on Sandra Cisneros, go to www.sandracisneros.com. For upcoming events at Tia Chucha's Cafe Cultural, call [phone], or go to www.tiachucha.com.

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2 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color) Writer Sandra Cisneros, reading from her 2002 novel, ``Caramelo,'' recommends that first-time authors take public speaking classes or acting lessons to develop performing skills needed for book readings.

(2 -- color) Novelist Sandra Cisneros signs a book for one young fan at Tia Chucha's Cafe Cultural in Sylmar.

Rick Coca/Valley News