Poet José González shares stories, wisdom during campus visit

Jose González

Creative Writing Club Vice President Olivia Melillo, Jose González and English Professor Daniel Donaghy

“I started writing in seventh grade after something totally traumatic happened: I had my first girlfriend,” said author José B. González during a visit to Eastern Connecticut State University. Hosted by the Creative Writing Club on Nov. 19, González shared insights into his writing process, read and analyzed his poetry, and offered advice to aspiring writers.

González began by recounting how his first breakup motivated him to write poetry. “I couldn’t articulate these feelings; I felt like poetry was a way for me to communicate feelings I couldn’t express through ordinary language,” he said.

González explained how he uses vivid imagery in his work, as seen in his poem “Abandoned ‘74 Mustang.” González said the poem’s imagery conveys a message that couldn’t be captured simply by saying, “I love my car.”

González said he often draws from unique life experiences in his writing. He shared memories of growing up in El Salvador during a destructive hurricane and of his father’s struggle with alcoholism -- experiences that inspired many of his poems.

“Many of us have relatives struggling with addiction, so I thought maybe these poems could help somebody,” González said.

He also emphasized the importance of musicality in poetry. “I’ll listen to a beat and then try to match what I’m writing to that beat,” he said, adding that this method helps him identify whether his poems have too few or too many syllables.

The emotional depth and vivid details in González’s poetry have earned him numerous accolades, including a Pushcart Prize and the State of Connecticut Artistic Excellence Award.

González has a longstanding relationship with Eastern, visiting as a workshop leader and guest speaker. “He’s a phenomenal writer; I’m so honored he agreed to come tonight,” said Olivia Melillo, vice president of the Creative Writing Club.

Written by Darlene Orozco B. '28

Categories: English