Meet Dhayana Alejandrina, an inspiring writer and poet whose journey is woven intricately into the pages of her debut book, “Agridulce: Poetry and Prose.” Born from a deep desire to navigate and express life’s complexities, Dhayana’s work delves into the dualities of human experiences, beautifully captured in the contrasting sections of “Lo Agrio” and “Lo Dulce.” Through her vulnerable and authentic storytelling, she invites readers to explore the bitter and sweet moments that shape our lives, offering a safe space for self-reflection, healing, and empowerment. Dhayana’s journey, filled with resilience and creative exploration, continues to evolve as she embarks on new projects and fosters a supportive community for fellow writers and creatives.
What led you to pursue a creative project like “Agridulce: Poetry and Prose”? Can you share a bit about your personal journey and how it influenced your work?
What led me to pursue working on publishing Agridulce was a deep need to explore and express the complexities of my life and identity. My personal journey, which includes immigrating to the United States at a young age and experiencing the intricacies of human emotions, has played a huge part in the reasons behind the book, as well as my connection with writing.
When I first started putting together Agridulce, I wanted to create a safe space where I could authentically explore both the bitter and sweet experiences in my life, hence the division into “Lo Agrio” and “Lo Dulce.” This safe space helped me dive deeper into the experiences that either pushed me away from myself or brought me closer. Agridulce is a reflection of self-acceptance, grace, patience, and love. It is a letter to myself written in the most vulnerable and raw way possible.
In your book, you mentioned two sections, “Lo Agrio” and “Lo Dulce,” representing bitter and sweet experiences. Could you delve deeper into how these themes reflect your own life experiences?
The original title of the book was supposed to be “The Sweet and the Sour,” but then I reflected on a more powerful title that would also represent where I come from, and that is when “Agridulce” came to mind. The word “Agridulce” means “bittersweet” in Spanish, and it was the perfect way of telling my story.
The themes of “Lo Agrio” and “Lo Dulce” reflect the duality of my own emotions. “Lo Agrio” represents the challenges, struggles, and bitter moments I’ve faced, while “Lo Dulce”
embodies the joy, growth, and sweet moments. I wanted both of these sections to deeply convey the essence of life’s sour and sweet aspects. The poems vividly portray the inner battles one goes through when feeling lost, depressed, hurt, sad, happy, joyful, empowered, loved, and finally, at home with oneself – which is the pinnacle of the book. The courage to face our deepest fears and show ourselves forgiveness to move forward, honoring our experiences with love and grace.
Through these themes, I aim to showcase the full spectrum of human experiences, especially those of marginalized communities like mine.
Many creative individuals face challenges along their journey. Can you share some of the struggles or obstacles you encountered while working on your book, and how you overcame them?
While working on “Agridulce,” I faced various challenges, mainly self-doubt and creative blocks. The self-doubt stemmed from being the first person in my family to publish a book, leaving me navigating unfamiliar waters and striving to avoid limiting thoughts that could hinder my progress. Another aspect of this doubt was related to how the audience would receive my work, particularly because “Agridulce” is such an openly vulnerable and honest collection.
Like many writers, I experienced creative blocks, which I have come to term “creative stillness.” During these periods, I noticed myself trying to force words out or improve a poem without truly connecting with the essence and core of my experience. There were times when I couldn’t even look at the book draft for a week or two. Ultimately, the book was published a year later than the initial date, a delay that, in hindsight, I see as necessary for me to fully appreciate the significance of my work.
I overcame self-doubt by recognizing that I was venturing into new territory, and that my struggles did not reflect my abilities but rather the unfamiliarity of the experience. I began to show myself more grace and patience when faced with challenges or negative thoughts. Additionally, through the process of editing the book, I found that it was healing me with each read, as I acknowledged and honored the old version of myself, reassuring her that it was okay, that she had done her best with what she knew, and that she was now growing.
Learning to accept creative stillness involved understanding that a creative soul needs to live. Our work is a reflection of our journey and emotions, and we are all works in progress. It is crucial to strike a healthy balance between creating and living. During bouts of creative stillness, I advise other writers to put aside their journals, take a walk, call a friend, indulge in their favorite snacks, book a trip, or simply step outside and soak in the sunlight. It’s important not to impose unrealistic expectations on your work. If all you can manage is 10-15 minutes of writing, honor that as a victory. Additionally, seeking support from my community and staying true to my vision were crucial in overcoming these challenges.
These challenges taught me the importance of perseverance, self-compassion, and the power of community in creative endeavors.
What are some key lessons you’ve learned from the process of creating “Agridulce”? How have these lessons shaped your perspective or approach to life and creativity?
One key lesson I’ve learned from creating “Agridulce” is the importance of authenticity and vulnerability in art. I’ve learned to embrace my truths and share them unapologetically, knowing that my voice and experiences are valid. This experience has shaped my perspective on life and creativity, inspiring me to continue creating fearlessly and authentically.
What advice would you give to aspiring writers or creatives who are just starting their own projects? Are there any specific strategies or mindsets that you found helpful in bringing your vision to life?
To aspiring writers or creatives starting their own projects, I advise staying true to your voice and vision while understanding that creative stillness offers an opportunity to connect more deeply with yourself and your purpose.
One of my favorite activities, which I encourage my mentees to do when we first start working together, is to grab a piece of paper and write down why their work is important to them.
I remind them to set aside the fear of others seeing their work and instead focus on how it makes them feel, how it helps them heal, how it breaks barriers, and how it reflects their human journey.
Furthermore, comparison is the thief of joy! Learn to distance yourself from the feeling of comparison by recognizing that everyone’s voice is unique. Avoid comparing yourself to those who are already famous, as the journey to fame involves a great deal of learning and unlearning. What you see in interviews is just the tip of the iceberg. Be mindful of who you compare yourself to.
Lastly, surround yourself with a supportive community, and remember that your story matters!
How do you hope your book will impact readers? What messages or feelings do you hope they take away after experiencing “Agridulce: Poetry and Prose”?
I hope that my book will impact readers by resonating with their own life experiences and emotions. I want them to feel seen, understood, and empowered to embrace the complexities of their journeys. I want “Agridulce” to remind them that it is okay and that they can move forward without carrying the weight of the past. Every page carries a story, and though some may be harder than others, it is through vulnerability and honesty that we can connect more deeply with ourselves and heal. My ultimate goal is to inspire empathy, connection, and self-discovery through my words.
Finally, looking ahead, do you have any future projects or goals that you’re excited about sharing or working on?
Yes, I’m thrilled to announce that I’ve completed my second book. It’s just a matter of time before I publish it, hopefully later this year. Additionally, a few months ago, I became the lead poetry and cultural collaborator for Afrique Noire Magazine. It’s been an amazing experience highlighting the voices of other writers and creatives around the world.
I’ve also started a free space called “The Creative Writing Hour” for writers and creatives worldwide to gather online, work on their individual projects, and feel supported by the community. We meet twice a week on Thursday nights and Sunday mornings. If you’re interested in participating, please send me a message with your email.
Lastly, I’ll be starting a new creative writing workshop series.
Email: [email protected]
Substack: https://substack.com/@dhayanalejandrina
Creative Writing Hour: https://tr.ee/lKPaptB7Fe
