Inspiring Entrepreneurship : Romina Naranjo’s Journey from Writer to Bestseller
Join us as we delve into the world of Romina Naranjo, a bestselling romance novelist who has captured the hearts of readers worldwide. In this exclusive interview, Romina shares her inspiring journey from aspiring writer to successful author. She offers invaluable insights into her creative process, the challenges she faced, and how she overcame them. Romina’s story is a testament to the power of perseverance, passion, and entrepreneurial spirit. Whether you’re an aspiring author or an entrepreneur looking for motivation, Romina’s experiences and advice are sure to inspire and empower you on your path to success.
Romina Naranjo @romina__naranjo
Romina Naranjo @Romina_Naranjo
1- Romina, could you tell us about your journey as a writer and what inspired you to pursue this path?
I’ve been a writer on a professional level since 2014, although I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember. I’ve always liked to invent stories, create new worlds, characters… submit them to decisions and make them reach a good ending (in romance there is always a happy ending).
I guess that’s what inspired me, life as such is hard and nothing guarantees a smile at the end of the day.
A book can do that. Writing gives me hope and makes me happy.
2- How does it feel to be recognized by the Government of the Canary Islands?
It is an incredible feeling that makes me very proud. The islands are wonderful for many reasons, but we are far away and it is difficult, on a practical level, to attend events, book fairs in big cities… that’s why being recognized from your homeland is something important.
Something really nice and special.
3- Your work in early childhood education is commendable. How do you balance your roles as a writer and an educator?
I have a bachelor’s degree in pedagogy and a double degree in early childhood education and social integration, that is my curricular profession and what I practice. I love working with children, helping those who have learning difficulties and being an active part of their growth and improvement; it is something I am proud of. Writing is an essential complement, it balances the days that are not so good. Writing is the great passion and illusion of my life and that is why I always find the space to do it, because it really is a work that I do out of devotion. My two jobs are vocational, that’s why it’s easy for me to balance them.
4- What key qualities do you believe are essential for women to succeed in their professional and personal lives?
I don’t know if I’m the right person to answer this, I can answer for me… I think the main thing is to know where you want to go. What you want to achieve. What is your goal, then put the focus on it and don’t give up.
Women, like men, are capable of balancing our personal and professional lives if we are satisfied and fulfilled in both, the question is to never lose sight of what is important, surround yourself with people who support you and do what makes you go to sleep with satisfaction.
5- Can you share some insights into your writing process and how you maintain discipline and creativity?
There’s nothing magical about it… I just write because I can’t stop writing. Sometimes ideas, characters, thoughts, scenes… come to my head and everything in my mind and body asks me to write them down. The snowball grows and ends up becoming a story.
When I’m writing I try to keep it fluid and not turn it into an obligation, although now that there are contracts and dates involved that becomes more complex; but it is true that I try to write every day, to keep fresh the illusion of creating, of advancing in the story…
So far it has been like that.
6- How has your experience as an educator influenced your writing and vice versa?
I like to think that I feed one profession back into the other. They balance each other to give me the best of both jobs. I have recently started to write a young adult novel, no doubt inspired by my students, so that they can read it and maybe find answers to some questions they are going through or living. I am an avid learner, I like to improve myself, to see how far I can go. In both jobs I try to give my all, both make me happy and I feel that, together, they define a great part of me.
7- What challenges have you faced in your career, and how have you overcome them?
As I said before, living in the islands is a handicap, you don’t have the possibility to be seen in all the literary events you would like, the offer is more limited, the books take a little longer to reach the stores… in my case, I have been lucky to have the support of very large publishers that have opened incredible doors for me and I am very grateful for that.
The challenge is that readers remember you, stay tuned and want to continue to know how you write. If you can do that, encouragement and enthusiasm can overcome anything.
8- As a reference in literature, what advice would you give to aspiring female writers?
I don’t consider myself a reference! But I can only say this: if writing is what you want, writing is what you have to do.
Don’t think about success, or publishing, or selling a thousand copies. Just write the story you want to read, the story you feel.
Create something you are proud of. The feeling is something incomparable.
9- In your opinion, how important is perseverance and consistency in achieving excellence?
