This week, TheLatinoAuthor.com is featuring educator, poet, novelist and journalist Lisa Alvarado. Ms. Alvarado is also a recipient of several awards and was honored as Hispanic Author of the Year by the State of Illinois in 2009. Read our interview with Lisa Alvarado and learn about a typical day in her literary world.
How did you get interested in writing fiction and poetry?
I’ve always been a writer. In truth, it chose me and as a young person I literally lived because of books, novels, poetry, and now it’s part of my DNA.
What are some of the challenges that you find in writing poetry versus writing fiction?
Fiction writing is left brain activity – poetry, right? It’s a whole other series of muscles. I can script and plot and build fiction incrementally brick by brick. Poetry moves through me…intuition, spirit, and prayer.
What’s a typical working day for you and do you set a daily writing goal for each of these genres?
I occasionally listen to Terry Gross on NPR. On interviews, some say they “arise every morning at 5 am, drink Earl Gray tea and repair to the solarium for four hours.” My process is much less orderly. I do get my best ideas while walking and I do that a half hour every day. It’s feast or famine usually, and I also have had a day job of one sort or another for over 30 years, so writing is always bracketed around that.
Where do you get your ideas for writing?
Through time spent in nature, walking, being quiet and getting out of the way.
What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author and what has been the best compliment?
All criticism is helpful even if I don’t agree. I have had personal attacks, but that’s a part of life. My best compliment was given to me from a waitress who wrote a thank you note for my poetry on a cocktail napkin. I have been blessed by the support of Luis Rodriguez, Linda Rodriguez, and Juan Felipe Hererra amongst many. My goal is to pay it forward.
What are some of the challenges you face as a Latina Author? Do you feel this is a hindrance or a help?
In a society where there is racism, you have a tough road in a life period. I’m not different than the Latina baker, maid or office worker. Publishers, though somewhat improving, still have very narrow ideas of ‘Latino/a’ literature. Me, I just write what I think needs to be written.
What advice can you give to aspiring writers about the writing business world?
Read people you love. Read them again to figure out how they do what they do. Find people who are committed to helping you grow, with honest feedback and love. Keep writing and listening to the voice inside you that wants to climb out and dance on the page.
Visit me at: www.lisaalvarado.net!
