Today we’d like to introduce you to Cecilia Garcia.
Hi Cecilia, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I moved to Michigan in 2001 after completing three years of active-duty Army. I met my husband while on active duty, and he was from West Michigan. When we got out of the Army, we decided to raise our baby in Michigan. I joined the Michigan Army National Guard in September of 2001, and when our nation was attacked, I knew at some point we would deploy to war. Our call came in late 2003. My unit began training and shipped out in February of 2004. While deployed, I was directly involved in three IED and small arms fire attacks. I was a truck driver, and our missions took us all over Iraq. On May 25, 2004, the truck I was driving was hit. My battle buddy lost his eye and was medevaced to Germany. Around this time, I had developed a story in my head about a female soldier that goes missing. Would her family find her? Or would they move on if the Army gave up? The story lived in my head for the next 17 years. Over these years, I struggled dealing with my PTSD from my time in combat. My husband and I had another baby, and in 2006, I left the Army.
I have spent a lot of my time being an advocate for mental health. I have found that sharing my story gives space for others to get help. Over the years, I spent a lot of time running endurance and ultra marathons, showing others how physical exercise can help your mental health.
In 2020, I decided to start writing my series. I published Always Forward in September of 2021, then Chasing Ghosts in early 2022, and Carry On in the fall of 2022. Left Behind was published on May 25- the anniversary of the day my life changed.
Today, I’m still married to my husband of close to 23 years, our oldest daughter just graduated from GVSU, and our youngest will be a junior in high school. We have 3 dogs, 2 cats, and more plants than I can count.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
‘I had a lot to learn about being a self-published author! Luckily, I have had an amazing mentor- Author A. A. Lewis. She taught me all the tips and tricks, what programs to use, and how to navigate KDP- kindle direct publishing. It’s challenging, juggling being the writer and marketing person, but I love it!
I also have a full-time career working in product development. It makes for busy days, but I thrive in chaos!
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am an indie author, and I write contemporary fiction. My series is about a female soldier that goes missing in action. The story follows her as well as her family. The series shows how the traumas of war on impact everyone.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you.
I don’t believe in luck; everything that has happened to me has needed to happen to me in order for me to be where I’m at today. I believe in discipline and hard work is what makes or break a person.
Pricing:
- Always Forward 15.99
- Chasing Ghosts 15.99
- Carry On 15.99
- Left Behind 15.99
Contact Info:
- Website: www.authorceciliagarcia.com
- Instagram: author Cecilia Garcia
- Facebook: Author Cecilia Garcia
- Linkedin: Adele Garcia
- Other: TikTok- author Cecilia Garcia
Image Credits
Joanna Oviedo
