CREATOR SPOTLIGHT: Carlos De la Luz

Michelle sat down with fellow Musty Creative Carlos De la Luz to discuss his journey into journalism, the experiences that shaped his passion for storytelling, and why—despite the challenges and uncertainties facing the industry—he believes the pursuit of truth and human stories continues to make the medium worth the trouble.

Tell us a little about yourself and what inspired you to pursue journalism and writing.

I have always had a passion for art and mass media. As far back as my childhood, my favorite ways to pass the time were watching television, movies, or reading. For the longest time, I had no idea how to channel that passion in any useful way outside of conversation. I was too insecure about my perceived lack of skill or talent to create anything of my own. I attended community college for years without any plan or concrete direction. As I started taking more classes focusing on mass media, I realized my interests actually could be of use. I took a journalism course, and after joining the school newspaper, I finally found my direction. Journalism gave me a reason to go out and find stories to tell, especially of so many fascinating and vital voices deserving of a platform. 

You recently graduated from college. How has that transition from student to professional shaped the way you think about your future as a writer?

It’s made me feel a mix of excitement, absolute horror, and hope. While the job market and field of journalism aren’t exactly thriving right now, I still think that there are always going to be endless stories to tell and people in power to hold accountable. Time will tell where the future will take writing in its many forms, but I am hopeful people will always yearn for truth and human stories.

Was there a particular story, experience, or person that made you realize you wanted to become a journalist?

When I took the journalism introductory course, I made a friend with whom I shared a lot in common. We both felt lost and uncertain about the future, but started to find our way at the same time. Towards the end of the semester, they encouraged me to take the next step and join the newspaper, promising to join with me. I don’t fully credit them with my decision to pursue journalism, but they gave me the extra push I needed. And I am forever grateful because my time at that school paper is one of my fondest memories. I met so many amazing people there who not only helped me grow as a writer and reporter, but became good friends. 

What topics or types of stories are you most passionate about covering, and why?

The stories I’m most passionate about are human interest, particularly writing feature stories. I especially love to profile interesting people. Interviewing is one of the most challenging aspects of any piece, so much so that even landing one can feel impossible. When interviewing for a profile, the conversation can flow more naturally and allows for a stronger human connection. The challenge comes from feeling a responsibility to portray this person as accurately as possible while making sure their story is compelling enough to capture the reader’s attention for 800 words.

What has been one of the most memorable or meaningful stories you’ve had the opportunity to write so far?

One of my goals is to interview and write about more artists I admire. I have not interviewed many, but so far the list includes screenwriter Gareth Dunnet-Alcocer (Blue Beetle, 2023), whom I asked one question at a Q&A , and showrunner Patrick Macmanus (Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy) at another school event. All of this to say that my actual favorite story and interview were for my community college paper, where I interviewed an English professor who used comic books in his curriculum. I learned about this professor through other students, and aside from the literature he taught, the information that struck me about him most was his apparent emotional vulnerability. When I finally interviewed him, the descriptions did not disappoint. This was a man unafraid of presenting his authentic self and being completely honest about his humanity. He spoke of his own struggles with mental health and how it affects his work. His transparency with his students was not only helpful for him, but made his students feel seen and understood, according to the ones I interviewed. 

What do you enjoy most about the process of reporting and turning an idea into a finished story?

I love the connections I make with the people I interview. I don’t always write positive pieces, and have written news stories requiring some investigation. Regardless of how they come across, I love the feeling of getting to know someone through the questions I ask them. Journalists have bad reputations to many people, so to me I feel it’s most important to remind interviewees that we're just two people having a conversation. I enjoy getting people to open up and feel comfortable when talking to me. It’s also incredibly satisfying getting the exact information you need from an interview to complete your story.

Journalism often involves meeting new people and hearing their stories. What have you learned from the people you’ve interviewed or written about?

It really depends on the story. News stories were tough because faculty and administration couldn’t really say anything that would harm the school’s reputation. It left many interviews feeling sterile and empty. The most valuable lesson I learned from any story was probably that to have anything interesting to say, you have to go out and have your own experiences. The people I interviewed have all lived lives of risks and heartbreak that shaped who they are. If you just stay inside and experience the world from your bedroom, you won’t have any stories to tell of your own.

What has been one of the biggest challenges you’ve faced so far as a young journalist, and how have you navigated it?

I’ve always struggled to meet deadlines. Deadlines are do-or-die in this field, so being punctual is non-negotiable. It’s taken a lot for me to improve in this area, but I’ve found that the more interested I am in what I’m covering, the less I procrastinate. If I can find anything compelling to me in a story, I try to build from there. If your story isn’t interesting to you, it’s not likely to be interesting to others.

As someone just beginning your professional career, what are your hopes and goals for the future of your writing?

I just hope that I can continue to write professionally for as long as I can. I hope that there is always a need for the written word. As far as my personal goals, I’d love to be able to learn as much as I can from the people I cross paths with and whose stories I am lucky enough to tell.

What advice would you give to other students or young people who are interested in pursuing journalism?

Don’t wait for a degree to call yourself a journalist. Start now. Journalism isn’t just limited to writing for an official publication. Use your social media presence as your platform. There is so much technology at your disposal to amplify your voice; you don’t need a certificate to do it. College helped me find my path, and I do believe in its importance, but it’s not the only way you can learn how to interview or write in AP style. If you are in school, definitely join whatever journalism program they offer; you will learn extremely valuable skills. But really, all you need to be a journalist is to be a journalist.