Ana Castillo: "I didn't know what I wanted to be, I just wanted to be me"

The office of cultural events brought renowned poet, novelist, short story writer, painter, and essayist Ana Castillo to NEIU.

Ana Castillo was born and raised in Chicago and is an alumni of NEIU, even though she was a secondary education major, she said she spent most her class periods writing poetry. Ms. Castillo got through college on scholarships and worked hard to stay out of the factories. She currently resides somewhere in New Mexico close to the border and Juarez, Mexico. This is where she has found new inspiration to write about.

She shared what she saw a few years ago while taking a morning view of the Franklin Mountains. She asked herself what it would be like to be someone on the other side watching a loved one leave to cross the border.

As Ana Castillo continued, she read a piece from one of her novels. The room seemed to stand still as she read, the words were captivating. She becomes Regina, a women on the other side of the border awaiting her brother's return, and talks about the crimes of killing women in the deserts of Mexico. I do not wish to talk about too much of her book, but it was an exciting and a sad story at the same time.

Later, Ana Castillo took questions from the audience and then took time to sign copies of her books owned by fans and students. She encourages "her people" as she states to write their stories. If you are interested in obtaining some of Ana Castillo's work, they are available at the Ronald Williams Library.

Works Available:

"I Ask the Impossible"

"Sapogonia"

"Massacre of the Dreamers"

"So Far from God"

"The Mixquiahuala Letters"

"Watercolor Women, Opaque Men"