In her latest book, Breaking the Mold, acclaimed actress Blanca Blanco shares a deeply personal narrative that transcends her journey through adversity and triumph. With unwavering honesty, Blanca opens up about her life’s pivotal moments, revealing the strength, resilience, and authenticity that have defined her career and life.
Breaking the Mold serves as both memoir and motivational guide, chronicling Blanca’s path from hardship to self-discovery. Her story is a testament to the power of resilience, illustrating how personal struggles can foster profound strength and inspire others. As she recounts in our exclusive interview, the book’s themes center around authenticity, self-empowerment, and the courage to embrace one’s true self despite societal expectations. Through her words, Blanca hopes to ignite courage in her readers, encouraging them to forge their paths with confidence and purpose.
Blanca’s journey with Breaking the Mold doesn’t end with the page; she’s exploring ways to bring her powerful story to film or television, aiming to reach even more people. Beyond her literary endeavors, Blanca stars in the upcoming film Finding Nicole, a drama highlighting the challenges of domestic violence. Her portrayal of therapist Katarina Lopez showcases her depth and dedication to impactful storytelling.
Join us as Blanca Blanco delves into the heart of Breaking the Mold, discussing the inspiration behind her writing, the challenges she faced, and her aspirations to empower and connect with audiences worldwide.
Read the full interview below:
What inspired you to write this book, and how did theidea evolve?
When I began writing Breaking the Mold, I was fueled by my life’s eventful journey. This book is a heartfelt tribute to my most intimate experiences, raw vulnerabilities, and the invaluable lessons they taught me. It captures my pivotal moments and the challenges that forged my identity.
Amidst pain and hardship, I discovered how to thrive, and mystory is meant to serve as a beacon for others seeking inspiration. While my trauma was harsh, it unveiled my resilience and untapped strength—qualities that broke the chains of poverty and abuse. If it weren’t for my pain, I wouldn’t have known the depth of my resilience. Through sharing my experiences, I aim to empower and fortify others, instilling in them the hope and courage to conquer their trials.
My narrative evolved as I reflected on my life’s journey, from merely recounting events to imparting wisdom and guidance others might find valuable. I wove personal stories into the narrative that exemplify growth, resilience, and courage instepping beyond comfort zones.
Breaking the Mold connects souls through shared struggles andvictories. Through it, I aim to inspire readers to walk their unique paths and uncover strength within their stories.
Can you share the central themes and messages youhope readers take away from your book?
Breaking the Mold explores the journey to my transformation through themes of authenticity, resilience, self-empowerment, and hope. At its heart, my book encourages readers to embrace their authentic selves, reject societal expectations, and definesuccess on their own terms.
Resilience is a core theme, highlighting how challenges serve as opportunities for growth and self-discovery. By facing adversity, readers can unlock strengths they never knew they had.
The narrative emphasizes self-empowerment, advocating for readers to control their destinies and boldly pursue their passions. In a world filled with external pressures, self-empowerment allows individuals to shape their paths.
Breaking the Mold takes readers on a transformative journey,encouraging them to pursue a life rooted in authenticity andpersonal vision. Readers can forge a future aligned with their deepest desires.
How did your personal experiences shape thenarrative and insights within the book?
My book blends my personal experiences to offer a fresh andauthentic perspective. My real-life challenges make the story authentic and relatable, allowing readers to connect emotionally. It realistically portrays my struggles and triumphs, aiming to evoke a sense of empathy.
I tried to keep the storytelling intimate for emotional depth to create a lasting bond with readers. My values, shaped by my experiences, are at the heart of the book’s themes, which will prompt reflection and inspire personal growth.
My personal story drives Breaking the Mold. It’s authentic, and I believe its new insights will serve as a source of inspiration and leave a memorable impact on the world.
What challenges did you face during the writing process, and how did you overcome them?
Writing this book taught me many important lessons thatenriched my creative journey.
One of the biggest challenges was writer’s block, but sticking to a consistent writing routine helped. I made it a habit to write everyday, and over time, that routine got the ideas flowing more naturally. I also had to let go of perfectionism and focus on getting my thoughts down, which allowed my ideas to develop more organically.
Writing about personal experiences was tough, too—it required a lot of emotional vulnerability. It was sometimes exhausting, so I took scheduled breaks and practiced self-care. Leaning on my peers for support reminded me of the value of sharingvulnerability.
Effective time management was also critical. I broke the project into smaller tasks and set deadlines for myself, which helped me stay on track and make steady progress without feeling overwhelmed.
These challenges made me more resilient and gave Breaking theMold a more profound sense of passion and authenticity. It highlighted how important perseverance and adaptability are in the writing process.
How do you define success for this book, both in termsof sales and impact?
Let’s start with sales. Breaking the Mold was ranked an award-winning top bestseller, largely thanks to a strategic marketing campaign that included a massive Sunset Strip billboard in Hollywood. That sounds glitzy, but the book made a real impact.Our celebration block party drew all kinds of paparazzi andfans because of how deeply the book resonated with readers, many of whom felt inspired after reading my book to chase their dreams and change their lives.
