Today we’d like to introduce you to Enedina.
Hi Enedina, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Hi, my name is Enedina, and I was born and raised on the Southside of San Antonio in a Section 8 housing complex called the San Jose Apartments next door to a castle. To be clear, the castle was an event center that was later a daycare, and I have no idea what it is today. My family did rent it once for my great-grandmother’s birthday, but sadly, there were no dragons for me to play with. The complex where I spent nearly 20 years of my life was down the street from Mission San Jose, one of the iconic historic churches in San Antonio. Living next to a historic church was no joke. The elders shared many stories and much lore about the Mission. I loved it. That is where my love of storytelling started: listening to folklore and living next to a big castle.
Growing up, I had a wild imagination and looked forward to bedtime because that was when I could allow myself to dream. My dad started community college classes when I was young; no one in my family had gone to college until then. I remember helping him with some of his 1301 English classwork. That’s when I started to consider higher education for myself seriously. Attending college changed my life. I did poorly in my first year but found my footing and embraced my creativity. I became a radio DJ in my second year and co-hosted Punk Rock 101 on KSYM 90.1 with my then-partner Anthony. Eventually, I ended up living in the middle of the music scene in Tobin Hill. Music was a driving force in my life. Going to punk rock shows helped introduce me to my fellow creatives in our local music, art, and literary scenes. That was an epic, chaotic, and creative era of my life. My friends, Isabel Castro and Natasha Hernandez, started a zine, St. Sucia, which created a space for women like me to share our stories. They published my first short story, “He Had Me at Fideo.” After that, they invited me to do readings of my work for their Zine release.
Over the years, several of my stories have been published in various volumes of St. Sucia. The Zine ended up getting a lot of recognition, and that opened a lot of opportunities for myself and others. I am not sure if Isabel and Natasha knew how their idea would impact our local writing community and the women they invited to participate. That Zine is archived at many prestigious institutions around the country and was also part of a curriculum in Latinx studies classes. Copies of our works are also on the shelves in a unique collection at the Central Library Latino Collection in San Antonio. That, to me, is wild. People positively responded to my readings, and that helped empower me to pursue writing and storytelling seriously.
Would it have been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Naturally, one of my biggest struggles is self-doubt regarding fiction storytelling—sharing my work in that capacity. It makes sense because sharing is hard, but you must overcome it to be a serious writer. But it’s also okay to be picky about who you share with. Growing up, I discovered I had dyslexia, and that hovers over me every time I type words on a page. But I have to remind myself that is what editors are for. Another big struggle for me has been finding a local romance writing community that is not only welcoming of BIPOC (black, indigenous, and people of color) writers but also advocates for diversity in romance. That dream has fallen short locally, but I have found several supportive writing communities online, thanks to the internet.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Well, I write a little bit of everything and try not to box myself in or put limitations on my creativity; I’m not about that at all. I am discovering something new about myself as a writer every day. I started writing poetry and prose pieces for independent zines and local journals. From there, I began participating in live reading and storytelling events. I’m most proud of a piece I did for Texas Public Radio’s Worth Repeating program. In front of a live audience at the Josephine Theatre, I shared my experience dealing with the sudden death of my grandmother, the woman for whom I am named and with whom I shared a deep connection. The story deals with the grief and guilt that follows the passing of a loved one. I remember feeling nervous because there were so many people in the audience. During the reading, I could see and hear people crying. A few approached me afterward to share how my story moved them. It was an amazing feeling to be able to incite emotion from people with my words, my vulnerability, and my trauma. After that, I knew that storytelling wasn’t just a hobby; it was now a calling. My poetry pieces are currently in several anthologies you can find here: https://linktr.ee/enedinawrites
Networking and finding a mentor can positively impact one’s life and career. Any advice?
This is for the writers. Let’s get this out of the way. You are a writer, even if you are not published. Finding a writing support system and group is hard, especially for BIPOC writers; we have limited space. Sometimes, you are going to have to make your own space. Make space by asking your local library or community center if they know of any resources matching your creative needs. They can help look up what your community has to offer. If they still need an established writing group or one that matches your needs, ask if they are in a position to help provide space for you to start one. This is an example of making space for yourself. You are open to more than libraries; there are cafes, community centers, and bookstores. Sometimes, your community may be online. After being part of an online writers’ group for a couple of years, I started a local writers’ group, so there can be opportunities everywhere; you sometimes have to dig for them. Explore outside your creative circle. Being a writer, a former radio DJ and a lover of live music has taught me that. Every time you meet someone new, it is a networking opportunity. Say yes to scary things.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/enedinawrites
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/enedinawrites/
Image Credits
Mood Aura Nomad/SA, Current Anthony Prater, Lu Garza, Elena Souris.
