Meet Rebecca Proenza | Author

We had the good fortune of connecting with Rebecca Proenza and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rebecca, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I believe that nobody gets anywhere in life unless they take a risk, whether it is small or large. If you want to write, you have to take a risk and put yourself out there. I have taken plenty of risks, from publishing my novels to going to graduate school. I took a risk and went back to school, now I’ll have my Masters in Fine Arts soon, even though I’ll have student debt, but I took a risk to pursue studies in something I love. I took a risk in publishing my books, now I’m about to publish a fourth one. I say apply for that job even if you don’t have the experience, take the risk and do what you love.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Most of my art in the form of print, but I do have a bit of an artist’s hand. I draw some fan art to practice storyboarding for the graphic novel that I’m writing, which I’m really excited about. Going back to risks, I’m taking a risk of writing outside my comfort zone, and really challenge my art skills and writing skills to bring this project to life. I’m really proud of how far I have progressed both on my own and with help from my best friend, Zaidy Enriquez, who drew the book covers that I designed. If it wasn’t for her, I never would have even thought about a graphic novel. It was not easy, and I’m still working at perfecting my art skills, but I’ve learned that practice really does make perfect. Don’t stop practicing. Take those risks and finish what you start.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
In my view, some of the most interesting things in Miami to check out are the children’s museum, the Miami Airport Convention Center during a pop culture convention, Zoo Miami, and going around the Winwood art district.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My shoutout goes to my favorite author Darren Shan, for if I have never read his books, I would not have been inspired to write myself.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/proenzarebecca/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ProenzaRebecca

Image Credits
The fanart drawing I drew myself is based on Disney’s 2017 DuckTales. My book covers were designed by me but drawn by Zaidy Enriquez. The author in the photo with me is Michael Rogers. The child in the photo with me is my eldest nephew.