Luisa Kay Reyes Q & A with Eastern Iowa Review
Chila: Your essay, "My Border Crossing," appeared in our debut author issue (#4). Tell us a little about your upbringing, and what prompted this essay.
Luisa: I've recently read a quote by Maya Angelou which states that "There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you." And I have to say, I find that her quote encapsulates my experience in writing this essay completely. For years I contemplated telling this story and simply felt like I should do so, but for various reasons which I can no longer really remember, I kept delaying it and putting it off and putting it off. Finally the agony inside of me got to be so great, that I simply had to put my story into words. And while at first I felt overwhelmed that I was revealing so much about my early childhood, once I finished penning my essay I realized that it seemed to be about something more than just me. And I no longer minded.
Chila: Which writers have influenced you the most?
Luisa: I was a definite bookworm when I was growing up. And my favorite books were biographies, Nancy Drew, and the Mandie mystery stories. I also very much enjoyed reading Louisa May Alcott's "Little Women" and I loved reading Jane Austen. The way Jane Austen can pen a phrase is still something incredible to me.
Chila: I was happy to add you as a friend on Facebook. On the rare occasions that I actually skim my newsfeed, I see that you enjoy movies now and then. Which are your favorites and why?
Luisa: Oh my! I guess like sitting and reading a good book, I also enjoy watching a good movie. My favorites are the classic movies from the golden age of Hollywood. Anything with Shirley Temple, Deanna Durbin, and Ginger Rogers is always at the top of my viewing list. As something about the elegance of those movies appeals to me. However, my other favorites are period dramas and most any film where I also learn something.
Chila: What else should we know about Luisa, besides the cute name your mother calls you (Luisa Kay Alcott :) )? Hobbies? Occupation? Little known facts?
Luisa: As you can imagine, I love to write! When I was visiting my brother up in Boston one summer, my mother and I were driving around sightseeing when I pulled into a parking lot to turn around. Much to my surprise, it turned out I had pulled into the parking lot of The Orchard House which was Louisa May Alcott's home. Realizing that it was meant to be, my mother and I finished parking the car and then took a tour of the home. I loved learning about her and her family and seeing the small little desk where she more than likely penned her classic "Little Women." I still feel like it was an extraordinary experience for me.
I also love to sing. With my favorite genres being opera and Irish melodies. I know that may sound like an unusual combination, but I got bit by the Irish bug many years ago. And it just doesn't let up!
My other passion is playing the piano. And while I don't have the physique for it any longer, I also enjoy practicing my ballet at home.
Chila: Your essay, "My Border Crossing," appeared in our debut author issue (#4). Tell us a little about your upbringing, and what prompted this essay.
Luisa: I've recently read a quote by Maya Angelou which states that "There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you." And I have to say, I find that her quote encapsulates my experience in writing this essay completely. For years I contemplated telling this story and simply felt like I should do so, but for various reasons which I can no longer really remember, I kept delaying it and putting it off and putting it off. Finally the agony inside of me got to be so great, that I simply had to put my story into words. And while at first I felt overwhelmed that I was revealing so much about my early childhood, once I finished penning my essay I realized that it seemed to be about something more than just me. And I no longer minded.
Chila: Which writers have influenced you the most?
Luisa: I was a definite bookworm when I was growing up. And my favorite books were biographies, Nancy Drew, and the Mandie mystery stories. I also very much enjoyed reading Louisa May Alcott's "Little Women" and I loved reading Jane Austen. The way Jane Austen can pen a phrase is still something incredible to me.
Chila: I was happy to add you as a friend on Facebook. On the rare occasions that I actually skim my newsfeed, I see that you enjoy movies now and then. Which are your favorites and why?
Luisa: Oh my! I guess like sitting and reading a good book, I also enjoy watching a good movie. My favorites are the classic movies from the golden age of Hollywood. Anything with Shirley Temple, Deanna Durbin, and Ginger Rogers is always at the top of my viewing list. As something about the elegance of those movies appeals to me. However, my other favorites are period dramas and most any film where I also learn something.
Chila: What else should we know about Luisa, besides the cute name your mother calls you (Luisa Kay Alcott :) )? Hobbies? Occupation? Little known facts?
Luisa: As you can imagine, I love to write! When I was visiting my brother up in Boston one summer, my mother and I were driving around sightseeing when I pulled into a parking lot to turn around. Much to my surprise, it turned out I had pulled into the parking lot of The Orchard House which was Louisa May Alcott's home. Realizing that it was meant to be, my mother and I finished parking the car and then took a tour of the home. I loved learning about her and her family and seeing the small little desk where she more than likely penned her classic "Little Women." I still feel like it was an extraordinary experience for me.
I also love to sing. With my favorite genres being opera and Irish melodies. I know that may sound like an unusual combination, but I got bit by the Irish bug many years ago. And it just doesn't let up!
My other passion is playing the piano. And while I don't have the physique for it any longer, I also enjoy practicing my ballet at home.
Thank you, Luisa! ~ Chila
Luisa Kay Reyes has had creative nonfiction pieces featured in the Fire In Machines and Hofstra University's The Windmill literary magazines. Additionally, her Christmas poem was a first place winner in the 16th Annual Stark County District Library Poetry Contest. Her work appears in Issue 4, the Debut Author issue.
Luisa Kay Reyes has had creative nonfiction pieces featured in the Fire In Machines and Hofstra University's The Windmill literary magazines. Additionally, her Christmas poem was a first place winner in the 16th Annual Stark County District Library Poetry Contest. Her work appears in Issue 4, the Debut Author issue.
