Maria Giulia Pace

What’s your backstory and what are you doing in life right now?

An economist by profession, mostly working on the sustainability aspect of things. Part-time ACCA lecturer and proof-reader and content writer. I am passionate and involved in a 101 other things, including (but not limited to), social justice issues, battling inequality and involved in volunteering. In love with travelling, trekking, running, biking and just spending time with those I love the most. I love hearing and retelling the stories of people with all their different shades and colours. My ‘down time’ is a coffee at a café on Sunday morning – a small luxury I look forward to every week.

Name one defining moment from your life.

Leaving Malta for a year to Study International Development Studies in Amsterdam and spending three months in India as part.

How long have you been writing?

Ever since I can remember. More ‘professionally’ for around 5 years.

How would you describe your style?

Heartfelt and genuine. I find it hard to write about anything I do not care about.

Favorite artform/s that you partake in.

Writing mostly, creative writing and poetry.

Favorite artform/s that you don’t partake in.

Photography and music.

What rituals get you in a creative mood?

Midnight, coffee and a looming deadline works wonders for my creative juices. Otherwise any social injustice which makes my boil blood turns me into a Da Vinci instantly typing away at my keyboard till my heart has rested.

What does your creative process look like?

Its not always the same. Many times my writing starts from something I see/photograph on one of my walks/ runs which spins into a larger idea.

How do you get over a creative block?

I force myself to sit down to get motivated with the results of action. When this doesn’t work I just go for a walk.

What do you struggle with as an artist?

Consistent workflows. I really suffer with productivity mood swings. I go through dry spells of more than a week and then 2 days in which i produce all I need to do.

What do you do when you need a break from art?

Art is my break 🙂 However, a run / walk is always welcome

Favorite food-drink combo for when you’re down in the dumps.

Wine, cheese and chocolate. In no particular order.

Name one big accomplishment and an equally big fail from your life.

One big accomplishment was leading a group of 12 people to volunteer in a refugee camp in Ghana. Thought I would not manage and was riddled with anxiety for the first few days – yet the group was amazing and we did a great job.

I am a very persevering person (often to my detriment). But this often means that any fail is not the end of the story and I keep trying at it till I turn it into an OK situation. However, possibly a fail which I tend to repeat ever so often is sending emails pressing the ‘reply all’ when its usually a personal message directed to one particular person. It has happened so often that I now have a 2 minutes time lag on my email to allow me time to review what and whom I am emailing.

If money was no object, how would you spend your time on this earth?

Outside. Possibly travelling. Experiencing different cultures and meeting different people. Building relationships and trying to understand where different people are coming from.