Exclusive interview with writer and model Camila Orsi

Some say that the best projects and works come out of periods of crisis and moments of introspection, and writer Camila Orsi is among those who share this belief. We spoke with her about her latest work, ‘Donde no hago pie’ (Where I Can’t Touch Bottom), a book that delves into her personal side, bares her soul, and reveals her vulnerability.

• ‘Donde no hago pie’ is your most recent work, which was recently released. How did this book come about?

This book was born long before I even realized it. I studied playwriting, and before the pandemic, I was studying screenwriting because I always wanted to write a film. I was writing a movie where the main actress was a poet, and unknowingly, I was writing my book. I was making my book about that actress, but in the end, it was everything that was happening to Camila, to me. And during the crisis, in the pandemic, like all works of art, I decided to write my book and set aside the film. I gathered the courage to be the one who released the book, not hiding it behind an actress because, in the end, it was my book.

• What kind of reception do you expect from readers?

Above all, I hope they feel accompanied. Everything in this book is 100% my experiences, and each person can interpret them as they need, and I think that’s the best I can expect from others. I want them to take each poem as they need, to use it to understand things, to resolve connections, to feel accompanied in their loneliness… I believe it’s a great book to let you know that you are not alone even when you find yourself in solitude.

• What were your first poetic readings, and which authors have influenced the creation of ‘Donde no hago pie’?

My first poetic readings were by Rupi Kaur, and I fell in love with poetry deeply. Then I continued reading Alejandra Pizarnik, Elvira Sastre… I think currently my great mentor is Elvira Sastre, and she is one of the poets I follow the most.

• It is evident that your work is filled with vibrancy and experiences. What personal goal were you trying to achieve with this book and its poetry?

The personal goal of this book, I believe, was to find a kind of anchor for my life. Alongside writing, I study acting and have a modeling career that is very uncertain and has a non-rigorous routine. So, I needed a bit of that anchor and grounding, which is the opposite of what my book is called. But that’s what writing gives me, the knowledge that no matter where I am, wherever I go, I will always have a place for myself, to sit down and write, and personally, I needed that. So, it was also a big, big challenge for these writings to stop being just mine and become for others, and personally, I needed to go through that.

• Lately, live reading shows and recitals have become quite popular. Would you be willing to participate in an event of this nature?

I haven’t mustered up the courage yet, but it’s something I have in mind. I say I haven’t because my book is a bit like my intimate diary, and I haven’t mustered the courage to let every person who has my book read it in their solitude. But I think it’s a great challenge that I’m willing to face, so I’m excited to someday be able to do it.

• From your perspective, how do you think the publishing landscape is for so many emerging authors or writers who want to publish?

To be completely honest, my experience was that I didn’t want to rely on a mainstream publisher to release my book, so I explored other options and made other plans, plan B, C… to achieve the launch. I didn’t sign with any major publisher and went the route of an independent publisher, and it turned out spectacularly for me. So, based on my experience, my advice is not to stop writing just because you don’t have a publisher. It’s possible that a major publisher might pick up your project, and that’s fantastic, but if that doesn’t happen, there are plenty of other ways to publish your work, and that shouldn’t be an obstacle. Releasing your own book is a great accomplishment.

• What was the routine you followed to start writing this book? What advice would you give to a young writer who wants to venture into the world of poetry?

The writing routine for this book and the process was entirely in solitude. It began during the pandemic in Pinamar, the city where I was born, and I would always go to the beach for a while and then to a café… And when I returned to Buenos Aires, I always found moments alone to continue the process. The backbone of this book is what I hear when I fall silent, what emerges from within me when there’s not so much noise around. And the advice I would give to any writer who wants to delve into the world of poetry is to do it without thinking that there’s a specific structure or a set way to begin or end. Poetry is simply a bunch of feelings written down in the way each author feels them. Just as there’s no one way to feel, there’s no one way to write poetry.

• What are your future plans? Are you planning to write another work or will you focus on your other pursuits?

Regarding writing and this book in particular, my future plans include translating it into other languages so that it reaches other countries, and being able to share myself even more with many more people. On a personal level, I have a strong desire to write a novel, although it’s currently just an idea, it really excites me to take on that challenge.

• Do you plan to explore other genres beyond poetry?

Yes, I want to delve into novel writing and always, always continue reading poetry because it’s one of my great passions and loves. However, I don’t want to limit myself solely to this type of writing.

Cami’s favorites:

Favorite writer: Elvira Sastre and Camila Sosa Villada.

Favorite novel: ‘Las malas’ by Camila Sosa.

First book read: ‘The Little Prince’ and later in life, ‘The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari’.

Book you are currently reading: ‘Madrid me mata’ (Madrid Kills Me).