Meet Monica De Armas | Published Author

We had the good fortune of connecting with Monica De Armas and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Monica, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
Since I was a little girl, I found comfort in stories. Something about escaping reality and reading about worlds where magic and dragons existed felt incredibly comforting. George R.R. Martin said, “I have lived a thousand lives and I’ve loved a thousand loves. I’ve walked on distant worlds and seen the end of time. Because I read.” Writing became my lifeline. I created my own world, a realm where adventure, magic, and dragons intertwined with real emotions and struggles. This led me to my creative career as a writer. My debut novel, Dream into Amethyst, reflects my love for fantasy while also exploring real-world problems. The main character, Melissa Paz-Guerra, faces grief and loss but discovers she’s a dragon rider in another realm. Writing allows me to bridge the gap between reality and fantasy, giving readers, especially young ones, a place to dream, escape, and believe in something greater.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I can tell you how my story is unique because it blends reality with fantasy in a way you don’t often see on bookshelves. You have mental health struggles, real-world problems, and Miami and Cuban culture and then you have dragons, prophecies, and elves. But what really sets me apart is how my creativity came to be. I always say, “When my father died, a writer was born.” Though I’ve always loved writing, it was his death that led me to create a fantasy world where I could escape the painful reality of loss, grief, and family struggles. Writing became my lifeline.

I never planned on writing professionally, but I believed in my story so much that I decided to become an author. Becoming an author was not easy. My story was called stupid, people said being an author was impossible, and some family members laughed. But I refused to give up because I believed in it so much. I had never wanted something so deeply in my life. No matter how many rewrites it took, how long it took, or who doubted me, I stayed committed to my story.

What mattered was the support I received from the people who believed in me. I also put in the work like attending writing workshops, reading more, having beta readers, and joining online writing communities. I learned that dreams don’t come true by waiting; you have to make them happen. While some writers may not have faced the same struggles, I’m proud to be part of the group who did feel like giving up but kept going. If there’s one thing I want the world to know, it’s that persistence and hard work make dreams possible.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
It’s funny to get asked this question because I actually had two of my closest friends visit me from California, and I was determined to give them the real “Miami” experience. I think a lot of people assume Miami is all about the nightlife and party scene, but there’s so much more to this city than that. I wanted to show them both the touristy spots and the local areas that make Miami truly special.

For the touristy side, we started off by visiting Calle Ocho where they tried guarapo for the first time and we watched locals play dominoes at the open-air tables. We then headed to South Beach for a walk along the beach, enjoying the ocean breeze and stopping for ice cream. I also took them to see the Wynwood Walls and had them try Night Owl cookies (I love cookies).

But I was also showed them the more authentic, local side of Miami. I took them to Hialeah, the city where I grew up, and we ate at Maruchi, a family-owned Cuban restaurant that serves some of the best Cuban food in town. From there, we drove down 49th Street, Amelia Earhart Park, and Main Street in Miami Lakes. I also took them to one of my favorite places in the world: Books & Books! I call it my third place because it’s one of the few spots where I can step outside the comfort of my home and write or read.

The highlight of being a host, though, was having my mom, a proud Cuban woman, cook us an authentic Cuban meal and serve us café Cubano. It was a moment that showed my friends why Miami is my home and I loved sharing that with them.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are so many people and influences that have played a role in my journey to becoming an author. But the first person I have to thank is my friend Noah Jenkins. When I decided to begin my journey to publish my book, I had Noah, an avid reader and, in my opinion, an expert in lore, read my draft of Dream into Amethyst. He demolished it. At the time, I was mortified, and I held a grudge. But that brutal feedback taught me a hard lesson: to be a writer, you must have thick skin. His advice, though difficult to hear, became the fuel that kept me writing. Though I created my story, I have to give credit where credit is due: Noah played a huge role in shaping Dream into Amethyst, and though I wasn’t thankful at first, I am eternally grateful now.

Then, I want to thank my mom and my best friend, Debbie. Both of them have always supported me in my dream to become a writer. They never laughed at me, never made me feel that my dream was impossible to reach, even when it sometimes felt that way.

I also want to recognize my students, who inspire me every day. Seeing their creativity, resilience, and passion for storytelling reminds me why I do what I do. They push me to keep writing, keep teaching, and keep creating spaces where stories can thrive.

When it comes to literary influences, I have to give my deepest thanks to Christopher Paolini and C.S. Lewis. Many assume that Harry Potter was my biggest inspiration, and while I love that series, my heart has always belonged to Narnia. C.S. Lewis’ ability to weave real-world struggles with fantastical elements showed me how powerful storytelling can be, and Christopher Paolini’s journey as a young author gave me the confidence to believe in my own. Their worlds shaped mine, and I hope Dream into Amethyst can do the same for others.

Website: https://readmdearmas.com

Instagram: @readmdearmas

Twitter: @readmdearmas

Other: Tik Tok: MonnyRoxs

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/52568375.M_De_Armas

Image Credits
Professional photos were taken by Natasha Perez: https://travelwithnat.co/photography