Pilar Garcia Guzman

UIW Student

Do you have any projects on which you’re currently working? If so, what are they?

Yes! I’m working on a couple short stories right now, as well as a novel. I’m finishing revisions on the short stories and will be submitting them to journals soon. The novel is still in the beginning stages and more of a long-term project.

What influenced/inspired you to work on this project?

I am very interested in grief and family relationships, so most of my stories explore different facets of that. Everyone goes through something different with their family, but there are always certain expectations, pressure, loss, love, and freedom within those experiences.

What does this project mean to you?

These short stories are the first I’ve finished since starting graduate school, so it’s very exciting that I can continue working on my craft.

 What made you go into creative writing?

I’ve always been an avid reader and enjoyed writing. It was fascinating for me, growing up, how much I could learn from stories and read about characters that were just like me but extremely different as well. I always hoped I could write books in the future, but I never viewed that as a feasible career field. During my time at UIW, I encountered the best professors in the world, who helped me recognize the value in my work and provided me with amazing opportunities to make a career out of something I love.

Do you have any advice you’d like to share with UIW’s current undergrad students that are interested in that field?

Writing is all about consistency. Set up a schedule that works for you and never skip your writing time. Make it a priority, as you would with anything else in your life.

What might your audience take away from your current project?

I always want my stories to make audiences think and reflect. I hope they are relatable, to some extent, and that by revealing so much about the characters the reader can recognize part of themselves within them.

What are your methods for getting into a creative headspace?

I prioritize my down time as much as every other responsibility in my life. I make sure to read the books I love, watch comfort movies and tv shows, and spend time with friends and family. When I am stressed or overwhelmed it’s hard to be productive when I sit down to write. My brain works best after having time to relax, think, and process the events of the day.

What are some challenges that you have faced in your career?

I’m still fairly new to all this! So not many challenges so far (thankfully). The obvious challenge would be submitting my work to be published and dealing with rejections. It’s a natural part of the process but as much as I try to brush them off, it can be hard to receive one after the other. I always try to remind myself that this is normal, it is a competitive field, and I just need to keep looking forward.

Do you hope to contribute to a broader conversation with you work? If so, what is the conversation?

I always want to highlight my culture within my work. Growing up, I didn’t read much contemporary Dominican literature that I related with. With my work, I want to incentivize young readers to engage with our literary culture and the importance of keeping it alive. I want my work to try to set an example by creating stories that help them feel represented and understood. 

Is there anything else you’d like to share with your audience about the work you’ve done since graduating from UIW?

I’m still waiting to hear back from a couple journals, but my short story “Not Enough” was published in Beyond Thought Journal a couple months ago. You can also read “Remembrance” and “French-Tipped Nails” on Quirk (UIW’s Literary Journal)!