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INTERVIEWED BY DHAYANA ALEJANDRINA   Welcome, Noire Family, In this interview, I had the pleasure to sit down with the talented and amazing writer, CarolLaine M. Garcia., as she offers a captivating glimpse into her inspirational journey, delving into her roots, the reasons driving her creative endeavors, exciting future projects, and more.   Please join me in welcoming CarolLaine M. Garcia. to Afrique Noire Magazine!   Can you share a bit about your background and what initially inspired you to pursue writing/poetry?   I’m a first-generation Dominican-American immigrant woman who came to America on my mother’s back to chase the American dream. Much of my family had already emigrated, and my brother, mom, and I arrived on travel visas. Years later, after an encounter with immigration authorities on a summer visit, I was forcibly sent back to the DR for a year while my case cooled off. Upon my reunion with my family in the States, my mom was on a mission to acquire citizenship for us and halted our travels so no one would risk deportation. All of those changes between countries and school were incredibly challenging, as I adjusted to leaving my island and father behind and adjusted to the American life. It was writing letters to my father that first awakened this gift within me. Through the ups and downs of my life, writing has always kept me connected to myself and the happiness I’ve so desperately sought to find.   How does your identity, including cultural background, influence your writing and the themes you explore? In what ways do you navigate the intersection of your personal identity and the broader cultural context in your work?   After completing my PhD, I stepped away from writing for quite some time. The rigor of my doctoral studies eventually wore me down, dampening my passion for reading and writing. As I drifted from writing, I lost touch with myself and my ability to connect with my truth and experiences.Despite always harboring a desire to be a writer, I found myself in a “successful” consulting career, viewing it as a significant milestone in my American success story. However, it was during the pandemic, with the help of modern technology, that I stumbled upon authors who finally resembled me. This discovery sparked a realization that I too possessed a voice and a remarkable story to share.   In my writing, I delve into my intersectional identities, the distinctiveness of my upbringing, and my journey through the American experience. Through my words, I strive to break free from the societal labels that confine me, embracing a more expansive version of myself—the divine queen within.   In my poetry, I contemplate the experience of belonging to no group but oneself, reveling in appreciating the diversity of nature, whether in human company or not. In essence, my writing allows me to embody my true, multifaceted self.     How would you describe your creative process? Do you have any specific rituals or routines that help you get into the writing mindset?   Crafted over the years, my approach to writing has evolved into a practice of romancing my words. For me, writing is no just a creative outlet; it’s a spiritual and ancestral connection. Through my writing, I honor my ancestor father and other ancestors, recognizing the hurdles they overcame so that I could freely express myself. In my writing space, I adorn the walls with old family photos, including ones of myself as a baby, alongside inspiring art. Each piece holds significance: a print of a wild mane in a field symbolizes my “untamed” years on the island, while a sunsetty picture of the Brooklyn Bridge represents my entry into the American experience through New York. Another piece depicts just the hips of a thick woman, adorned with a massive butterfly—an allusion to the freedom of expression I cherish.To enhance my writing experience, I light candles and immerse myself in the soothing sounds of lo-fi or reggaeton. Recently, I’ve come to see my writing as an integral part of my being, a necessary and fulfilling practice that enriches my life.     Who are your literary or poetic influences, and how have they shaped your work?   Since I was a young girl in America, I’ve been an indiscriminate reader. My obsessions lie in genres that depict women overcoming their fears, poetry that explores the gamut of human emotions and experiences, and non-fiction books chronicling authors’ triumphs over their lives and the limiting narratives they faced. I’m also drawn to memoirs that offer diverse perspectives, broadening my understanding of humanity. Through these writings, I’ve been able to cultivate a more liberated and bold version of myself, almost as a rehearsal for the embodiment that typically follows.   What challenges do you face as a writer/poet, and how do you overcome them?   The initial challenge was accepting myself as a writer. I had to overcome the notion that pursuing writing, something I hadn’t studied and divergent from the typical American pursuit of maximizing income, was a valid path for me. It required extensive therapy and coaching to believe in my ability to blossom late in my writing journey. Today, I find myself exploring my creative blocks around writing as much as I do my daily experiences and musings.     Could you share one of your favorite pieces or an excerpt from a project that holds personal significance? What does it mean to you?   During my first writer’s retreat, I penned a piece prompted by the task of creating a character embodying our essence rather than a literal self-introduction. This exercise symbolizes to me the essence of freedom as the quest for happiness. Through the struggles of my immigrant journey to the US, a passion ignited within me to explore and understand myself, culminating in the realization of the woman I was destined to become: free. The Mountain Climber Her name was Mountain Climber. She just loved the feeling of crowning a