MEET AIDA L. IRIZARRY

A lifelong resident of New York, I hold a B.A. in psychology from Marymount Manhattan College. I’m also a former recipient of The Board of Education’s New York Teaching Fellowship. I’ve taught ESL to adults, and 2nd grade in The Bronx. Currently, I teach catechism to children at my local parish. Aida is also Marketing Director at SDI Consultants, Inc., a not-for-profit organization serving the needs of the non-for-profit community.

Founder of Centavos, a Bronx weekly I closed several years ago, I’m writing two other novels. One deals with cloning, and the other with a miracle. I'm also currently engaged in translating BY REASON OF PASSION to Spanish.

Writing poetry in Spanish is one of my great loves, and I may feature some of it at www.aidalirizarry.com. In addition, I'm planning to write a book on domestic violence. Now to find the time!

That aside, there’s a special man in my life. His name is Ryan. He calls me "Grandma" and he's already in his terrible twos.

When I look back at my life I see times of happiness, and sadness I’d rather forget. Isn't that the same for all of us? But I wouldn’t change one thing in my history: falling in love for the first time. Often, I’ve been known to say, “Why must there be first loves? Why not move on to the second and avoid the pain a first love can bring?”

Well, I’ll add that, as a writer, I’m fortunate first loves do exist. You see, to write about love one must have known vulnerability. Thus, cheers to a first love. He made me a better writer, and I hope that it shows in my work.