Exploring the Depths of Emotion and Imagination – An Interview with Author Denise Alicea
A Conversation on Writing Across Genres and Emotional Storytelling
Denise Alicea is a versatile and heartfelt storyteller, whose award-winning works captivate readers across multiple genres with emotional depth.
An interview featured in Reader’s House magazine delves into the multifaceted world of author Denise Alicea, whose writing spans fantasy, time travel, romance, and more. Born in Manhattan and raised in Connecticut, Denise’s creative journey began when drawing and painting no longer sufficed. Her passion for storytelling has led her to win awards for her short stories and garner multiple finalist nominations.
Denise’s approach to writing across diverse genres is rooted in extensive research and a genuine love for learning. She emphasizes the importance of immersing oneself in the genre through reading and meticulous research, allowing her to authentically navigate different narrative landscapes. This method not only enriches her writing but also satisfies her own curiosity as a reader who enjoys a variety of genres.
Her collection Heartbeats in Ink is a heartfelt anthology of poetry, inspired by personal and vicarious experiences of love and its many facets. Denise shares that her poetry often stems from her own emotions or those of her loved ones, capturing the highs and lows of love. This emotional authenticity has been a therapeutic outlet for her since childhood and continues to inspire new works.
In Consoling Angel, Denise explores grief and admiration through the story of Mira, who finds solace in her admiration for Hollywood actor James Dean. This blend of grief and wish fulfillment adds emotional depth to her characters. Denise draws from her own experiences of loss, portraying the profound and often complex feelings associated with grief and the what if moments that follow the loss of a loved one.
Destined ~ A Time Travel Romance Anthology features narratives set in diverse historical periods, including 1950s New York and war-torn 387 BC Ireland. Writing these stories presented the dual challenge of maintaining historical accuracy while weaving imaginative tales. Denise highlights the importance of research to avoid anachronisms, allowing her to tell compelling stories that are rooted in, yet not constrained by, historical fact.
Angels Always Near: A Poetry Collection revisits Denise’s teenage emotions from an adult perspective. This collection navigates the tumultuous waters of adolescence, capturing themes of love, friendship, anger, and frustration. By translating her teenage poems into a more mature context, Denise offers readers a reflective and relatable exploration of these universal emotions.
Denise’s advice for aspiring writers is to immerse themselves in reading across genres, engage with craft books, and join writing groups. She underscores the value of community in what can often be a solitary pursuit, encouraging writers to share their work and learn from others.
Denise Alicea’s diverse and heartfelt body of work, as highlighted in the Reader’s House magazine interview, showcases her ability to traverse genres with authenticity and emotional depth. Her journey from visual art to award-winning writing is a testament to her passion and dedication, offering inspiration to readers and writers alike.
