Rosa Angelica Garcia
Interviewed by Peggy Jackson
15 December 2020
NJCU Alumna
& Writer
Rosa Angelica Garcia is a Salvadoran American writer. Her work appears in Tint Journal and is forthcoming in Months to Years. While a student at New Jersey City University, she edited PATHs, the student creative writing magazine. In 2018, she was the recipient of the Margaux Fragoso Literary Courage Award, and the Kathy Potter Memorial Writing Award.
Is there anything you want your readers to know about your work?
R.G: My work is a portrayal of how my mind works, it’s everywhere. My work focuses a lot on grief, Salvadoran culture and identity. I write the way I speak; I try to make sure that what I am writing, people can see and hear clearly. My goal isn’t meant to make people relate to what I am writing, but to learn from and find their own connections in my work.
As a writer, primarily of memoir, what is your process for conjuring memories into meaningful personal essays and other creative works?
R.G: Often, I’ll start off with writing prompts with general lines such as “I remember, I don’t remember, I can hear, I can smell, I can see. etc.” It then takes me to wherever I need to go. I write what I need to write, take a break, and go back to see the overall picture I have made. Sometimes I don’t know where I am going, but I know that I am going somewhere. When it comes to turning them into meaningful works, I realize what the core of the story is after I have already dived into the messiness. I, then, focus on refining the story. I also do a lot of research. I love to read other works and see the style and word choice. I always try to see the purpose of the writing. When I feel unsure of something I am writing, I look to other writers.
A writer’s routine is special to each writer. What are some elements of your routine and how important is it for a writer to have one?
R.G: I have a writing schedule where I write at least two days a week for an hour or so. Sometimes I have more days depending on my work schedule or other events happening. Within that schedule, I set myself up with my favorite snack, my lighting tends to be dim, and I decide whether technology is a friend or not. I go between physically writing and typing my work. I write until I can’t, and often I will repeat the same line when I am stuck but I don’t stop myself from writing because then I’ll stop for good that day. Sticking to this routine is essential to me because in this chaotic pandemic, I don’t have a sense of stability with writing. My routine has changed since we went virtual. I used to write at parks, cafes, and on the bus rides to work, and find inspiration through what was around me. Now, my setting is my home, so I use writing prompts to set that inspiration.
I think it is so important for writers to have some sort of routine. Writing is work and not dedicating time for the work is a loss of opportunities. There doesn’t have to be a huge dedication to writing but there should be at least an hour where writers sit and just write whatever comes. It can be a journal entry, a short story, a poem, even a list. I think writers forget that writing can keep the brain active and can ease some of that anxiety that comes with daily stresses.
As a graduate student and NJCU alumna, what advice do you have for undergrad students anxious about life post-college?
R.G: I say give yourself a breather after graduating but also plan. Even if it is a small plan! The plan doesn’t have to be followed perfectly, but just having an idea of what can come in the future will ease that anxiety of uncertainty. It’s okay to be unsure of what to do next, it’s kind of expected. I felt so lost after graduating but I took the time to figure out what I wanted and decided to go for a master’s to strengthen my writing. Within those months of me figuring it out, I dived into reading lots of books, did a lot of painting, and even started playing video games. So, I recommend diving into other projects.
Get creative! Learn to cook, learn to paint. Do something with your hands and then get back to your career choice. The feeling of being lost is so overwhelming and there is this pressure that after graduating you need to get yourself settled, successful, and dive into a job or a project. I think that pressure needs to be lifted and that students need to realize that being lost is okay, and taking time after graduating, is healthy.
I am doing that right now! The pandemic put my original plans to a halt, so I am currently using this time to focus on smaller projects and being healthy.
Where can our readers keep up with your writing career?
R.G: Oh! Writing career! I really had to think about what that means so I will go with what I am doing and have done. I am still working on my book! It is a journey. But you can find a piece called “Caskets” on Tint Journal. You can also find me in a literary magazine called Months to Years. My piece, “Pending in the Ugly,” will be out at the end of 2020. And of course, you can find me in HYPE literary magazine as well! I do have a small writing Instagram that I am trying to get into the works. If you want to follow, you can find it @lfpewrites. Other than that, I am sending my material out and diving into the world of publishing my work.
Do you have any final words of encouragement to students during these uncertain times?
R.G: Don’t stop doing what you want to do. It’s okay to struggle, feel exhausted, and feel unsure of the future, we are all there. You’re not alone! Just think that through this gigantic obstacle, you’re here. So, keep going!
