MUNCIE, Ind.- Christina Diaz Gonzales, an award-winning author, joined the Ball State campus for its annual Writer-in-Residence event.
On Nov. 3, Gonzales got the chance to share a bit of her own personal story with students.
“I started off studying accounting,” Gonzales said. “Then went to law school and became a lawyer, became a mom, and then became a writer. In fact, I've never taken a creative writing class in my life. But I always loved reading and the idea of sharing stories, so no matter what path you chose, it's not set for life.”
Gonzales’s path has led her through many highs and lows. During Gonzales’s week-long visit, she had to participate in one of her personal favorite moments in her journey—connecting with readers.
“That just makes everything so worthwhile, because at the beginning it's just an idea in your head, and then you feel a sense of accomplishment when you write the end. And then you get feedback from perhaps your editor, and you know you're on the right path, but once the story exists and is being read by others, that's just the best feeling ever, just being able to connect,” Gonzales said.
One of the main pieces of advice Gonzales shared on campus was to step outside of the box.
“Read lots of different types of books, different genres for different ages,” Gonzales advises.
Gonzales's exploration of genres can be displayed in the vast selection of her work. Her novels The Red Umbrella, Concealed, and the graphic novel Invisible are some of her most popular works that tend to resonate with younger audiences.
“The excitement that they have over stories is contagious. All of a sudden, you realize that your choice of words and ideas can stimulate this reaction within people,” Gonzales said.
If you are interested in seeing more of her work, be on the lookout for her new graphic novel, “Offside,” coming out in July 2026.
Contact Brianna Baariu with comments at brianna.baariu@bsu.edu.
