Daily Inspiration: Meet Arnulfo Cantarero

Today we’d like to introduce you to Arnulfo Cantarero. 

Hi Arnulfo, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
I started writing while in college. There was something about Computer Engineering and realized I wouldn’t be happy being stuck in a cubicle. I had always had a love of science fiction and had more than one story running around in my head, so I went with it. Self-Published my first book to good reviews, but tried to publish its sequel in a more traditional way, and that’s where I stand at present time. 

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
To say it’s been a smooth road would be incorrect. Whenever you’re trying to get any project off the ground is challenging, especially when you have almost no writing credits to your name. Some struggles that I’ve come across have been from editors asking me to change the book to make it more filmable. This limits what you can do in the written medium when words can take you anywhere in the world when you’re writing to fit a screen, it limits where you can go. 

Another limitation was making the book more into a hard science fiction book. While I do love books by authors such as Arthur C. Clarke, this is a Young Adult book and more like Star Trek and follows more of a soft science fiction format. 

Not to mention that they also believe that teenagers wouldn’t be able to handle some themes I bring up on the book. I had to admit, this confused me a little since young adults, either in books or real life, handle some pretty hard themes and they don’t shy away from them. 

Finally, finding the right editor is one of the best lessons I could’ve learned. When you’re starting out, you’re almost desperate to get your material published. I had to learn that you have to be true to your vision. There’s a reason you have it. While some changes will have to be made if you want to go the traditional way, always remember to keep the soul of your work. 

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I write science fiction for young adults and my first book can be found on Amazon under Emotions by Arnie Cantarero. I used to go by Arnulfo Cantarero but when a famous YouTuber couldn’t pronounce it, so Arnie it is. Ironically, that’s what I’ve been called since the first grade. 

Risk-taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
Anytime you try anything creative, you take a risk. There’s a reason the expression “Starving Artist” is truer than we’d like to admit. I have turned down more traditional jobs so I can have time to write, edit, and then rewrite. 

I have also invested major capital since working with an editor is not free. But like buying a lottery ticket, you can only work on the things you can fix, so I took what the first editor said and followed what I thought would be logical (limiting some abilities, adding more exposition) and what not to follow. Remember, it’s your work, but you have to know when to sacrifice your darlings as well. 

Pricing:

• 12.99
• 9.48

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.amazon.com/Emotions-Arnulfo-Cantarero/dp/1518632815/ref=sr_1_1?crid=13GJ9WAX82YLL&keywords=emotions+arnie+cantarero&qid=1668105176&sprefix=%2Caps%2C136&sr=8-1
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arnie_cantarero/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/arnulfocantareroauthor/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/arnie1020