Today we’d like to introduce you to Maria (rio) Rivers
Hi Maria (Rio) , thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I remember the choice clearly, but I’ll keep the details to myself. The biggest thing to note, is that it came to me as more of a question. A choice if you will. A sudden notion that smacked me in my 15 year-old brain; I could pack on a few layers of clothes that I did not want to wear, slather on some makeup that I did not feel represented me, and surround myself with people that didn’t share my heart’s desire. Or, I could rebel. And that’s just what I did. I rebelled.
It doesn’t matter why, or what lead me there. But it was the choice to embrace my difference, that sent me hurling from my familiar hull, and diving into the fields of freed thought. I did graduate high school and attempt college, for a few years, but the reverie of what mysteries lay in life’s adventure, pushed me to travel. When I was 19, I rolled my 1985 Honda Rebel into the bed of my Ford, and left Birmingham, Alabama to explore the west coast.
I discovered many things through those months on my own. Things about myself, things about others. I saw mountains, experienced the Pacific Ocean, and ate the weirdest and most delicious food imaginable. My spirit woke up. My face finally smiled. I made friends that are still with me today, close to 29 years later. But amongst everything, I learned that my rebel heart is just as wild and fearless as my little Rebel motorcycle was. My spirit enjoyed the open road with the absence of roots and boundaries. And from that point forward, I saw life as my teacher and not my burden. So, I set out to learn. And honestly, I’m still, happily there.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The biggest struggle for me was seeing and acknowledging toxicity. I struggled with substance abuse in my first years of business because of anxiety. With success, came attention that I wasn’t ready for. I didn’t understand how to process social anxiety, deal with my own past trauma, and the worst — how to ignore other people that despised my spotlight. That was an element of business that I was not prepared for. Other people’s jealousy and envy can absolutely destroy a creative mind. Especially, a young Creative who may not fully understand how to process other’s negativity. Toxicity from your peers or parental system, is an element that any business owner or creative mind will ultimately face. It’s just part of success. It’s crucial to recognize and deflect destructive people. It’s so important not to absorb other’s hateful and fearful tactics. I also learned, how important forgiveness is. One must always forgive the person or persons for their trauma, for their fear of your creative power. When it’s boiled down, it’s just fear and trauma that makes others want to shade your light. Let it go, and keep creating your art. Relentlessly!
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am many things, but the word that best resonates with me is “writer.”
There are things I do for money, things I do for the community, and roles I take on for family and whatnot. But my catharsis, is anything to do with word-smithing.
When I was 23, I moved to Atlanta. The first thing I noticed was the absence of representation in the gay women’s community. I gathered a group of women and we embarked on a project to show the world what L-women look like for real. The first issue of Labrys Atlanta Magazine was published in 2004 and made hella waves. We went strong until 2008, when I decided to move on.
I moved to Charleston, SC to embark on a chapter in my life. Upon arrival, I noticed the same lack of representation here, but for the whole LGBT+ community. Giving all the gorgeous LGBT+ people I had met here in the lowcountry, I decided to put my publisher hat back on. And, with the help of a small group of awesome creatives to help pull this team together, BEAU Magazine was born. We published our first issue December of 2014 and ran until 2017. It was so fun! I made lasting friends and shared so many intimate stories from the most beautiful people in South Carolina. No regrets for sure.
Without the interviews and cultivating of BEAU Magazine on my schedule, I felt like my life was lacking. 2020 hit and, like many, I became dangerously restless. One morning I awoke from a vivid dream. One I remembered as if it was a movie, always available for playback. So I wrote it down. Three years later, Evolution of a Sunflower was born. My first fiction novel. Creatively bloomed vivo in my soul, once again. It was invigorating. And, as far as I’m concerned, a ripe, new world that I can’t help but to fall in love with everyday. Writing is my, forever changing happy place.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
Biggest lesson is to stay in there. Take breaks, long breaks, short breaks, whatever … but stay in there. It’s grueling sometimes, this “creative” thing, but what the hell else are we going to do in this world. Never forget, we were made for this shit. We can do it. We have to. For ourselves, for others, for the sake of our sanity, just stay in there. It’s worth it in the end.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Evoofasun.com
- Instagram: @evolutionofasunflower
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EvolutionSunflower?mibextid=kFxxJD
