Today we’d like to introduce you to Erica Varela.
Erica, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
My story…. if I can put it into words, would be ” the never-ending obstacle”, though; I am never one to give up to stagnicity.
I started writing at the age of five years old. it plays over and over in my head as a movie, one of the best moments of my life. I was at my grandparent’s house for dinner and my grandfather Leon is/was a musician and a poet.
On this day, I; so clearly, could hear his voice calling my name still. Erica come here; I’m going to show you 3chords on my guitar and you’re gonna learn them, when you’re done, show me. Must have been hours later and finally came out and “tried my best” ( I’m left-handed, guitar right-handed). He says not bad, ok; one more lets write a song or a poem, then play the chords I’ve shown you and sing your words……. this went on for a while, I had no idea what to write, and then words just appeared and I wrote, went back to him and played what I had, he just gave me a look and then asked; read to me what you’ve written and so I did. He then smiled and said, if you love what you just did, you have Sh*t too say….. and yes; he said sh*t. He was right.
When I entered the 2nd grade, I had a teacher named: Mrs. Deluca, I was extremely shy and withdrawn as a child (home trauma) but her words I will never forget. The class was over and I was one of the last to leave, she stopped me and with a strong look in her eyes, says: If you don’t speak, how will anyone listen? I said nothing still, and started walking out of the classroom, she then said, remember Erica; words carry meaning and you have meaning.
I manifested so long about my future, I could see it but still short of reach. Then one day I woke up and packed, said my goodbyes and moved to Los Angeles – which in itself was a different world to me since I’m from the Eastcoast.
Within the first couple of weeks, I got a job with one of the largest record labels in the world, worked there for 12 years, retained and learned all I needed. music will always be a love of mine. and at that moment I quit!
(we will say it went well..lol) and started writing full time.
And here I am.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Obstacles and challenges, I’ve live/lived.
Following what you love is never fully an easy journey.
Also… Being a writer, one whom is non-fiction (confessional) and a woman in this age, if you truly believe in yourself and your abilities to carry life’s challenges, with strength and commitment, after a while, those obstacles aren’t as heavy as you think and those challenges or doubts? never entertain them in your thoughts.
Smooth road? NO
Challenges? YES,
Giving up? never an option for me.
Please tell us more about your art.
For me; being my own company, is strange and rewarding.
As for what I do, honestly, I just do what feels right to me and achieving that? is mind-blowing.
I love writing, from short stories, poetry, quotes and playing the piano.
That’s a hard one, what sets me apart from others…hmmm
I wouldn’t be able to answer that, but what I can say and believe is that we all have our own unique way in our creative minds.
Contact Info:
- Address: Ericavarela.com
- Website: @writerericavarela
- Instagram: @writerericavarela
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