We recently connected with Susana Porras and have shared our conversation below.

Susana, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s jump right into how you came up with the idea?

I was faced with the challenge of writing something different about a topic that has been written about for 1,000 years – The Camino de Santiago. The Camino is a 500 mile pilgrimage that crosses northern Spain. Countless books, journals, articles and films have been created over the centuries about this famed hike. Two weeks before the trip it came to me to write my journal in Shakespearean Sonnet form. I reviewed the English style format which resulted in 39 sonnets that documented my trip.

Susana, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’ve been interested in writing since I was a kid, however, my insecurities always got in the way. I have an MA in sociology, which required a lot of writing in the form of research papers. The positionsI’ve held over the years have required that I do a lot of writing on their behalf in the form of letters, proposals, newsletters, and blurbs and it almost seamed easier writing anonymously for someone else. This trip with my dad changed all of that. Although I initially wrote the poems as a way to document the journey with my dad and to maintain contact with my friends back home, they eventually evolved into a book. The Covid-19 pandemic hit shortly after our return and a friend of mine suggested I use the poems as Christmas gifts. One thing led to another, and next thing I knew I had a published book.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

In 2013 I began a research project in my neighborhood and I found some of the most fascinating people; writers, musicians, politicians, war heroes, but what I found to be disturbing was what I didn’t find – people who had lived and hadn’t left a trace. I didn’t want to be that person. I want to be an example for artists and writers today as well as anyone who finds by writing 100 years from now. I like to believe that we have a purpose on this earth and at the very least to help guide the next generation.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

In person events. I find that I can walk into an event where no one knows me, give a heartfelt presentation and leave with a whole new set of fans. It’s that one on one interaction, bringing a smile to someone’s face, inspiring them, teaching them something and providing them something of value. During a public presentation you take the audience on a journey and it’s a time when you bond and share an experience.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.susanaporras.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sporras55/?hl=en
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susana-porras-770299133/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7IleVZwEYgBHeKE4LnklnA

Image Credits
Head Shot Bob Reiter Portrait shot with book Photo Courtesy of Adam Emperor Southard Library photo by Dan Makin