Interview With Author Kristina Ramirez
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I wear many different hats: mother, teacher, entrepreneur, dreamer, author, avid reader, and hopeless coffee addict. I’ve been teaching ESL and Spanish for over 15 years in several different countries and online to students all over the world. I finally put some of my teachings in writing in a grammar guidebook on Amazon, but “The Money Magnet Mama” is what I like to call my actual first book.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“The Money Magnet Mama” is a book I decided to write after other moms started approaching me, asking me how I transitioned from a day job to running my own business while simultaneously raising two young children. There was a lot of personal growth and development that took place in the process and when I see other mothers who are wishing for more freedom, to spend more time with their families and be in control of their own earnings, I wanted them to know that it is entirely possible, and that this is what worked for me. I’ve also always wanted to write – it was just a question of what the content would be.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I like to get up really early in the morning and write before anyone else speaks to me. Coffee is a must and I actually prefer to write while I’m curled up in bed. When I’m in a comfortable and cozy environment it seems I’m far more productive.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Where do I even begin? I actually have a recommended reading list at the end of my book for both personal development and business. What’s interesting to me is that I had a lot of inner development I had to take care of before I could thrive in my business. Some highly influential authors in the personal development space for me include Deepak Chopra, Don Miguel Ruiz, Michael Singer, Joe Dispense and Eckhart Tolle. In the business realm, I’d have to say Jim Rohn, Tony Robbins, Candy Valentino and Paul Coehlo.
There are also YA/Fantasy authors and books that have inspired me as well. Twilight was one of them for several reasons, but a primary one was the fact that most of the vampires have a special power. My 9 year old son told me that the other night as well – that he thinks everyone has their own power, and I want to incorporate that into my first fiction book. Other YA series that definitely left their mark on me were The Hunger Games, Divergent, The Iron King, Shatter Me, and The Red Queen.
But it doesn’t end there! I thoroughly enjoy Jane Austen’s witty insults and the fact that I learn what seems like a thousand new vocabulary words with each of her books. Historical fiction like The Last Kingdom because I find the medieval era fascinating and nonfiction as well because we can all learn from history and influential figures of the past.
What are you working on now?
I’m still teaching privately and also working on a fiction/fantasy book that I hope to turn into a series. Farther down the road, there may be another nonfiction book, this time about one of my students who escaped the war in Syria. I find his grit and determination beyond admirable, despite the horrific things he witnessed and had to endure. Fortunately, he has now made a good life for himself in another country. There’s just something about so-called ordinary people doing the extraordinary. These people are heroes and an inspiration if others knew about their stories.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
This is the first time I’m actually promoting a book, so I guess I’ll find out! But I think my main rule of thumb will always be to remain authentic. Life’s not enjoyable if you can’t be yourself. Authenticity and vulnerability allow for true human connection, and in a world where so many things are becoming automated, it’s even more important to feel that connection.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Find out what works and let me know! Just kidding. I think the only thing that I’d have the authority to comment on at this point is the same thing I tell my language students and have experienced in my own life – don’t be too hard on yourself and enjoy the journey. When we put too much energy into attaining a specific outcome, that tends to repel what we want the most. When we enjoy and learn from our own path, life is like a dance.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The fears you don’t face become your self-imposed limits. I used to be too scared to put myself out there for fear of rejection or failure. Over time, you realize you can either stay in the box you’ve created for yourself or you break free from your own self-imposed prison. If you’re scared of what other people think, remember to never take anything personally because we all see the world through a different lens.
What are you reading now?
I’m currently reading The Pale Horseman by Bernard Cornwell and re-reading Living Untethered by Michael Singer. I can’t stick to just one book at a time and usually read anywhere from 2-5 books at once. One of them has to be nonfiction for personal development or educational purposes and another has to be fiction, for the times when I feel like my brain is fried and I just need to get lost in a good story.
What’s next for you as a writer?
A fiction book that I still have to finish, edit and probably rewrite several times along with the nonfiction book I mentioned earlier. I’ve considered writing a book on becoming an online teacher, but we’ll see.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
That’s so hard! I’d probably try to sneak a Kindle in one of my books so I could read more.
As for the hard copies, most likely:
Living Untethered by Michael Singer
The Mastery of Self by Don Miguel Ruiz
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas
Author Websites and Profiles
Kristina Ramirez Amazon Profile
Kristina Ramirez’s Social Media Links
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