BREIA DIAZ
WRITER & ARTIST
PHOENIX, ARIZONA
Contact: breia.diaz@gmail.com
“Push yourself and go for it! Don’t underestimate your potential!”
5 favorite musical artists of all time?
J. Cole
Russ
Jhene Aiko
Bad Bunny
The Eagles
What inspires you?
Other artists and writers. I read a lot and reading often and from a wide variety of writers and genres helps me to improve and perfect my craft. Experiencing other art gives me ideas for what I want to create next whether it be a new drawing or a new piece of writing.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Don’t doubt yourself and be confident. You’re capable of a lot more than you think. Don’t count yourself out before you even go for it.
What industry blogs/websites/podcasts do you enjoy?
Pennies to Wealth and The Baller on a Budget are 2 blogs that I have been reading lately. I have also been reading the Voyage YA Journal.
What do you think the future holds for people of color in creative industries?
The future is bright!! Especially when networks like this one exist. I love that there are so many groups and platforms that showcase people of color in general and people of color in creative industries. I think it is important to give creatives of color and all people of color a place to be seen and heard.
What is your dream job?
My dream job would be something creative…something where I am getting paid to do what I am passionate about, writing and art. A job like that wouldn’t even feel like work to me!
What skill(s) would you develop if you had more time?
If I had more time, I would definitely develop my drawing and painting skills more. Paper and pencil are my best friends, but I would love to learn how to use other mediums. I’d also love to learn how to draw on ProCreate.
What is the last thing you learned?
The last thing I learned was how to adjust the coil overs on a 1996 Acura Integra. Learn something new every day, no matter what it is.
What are you working on right now?
I am currently working on the first novel in a young adult fiction/fantasy series (see blow for a passage from the first chapter). When I’m not writing, I’m working on my MA in English and designing tattoos for @inkbox on the side.
He stared at her with piercing, wolf gray eyes. Her heart beat faster, pounding heavily in her chest. She clenched her jaw in as he slowly stepped closer to her. An intense cold breeze danced around them in the darkness. He stood so close; she was sure she could feel his body heat emanating from him. The air suddenly felt thick and heavy with static.
She took a deep breath and held it as he reached and touched the pendant that hung around her neck, falling just below her collar bone. It was a round, silver pendant about the size of a nickel. Etched into the metal, was a crescent moon design. A small rope-like design was etched into the outer edge of the pendant surrounding the moon. On the back of the pendant were the words, custos autem nox.
Her head started to throb with pain and a chill raced down her spine. It started to feel as though something was crawling around in her head. The sensation was unbearable. She winced as her eyes brimmed with tears. He pulled his hand away and hot tears fell from her brown eyes, slowly down her cheeks. Her thick curly hair brushed across her face with the cold breeze that flowed through the air. She wanted to run, but something kept her frozen there like a statue standing before him.
If you could talk to your favorite creative for an hour, who would it be? Why?
I would love to talk to Issa Rae. I have followed her since her YouTube days so it’s so cool to see how far she has come and how much she has accomplished. As a fellow female writer of color, I know she has so much insight and so many experiences to share on her journey and on creating as well.
What advice would you give to creatives of color looking to pursue their passion full-time?
Push yourself and go for it! Don’t underestimate your potential!! I am guilty of doing this myself. Those closest to me tell me all the time to pursue my art and writing full time, I’ve just always been hesitant. But if you don’t go out and go for it, who’s going to do it for you?
How do you keep your creative drip going?
I stay creative by continuing to read as much as I can and watching movies or tv shows in the fantasy genre. That keeps my mind going and gives me plenty of inspiration to keep creating and working on my book specifically. I also found that talking about it with a fellow creative keeps me accountable and constantly inspired and motivated.
Contact: breia.diaz@gmail.com