The Writing Barn is pleased to welcome writer Marilyse Figueroa as the 2018-19 Artist-in-Residence! We sat down with Marilyse to get to know a little bit more about her work, her hopes for life as an artist-in-residence, and getting out of your own way to get the creative work done. Enjoy!
Welcome to the WB! Tell us about yourself. Where are you from and what’s your art?
I had a pretty nomadic upbringing–we lived all over Texas, had a stint in southern Michigan, and then my family settled in Tulsa, Oklahoma for awhile. I moved to San Antonio four years ago after I received my BA in English Literature & Cultural Studies with a focus in writing from the University of Oklahoma. I just finished three years in San Marcos, Texas getting my MFA. Some might see all this moving around as having a destabilizing effect, but I am grateful for it. All the moving has made me like a turtle carrying home on its back.
I create hybrid works of fiction. I started out drawing picture books as a child, and eventually wrote poetry and stories as an adult. Right now I’m working on a collection of short stories on radical healing and an experimental novella.
What drew you to the AIR position at the WB?
I was immediately drawn to this position because I wanted to be part of a community where my writing could thrive and where I could also work to support a creative community. My past experience in Girl Scouts, the Southwest Workers Union, Austin Bat Cave, and Barrio Writers Workshop set me on a path to serve communities that inspire me. I believe reciprocating is a radical practice that can further empower your peers and yourself. The WB has a reputation of welcoming writers of all skill levels and making space for writers of all backgrounds and interests. I felt at home with the mission statement and the goals the WB has for each of its classes and events because I, too, want to help sustain a thriving writing community. And of course, the natural and peaceful environment here simply spawns inspiration.
You haven’t been here long, but do you already have a favorite spot/corner/alcove/tree/chair on the WB grounds?
Is the answer my trailer ‘too much’? Perhaps I’m fawning a bit, but my trailer is a space all my own with a view of beautiful tall grass, yellow wild flowers, and the occasional deer. Need I say more? But if I were to show a newcomer to the WB, I would have them sit under the trees and watch the wind gently blow the field of wild flowers. That’s my favorite thing so far. I can’t wait to discover more inspiring spots.
At the WB, we like to say that if you write, you’re a WRITER (all caps). Did you have a defining moment when you knew you were a WRITER?
When I was growing up, I think I second guessed my abilities and talent a lot, but I do remember a moment when it struck me that I was born with a gift to tell stories. When I was in third grade, I remember sitting on my mother’s bed as she laid down. She’d often have to lie down because her chronic migraines would get to an almost unbearable level of pain for her. As I sat there trying to make her feel better, my mother suggested I tell her a story because she said my voice was soothing. I told her all the fairytale stories I knew by heart, but very quickly ran out of tales. My mother said I should make up a story. This suggestion baffled me, but I tried it. And then time ceased to make an impression on me. I was having fun and spinning all sorts of tales. I think that’s when I became a writer. But what made this moment powerful for me was how I made my mother forget her pain for a little while. I was amazed that I could do that with my storytelling.
What advice do you have for anyone looking to create more time and space to make stuff, even if they’re not an artist-in-residence living in the trees?
This is so difficult to answer because it will look different for everyone, but in a retreat I attended with ire’ene lara silva, she taught us that to find time to write, first we need to get out of our own way. We wrote down a list of all the things that were keeping us from writing–maybe it’s graduate classes, grading, raising children, taking home work from the office, or emotions like feeling isolated and anxious. Whatever the obstacle, we had to face them first before we could make a plan as to how we were going to fit in time to write. And that’s been the best advice I’ve received so far. The way I implement this for myself is to always start my day with compassion. We all have our productive days and our low inspiration days, but no matter where you are in your artistic process, remember to be compassionate towards yourself. Even thinking about your project is working on it. For me, I need stability when I’m writing, and what worked for me is creating a routine that energizes me and fuels my body so I can get to the things that feed my soul. Maybe you only get to do this routine after your job or when your children are in bed, but stick to it, thank the process, and it’ll thank you.