frequently asked questions

how did you get started writing?

For me, it’s never really been an option not to write. Art is the primary ambassador of beauty, and writing has always been the course of art that comes most naturally for me, as well as a way to process. As a kid, I was always writing stories or speeches, which evolved into journaling as I got older, and by the time I hit college, writing was a constant as papers were the bulk of my coursework. Living in Paris was foundational to my writing journey, because the atmosphere of uninhibited culture and artistic expression gave me a freedom to explore my creativity without pressure.

In my spare time, I threw myself into all sorts of things. Writing workshops, nude figure drawing classes, cultural exhibitions, jazz clubs, and get togethers with friends and expats who shared a love of literature. There were many days I’d spend afternoons sketching at the Musée d’Orsay, and evenings after work, writing late into the night. There was so much to soak up, that I was constantly writing about my experiences, and by the end of my time there, I’d written my first “manuscript” so to speak; that was basically a chronicled memoir of my time there. Looking back, it was perhaps a bit long-winded, but seeing it through gave me the confidence I needed to pursue writing as a tangible goal.

With poetry, I’d never really explored it until I started attending open mic poetry nights in the basement of this little bar in the 11th arrondisement. It was here I got plugged in with even more of the many aspiring writers in the Paris community. These nights were what first peaked my interest in the idea that poetry can take many forms and doesn’t always need to be dry or obscure, and after that I was hooked. When I returned to the States, I took a position in Colorado working with the homeless, and being nose to nose with such brokenness helped my writing develop a more empathetic and honest perspective, that I believe has carried over to this day.

When I realized that writing creative fiction was more a passion than an itch, I devoted myself to practice, not knowing if anything would ever really come of it. At some point, I decided to compete in one of the flash fiction challenges put on by NYC Midnight. It’s a yearly international writing competition consisting of 3 rounds, where entrants are divided in groups and given a random genre, object, and place that they’re then tasked with constructing a story around. It is a fantastic exercise to challenge your skills under pressure and I would highly recommend it. To my surprise, I advanced up to the 3rd round, and though my story didn’t win, the experience sharpened my abilities and pushed me to put in the work to improve. From there I went on in practice, honing my voice, and seeking to write as authentically as possible.

How did you find and settle into your own style?

A lot of writing, re-writing, and trusting my gut. Also a lot of reading! As crazy as it sounds, the more you read, the better of a writer you’ll be! When it comes to poetry, I tend to appreciate pieces that have a simple creativity about them, as I think it allows the beauty of the poem to come through more naturally. This definitely translates into my poems, though I didn’t always write that way.

When I first began experimenting with poetry after college, in my push for originality, sometimes I ended up with poems that sounded a bit forced or cloudy. The key to good writing is practice. And to be patient in knowing that growth happens with time. A lot of my poems now tend to be relatively straight-forward and provocative in the sense that they uplift the ordinary. I believe whole-heartedly that poetry breathes in the familiar, every day experience, and I think my poems have evolved to reflect that.

When it comes to story writing, I tend to focus on three areas. A compelling idea or plot line, great character development, and a sort of poetic beauty in the language itself. In my opinion, it’s rare to find a novel or piece that hits the mark of all three, and as great as a story might be, I believe there’s a mediocrity if the characters are flat or the lines dull. Writing short stories requires stretching different creative muscles than poetry, though both are equally challenging in their own way. However, I’d say my style for writing stories definitely aspires to the creation of an honest plot, with complex characters, and touching lines, and my prayer is always that I don’t fall short.

what major themes play a role in your work?

I think by nature the act of writing is a hopeful thing, so I’d say that hope is a common thread. I’m also fascinated by the way experiences of grief sort of act as a floodgate to creativity, so there’s a lot of exploration of sorrow in my writing, and the way people cope, the way they change, and how they rise above. There’s a tenacity to this I think, which is why it’s so fascinating to write about. Themes of nostalgia also play a huge role in things I tend to write. Also faith, childhood, and human resilience. I try to stay curious and keep an open mind.

How has faith influenced your writing?

I think a lot of creative writing is a questioning. Asking questions to expose the nature of something, without always needing an answer spelled out concretely. In a way, there’s a forgiveness about this. It leaves room for the implication of mystery and a surrender to something beyond us. As a Catholic, this is nothing new. Through the sacraments, we are already in the practice of meeting the divine through the senses. When I write, I try to encapsulate and preserve that feeling of intimacy.

My hope is that the reader feels privy to something sacred; something that carries weight that he can take with him as food for thought later. I don’t like to write too explicitly about faith because I want to preserve the mystery while at the same time maintaining a sense of rawness to the truth of our fallen world. But if you’re paying attention, in a lot of my poems and stories there is an undercurrent that alludes to God’s grace and the gift of faith. The strength of language is that it has the power to point us toward what is beautiful, good, and true, which can be done in a million different ways. But behind it all, God waits.

What’s the best way to bypass discouragement for the sake of your craft?

Keep going! Rejection is normal. It’s a part of the process, grueling as it may be, but let it push you to be better. Don’t give up because you aren’t seeing results. Channel that frustration back into your work and keep knocking on doors. All the great artists had to face discouragement at some point or other, and what a travesty it would be for the artistic world had they thrown in the towel pre-maturely!

The best piece of advice I can give is to hold fast to the knowledge that God has given you your creative passion and gifts for a reason, and He wants you to share them! When we use our creative talents, we are uniquely participating in God’s creative work here on earth, and if you don’t use them, that part of His creation will be lacking! Always remember it is a privilege to contribute to the beauty of God’s kingdom, so have confidence in what He’s entrusted to you knowing that it will touch someone eventually. Trust your voice, create for yourself first, and find the lining when the road is hard.

as a writer, how do i know when my work is ready?

You don’t. If you wait until your work is “ready” you’ll probably never get it out there. It’s up to you when you’re brave enough to share it, and whenever that is, your work probably still won’t be perfect. There is such a vulnerability in sharing something you’ve created, but if you want to be a good writer, stay humble and listen to the feedback even when it’s hard to hear, so you can use it constructively to make your work better.

You don’t want to lose the uniqueness of your voice, but it is also important to take note that form, structure, and style affect a reader’s experience. So if you want your audience to be able to swallow the meat and bones of your work, you’ll want to ensure your message comes across in the most seamless way possible that still stays true to your voice. The point is, don’t wait! Get it out there and let it breathe. Everyone has to start somewhere, and the only way to be a good writer is to have the guts to be a bad one first.