Spotlight.
Andrés N. Ordorica
INTRODUCTION
Andrés N. Ordorica is a queer Latinx writer based in Edinburgh. His writing maps the journey of his diasporic experience and unpacks what it means to be from ni de aquí, ni de allá. He has been published widely including The Guardian, The Skinny, bath maag, Gutter and Poetry Unbound. He is the author of the poetry collection At Least This I Know which was shortlisted for The Saltire Society’s Poetry Book of The Year. How We Named The Stars, his forthcoming fiction debut, has been shortlisted for the Morley Prize for Unpublished Writers of Colour and the Mo Siewcharran Prize.
INTERVIEW
How did you get into writing and poetry? What initially inspired you?
My journey in life has been one of constantly trying to root myself in an ever-shifting landscape. So, for me, I’m drawn to writing, whether poetry or prose, as a means of archiving my experiences of migration while also contending with the complexity of what it means to belong. I think there is a universality in wanting to belong as human beings. Whether that’s finding belonging as a fan of a sports team, or people of a similar lived experience, or finding community in safe and inclusive activist spaces, all of these instances allow us to commune with other likeminded people, and that in essence is the magic of belonging.
What themes do you tend to interrogate in your work?
I have always been, and will always be, interested in exploring ideas of the self. I love poetry and novels that confront what it means for a person to exist in this world; characters going through a growth period, overcoming heartache, searching for hope, or nurturing love, all these things I enjoy interrogating in my own writing because they teach me about the world and how I might better move through it.
What is your favourite project you've ever worked on and why?
I wouldn't say I have a favourite project. I have equal love for each of my creative endeavours and feel that all bring me something wholly unique and answer a given need at a given time of my life—a thirst or hunger I am attempting to sate. But I will say I'm excited about my forthcoming novel, How We Named the Stars, which is out in February 2024. This is a project that has had quite the journey, and a fair few sticking points, so it being out in the world soon feels a truly exceptional moment for my career. If there was any project that has taught me about resilience and believing in myself and my craft, then it is this novel.
What advice would you have for creatives of colour looking to get into writing/poetry and the creative industries?
For poets, my greatest piece of advice is to find a writing community or writing group. I don’t know a single poet who has been able to flourish without having a peer or group of fellow poets to share and learn from. I feel that poetry thrives when the poet is in fellowship with other poets and writers. But overall, no matter your preferred style of writing, be prepared to hone your craft and engage with other writing professionals. There are many opportunities out there in terms of workshops and masterclasses that are free or pay what you can. The Scottish BPOC Writers Network, Spread the Word, Open Book and The Poetry School are all organisations where I have participated in some amazing workshops and masterclasses on editing, poetry, and novel writing to name a few. Also read widely and with hunger—reading other writers and poets is one of the best means of improving your own writing.
What are you currently working on?
I should probably be resting and giving myself a break, but I have gone straight into working on my second novel. It explores early adulthood, first loves, memory/nostalgia, faith and masculinity. I really wanted to try and get as far into this next project before my debut comes out so that I don’t get caught up in what people expect next from me in terms of a novel—another bit of advice to aspiring writers, don’t get caught up in what you think people want from your writing. Write what you want to write. There is power in telling the story you need to tell, not the one you think will bring you X, Y or Z, accolades or lots of money. Of course, those things can be nice, or even feel necessary, but as writers we should focus on what will sustain us. Also, please build time for rest (I promise I will too)!