The "Why" Behind the Journey

This week I shared a personal post on my personal Instagram page..I thought I would share here as well…

My parents said I could be anything I wanted to be as long as I worked hard...I saw them work long hours in poultry plants, construction, landscaping, cleaning homes, and selling at la pulga. They were just trying to make it and make sure we had everything we needed.

When I was young I wanted to be in gymnastics, I wanted to dance, cheer, and do dance routines...I didn't get to do any of that. Post curricular activities were too expensive and my mom didn't know how to drive (and my dad was always out of work late). I begged my mom for a blue mat and once she bought it, I taught myself to do a cartwheel until I mastered it. I recruited my cousins for dance routines and we used towels to pretend they were skirts. We performed for my family and I was always so excited to show them my choreographed routine. On family visits to Mexico, my aunt would teach me new dances and we'd all go to bailes together.

I can be anything I want...I would tell myself..

At 16, I got my first job at a fast food restaurant to raise money for college...it wasn't enough. As senior year approached I told my dad I would be joining him at the poultry plants to raise money for my studies. He was strongly against it but I applied anyway. I got the job in the second shift that summer. While I didn't make the full amount of tuition, I saved what I could to make the rest. I always remembered that I could be anything as long as I worked hard.

My dream was to be an author but I didn't know that was even a possibility so I became a teacher. Throughout my studies I joined dance classes in college and worked multiple jobs to repay my loans.

I continued dancing salsa with my instructors Gabby, Diana, and Roberto. Dance is what brought me friendships, laughter, happiness, and where I met my now husband.

Growing up as a first generation from an immigrant household, we had all we needed. We had love and support. We also had music playing everyday (my dad wanted to be a musician and had an extensive collection). Music and dance allowed me to escape reality at times and dream.

When I published my first book in 2021 it was HARD. There was so much to learn and so much to market. I wrote my next three stories in 2021 and Soaring Kite Books took a chance and said yes.

After two long years of contract work, illustrations, and edits, my next three books on dance will be published in 2023. I don't know where this writing career will take me but I continue to dream. I work hard to make younger me proud and show my formers students, I'm also just trying to make it too.

!1,2,3! Baila Books

I've heard from so many that this has been a hard year, I get it. If you'd like to check out my next three books the preorder closes in 10 days (April 11, 2023) at 123BailaBooks.com. But if things are too crazy right now, I would so appreciate a share, tell a friend, or you can always donate to the campaign if you don’t need the books. The board book set is on dance while teaching kid friendly concepts. Check out the books here: 123bailabooks.com

Thank you. Truly. ❤️

-Delia Ruiz