Interview with Belo Cipriani, author of Firsts

What can you tell us about your new release, Firsts?

Firsts is a collection of personal essays on rites of passage by people with disabilities. It was a project that took a little over three years to complete. Also, this was my first time serving as an editor, and I feel that the experience has helped my writing regimen.

What or who inspired you to become an author?

When I lost my sight in 2007, I went through a phase where I was unsure about my career in high tech. In my search for motivation, I came across the work of blind writers such as Stephen kuusisto and Susan Krieger who allowed me to imagine the possibility of being a writer.

What’s on your top 5 list for the best books you’ve ever read?

There are way too many books I like, and it would be impossible to limit myself to a list of five; however, I do look forward every year to the Best American Short Stories collection.

Say you’re the host of a literary talk show. Who would be your first guest? What would you want to ask?

I would have loved to have the opportunity to interview James Baldwin. He is one of the writers I reread – especially when I travel.

What’s your favorite thing about writing?

One of the things I love about writing is that it allows me to draw with words. As a blind man, I run into access issues here and there, but when I write, I have no limits.

What is a typical day like for you?

I wish I could say that I write every day, and have a proven method to beat writers block, but that is not the case. I write almost daily, but due to obligations, and just life in general, the time I spend writing fluctuates. Also, I write with the assistance of software for the blind and in more than one occasion, tech has pushed me to cut back on writing. Still, I feel lucky to be able to work on books and write my nationally syndicated column.

What scene in Firsts was your favorite to write?

While I am familiar with a lot of different disabilities, reading the different essays made me realize that there were some conditions I did not know anything about. Also, I realized that as a result of their disability, some of the authors needed more time with their drafts.

Do you have a motto, quote or philosophy you live by?

“There are no bigger disabilities than a closed mind and a cold heart.”

Belo Cipriani is the author of the new book Firsts

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