Author talks with Morovis students about the art of writing

Fourth-year students at Josefa del Río Guerrero High School in Morovis engaged with writer Mayra Santos Febres in an exercise on “how to express feelings and transform them into creative writing,” as the author explained it. (Israel Morales)

By THE STAR STAFF

Writer Mayra Santos Febres appeared before fourth-year students at Josefa del Río Guerrero High School in Morovis this week to talk about the art of writing, and tell them about her most recent publication “La Otra Julia,” based on the life of the poet Julia de Burgos.

The students had particular fun with an exercise on “how to express feelings and transform them into creative writing,” as the author explained it. From their cell phones, the students created a story about the experience of the first kiss. Another exercise was the realization of the self-portrait, where each of the students highlighted their unique qualities.

In addition, Latin American culture was discussed as an important part of Puerto Rican culture. For example, one of the participating students, a native of Venezuela whose grandfather is from Haiti, is an example of Caribbean fusion.

“Haiti is the mother of Antilleanism,” Santos Febres noted. “It was the first black republic in the world and with a great history of great artists, writers and painters of great quality.”

Morovis Mayor Carmen Maldonado González, who sponsored a copy of the novel for each of the students, pointed out that “Morovis appreciates education and Puerto Ricanness, as a contribution to universal culture.”

“This is where the writers Carmen Marrero, Manuel Joglar Cacho are from, among so many other forgers of our culture,” she said. “For us it has been a pleasure to receive Mayra Santos Febres and we celebrate her creativity and ingenuity.”

History teacher Indira Medina noted that “the energy that Mayra Santos Febres projects when engaging in dialogue is felt throughout the space.”

“Feeding curiosity in the students made emotions present in the conversation,” she said. “I am amazed to listen to her and I am fascinated to be a participant in how she manages to insert students into creative writing.”