Best of Family & Relationships
Best of Family & Relationships
"So Many Books, So Little Time!"
Exclusive Interview with
Blanca De La Rosa
When did you start writing?
I started writing long before I ever published a book. Writing was always a quiet companion in my life — a way to process experiences, preserve memories, and make sense of the world around me. Even during my corporate career, I found myself drawn to the page, capturing insights and stories that would eventually shape my work as an author.
What makes writing your passion?
Writing is my passion because it allows me to give voice to the stories that shaped me — my family’s history, my personal journey, and the emotional truths that connect us all. It’s both creative expression and personal liberation. Through writing, I can honor my heritage, empower others, and explore the complexities of human relationships with honesty and depth.
I also write to inspire. My career books were born from a desire to mentor others, to share the lessons I learned over decades in the corporate world, and to help people believe in their own potential. Whether I’m writing nonfiction, memoir, or fiction, my intention is always the same: to uplift, to illuminate, and to remind readers that transformation is possible.
How long have you been writing?
I’ve been writing for most of my life, but I began publishing in 2012. My first book, Empower Yourself for an Amazing Career, was what I call my “practice book.” It came naturally because it was rooted in my corporate experience — factual, structured, and practical. But the desire to write had been there long before, waiting for the right moment to take shape.
What was the feeling when you published your first book?
Publishing my first book was both exhilarating and affirming. It felt like stepping into a new chapter of my life — one where I could finally share the lessons I had learned over decades in the corporate world. Empower Yourself for an Amazing Career became more than a “practice book”; it laid the foundation for my post‑retirement career as an author.
One book doesn’t make you a writer, but it proved to me that I had real potential — that my voice, my experiences, and my perspective had value. That first publication gave me the confidence to pursue the deeper, more personal writing I had always envisioned, including my family memoir and later my fiction novels. It was the moment I realized that storytelling would become my second career and my true passion.
What’s the story behind your choice of characters?
My characters are shaped by real human experiences — the struggles, triumphs, flaws, and resilience I’ve witnessed throughout my life. In my memoir Pursuing a Better Tomorrow, the characters come directly from my family’s history, beginning with my grandfather in Spain.
In my fiction, I challenge myself to explore emotional truths through imagined lives. Whether it’s betrayal, regret, love, or redemption, my characters are built to reflect the complexity of the human spirit and the cultural richness of Dominican and Latino families.
What annoys you the most in pursuing a writing career?
What challenges me most is the misconception that writing ends once the book is published. For most writers, myself included, the joy is in the writing — the creative process, the discovery, the emotional truth‑telling. Once a book is finished, my instinct is to move on to the next story. But publishing is really the beginning of the next phase: marketing, and that part does not come naturally to me.
As a self‑published author, I’m responsible for everything — promoting the book, building visibility, and covering all the costs. Hiring someone to market a book can be expensive, so I have to be careful and strategic. Marketing requires a different skill set, one I’m not passionate about, and because of that, I don’t always do a great job at it. It’s the toughest part of this career for me.
There’s also a misconception that writing is easy or instantaneous. Good writing takes time, discipline, emotional honesty, and the courage to revisit painful memories or uncomfortable truths. Balancing that creative work with the demands of publishing, marketing, and staying visible can be overwhelming. But the reward — connecting with readers and inspiring others through the written word — makes every challenge worthwhile.
How do you get over the “writer’s block”?
I overcome writer’s block by giving myself permission to pause. I don’t force or hurry the process, because writing is a creative task, not a job with deadlines. Sometimes I step away from the story for days or even weeks. I’ve learned that you may have the time, but not the inspiration — and that’s okay. When I was a full‑time employee, I often had the inspiration but not the time. Now, I allow myself to go with the flow and let the story develop naturally, both in my mind and on the page.
Stepping back gives my mind space to breathe. When I return, it’s because the story is calling me back, not because I’m pushing myself to produce. I also remind myself that writing is a muscle — the more I engage with it, even imperfectly, the stronger it becomes. And when I feel stuck, I revisit the heart of the story: Why does this matter? Who am I writing for? Those questions always guide me back to my purpose.
We all know the writer’s path is never easy, what makes you keep going? What advice would you give to new authors?
What keeps me going is the belief that stories have the power to inspire, heal, and transform. That has always been my purpose as a writer. My career books were written to mentor and guide others professionally, and even my fiction novels carry lessons woven into real‑world situations that readers can reflect on or apply to their own lives. I write to inspire — whether I’m sharing my family’s history, exploring grief and resilience, or creating characters who must confront the consequences of their choices.