The book tour started at Smith & Son in Paris. Then, we traveled across the USA, filling elementary and college auditoriums with eager students ready to hear my stories. Those speeches were so fun, filled with plenty of laughter and tears.
Ultimately, the book’s success lies in sparking conversations, challenging perspectives, and encouraging creatives to pursue their dreams. While the sales and Hollywood buzz were thrilling, the lasting connections and the shifts in perspective are what I’ll remember most.
I knew I had reached my goal when the book was released at Barnes & Noble, Amazon, and other top bookstores in the USA and worldwide.
What role has social media played in promoting yourbook and connecting with your audience?
Social media has been a game-changer. At first, it helped mereach a more diverse and widespread readership beyond what traditional marketing could do. With platforms like Instagram, X, TikTok, and Facebook, I could engage directly with readers, sharing snippets, teasers, and behind-the-scenes content to build interest and anticipation for the book.
Beyond its enormous reach, though, social media facilitates two-way communication with readers. I received immediate feedback as readers shared their thoughts and book reviews,which created a dynamic discussion around the book’s themes. This interaction enhanced my understanding of my audience’s perceptions and emotions and deepened their connection to me as well.
Social media was an invaluable part of marketing Breaking theMold and creating a meaningful and engaged community ofreaders.
Can you discuss any unexpected reactions or feedback you’ve received from readers?
After Breaking the Mold was published, I was amazed by how passionately readers responded worldwide. The story resonated with people on a deep level.
For example, a couple of fans from Germany reached out to share their transformative journeys after reading the book. Another one that touched me was a student here in the U.S., an immigrant who was struggling and thinking about dropping out of high school. She said, “If you did it, and we have the same background, I know I can do it too, so I am not dropping out.” Hearing that my story gave her the strength to keep going was incredibly powerful.
These are just a couple of the hundreds of stories I’ve received where readers from all backgrounds shared how much the book meant to them. People were so deeply affected at some of my events that we even had counselors available to support them.
What’s interesting is that each reader brings their perspective,which leads to such unique interpretations of the story. One person even said the book helped them through their darkest hour,which shows how much of an impact it can have.
I’m so proud that Breaking the Mold has reached people across the globe, cutting across age, culture, and background. Each piece of feedback is a gift, and I treasure the personal stories andinsights that readers share with me.
How has writing this book changed your perspectiveon your career or industry?
I primarily consider myself an actress, but this book was my passion project because we needed inspirational stories afterCOVID-19.
Completing Breaking the Mold gave me a sense of validation and boosted my confidence. Publishing and being transparent about my thoughts and feelings made me see that one person’s life can positively influence someone else. The recognition I’ve received from my readers, peers, and critics makes me feel like a leader, and my newfound purpose is to empower others withmy personal experience.
Writing this book has been life-changing on many levels for me. It prompted my personal growth, expanded my networks, encouraged my creativity, and instilled me with confidence—all while impacting the broader community. Writing my storyunquestionably contributed to my professional and personalevolution.
What advice would you give aspiring authors lookingto enter the market?
My biggest advice for aspiring authors is to set clear goals and establish a routine that works for them. This will helpprovide structure and direction for their writing journey.
Think about what success looks like for you, then break it into actionable steps. Whether that’s writing for a certain amount oftime each day or setting specific word counts, consistency keeps the momentum going and keeps you from getting stuck.
Also, remember that success isn’t always linear. This industry can be unpredictable, so patience and perseverance are key. Celebrate the small wins along the way, and stay open to change and growth. Resilience and determination often lead to an author’s most significant breakthroughs.
In the end, becoming an author is a very personal journey. It’s about enjoying the process of creating and finding your voice. Embrace your uniqueness, stay committed to your growth, and let your passion guide you. Your story matters! By sharing it, you’re adding to the richness and diversity of literature andinspiring others.
What’s next for you after this book? Are there any new projects on the horizon?
Since Breaking the Mold became an award-winning bestseller and was so well received, more readers are eager to learn about my journey. I’m thrilled to announce that I’m working on adapting it for film or TV to broaden its impact and inspire more people worldwide.
I’m also delighted to announce that my latest film, Finding Nicole, will be released this year. It’s a gripping drama starring Kaiti Wallen as Nicole, and I portray Katarina Lopez, a therapist who stands as a steadfast support and guides Nicole through her emotional struggles. Finding Nicole is directed by Harley Wallen and is based on the real-life story of Nicole Beverly, recounting her and her children’s triumph over domestic violence and her battle to reclaim her self-worth.
My background (including a master’s degree in social work and psychology) has deepened my understanding of the therapist-client dynamic, which helped me capture my character’s emotional complexities and ethical duties.
I was deeply honored that the Television Academy recognized my performance as Lola in Tale of Tails, leading to an Emmy consideration. This acknowledgment validated my dedicationand passion for the role.
As my career progresses, I aspire to embrace more challenging and diverse roles that stretch my acting abilities, and I can’t wait to see Breaking the Mold on screen, impacting and transforming even more lives than it did in print.
