Gretchen Gomez’s poetry has touched many readers, whether it’s her succinct poems about love and loss, or the way she captures the relationship with an abusive religious institution. She touches on many important subjects, all with effectiveness. I reached out to Gretchen to give us valuable insight into her writing, her following, and what poetry means for her.
You've self-published all of your poetry collections thanks to the following you've garnered on social media as well as your powerful words. How has that process been like for you?
The process of growing and being self-published has been one of patience. It's been one of questioning what's more important, numbers or relationships. Especially with the changes within the algorithm. Being self-published and building on social media is also a lot of work because I don't have a publisher advocating for me, I don't have physical ARCs being sent out or picked up at festivals/'cons/etc., I'm paying for promotions and working a lot. However, it's why I stress so much the importance of connecting and having genuine relationships with your followers because it's those times when I realize that although I don't have all the resources of a traditionally published author, I do have thousands of people who have my back. And that makes this journey rewarding.
How has the community helped you in your writing journey?
They've helped me in ways I don't think they've realized. They've made me question what type of writer I want to be, how I want to present myself within the community, and have taught me how to expand. When I first started sharing my writing via my blog, I would post long poems and then when I started sharing on Instagram/Tumblr/Twitter, I would write shorter pieces because I thought that was the cool thing. I stopped writing long pieces because of my own fear and trying to fit in. It took for the community to really be there for me and push me (without them knowing they were) to start sharing what I truly love and not what I thought they wanted to see. This community has opened my eyes and toughened me up as well which has truly helped with building the type of writer I am.
There are a lot of conversations that boil down to gatekeeping within the poetry genre, around who deserves to be called a poet and what poetry is. I believe it's such an ephemeral genre that shouldn't be tied down to one definition, but what does poetry mean to you?
Poetry is anything and everything. I think because for so long the education system has taught us what poetry "looks like" and "how it's supposed to be" in classroom settings, people have a hard time accepting the modern change which is why it's so easily criticized. Hence why there's gatekeeping as well. However, I've always believed that poetry is an emotional journey, one with self and words. There is no structure, there are no rules, it's one that is free just like our beings should be.
Even though you write about love and friendship, you also tackle subjects such as abuse, trauma, religion, and mental health. What makes poetry such an effective format with which to convey these topics?
I was raised in a religion where certain things were forbidden to talk about. This also goes hand in hand with culture, some things couldn't be spoken about openly because of taboo. Therefore since young, I've always had journals and diaries to let everything out. It was how I didn't drown myself with what I was going through. And when I learned about poetry in school, I found a way to make art out of my trauma, to think deeper and express it on paper. It was my secret. My way of conveying everything without anyone finding out/getting trouble. Although I don't think this way anymore, poetry will always be my way of being completely free.
You have free reins to collaborate with another Latinx creative and they're free and on board as well, who are you picking and what are you making?
The first person that came to mind is Kali Fajardo-Anstine, the author of "Sabrina & Corina: Stories" and we are making a short story collection together about Latinas. Also, to anyone who is reading this, please pick her book up. It's mind-blowingly amazing.
How does your identity affect your writing?
It all boils down to if people can connect with my work because I am a Puerto Rican woman from The Bronx. There are metaphors, words, the way I even write that affect my writing. There are also themes of self and socioeconomics, relationship dynamics, etc. that affect my writing. Everything that I am is conveyed through my writing, and because I am a minority, the majority isn't going to get me— therefore, my writing is affected by that. But it's something that I don't wallow in because I don't want everyone to get me. Which is why I don't grow as fast as others on social media, which is why I don't get the deal, which is why the spaces I am invited to don't have hundreds of people because they're also in the minority just like me. But that will always be a win in my book because who I am is affecting the people for whom I write.
Who do you write for?
My homes: The Bronx & Puerto Rico. Mi familia. My ancestors. Women. People of Color who, like me, have mental health issues. Latinx. First generations. The church rebels. The brokenhearted. Myself.
Is there a piece of media (book, TV, media, etc.) created by a Latinx that has helped shape your creativity?
Yes!! The first time I truly felt seen and understood by another Latina poet herself was when I read Yesika Salgado's poems on Instagram and picked up her first book, Corazón. It shaped my creativity by being my unapologetic Latina self through my poems and not changing up certain words to fit the masses. She will always be a woman I look up to.
Shoutout a Latinx writer or creator whom you admire!
Lina Portillo! (Also known as @non0blita on Instagram) She is a Salvadoran poet whose poems and photography skills are to be amazed by. I will always admire her strength and persona.
Anything you can share about your upcoming projects?
Yes, of course! I have another poetry collection releasing summer of 2020 titled "girasol." This collection is very different compared to my first two books which I felt were more story like. girasol will have poems with themes of self, growth, The Bronx, family, being Puerto Rican, and struggles of identity, etc. After girasol releases, I want to go back to working on my fiction novel which has been brewing for years now.
Her sophomore poetry collection, welcome to ghost town, is available now!
Follow Gretchen on Twitter and Instagram!
Gretchen Gomez
Gretchen Gomez is a Puerto Rican poet from The Bronx. When home you will find her watching crime shows, cuddling with her dog, or writing--trying to make sense of things. Gretchen is a full-time lover of words. She is the author of two poetry collections titled love, and you and welcome to ghost town.