I’ve seen how my books resonate with readers who recognize pieces of their own lives in my stories. Knowing that my words can offer guidance, comfort, or courage is what motivates me to continue. It reminds me that writing is more than storytelling; it’s service, connection, and emotional truth.
My advice is to write with purpose and authenticity. Know why you write. Your “why” is the anchor that will steady you when doubt creeps in, when the process feels slow, or when life gets loud. For me, writing became a lifeline — a way to cope with my husband’s death and make sense of my new reality. I would write even if no one ever read my words, because writing, for me, is healing. Your reason may be different, but whatever it is, protect it. Let it guide your voice, your choices, and your growth.
Wherever you are in your journey — beginning your first chapter, revising your manuscript, or simply dreaming about the book inside you — know this: your story matters. Your voice matters. And the world needs the perspective only you can bring.
Keep writing with purpose. Keep writing with courage. And above all, keep writing in your authentic voice.
If you could go back in time and talk to your younger self, what would you say?
I would tell my younger self to trust her voice and honor her experiences. Every challenge, every loss, every triumph will one day become part of a story that can inspire others. I would remind her that writing will become a source of strength and healing — a lifeline she doesn’t yet know she’ll need. And I would tell her not to wait for the “perfect time” to write. Just begin.
Do you read your book reviews? How do you deal with the bad ones?
Yes, I do read my reviews. The positive ones remind me that my words are reaching people in meaningful and impactful ways. The negative ones — I take them in stride. Not every book is for every reader, and that’s perfectly fine. I never take criticism personally. Instead, I look at it as honest feedback, whether constructive or destructive. Someone took the time to tell me what they thought, and there is always something to learn from that.
In fact, I’ve grown as a writer because of the negative reviews. They push me to reflect, refine, and improve. I focus on the readers who connect with my work and the purpose behind my writing, but I also allow criticism to make me better. I don’t let it derail me; I let it strengthen my commitment to authenticity and growth.
What is the feeling when you get a good review?
A good review feels like a warm affirmation — a reminder that the long hours, the emotional labor, and the vulnerability were worth it. It’s incredibly rewarding to know that something I wrote touched someone’s heart, offered comfort, or made them reflect on their own life. Those moments fuel me.
Have you ever incorporated something that happened to you in real life into your novels?
Absolutely. My writing is deeply rooted in real life — my experiences, my observations, and the emotional truths I’ve carried throughout my journey. My memoir, Pursuing a Better Tomorrow, is the most direct example. It tells my story as an immigrant growing up in the NYC projects and navigating my way into Corporate America. I share the mistakes I made along the way, the lessons I learned, and the resilience it took to rise above the challenges of my environment.
My career books — A Holistic Approach to Your Career and Empower Yourself for an Amazing Career — are also grounded in honest personal stories. They highlight my career missteps and the realities of workplace dynamics so others can learn from what I lived through. Those books are my way of mentoring readers through the lens of my own experiences.
Even in my fiction, the emotional core comes from real life. I don’t recreate events exactly, but the feelings, the conflicts, the cultural nuances, and the human dynamics often come from moments I’ve lived or witnessed. Fiction allows me to explore those truths from different angles — to ask “what if,” to deepen the emotional stakes, and to give readers stories that feel real because they are built on lived experience.
Which of your characters you can compare yourself with? Did you base that character on you?
There are pieces of me in many of my characters — their resilience, their introspection, their desire to rise after heartbreak. But I don’t base any character entirely on myself. Instead, I draw from my emotional experiences and weave them into characters who face their own unique journeys. They carry my truth, but they are not me.
Mariana in Broken Vows reflects many of my own qualities and emotional truths. Her strength, her vulnerability, and her process of rediscovering herself are rooted in my personal experience. Her character is shaped by the emotional lessons I’ve lived.
Elena in From Gold to Glass is also deeply connected to my life. Her warmth, her intuition, and the profound love she shares with David come from places I understand intimately. And David’s experience as a caretaker to his dying wife is completely based on my own journey caring for my husband when he was diagnosed with terminal cancer. That part of the story is drawn directly from my heart and my lived reality.
My characters are not replicas of me, but they are infused with the emotions, lessons, and truths that have shaped my life. Through them, I explore the human experiences I know deeply — transformed into stories that belong to them.
What do you think, the book cover is as important as the story?
Yes, the cover is the reader’s first impression. It sets the tone, conveys the emotional landscape, and invites the reader into the world of the book. While the story is ultimately what matters most, a strong cover helps the story find the audience it deserves.
Do you connect with your readers? Do you mind having a chat with them or you prefer to express yourself through your writing?
