young women to watch

5 creative young women to watch

By Cindy Brown

Taos is full of creative women. We set out to find a few young writers and found musicians and artists who also happened to be promising writers. Here’s a brief introduction to five young Taos creatives: their inspirations, genres, insights and many talents.

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Ella Aquino

simple words are beautiful

LaMure describes her friend Ella Aquino as extremely creative. Not only does Aquino write poetry and songs, but she also plays many instruments. “I have a lot of instruments and plan on getting more,” says Aquino. “My recent favorite is the bass and also the ukulele, which is small but has a big sound. I have written songs from a very young age, probably kindergarten or preschool.” She has recently moved back to Taos after living in England for two years while her mom was teaching. Immersing herself in culture and history, she enjoyed the rolling hills, beautiful castles and cathedrals. The deep history of a thousand years seemed magical. “The people there didn’t seem to appreciate some of the history, perhaps because they are surrounded by it every day, just like we see Taos Mountain every single day and forget to notice it. Only when we go away do we appreciate where we live when we come home,” observes Aquino. In describing her writing, Aquino explains “Your writing can be a puzzle and only you know the answer; you hold the key.” She points out that writing doesn’t have to be overly verbose to be good; simple words can be beautiful. “Writing is telling a story. It doesn’t matter how you do it. What is important is to get others to see your world,” she says.

Flora Mack

dark fiction and painting the place

Flora Mack was born at Holy Cross Medical Center and has lived here for all of her 14 years. She describes her writing as dark fiction or horror and points to writers such as Shirley Jackson and Edgar Allen Poe, whose work she read in comic book form as inspirations. “The thing really got me into writing is that both of my parents are writers. My mom is a published author. My dad is a journalist and a science writer. From the time I was little, I was reading their stuff,” she says. Settings such as the woods lend themselves to illustration through painting with acrylics, another one of her interests. Mack has been involved with SOMOS writing camps that culminated with sharing pieces at a showcase of work done at camp. Her goal for this year is to publish another short story.

Sierra Lindsey-Biscello

magical realism

Sierra Lindsey-Biscello likes to write stories that are set in the real world but have magical or mystical elements — a style she calls magical realism. “I’m finished with my first novel; it falls into [the] magical realism category. It’s a weird book: a little bit vaudeville and was inspired by a picture of my sister, my best friend, and best friend’s dad that included fun pre-pandemic masks. “ Lindsey-Biscello just turned 19 and has lived in Taos since she was very young. She’s been involved in young writers’ groups and also volunteered at SOMOS. In addition to her readings there, she also read at an Ekphrasis event, in which art is made in response to art, at the Harwood Museum and has had a story of hers published in HOWL, the arts and literary journal of the University of New Mexico – Taos. She also took an opportunity to attend an international writing camp at the University of Iowa, called “Between the Lines.”

Another creative outlet for Lindsey-Biscello is making cardboard dollhouses. “At one point I wanted a dollhouse, so I made one. The dollhouses are all made out of found materials. They are easy to make,” she says. Drawing is also an interest, something she does for her own enjoyment.

Zoie LaMure

Zoie LaMure writes fiction about action, adventure, superheroes, and mystery. She’s working on a novel called “Cursed Ones.” Inspiration comes from her own life experience, as well as other people’s art and sometimes her dreams.

Like many young writers, she has been involved with programs at the Society of the Muse of the Southwest (SOMOS). “I’ve done writing exercises at SOMOS using writing prompts and worked one-on-one with (author of young adult novels) Estelle Laure. Writing as a day-to-day habit, really helps make it easier,” says LaMure.

She has participated in poetry slams, starting as a fifth grader and was excited to place fourth in a field that included students up through the eighth grade. She’s also read her poetry at SOMOS as part of a mini-writing workshop and won a cash prize. “Music and writing are my favorite things. I hope to have both as a career,”says LaMure. “My music style might best be described as folk-pop. I play guitar, piano, and drums and have a song out on YouTube that was produced with my music teacher, Jimmy Stadler, who played the instruments for the recording. ” Her song “Broken” is melodic, passionate, expressive, and uplifting ; her voice clear and pure. The song is from her album “It’s Been on My Mind,” find it at youtu.be/bvPz9IQO65g.

musician and fiction writer

Ilana Weisfeld

When Ilana Weisfeld can write on her own, she chooses poetry. Certain themes and circumstances get the creative juices flowing and the writing follows. Weisfeld’s mom taught her Spanish and she was in the dual language program at Enos Garcia. She was able to hone her Spanish skills during a year spent in Bolivia. Except for that year, Weisfeld has lived in Taos all of her life.

Since the time she tagged along with a friend who was doing a mentorship, she has been involved with SOMOS. “I’ve done the young writers’ night a few times. Last year at SOMOS, I MC’d and also read. I enjoy sharing poetry with friends and family,” she says. Weisfeld has been part of a SOMOS reading at a local radio station, as well. A young woman of several talents, she also draws and paints mostly for her own pleasure. poetry as passion

Advice for young writers just starting out

Flora Mack

Don’t expect to be perfect the first time. Sometimes people just want to hear a story. You don’t always give it a meaning; people can dig in and find their own meaning.

Zoie LaMure

Your art is going to look different from everyone else’s, write whatever you can and don’t stress about making it like everyone else’s. Ella Aquino

You are more often than not better than you think. Even if you don’t realize it, when you are writing you are making progress. Even if you think you are the worst writer on earth, gradually you will get better. It is so easy to lose faith in yourself. Writing is not a magical talent; it is a skill you need to hone.

Ilana Weisfeld

Just write. It doesn’t matter if it is good or not. There are only a few things I am proud of. At first it might not sound good, eventually you’ll find things [you really enjoy writing] about or that you like the sound of.

LEARN MORE

SOMOS was founded in 1983 and sponsors readings, programs for young writers, workshops, an annual writers conference and other events both on-line and live at their downtown Taos location - 108 Civic Plaza Drive. There is an extensive selection of new books by local authors and used books available at the office. For more information, visit

somostaos.org or call (575) 758-0081.

Sierra Lindsey-Biscello

My general advice, which might not be perfect advice for everyone, is that when you first start to write, it might be really bad. Eventually you’ll start writing something you like then you have it.