Bittersweet is an inspirational collection of poetry that looks at how love, loss, and wanderlust help people grow and appreciate the moments in life they experience. Where did the idea for this anthology come from?

Bittersweet is a collection of poems and short writings that were written towards the final years of my military enlistment. As I deployed, traveled the world, and developed relationships with people, the moments that were burned most vividly into my memory were the ones I wrote mostly about. The ideas for many of the poems came from the deep emotions I felt during moments of heartbreak, loss, and loneliness as I spent a typical Marine’s life stationed away from loved ones. However, many poems were also written from moments of absolute joy and wonder, such as when I visited Japan and Singapore or drove from coast to coast with my best friend in the United States.

What experience in your life has had the biggest impact on your writing?

I think the experience that has impacted my writing the most was the five years I served in the United States Marine Corps as an intelligence analyst. My character was transformed by my time spent in training and my orders to later serve within infantry, reconnaissance, and special operations units. The hardships I faced during that season of my life allowed me to gain a special appreciation for the little things. It let me love important moments more deeply when they came and cherish mental and physical rest more fully when I was able to sit down and relax with a pen in my hand. There is always more to things, people, and places than meets the eye. The military helped me to open my eyes and see that. As a writer, I want to do the same with readers and, through words, show them the hidden things that belong to nature, love, loss, life, and our innate desire to explore this world.

What is one thing that you hope readers take away from Bittersweet: Poems on Love, Loss & Wanderlust?

One thing I hope readers take away from any of my books is that what makes humans beautiful is our ability to experience so many varying emotions. Often, the sad moments in our lives are the ones we never want to repeat. However, those same moments allow us to appreciate joy and love more profoundly. Even though some emotions are more challenging to traverse, they are also the same emotions that make our lives worth living. To live a life fully, accepting the downfalls just as much as the joys and successes, is what makes a life worth sharing with others. It’s what makes a life worth writing about. Everyone suffers at some point, but sharing our stories helps others feel like they are not alone when they go through those dark times. We remind them that there is always room for hope. There is always room to dream.

What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?

My goal is to continue publishing at least one book per year. With that being said, I have several books I am currently working on, including another poetry collection and an anthology of short horror stories. Both should be completed within the next two years, but I’m particularly hoping to finish the scary story anthology just in time for next year’s spooky season in October. My latest book, Amor gitano, is a poetry collection that is similar in style to Bittersweet and is planned for release in late February 2023. However, that book is one of my Spanish works, so it is intended for my Spanish-speaking audience.

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