I love connecting with readers. Their reflections and questions remind me why I write. I’m always open to conversation, but I also express myself deeply through my writing. Some readers connect with me through dialogue, others through the page — both forms of connection are meaningful to me.
How do you feel when people appreciate your work or recognize you in public?
It’s humbling and heartwarming. I never take it for granted. When someone tells me that my book helped them, inspired them, or made them feel seen, it reinforces my purpose. Recognition is nice, but the impact on a reader’s life is what truly moves me.
Who is your favorite author? Why?
I admire authors who write with emotional honesty and cultural depth — writers who explore the human condition with courage and nuance. My favorites are those who make me feel, reflect, and grow. Their work reminds me of the power of storytelling and inspires me to continue writing with purpose.
What’s the dream? Whom would you like to be as big as?
My dream isn’t tied to fame — it’s tied to impact. I want my books to reach the readers who need them, whether they are seeking inspiration, healing, or simply a story that reflects their own emotional truth. If I could be “as big as” anyone, it would be the authors who write with purpose and touch lives through authenticity, not popularity.
Would you rewrite any of your books? Why?
Every writer can look back and see things they would refine, but I don’t believe in rewriting published work. Each book represents who I was at that moment — my voice, my growth, my understanding. They are milestones in my journey. Instead of rewriting the past, I focus on improving with every new book.
If you could switch places with any author – who would that be?
I wouldn’t switch places with anyone. Every author’s path is shaped by their own experiences, challenges, and purpose. My journey — from the NYC projects to Corporate America to becoming an author — is uniquely mine, and it fuels the stories I tell. I wouldn’t trade that for anything.
What would you say to the “trolls” on the internet? We all know them – people who like to write awful reviews to books they’ve never read or didn’t like that much, just to annoy the author.
I would say: thank you for taking the time to comment. Not every book is for every reader, and that’s okay. I don’t take negativity personally. I learn from honest feedback, even when it’s harsh, because it helps me grow as a writer.
But I also recognize that some comments come from a place unrelated to the book itself — and those I simply ignore. I don’t engage, because engaging gives that voice authenticity and value it doesn’t deserve. I choose to focus my energy on the readers who connect with my work and the purpose behind my writing.
What would you say to your readers?
Thank you for trusting me with your time, your emotions, and your curiosity. Whether you read my memoir, my career books, or my fiction, I hope my words offered something meaningful — comfort, clarity, inspiration, or simply a moment of connection. Your support fuels my purpose, and I am grateful for every one of you.
Share a bit about yourself – where do you live, are you married, do you have kids?
I live in the east coast, and I am a mother, grandmother, and great‑grandmother — roles that bring me tremendous joy and keep me grounded in what truly matters. I was married for many years until my husband passed away from terminal cancer, an experience that shaped me deeply and later influenced the emotional truth in From Gold to Glass.
I am also the daughter of Dominican immigrants who grew up in the Manhattan projects at a time when the Latino community had yet to find its collective voice. Those early experiences — navigating cultural and linguistic barriers, learning resilience, and finding my place in the world — continue to inform my writing. My family, my heritage, and my lived journey from the projects to a global corporate career are at the heart of everything I write.
What is your day job if you have one?
I am retired from a 40‑year career in Corporate America, where I worked for ExxonMobil. Writing is now my post‑retirement career — one that allows me to inspire, mentor, and connect with others through the written word.
What are your hobbies? What do you do in your free time?
I enjoy reading, traveling, and spending time with my family. I also love reflecting, journaling, and exploring new ideas for future books. Creativity is a constant companion in my life.
Did you have a happy childhood?
My childhood was shaped by both struggle and strength. Growing up in the NYC projects as an immigrant was challenging, but it also taught me resilience, determination, and the value of hard work. Those experiences shaped the woman — and the writer — I became.
Is there a particular experience that made you start writing?
Writing became a lifeline for me after my husband’s death. It helped me cope, process, and make sense of my new reality. But the seed was planted long before — in my desire to document my family’s story, beginning with my grandfather in Spain, and to honor the journey that shaped me.
As an immigrant who grew up in the NYC projects and later transitioned into Corporate America, I wanted to capture that experience on the page. I wanted to show others — especially those who come from humble beginnings or who have stumbled along the way — that you can rise, rebuild, and come back stronger after career missteps. My memoir was born from that purpose: to empower, to guide, and to remind readers that resilience is a skill we can all cultivate.
Writing gave me a way to honor my heritage, share the lessons I learned, and transform both pain and triumph into purpose. It allowed me to turn my lived experience into something that could help others navigate their own journeys.
Do you have unpublished books? What are they about?
