Conversations with Victoria Hurtado-Angulo

Today we’d like to introduce you to Victoria Hurtado-Angulo.

Hi Victoria, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I have been writing poetry for ten years now. I’m counting the day I wrote a poem and intended to write it as a poem, even if it was terrible. That day was my first step into viewing every aspect of life as poetry. My poems have helped me cope, discover, evaluate, and understand myself. I did not take poetry seriously until my second year attending CSU, Long Beach. I was inspired to live and create. What kept me going were my family and friends. The strangers, bleak weather, bombastic food, novelty trinkets, and moments inspired me, as well. The disruptions, the death, the smell of good candles, they keep me going. I don’t think I’ll ever stop writing. I don’t intend to because it keeps me sane while driving me towards my demise.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I had to leave home at a young age and learn to be independent. I had some family members support me, but the emotional turmoil of holding resentment towards my parents and feeling lost was heavy. These internal issues held onto me until I wrote these stories in poems. I did not know what it meant to be vulnerable. I did not think it was okay to tell people my story because I did not want pity. I took school very seriously and found it was my only way out to freedom and complete happiness. I was incredibly reserved and emotionless. At least, that’s what it felt like. Once I went to college and took poetry workshop classes, I felt more comfortable talking to people. It seemed like I found individuals I could relate to, including the quirks of being writers. I’ve documented a lot of my pain through poetics. I shared my work. Next thing you know, I’m reading at local open mic nights and art shows around Long Beach and Los Angeles. I realized the day I decided to be a writer was the day I’d use my challenges in life as material to write and to help me slowly cope. I tell people I’m thankful for my parents’ mistakes and those who have made it difficult to breathe. I love them for that, deeply.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a poet in the MFA program at U.C. Riverside. I love the program, the faculty members, and my colleagues. I am known for my publication group, Art of Nothing Press, with Cameron Capanash, Jessi Jarrin, and Cait Danielle. We print books of art and poetry from the pool of submissions we get. I am known for roller-skating in Long Beach since I’ve been a club president for CSU, Long Beach Cal State Rollers. I am known for reading my poetry at art shows at 2nd and PCH plaza. One of my most recent successes is the Art of Nothing Press Open Mic at the thrift store, Sol’s Place in Norwalk, CA. Over 90 people attended and 34 people participated in open mic for poetry and music. We had five vendors ranging from vegan cookies to art pieces. One book I am proud of is the self-published book I create with Cameron Capanash. We dedicated the funds to the BLM movement and sold over 90 copies in and out of the country.

Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I was an unpredictable child. I would act emotionless one moment, and the next, I would be incredibly hyper and giggly. I would get bullied a lot during elementary and middle school. Because of that, I would have no tolerance for kids my age. I used to do some drastic things, hoping those kids would leave me alone. One time, this girl that used to bully me constantly was pretending to whisper to her friends and talk bad about me. I saw her doing that and she did it only to get a reaction out of me. I wore a headband with silk ribbons that day. I decided to choke myself with the ribbon and see what would happen if I kept doing that. I did not let go. The kids were screaming out of fear. The YMCA employee had her back towards me, so she didn’t see right away. When she did, she grabbed me and yelled at me. I remember feeling nothing. I was okay with whatever was happening. I was a numb child, especially in my pre-teens. Not only numb but also excited for reaction. Again, I did not know how to be vulnerable or deal with my issues in a better way. These moments make odd childhood stories now, which I appreciate. Even better, they make for good poems.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: https://www.everylibrary.org/air21_poems1_vh
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eccentric_vic/
• Other: https://www.antifragilezine.com/read/q98n3v5ai5h5gbw6gs4dgbd12h2loi

Image Credits:
Evan Elsass, Brandon Peni, intuit foto, & Alejandra Ceceña.