Alicia Galvan- Poet & Publisher

by Jennie Zaldivar

 

 

The Alamo Writers Unlimited meeting was graced by an extraordinary woman last month- our own Alicia Galvan. She spoke of both the creative and practical side of writing. She reminded us that much as we love to write and wish that were our only profession every writer she knows has a day job. We all shook our heads in understanding. She reminded us that writing is a business and we should keep receipts.

According to Galvan your muse may be in one or two languages, but it needs to be emotional, something others can relate to. "We (writers) record thoughts, actions, feelings, emotions. Life can't be all work. You have to have time to write, to nurture your emotional self."

She said every experience good or bad can be put into words and used. She advises writers to listen to others, read other's works.

Another good piece of advice she had was, "Make sure your work is the best you can do, but try or you'll always wonder if you could have done it."

As for her publishing ventures she hopes to publish two collections next year. One is from a young Cuban woman living in Spain and one from a young Mexican writer studying English here. (This young writer/student/doctor was at the meeting and read one of his beautiful poems to us.)

We're sure Alicia will succeed at whatever she tries to accomplish and wish her well in this new profession.