Writing is an innate condition of the soul
 

For Martha Daza , writing isn't a profession with set schedules or wedding commitments; it's a biological necessity, an innate condition she's carried with her since her native Bogotá and has honed over nearly half a century living in vibrant New York. Now based in Florida with her husband—also a writer—Daza has built a universe where poetry, short stories, and copyediting become acts of profound respect for the voice of others.

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In times where immediacy and algorithms threaten the authenticity of language, this Colombian author defends literature made from love, technical rigor and sensitivity.

 

Martha Daza honestly confesses that public speaking isn't her strong suit, but her writing speaks with overwhelming eloquence. Although she moves naturally through various genres, she acknowledges a natural inclination:

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"I believe that poetry is paramount in me, although I don't limit myself to any genre; my writing responds to a daily need, it's my form of expression."

 

She is currently working full-time on a new book of short stories. This project follows the aesthetic path of her debut work, Cuento poema de la permanencia (Story-Poem of Permanence), a hybrid work that blurs the lines between short narrative and poetic lyricism.

 

When asked about the dreaded writer's block, Daza rejects the idea of ​​writing as a systematic obligation. She prefers a freer, more passionate metaphor: literature is a lovers' relationship. It's not something one turns to by contract, but rather when the genuine desire to express something becomes uncontrollable and chokes the creator's sensibility.

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In addition to her creative work, Daza performs a crucial role in the contemporary literary ecosystem: proofreading. In a world where more and more people are venturing into storytelling without necessarily being professional writers, mistakes are inevitable, and the role of the proofreader becomes indispensable.

For her, tackling someone else's text is similar to fieldwork. "There will always be obstacles to overcome technically," she says, assuring that this meticulous analysis of others' prose doesn't contaminate her own narrative voice in the slightest. Her methodology as a proofreader is distinguished by an unwavering ethical standard:

• Spelling as a starting point: The technical process begins with basic grammatical cleaning.

• Absolute respect for originality: It never interferes with or alters the creator's original voice. Its function is to adapt what has been expressed so that it shines with clarity.

•  When she takes on the task of writing a book for a third party, she prioritizes active listening, interprets the essence of the client, drafts and validates each step by reading it aloud to obtain the author's approval.

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Martha Daza's life is inextricably linked to that of her life partner, with whom she has shared the journey of existence and a passion for literature for 54 years. The relationship between two writers generates an intense intellectual dynamic, where discussions about diametrically opposed viewpoints enrich their daily lives.

 

One of Daza's most delicate tasks is editing her husband's newspaper articles. Journalism, a genre she considers essential and indispensable for any respectable writer, demands a level of restraint that sometimes clashes with creative passion.

 

"I revise my husband's articles to adapt them to all kinds of audiences; to tone them down because he is very passionate and in that specific profession moderation is needed, especially in times of brutal censorship."

 

Faced with the complexities of the modern world, where expressing opinions can offend sensibilities, the author finds the perfect refuge in the virtues of the Spanish language. She defines our language as a territory "overflowing and brimming with synonymous expressions," a perfect tool for moderating and conveying any uncomfortable truth without losing elegance or diplomacy.

 

Family legacy and skepticism towards Artificial Intelligence

Their home has been a breeding ground for thought and service. Their two children, now adults, reflect the different facets of family influence: their daughter has followed in the footsteps of the arts as a poet, psychologist, and photographer in the corporate sector; while their son has opted for public service, establishing himself as a respected advisor and political consultant with important government positions in the United States.

 

Beyond her family achievements and her daily hobby of cooking, Martha is concerned about the future of the written word. In the midst of the rise of artificial intelligence, the writer remains skeptical about technology applied to literature.

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"I trust that literature will continue to leave its mark on new generations and that artificial intelligence, so fashionable these days, will not contaminate them, because in the end it is makeup that runs and sooner or later reveals the flaws."

 

For Daza, writing is not nourished by algorithms, but by self-taught education, attending conferences, literary debates and, fundamentally, by voracious reading of all genres. 

 

His final premise is a mantra for new generations: any profession, but especially literature, must be approached with absolute love for the craft and rigorous, constant preparation. Writing is, after all, an innate condition of the soul.