For me, it is essential. Not for excellence, but to see a job through. Nothing that you don’t dedicate quality and constant time to can bear fruit. A large part of the writing process consists of having a face-to-face relationship with the text, living with those characters, believing in their stories, in their problems, being part of their reality. It won’t be realistic if you don’t believe it is.
Perseverance and insistence are almost more important than any innate gift, because if it is not trained, it will eventually die.
10- What role do you think education plays in empowering women and fostering leadership?
Education plays the main role in everything. Without education you can be manipulated, deceived or mistreated. You have the obligation to know how to defend yourself, to understand what you are told and to be aware of how many and what your possibilities are. Educating yourself enriches your mind, makes you a more valid individual for society and gives you more opportunities. It is a gift, a privilege that not everyone has and that should be taken advantage of.
11- How do you stay motivated and inspired in both your writing and teaching careers?
I guess because both are my vocation. I like teaching and I like writing. I do both because I always knew, since I was a little girl, that this is what I wanted to do. I don’t understand my life doing anything else.
12- What impact do you hope to have through your work, both as a writer and an educator?
I would be a liar if I said that I would not like to leave a mark, an imprint, with my work. To be remembered. To reach as high as I could, as a writer and to positively influence the lives of my students as a teacher, but that’s not something you can know.
All I hope and want is to do my best, to feel proud and satisfied and to know, when I can no longer continue, that I did my best and gave my heart.
13- Can you describe a significant milestone or achievement in your career that you are particularly proud of?
There are many moments, but if I have to tell you one… the first time I saw my name, on the cover of a book, in a bookstore. That was something really exciting and special.
14- What advice would you give to women entrepreneurs who are starting their own businesses or projects?
Don’t give up. No worthwhile path is free of obstacles, if you know where you want to go, go for it, no matter how long it takes, how much it costs, or that it seems like you are not moving forward. Every step brings you closer to the goal and further away from the beginning. Everything counts. Lots of encouragement!
15- How do you manage your time effectively between writing, teaching, and other responsibilities?
I am very organized and a little bit obsessive… if I know I have something to do or I propose several activities in a day, I am usually able to accomplish them all, with effort, of course. With work and giving up some aspects for others… but if it’s what you really want, it’s worth it.
You can’t always have the hours of sleep or leisure you would like, but hard work is a means to an end and when you do something you love and enjoy, it’s not a sacrifice.
16- What are some of the most rewarding aspects of your work as an early childhood educator?
Small progress. They don’t always come. I work with children who are in the line of special educational needs in different branches, autism spectrum, down syndrome, some kind of cerebral palsy or developmental delay.
We teach and collaborate with schools and institutions, but there is also a lot of emotional and social involvement. You really feel very happy when you achieve a goal with each of the children.
17.- How do you incorporate your experiences and lessons learned from teaching into your writing?
I can’t do it in every novel, writing is often not only a means of escape but a completely different light for the dark moments of teaching.
In one of the books I will soon publish, a juvenile book, I have been able to incorporate lessons and moments I have experienced with the older students, in a story that I hope they enjoy, entertain and help them.
18.- What future projects or goals do you have, both in writing and education?
This year 2024 is my tenth year as a published author. I will be releasing, if all goes well, two very special and distinct novels. I am really excited about these publications, about the year ahead and all that I hope to achieve in it.
I have big goals and dreams… and no fear of working for them.
19.- What strategies do you use to overcome writer’s block or creative slumps?
Luckily I haven’t suffered a blockage, there are moments of more inspiration and moments of less, but I always try not to obsess… it’s difficult, I’m an obsessive and methodical person, but I understand that the story, the process of writing, is not something that can be forced.
When I feel that the story is not flowing, I let it rest, I do something else, I let the idea catch my breath… and then I come back. I always come back. It’s inevitable.
20.- What message would you like to share with women who are striving to achieve success in their respective fields?
That they are a source of pride for all women, an example to follow and a mirror to find support.
Thank you very much for the space to express myself and tell my story.
I hope it has served as a push and inspiration for someone.
Romina Naranjo.
Interview with Romina Naranjo by Jaime William Mostacero Baca
Jaime William & Leading Ladies – Romina Naranjo
