My inspiration comes from watching human behavior. I feel inspired when I see myself and others go through experiences that eventually culminate in a lesson learned or an achievement, whatever of those two outcomes life has in store. If we all share those experiences objectively and honestly, we’ll be able to understand each other and the world around us better.

At home, in a corner of the house with abundant natural light and a view of the greenery outside. I usually write after going through a learning process. It could mean writing after reading a book, watching a documentary, or having a deep conversation.

It depends on the genre. Non-fiction is my favorite genre to read, and my favorite non-fiction author is Malcolm Gladwell. Poetry-wise I genuinely am a “Dead Poets Society” member. My favorite poem of all-time probably is “If” by Rudyard Kipling.

I also enjoy Emily Dickinson’s poetry collection. My latest poetry acquisition was “The Lost Spells” by Robert MacFarlane.

Since I’m privileged enough to read in English and Spanish, my author list tends to have a bit of both, like Antonio Machado, Pablo Neruda, and Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz. But the fiction genre was my first love. My mother often took me to the library to buy books to read, but never often enough. I was always reading and waiting for my next purchase. I read entire book collections from “El Barco de Vapor”; a publishing house that famously translated literary works to Spanish and categorized them according to recommended reading age. I will never forget the first books that created a lasting impact in my life during my childhood and adolescence: Un Solo de Clarinete by Fernando Almena and Unica Mirando al Mar by Fernando Contreras Castro.

Be a learner. Have a learner’s mind. Even in the subjects where we think we are the most knowledgeable, we can always learn something new. To be a learner, one should be humble enough to understand we don’t know everything and wise enough to know that even when we think we do, it could be a matter of perception.

Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Mistakes could get costly, but if we see them as a class we took on how not to do something, they become more bearable. This concept doesn’t apply just to finances. It also applies to time and other resources. That being said, be organized enough to let some resources be disposed of without getting anything in return.

Over the years, I have noticed a more significant division between people of opposing views. What was unthinkable behavior a couple of decades ago has now become the norm even among academic circles. This polarization inspired me to write a book about the importance of keeping an objective opinion based on the humble understanding that we might not know it all.

I believe feminine rhymes and end rhymes have a very soothing beat to them. They are easier to predict. This effect helps the reader feel safe and at home. When the reader feels an easy rhyme, the topic can be more in-depth and tedious. Empathy Prescribed is about profound issues that can be heavy on the mind, and it helps the reader be in a safe atmosphere by using simple rhymes.