We recently connected with Ofelia Montelongo and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Ofelia thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Are you happy as a creative professional? Do you sometimes wonder what it would be like to work for someone else?
I quit my job about ten years ago to become a full-time writer. But I had no idea what that meant. Many things have happened since then, but I still don’t have a book out, and this is a question I get often: Where is your book, Ofelia? How come you have not yet published your book? I wish I had known that it is not easy and takes way longer than I thought. But, to answer the question, yes, I’m happy, but I feel I’m behind in my journey.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I’m a creative writer from Mexico. I write essays and fiction mostly. I was born and raised in Ciudad Obregón, Sonora, México, and came to the United States at 24. When I came to the United States, I started taking creative writing classes at night in a community college. I always wanted to be a writer, but I had to wait a while to get an education. Now, after learning and getting my education in English, I’m going back to writing in Spanish, as I first intended to do.
Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?
From the outside, we believe it is so easy or that we are “lucky” when we get something published or do a workshop or a reading. It takes a lot of work to live a creative life. Because most of us have regular jobs, we need to carve time for our writing. So, when your creative friend has an event, show up and/or share their events on social media—––it doesn’t cost anything, and we appreciate it. Don’t ask us, “Why is it taking so long?” unless you want us to have a mini-crisis in the middle of the conversation.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
Yes, I want to publish my books so there is something on earth beyond my body. I think I chose to be a writer at a young age when I realized what death was. My family is not religious, so heaven was not an option. My goal was to have a book of my own placed in our home library. One day, I’ll do it.
Contact Info:
- Website: ofeliamontelongo.com
- Instagram: ofe23
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ofeliamontelongowriter
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ofelia-montelongo-b5b17720/
- Twitter: ofeliamv23