We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Rebecca Proenza a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Rebecca, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Are you happy as a creative professional? Do you sometimes wonder what it would be like to work for someone else?

Personally, I am happy as an author. I have always been great at school, and I originally was majoring in Astronomy and Astrophysics, and then I would dual major j in n Astrobiology. The one thing that held me back was Chemistry. I passed with a C and I cried constantly. I always had a talent for writing, and I discovered a desire to draw when I was in high school. I decided to take the creative path. Sometimes, I do wonder what would have happened if I stayed in science. My mother certainly reminds me. When I’m struggling with money for my indie animated series, the thought does return to me. “I’d probably fund Twitch easier on a scientist’s salary instead of a teacher’s salary,” (I’m also a teacher until I can write full time.) But then I think, “I wouldn’t be creating at all if I was a scientist.” I love writing. All my stories focus on mental health awareness and developing positive relationships. When I was a kid, I was bullied a lot for my autism, I was alone, and my mental health was non existent. If I was a scientist, I wouldn’t be able to help other young people (whether or not they have autism) realize that they too will find their people. So, no, I do not regret becoming an author instead of a scientist.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I am a young woman on the autism spectrum who self published my first book when I was 21. I write YA Sci-fi/Horror. All my stories focus on mental health awareness and developing positive relationships. I have chapter books published, and I am currently working on a graphic novel series and an indie animated series. On the side, I am currently a middle school ESE teacher. I want my stories to help kids and teens (my stories are targeted 12 and up), and young adults not feel so alone, and I want to show people with disabilities that they are capable of more than they think.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

What’s most rewarding to me is when people really like my art, or when they read my work and love it. I sell my books and art at conventions, and I have had people return to my table saying how much they enjoyed my writing or how much they loved their mystery bag.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

Our desire to draw and write and create. Most non-creative people see it as a waste of time or that it’s not important in the grand scheme of things. My own grandfather included. If those non creatives enjoy watching movies and listening to music and architecture, good luck having all that without creative people!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.proenzaproductions.com/
• Instagram: @proenzarebecca and @atwitchinthesystrm
• Twitter: @proenzarebecca
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@rebeccaproenza1013?si=TbVCzVUTvvWnL2sT
• Other: Tik tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@atwitchinthesystem?_r=1&_t=ZP-92ITcPBYxyg

Image Credits

The Twitch poster was drawn by one of my animators, Cess Beltran