Meet Diana Rodriguez

Today we’d like to introduce you to Diana Rodriguez.

Thanks for sharing your story with us, Diana. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I started writing when I was in high school, and I didn’t take seriously. But, I knew it was something that would bring me the greatest enjoyment. When I got accepted to Naropa University to study Creative Writing, I just knew this was what I needed to do. There was nothing else. And so my second year at Naropa, specifically at the Jack Kerouac School I started really getting into writing. Feeling it like pulsation that was always existing inside, but had to realize. It has been five years now since I have been at the Jack Kerouac School of Disembodied Poets. Of course, I left for two years to explore other horizons for my writing. Went home to Texas, and studied in California. My writing did many things in those places, many different and exciting things. It was able to develop without a timeline and move more with what was happening in those moments. I returned to Naropa this year, and I try to think that there is only one reason for my return. But they are many. And of course, my writing is one of those.

Within these five years, I have published my writings with 1701 Press for is this up chapbook series, Utterance Journal, Unstamatic, and The Hong Kong Review. I have helped other artist friends with their projects. And I have found many things about myself.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I don’t think this expression of smooth road exists unless it’s within poetry. And I feel this is towards everyone in society. Nothing is easy. There are struggles but are those moments in life in which we decide who we are going to be. Most of my struggles have been internal, although those external struggles have also been folding its ways into my life.

The strongest struggle still slightly exist in my present life. This struggle is acceptance towards oneself. One’s thoughts, body, actions, sounds, feelings, and stringing existence. I had struggled with this self-rejection that had caused me to not act like myself. To move the way others move. To talk about what others talk. It was a complete oppression of many parts of me. An oppression that society, my environment, men in my family, students around me, strangers in the street were doing. An oppression so strong that I had learned how to do it to myself without anyone around me. It was a struggle that I had to overcome, and still are overcoming. It was something I had to do for my writing. But, more importantly for myself. To let myself be me.

What should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
It has been in recent times in which I have let myself truly identify as a writer. So, I believe that this practice is the strongest one I carry. My most exciting, or the one that brings more to life. I enjoy writing in many different forms, such as poetry, prose, essays, and unexplained ways. I have been working on prose mostly this summer since I am working on a manuscript of short stories.

The ability to say that this project has been one, in which I have worked for a year now makes me proud. The ability to continue to have the drive to move towards more curiosity makes me proud. I am proud to let myself explore my mind, explore those things that I am scared of, and create a different world within a world. I don’t believe that I am the only one that can do this. I believe many artists are doing this, and that we found our true sense of spirituality. My creativity is my spirituality.

What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success occurs daily. Success does not have to consist within a long term timeline. Success is waking up, making coffee, and understanding your first thoughts with every interruption of the day. The way others define success might be different, and that’s okay.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://dianalizetterodriguez.myportfolio.com/
• Email: dianalizetterodriguez@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cameraconpoeta/

Image Credit:
Film Photography by Diana Lizette Rodriguez

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