Date: February 29, 2024
At UPRRP, English Department.
Author Bio:
Dahlma Llanos-Figueroa was born in Puerto Rico and raised in New York City. A product of both spaces, Dahlma has an impressive collection of published work, among them her highly praised books Daughters of the Stone (2009) and A Woman of Endurance (2022). A writer, poet, and memoirist who gives voice to those who did not have the space to speak or the appreciation.
My experience at the Workshop:
After hearing from many classmates about how incredible the author Dahlma Llanos Figueroa is, I secured a space in her Writing Workshop immediately after seeing the flyer. As an inexperienced writer, I value the teachings of such impressive authors as Figueroa. The workshop centered around characterization, using different activities to promote imagination and creativity through exercises and prompts based on memory, senses, time restraints, and images. As a teacher, I found the workshop highly educational, dynamic, and most importantly fun! I learned so much from the author and my peers through the various prompts and dialogue.
After a wonderfully refreshing pre-writing activity where we meditated, Figueroa instructed us to write about our first memory. I wrote about my grandfather and a distant memory that brought me to tears. During the activity, Dahlma showcased her talent and skill with words as her speech reached my soul and made my day. The space became instantly warm and welcoming, as we read our prompts and gave feedback. The respect was mutual in the room, where everyone's work was considered and heard. I adored the work shared by my peers and felt a sense of pride as I heard what my friends wrote.
The rest of the prompts were equally thrilling, as we created settings and characters for possible stories.
Final thoughts:
Usually, I keep my writings to myself, afraid of criticism and negativity; or at times because my poems can be too personal and raw. The workshop taught me the value of sharing my work and the inspiration a community can bring. More importantly, it helped loosen my anxiety towards reading my work out loud and made me feel more confident in my abilities. I want to thank Dahlma Llanos-Figueroa, Dr. Carmen Haydee Rivera, and the Department of English for the opportunity to participate in such a wonderful activity. May there be many more!
To find out more about the author and her work go to her website: https://www.dahlmallanosfigueroa.com/
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