Annette Ortiz Mata of Los Angeles on Life, Lessons & Legacy

Annette Ortiz Mata shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Good morning Annette, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
Reading a good book.
Going for long walks and binging an excellent TV series.
These moments require me to step away from the busyness of life, and I can focus on something other than myself.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am an author and blogger.
I have released my very first fiction book, “The Secrets We Keep The Lies We Tell”, A Novel. It is my third publication, but my first foray into fiction. I love writing, and my niece challenged me to write a novel a few years ago. Shortly after that conversation, someone else mentioned that I should try my hand at fiction. Twice in a matter of months, from each other, was enough for me to decide to give it a try. I am proud to say that I finished it in two years, and it is now available for the world to read. It was an ambitious undertaking, as writing fiction is quite different from writing nonfiction. It requires the author to set-dress in a way that is not necessary in nonfiction writing. It challenges the writer to create a written visual that allows the reader to imagine the scene. That is quite a skill for those who do it exceptionally well.

Okay, so here’s a deep one: What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
As a child, I believed I was very smart, then someone came along and told me that I was not, and I believed them. It’s incredibly important what we say to children. Those words stayed with me for years! It wasn’t until I obtained my Master’s Degree in the Study of Law that I realized that I was not only smart, but I was always smart and capable. I no longer believe that I am not smart. I walk in confidence, knowing that I may not know it all, but I know enough to want to continue learning. Words are powerful, and I believe that is why I am drawn to writing. You can inform a generation with words that are informative, educational, and entertaining.

When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
I stopped hiding my pain when I began blogging. In 2017, I wrote my first blog post, where I shared weekly stories, experiences, and insights that I had gained on any given day in any given circumstance. The reflections came from a conversation I may have had with someone, or a passage that I may have been reading. Or a story that I saw on the news. I realized that my blogging was allowing me to reach hundreds of readers and subscribers who logged on each week to read what I had written for that day. I realized that I had power in my words. What I wrote had an impact on the reader, and I learned to respect them. I wanted them to feel that what I was writing was relatable to them as well and not a self-indulgence on my behalf.

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
The biggest lie my industry tells you is that you will become rich as a writer. Writing is an art, and like any art form, you do it because you have to; if not, you will die. Art is subjective, and the consumer must want, desire, and consume the art and its artist in whatever form they offer their art. Writing is a very lonely exercise. Very few people collaborate in writing. The business of writing can be disappointing and full of rejection. Unless you have the financial resources to produce or publish your art, you are at the mercy of someone who may not understand, appreciate, or even know what the creative process takes. It’s very challenging to submit a piece of work to someone who will read it, criticize it, and tear it apart. They have no sense of the blood, sweat, and tears, time, energy, and money it took to put your work out there. So if you are an aspiring writer, write because you have to. Write because you need to express your thoughts in written form. Write because your need to create is greater than the “social” norms of “fast-food” sound bytes that offer little to no depth.

Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
When I am gone, I hope people will say that I stayed curious. That I was creative and showed up when folks needed it the most. Whatever story folks decide to tell of me, may it be accurate, and may they all realize I did my best to live my life out loud. That I lived with my emotions exposed and that I was not afraid to take risks.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.annetteortizmata.com
• Instagram: @annetteomata
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61579140947977