We were lucky to catch up with Vera Sanchez recently and have shared our conversation below.

Vera, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

I began writing short stories at an early age. I wrote my first story in 3rd grade. I knew then that writing was a craft I wanted to pursue. In elementary school, we had to write daily journal entries. During the teacher/parent conferences, my writing skills were always brought up to my mom. I would get good grades on my journal entries but not my penmanship. I still have sloppy handwriting to this day.

I would not speed up the learning process. Writing is something that can’t be rushed just like any other craft. You can’t pick up a guitar and learn to play it one day or exercises and expect results the next day. The writing process takes time, and more so, consistency. You got to work on your craft every day.

The skills that are most essential is to always learn something knew. Continue to grow in your craft, take classes, read books, surround yourself with people who have obtain the goal you’re trying to accomplish. Surround yourself with artist who are more experienced then you so you can learn more. Be the least smartest person in the room. Never settle.

The obstacle that stood in the way was procrastination. If you try to find reasons not to start, then you will find them. If you have reasons to start, then you will start. You can either find the problem or the solution.

Vera, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I grew up in Barrio Logan. My mom moved there after my parents divorced. I was involved in Chicano Park dancing ballet folklorico, and my family played a huge role in the park’s takeover in 1970. This has played an essential role in my writing.

Latinos only make up 3% of the literature world.. In addition, 83% of people want to write a book, but less then 1% actually do it. These are the problems I have come across. That is why I started my own publishing house, Barrio Billionaire. I provide services from editing, outlining your book, making a plan to meet deadlines, and the ultimate goal of publishing your book. I want to help people in barrios and urban areas of San Diego get their stories on paper. This is a powerful way to have our voices heard.

I am most proud that I continue to write no matter the obstacles that have been throw my way. There have been many since I published my first book almost 10 years ago, and they still continue to come up whether it’s people trying to ban my books, suing me, or sending emails threatening physical harm on me. You will always have haters trying to stop you because they don’t have anything going on in their lives. I’m still standing. I always will be.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of creating stories is to help my reader heal. We all go through tough times, and we turn to books to connect and relate to characters and the story. For the time that the reader is connecting to my books, I hope I am able to help him/her when they need it most even if it’s for that moment. My books are not for me. They are for my reader. My reader is what has kept me going all these years. I wouldn’t be where I’m at without them, and I greatly appreciate them.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

The lesson I had to unlearn was that I’m not worthy to tell my stories. We all have that little voice in us that tells us we’re not good enough. This is all bullshit. This isn’t even our voice. It comes from other people and their limited views. It’s all fear based, too. Once we accept that we are worthy, we give ourselves the freedom to create and create with a purpose to grow into the artist we meant to be.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.verasanchezauthor.com/
• Instagram: verasanchezauthor
• Facebook: Vera Sanchez

Image Credits
Photo #1 credit- Vera Sanchez Photo #2 credit- Rob Rubalcaba Photo #3 credit- Beto Soto