Yes, I do. I always have ideas living in my mind — stories that arrive as whispers, images, or emotional truths waiting for the right moment to take shape. Some are still forming, others are outlined, and one is already in active development.
My current work‑in‑progress is Before We Were Born, a luminous exploration of the soul’s journey before, during, and after human life. It follows a pod of souls as they gather in the circle of light, choose their roles, and make sacred agreements before incarnation. The story moves through the veil of forgetting, into the challenges and lessons of human life, and finally back to the soul realm where understanding replaces judgment. It invites readers to see suffering, love, loss, and growth through a spiritual lens — reminding them that their lives have purpose, design, and meaning.
The book unfolds in four parts:
Part I: The Soul Realm — Souls choose their roles with love, even when those roles involve pain or departure.
Part II: The Human Journey — Memory fades, life unfolds, and each encounter becomes part of the soul’s chosen path.
Part III: The Reckoning — After death, the soul returns to light, reviews its journey, and understands the lessons with compassion.
Part IV: The Return — The story speaks directly to the reader, reminding them that they are not victims of circumstance but creators of experience.
The epilogue invites readers to step beyond the story and into their own lives with new awareness — knowing they are loved, guided, and walking the path they chose.
This project is deeply aligned with my book Your Power Within — Inner Guidance, which explores the soul’s journey, inner wisdom, and the search for purpose after profound loss. That book was born from my own healing after losing my husband of 51 years, and it taught me that within each of us lies an untapped well of strength. Before We Were Born expands that message into a broader spiritual narrative — offering readers a deeper understanding of why we come into this world, what we are here to learn, and how love and purpose guide us across lifetimes.
Both books share the same heartbeat:
to help readers discover their inner power, understand their soul’s path, and find meaning beyond the material world.
What do you think should be improved in the education of our children? What do we lack?
Each generation faces its own challenges, and regardless of the era, our responsibility remains the same: to educate and prepare our children for the future they will inherit — not the past we remember.
Today’s world is digital. Many parents try to limit or avoid electronics, but the reality is that schools now use little to no physical books. Students work on laptops instead of notebooks. Technology is not optional; it is the environment they are growing up in. Restricting children from using electronics doesn’t protect them — it disadvantages them. It leaves them behind their peers who are learning to navigate the digital world with confidence. And if this is where we are today, imagine where we will be in twenty years when these same children are adults navigating careers, relationships, and society.
But technology alone is not enough. We need to teach children emotional intelligence, resilience, and critical thinking — not just academics. They must learn how to manage their emotions, solve real‑world problems, and believe in their own potential. These skills will matter far more than memorizing facts.
We also need to expose them to diverse stories and cultures so they grow up with empathy, understanding, and a sense of global citizenship. Education should prepare them not only for careers, but for life — helping them become grounded, capable, compassionate human beings who can thrive in a rapidly changing world.
If you were allowed 3 wishes – what would they be?
My first wish would be for emotional intelligence, compassion, and resilience to become universal skills — taught in homes, schools, and communities — so people can navigate life with clarity and kindness.
My second wish would be for every person to discover their purpose and inner power. When people understand who they are and what they’re capable of, they rise above fear, limitation, and self‑doubt.
My third wish would be for my family — my children, grandchildren, and great‑grandchildren — to live healthy, fulfilled lives grounded in love, integrity, and wisdom. Legacy matters to me, and I want the generations after me to rise even higher than I did.
And my fourth wish would be to see one of my novels adapted for the big screen or a major streaming platform. Not for fame, but because stories have the power to reach hearts in ways that transcend the page. Seeing my work brought to life visually would be a dream — a way to expand the impact of the messages I write about: resilience, healing, and the courage to rise unshaken.
What is your favorite music?
I love dance music — truly love it. I can dance to anything, even commercials. Music speaks to me in a way that feels instinctive. I feel the rhythm in my body, and dancing has always brought me joy, freedom, and connection.
My husband and I shared two major qualities that defined our 51‑year relationship: dancing and traveling. We danced everywhere — at home, on vacations, at parties, even in the kitchen. Music was the heartbeat of our life together, the rhythm that carried us through five decades of love.
And while I enjoy many genres, ballads are my favorite because they tell a story. They carry emotion, memory, and meaning. A good ballad can touch the soul, transport you to another moment, or remind you of someone you love. Those songs stay with you.
Music, for me, is both movement and memory — a companion to joy, reflection, and creativity.
Share a secret with us 🙂
A quiet truth about me is that every book I write begins long before I ever put words on a page. The story starts as a feeling — a whisper, a nudge, a message meant for someone out there who needs it. My “secret” is that I don’t choose my books; they choose me. And when they do, I follow the calling with my whole heart.