Reyna Grande
Sacramento, CA USA
"What we should aspire to is not to just have a job that pays the bills, but to have a job that fulfills us, that we want to wake up and be thankful for every day."
Career Roadmap
Reyna's work combines: Writing, Education, and Being Creative
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Advice for getting started
Have a plan! School can be a cocoon of comfort, but you have to remember that you will one day emerge from that cocoon out into the world. Having a plan will help you on path while you are getting started. Start networking as early as you can and making those connections that could lead to exciting opportunities. Volunteer and intern as much as you!
Here's the path I took:
High School
Associate's Degree
Pasadena City College
Bachelor's Degree
Creative Writing
University of California, Santa Cruz
Bachelor's Degree
Film & Video Studies
University of California, Santa Cruz
Graduate Degree
Creative Writing
Antioch University
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life took a while to figure out
1.
I was born in Iguala, Guerrero, Mexico, which is one of the poorest areas in the country.
2.
My parents both immigrated to the U.S. when I was very young, but my siblings and I remained in Mexico until I was 10 years old—that’s when I entered the U.S. as an undocumented immigrant.
3.
Attended Pasadena City College for two years, then transferred to the University of California, Santa Cruz, where I earned my bachelor’s degree in creative writing and film and video studies.
4.
After graduating, I struggled to find work within my field of study—I ended up becoming a middle school teacher so I could pay my student loans while I searched for work as a writer.
5.
It took four years to finish my first book and find an agent; and, over fourteen years to become a full-time author.
6.
Attended Antioch University where I earned my master’s degree in creative writing.
7.
I’ve written five books, including “Across a Hundred Mountains,” “The Distance Between Us,” and “A Dream Called Home”—and I’m currently working on my sixth novel.
8.
In addition to being an active promoter of Latino literature, I also speak at a variety of events across the U.S. and teach creative writing at UCLA Extension.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Myself:
Latinos don't write books.
How I responded:
Growing up, I had never really read any books by Latino/a authors, so the idea of myself becoming a writer seemed completely impossible. I was encouraged by one of my professors at community college to explore my writing talents more. She gave me a bunch of books by Latino/a writers to inspire me and prove to me that I could do it. I was very lucky to have that early support.
Experiences and challenges that shaped me
After graduating from college, I struggled to find work, so I became a middle school teacher. This helped me pay for my student loans while I tried to become a writer. It took almost 4 years before I was able to became a full-time published writer.
My parents came to the U.S. when I was very young, leaving me and my siblings behind in Mexico. I was finally able to immigrate when I was 10 years old and entered the country undocumented.
Having my parents leave me at such a young age caused a lot of feelings of being unwanted. Being undocumented, I had to deal with being perceived as being a criminal and not belonging. It was a very traumatizing experience.
It was a struggle switching from speaking Spanish to speaking English. Being bilingual was never encouraged or celebrated. Learning English caused a sense of alienation from my parents and pieces of my culture. As an adult, I'm trying to reclaim it.
I was the first person in my family to go to college and to graduate. My father only completed 3rd grade and my mother only completed 6th grade, so going to college has always been a priority for me, but I didn't really have any guidance.