Hello, Weekend Experiences friends, this week has gone very fast. Once again I want to reflect on one of the topics proposed by 
How do you inspire others and why? Explain using examples. Remember to use your own photos.
When I finished my Literature studies at the Central University of Venezuela I was asked if I wanted to teach. I was very young and I felt that I was not yet ready to educate other people. I did not trust myself. I wish those professors who asked me, because they thought I was ready, would have given me some words of encouragement and maybe I would have accepted. A few years later I tried to teach there and it was no longer possible.
I began my professional career in the area of book proofreading and editing. My experience as a reader when I graduated was already extensive, because since I learned to read in elementary school I had not been separated from books. I felt more confident in that area. Several years later I overcame my fear and began to give courses and workshops in cultural institutions, museums, libraries and for more than 25 years I have been working in both areas, in publishing and as an educator.
Presentation of Paco Giomi's book, which I corrected and carried out the editorial production process.
As a book proofreader and editor, I have been able to accompany many people in their dream of seeing their texts published, but I have also supported them in the editing process so that the texts they publish reach their best version. This means that I help them grow and improve as writers, showing them their mistakes and how they can improve their books. This is very important when you want to publish a book, because a book full of mistakes is a lousy thing for a writer. And believe me I have seen books published with mistakes. If you ever publish a book please find a good proofreader so that it doesn't happen to you.
Presentation of the book Mujeres en su tinta (Women in their own ink) by María Candel
Just as I have supported people to correct and publish their texts, inspiring them in their writing career, I have also inspired many people as a writer. That gives me great joy. Last Friday, March 8, International Women's Day, I was invited to read my poetry texts in the library of the Universidad Católica Andrés Bello, one of the most important universities in my country. I was honored by this invitation. I read with a group of students currently participating in a poetry course, who read poems by Venezuelan women poets. It was a beautiful experience.
The most beautiful thing happened when the event ended and several of these young people approached me to express their admiration for my verses. I offered to some of these young women who approached me that I would mail them the verses they had liked. Another young woman showed me a poem of mine that she had read on my pinterest account and really liked. It was very beautiful to realize how my verses inspire other people and make them feel emotions.
Reading my poems International Women's Day
With the young students I read with on International Women's Day
Among the people who approached me was a little girl, Agnella, who read a text of her own writing during the event and asked me if I could publish what she had read and I promised her that I would. I share with you the text she read and a selfie I took with her. The text she read says: "Life is only one, it has several paths, childhood, adolescence, adulthood and death. And that's why you have to enjoy it". I was impressed that such a young girl has such wisdom.
Selfie with Agnella
As an educator, I have also been able to inspire people from different generations, children, teenagers, adults and older people, like me, who decide to start writing after retirement. I have taught them to write better texts, showing them their mistakes, how to structure a text correctly, teaching them how to interpret literary texts of different genres. Although most of them don't know it, I also learn a lot by teaching other people and they have also inspired me, helped me to overcome my fears in public speaking, helped me to be a better person.
Several years ago with my young students of my short story course
last year my young student Julianna de Majo
With my Creative Writing students
All the pictures you see belong to my personal photo album
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
