Rigo Nolasco, a Latin lover? A ladies’ man? More like a family man whose devotion extends beyond. He shares his advice in his book and a bit about his life in this interview, let’s see!
Bio: Rigoberto Nolasco is a first-generation Mexican American whose current focus in writing is on the highs and lows of love between partners and how its complexities can ruin some, albeit temporarily, but make the bonds of others’ stronger. He is married to a supporting woman (his words, not mine. I’m sure it’s true though.) and a father of four awesome offspring. Rigo writes prose, poetry and has a book on life and relationships.
First off, tell us about your writing past, would you tell us about your early years?
I remember writing short stories when I was in High school. I feel like the hormones that came along with puberty really had an influence on the overall themes though. Looking back I basically wrote erotica at 14. I also wrote poems and love letters to classmates who caught my eye, though I never really had the courage to hand them over, except maybe once. Some of my classmates would request love letters to their SOs, so obliged by asking a few personal questions and ran with them. I don’t think I ever saw myself as an aspiring writer; it just manifested itself as my creative outlet one day. A few teachers read my prose and encouraged me to follow through and pursue a career in the field. Friends and peers throughout my younger years gave me the same encouragement but ultimately, I dragged my feet. Although sometimes I took very long breaks, I never really stopped writing, and I’m glad I didn’t.
How did you become a writer?
I continued to showcase my poems and prose to friends and peers over the years and eventually, their enthusiasm pushed me to consider publishing. Several of my works were featured in the local college literary magazine and that opened my eyes to more possibilities. I submitted works for consideration to poetry magazines, entered them into contests, and tasted the bitterness of rejection in the form of letters. This kind of discouraged me for some time, but at the same time, I kept writing. It was a few years ago that I came across sites on the web encouraging would-be writers to self publish. I figured why the hell not, and started on the venture to put my work out there for others to consume, enjoy, and dissect for themselves.
How would you describe your written works?
I have to say that I mostly dance around the theme of love. Every now and then I will write regarding observations I make as I’m living this life, about the meaning of life and our place in the universe. I don’t have the formal education that many writers and poets have but the written word and I still have this beautiful symbiotic relationship.
Which authors are your biggest influences?
I don’t know if I can ascribe that honor to a select few. There are so many great poets and writers out there. I feel like I’m inspired by works that really speak to my soul. For example, I appreciate the wit of Oscar Wilde, the melancholy of Edgar Allen Poe, the imagination of J.R.R. Tolkien, the adventurous Robert Frost, the whimsical genius of Samuel Clemens, the incomparable Emily Dickenson…Walt Whitman. There are too many and each influenced me in their own right, in ways subtle and direct.
How do your influences help you shape a written work?
I feel as if I’m driven by the romance of it all. Not so much the romance that’s shared between partners (though this I cannot deny as a major influence) but rather the relationship you reap and sow with life. The authors I mentioned all had works written that moved me in a way that shifted my perspective ever so slightly that have allowed me to grow as a writer.
What motivates you to keep writing?
My inner chaos demands an audience, even if sometimes it’s only me. I’ve reached a point where I want to share with others the works I’ve created. I do it in hopes that maybe they too will reflect and grow.
Where’s your favorite place to write?
Hmm, I can’t really say. Though I did feel the creative juices flowing one evening at a quiet bar, sipping on an Old Fashioned. I do find myself using a contemporary medium more these days. I’m always jotting down musings on my phone because it’s always handy. To really answer this question however I’d have to say that my favorite place to write is anywhere I feel safe.
How do you connect with your audience? What is the easiest way for them to connect with you?
I have a Facebook Author site: https://www.facebook.com/nolascorigo
I post original content here, mostly drafts, and it’s open for comment. My readers are more than welcome to follow the page and ask questions. It also has a link to those interested in purchasing either a paperback or ebook copy of my book from Amazon.
What’s next for you?
I’m currently working on another book of poetry and prose. It’s almost completed, just a few loose ends to tie up, and maybe some editing (I’m always editing). I’m thinking I might title it: because of Her. It’s inspired by, you guessed it, women. By those I’ve met, imagined, read about, and overall been inspired by. I can share a poem from my new book here:
Paths Unknown
My trembling legs
Will not subdue, this
Yearn to tread ever on
Paths unknown
However long
To place my timid
Heart
Beside thine own
To place thy avid
Heart
Beside my own
In your book, Keeping Life Simpl(y)e (Complicated) there’s a lot of inspirational quotes with a breakdown of what the quotes mean. What inspired you to write a book like that? Did you learn these lessons yourself?
I wasn’t sure if anything had been done like that before, and I wanted to share with my readers the quotes I had written over the years and the meaning behind them. I wanted to share why I wrote those quotes, what inspired me, what transpired, what I reflected upon, and what I learned. Life teaches you lessons whether you’re ready or not, and you basically need to be open to them if you want to grow regardless of direction. It was definitely something new for me.
Would you briefly describe what your book is about?
I had lived through some turmoil in my life and began to jot down feelings. They were manifested as inspirational quotes and questions about the meaning of love, life, and happiness. So I basically laid out my journey for my readers in the hopes that they would find common ground and reflect upon their respective paths. It’s a journey of lessons that hopefully serves as a guide.
Where did you get your inspirational quotes? Did you make them up?
I wrote them myself, inspired by folly or rapture.
What age range is your book intended for? If there is no intended age, who do you think your advice would help the most?
I suppose it’s meant for anyone who can comprehend life’s journey. I don’t think it’s too complicated of a book, and the one I’m working on now is even less so. There are many a youth who can easily digest what I’ve written. I think anyone from the age of 16 on can benefit. Even some of those who have experienced similar situations can benefit, as we sometimes forget what we’ve learned.
What the most important advice from your book would you recommend to people?
Always be a student of life. Always be ready to learn. As my quote goes: I have studied the world as an entity, with its bountiful personalities, and have surmised that forever that I be its pupil.
Review:
Keeping Life Simpl(y)e (Complicated):
Tiny Morsels From Life’s Truths has good advice from any age. Rigoberto Nolasco
breaks down the book in three sections: “I Want to Understand,” “I Think I’m
Beginning to Understand,” and “I’ve Got This . . . I think.” The sections go
through pre-contemplation, contemplation, and an almost understanding of the
wisdom given in the book.
Throughout the book, Rigo adds phrases of wisdom and explains them with his
unique perspectives and experiences and helps us remember the importance of the
wisdom. In
hearing the phrases by themselves, they have little context, but with actual
real-life application, we can feel the importance. Rigo
has boiled down many things people need to learn in an easy to read and
understand manual. This is a recommended read to anyone who’s looking for life
advice!
