Ofelia was interviewed about her writers residency experience and work. All photos credit: Ofelia Montelongo

1. Tell us about your background as a writer, how you came to this pursuit, and what your current projects are that you felt could be supported by coming to a residency like this.

I think I have been a writer my whole life by heart. In my teenage years, I wrote things, but I didn’t really know what I was doing. It was until a few years ago that I quit my job and went back to school that I actually started feeling like a writer; even if I had spent the last years in creative writing workshops in a community college (before quitting my job). I wrote my first novel without much guidance. And I could call it a little disaster, but it help me out a lot. Now, I’m writing my second novel and working on my collection of essays. This residency helped me to rekindle with my work and to go back to thinking about my characters who I have left behind a little bit because of work commitments.

2. How did you adapt to the fact that for the specific week you were there (Thanksgiving week) you were to be the only resident vs. having a social group with you?

In the beginning, I was super scared because I like talking to people in writing retreats (at the end of the day, at least). But honestly, later on, I got used to it and it was kind of refreshing to be myself for a few days. I talked to my resident host in Zoom almost every day so I didn’t feel that alone.

3. What do you think you gained from the week?

I think I thought a lot. I had been overwhelmed with work the past few months and being there calmed me down. I felt all of this rush inside of me, and just being there centered me back to my creative work. I wasn’t as productive as I wanted to be, because I wasn’t in a mental space where I could write that fast. I needed to spend more time with my characters and come back to them, and that I did.

I also finished reading four books!

4. What are your hopes for this coming year (2022) in terms of your writing?

I really hope I can finish my novel and I can finish my collection of essays proposal. Those are, realistically, my two writing goals (besides trying to publish more essays).

5. What sights or activities around the house in East Falmouth do you highly recommend?

One of my favorites was Martha’s Vineyard. That island is beautiful! Even if it was dark by 5 pm, I had a great time traveling there and just walking around.

I loved the public library as well. I got a lot of writing done there and in the end, I got to play a little chess with strangers.

6. Outside of Cape Cod, what is your favorite place in the world, and favorite place(s) to write?

London. I’m in love with that city! My favorite place to write I think it’s in my local libraries. I have been so lucky to have amazing public libraries around me. They are quiet and peaceful and I love them. And I don’t have to pretend I’m drinking the same coffee for four hours.

Craft Exercise/assignment:

Generation of ideas (Brainstorming) about beginnings and connections with the border:

Directions:

Part 1. Write about beginnings in your life. For example, beginning of work, your arrival in the United States, in another state, maybe when you tried some new food.

Part 2. Think about how your life has become a border and how you cross different borders every day between the cultures you live in. What kind of borders do you cross every day? Maybe the language border or maybe a physical border.

Part 3. Write about a specific moment when you crossed one of those borders. Make sure to add the five senses.

Share with the world!

Ofelia Montelongo is a bilingual writer from Mexico. She has a MA in Latin American Literature. Her work has been published in The Rumpus, Latino Book Review, Los Acentos Review, and elsewhere. She was a 2019 Writer’s Center Fellow. She currently teaches at The George Washington University and was a PEN/Faulkner writer in residence, a 2021 Macondista & a PEN America Emerging Voices Fellow.

ofeliamontelongo.com

Twitter: ofeliamv23

Instagram: ofe23