Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Giraldo.
Hi Michelle, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My professional career began as a photographer in student schools. For several years, I worked with children of various ages. This experience gave me the opportunity to learn from their creativity, imagination, and their beautiful and innocent perspective on life. Interacting with children became a constant source of inspiration and motivation to pursue my passion for storytelling.
This motivation led me to delve into what has always fascinated me: writing. I started by creating small stories and fables that I shared in educational classes at different schools. A few years later, the idea for my first book as an independent writer emerged, titled “My Little Piggy.”
“My Little Piggy” tells the story of Sulin, a girl who discovers, through her magical piggy bank, that intangible things can bring great happiness. To bring this beautifully illustrated book to life, I partnered with Isaac Rubio, a professional illustrator and animator. Initially, we published the book on Amazon, where it was well-received by the audience.
The most significant and touching part of this experience was seeing how the book was used in schools in my native country, Colombia, as reading material for preschool and first-grade children. This special experience, along with the children’s interaction with the book, was a great motivation to write the continuation of the story, titled “My Little Piggy: The Dragon’s Treasure,” which we recently completed.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
My story has been a challenging yet rewarding journey. Six years ago, alongside my husband and our then 2-year-old daughter, we embarked on the path of moving from our home country to the United States. The reason was the job proposal that arose for my husband at an animation company in Los Angeles, California, and we decided to face this change together.
Aristotle said, “All men love more what they have won by labour.” This quote has resonated deeply with me. Amidst the changes and challenges, I always strive to maintain a positive and focused attitude. Adapting to a new culture has been a significant challenge and a constant learning experience, but each effort has been an opportunity for personal and professional growth. I value the significance of the efforts made, as each one has brought us closer to our goals. Although it has been a journey with hardships, the reward and gratitude for each achievement make the journey worthwhile.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Throughout these years, I have immersed myself in the audiovisual world, participating in various animated projects as an artist for Sonic Mania Adventures and collaborating on some animated short films. Currently, my focus is on the script and art direction for a short film titled “Anchors,” a project that fills me with great excitement.
During the pandemic, along with Isaac Rubio, we decided to breathe life into a story I had been writing for some time: “The Shadow of Kaia.” Although I initially experienced some fear of transitioning from writing children’s content to youth-oriented horror, I decided to free myself from those concerns, and I am happy that I did. Our collaboration on this story has been crucial, leveraging Isaac’s experience and professionalism. We published part of the story on the Webtoon page, and the audience’s response was truly incredible in such a short time.
Currently, I continue to write “The Shadow of Kaia” with the determination to take it even further. Although I know the writing journey can be unpredictable and challenging, I consider myself someone who easily adapts to changes since my childhood, allowing me to pursue my goals without losing motivation. I embrace new beginnings and explore different things, which has enabled me to connect with the audience through my stories, serving as a constant source of motivation.
My greatest source of pride is undoubtedly my small and beautiful family of three, along with our beloved puppy. I love them deeply, and they are the inspiration driving my dedication and creativity in every project.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
I believe that perseverance is one of the most important qualities for my success. I am not someone who easily gets discouraged, and I don’t usually spend much time dwelling on what frustrates me.
The ability to persist in the face of challenges, to stay focused on my goals despite difficulties, is what I consider crucial. Not letting frustration overcome me and constantly remembering that I am on the path I have always dreamed of provides the necessary motivation to stay active and consistent in the pursuit of my objectives. Perseverance, undoubtedly, is the key to overcoming obstacles and achieving the desired success.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://iranimation1.wixsite.com/michellegiraldo
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ganderstory1/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-g-203550a1/
