In the quiet afternoons in Colorado Springs, a young Patricia E. Sandoval, my spirit companion, would sit by herself with her journal, scribbling short funny stories that only she would read. Her early writings included whimsical observations, campfire stories, and whimsical tales to entertain children nearby. At that time, she could not even have fathomed that the first attempts at writing would have matured into a series of books consisting of more than a dozen children’s books, a fantasy novel, and also an alternative career as a film and television actress.
What sets Sandoval today is that she is a translator of stories. Her recent book titled Raspberry Bear and the budding fantasy catalog that counts Ebena Hidden Magic among its entries have brought her acclaim for the craft of fusing cultural pride, magical adventure, and life lessons into gripping narratives. Her presence in film sets, slipping into characters as idiosyncratic, flawed, or villainous as the script demands, also gives her a very theatrical flavor in her writing. Both of these ears inform the other, supported by both black-and-white and color-the-portrait of an artist unafraid of transformation.
From Journal Pages to Published Stories
Sandoval describes the early years as one of experimentation-giving journaling and free-style writing as fuel to her imagination. She remembers her creative juices flowing out of sheer pleasure of storytelling rather than from slight consideration of literary merit. “That inspiration would come from campfire storytelling and story time with little ones, keeping them entertained. That momentum led me to establish a regular writing habit.”
Her first children’s book, Natalia: Magical Bubble Wish (Amazon link: Natalia: Magical Bubble Wish), exuded that joy into the world. The story introduces young readers to magical adventures born of bubblegum wishes, setting her career tone: playful, imaginative, and full of wonder.
The publishing experience, she admits, was exhilarating and intimidating. She obtained a contract with AuthorHouse, arranged for book signings, mailed postcards to libraries, and promoted the book herself. This was truly a magical leap for a debut novelist, an exposure of her words to the outside world.
The Evolution of a Storyteller
Sandoval’s writing process has changed considerably since those first five page drafts that were often stopped dead in her tracks by “writer’s block brain fog.” She soldiered on, setting incremental goals: ten pages, fifty pages, one hundred pages. Before long, she was writing 50,000 words-a novella in length. All of this came to a climax with her 300-page young adult fantasy Ebena Hidden Magic, which deals with issues of identity, destiny, and power hidden in worlds.
“Once I accomplished my first tasks, I set new goals. From a novella level, I worked toward 75,000 to 90,000 words, and that led me to complete Ebena Hidden Magic.“
Evolution of writing came alongside the evolution of acting, firm dedication to practice, embracing tough moments, and the instinct to shape character, in all senses of the word.
Latest Adventure: Raspberry Bear
In the recent book, Raspberry Bear (Raspberry Bear), Sandoval welcomes readers into a magical world where berry animals love baking pies. Once forage for raspberries ends, Raspberry Bear sets off on a quest to find more with the help of his friends Mahdi and Greenly. Their journey brings them to Hillazar, where Chef Wowzer and his raccoon, Lucky, lay down mischievous schemes to steal a rainbow stone that opens the gateway to Berryland.
The story is filled with whimsical characters but underneath lies the story about cosmopolitan perseverance and circumstantial friendship. Sandoval explains, “The message I want the readers to take away is an adventurous story read. Learn how to face obstacles and acknowledge that there is a better tomorrow.“
As with her earlier books, Raspberry Bear displays her penchant for merging fantasy with a moral lesson. It stands next to her Nicaraguan-inspired tale Nicaragua’s Guardabarranco and His Friend Enrique (Guardabarranco and Enrique), which celebrates independence and cultural pride; and the Risky Butterfly Fairies series, which immerses readers in swashbuckling adventures full of pirate and fairy magic. Each book adds a fresh hue to her canvas of imagination.
Acting as a Second Language
Where many writers withdraw into solitary rooms to polish their words, Sandoval thrives onstage and before the camera. Acting, she said, is an art that taught her to approach characters with nuance and depth. “When creating a new story, I approach the main character first, then add supporting characters to round out the novel,” she explains. “It is like painting a picture for readers to judge and perceive.“
Discipline is required to balance the twin demands of acting and writing. She remarks on her being constantly full with book signings, filming, interviews, and so forth. She would fit three to five hours of memorization and rehearsals for lines while writing her stories. “It is challenging,” she explains, “but it is also charismatic, knowing I am inspiring a broader audience.”
There is certainly the unmistakable crossover of acting and writing in the books. Characters are vivid and perform gestures and dialogues that are cinematic in quality. The same theatrical instincts that allow her to assume a role also allow the reader to walk into the fiction world she creates.
Challenges and Rewards
No creative career is without obstacles. For Sandoval, obstacles have included dissecting a theme: what story to tell, who the characters should be, and what journey one is to take. “Overcoming obstacles means finding key phrases and central concepts to guide characters,” she says.
But the upsides would have to outweigh the down sides. Parents say her stories are “funny, touching, and heartwarming,” with an aura of cultural values to be passed down to future generations. That, she says, is her inspiration to continue.
Literature as Legacy
Sandoval believes that children’s literature is fundamental to interpretationistence creativity, confidence, and values. Her books do not dwell on whimsical adventures but on enabling young readers to have fun. They learn that a fairy who has to learn to use magic bubbles or a bear who ventures into new lands should be about resilience, creativity, and belief in oneself.
“I want my readers to be inspired. To learn from the journey, appreciate the obstacles, but to somehow know that there is a better tomorrow.“
The author and performer shows an encouragement to inspire at all stages of life: if you want to write a story, write it; if you want to make it on television or movies, establish your goals and work toward them.
Recognition and Feature
Being featured in America Inspire Magazine is, for Sandoval, both an honor and validation. “As an American, I stand proudly to know that my writings are being heard internationally and noticed. That is to say that my hard work has been acknowledged as both author and actress.” Sandoval gives a clear message to the readers of the magazine: “Be leaders and not followers. Rely on your true self to get out of tough spots. Believe in yourself and parallel thinking toward a bigger and brighter tomorrow.”
Creative Power in Two Worlds
An actress and author at once, Patricia E. Sandoval presents that rare reflection of imagination and discipline. Her worlds are magical; her story rooted in perseverance and determination. She belongs to that long-standing tradition of artists who prove that creativity is not to be shackled in one single medium.
Whether through the funny adventures of Raspberry Bear, fairyland escapades of the Risky Butterfly Fairies, or the exciting sort of characters that make Sandoval such a draw on-screen, she transports her audience into journeys of discovery, laughter, and hope.
Her work also instills that the greatest magic is not dust from a fairy or an enchanted land; rather, it comes from the courage to tell one’s story and do one’s best to share it with the world.
Further Reading and Links:
- Raspberry Bear on Amazon
- Ebena Hidden Magic on Amazon
- Nicaragua’s Guardabarranco and His Friend Enrique on Amazon
- Patricia E. Sandoval on Instagram: @jrpvirtual
- IMDB: https://imdb.me/PatriciaE.Sandoval
