The Monsters We Still Carry
The Adult Me Still had an El Cucuy to Overcome.
For over thirty years, my world was defined by the "composed" version of me. As a Senior Design Director and Fashion Executive, I lived in a space of technical precision: CADs, high-stakes presentations for major retail brands, production calendars, and immovable deadlines. I knew exactly how to tailor a project to meet the expectations of the industry.
But recently, I decided to do something that felt entirely "un-composed." I decided to become an author. During the summer of 2025, an unmistakable urge took hold of me to put stories onto paper—stories I had been holding onto for a very long time. This inspiration eventually grew into a trio of children’s books, though the final installment of that set almost didn’t make it to print.
When I wrote Where El Cucuy Lurks, I treated it like the "B-side" of a record. It felt like an off-handed addition intended only to round out the series. Because I didn’t view it as the "main attraction," I allowed myself a rare kind of freedom. I fleshed out exactly how the legend of El Cucuy loomed over my young life in Ohio without over-editing or second-guessing. I simply told the truth about a traditional style of parental discipline that feels far removed from modern parenting. At the time, I had no idea just how relatable that truth would be.
Facing the Adult Monster
Even with decades of executive experience, I felt like an imposter stepping into this new world. A voice in my head—my "Adult El Cucuy"—kept whispering: “You’re a fashion designer, an executive—not a ‘real’ author. You don’t know the first thing about writing, editing, or publishing.”
This weekend, that monster finally met its match. On a Saturday night where the temperature dropped to a stinging 6 degrees, I almost stayed home. But Ganas (willpower) won. I attended a beautiful Latino networking event where the evening was shared almost entirely in Spanish. I shared my heart and my stories with fellow Latina leaders, only to return home and find that Where El Cucuy Lurks had jumped to #24 on the Amazon Bestseller list for Latin American Folk Tales.
Why the "B-Side" Resonates
Seeing my book in the top 0.5% of its category taught me that the "B-side" resonated because it was so honest. Since the ranking climbed, I have been approached by people from across the diverse spectrum of Latino cultures—from Mexico to the Caribbean and Central America—all sharing the same sentiment: they each had their own version of El Cucuy growing up.
It turns out that this story, which I once viewed as a personal memory from a small town in Ohio, is a universal touchstone. Beyond the shared folklore, I’ve realized there is a deeper nostalgia at play. In an era where children often have more freedom and fewer boundaries, many parents have expressed a quiet appreciation for the traditional discipline of our younger days. There is collective value in remembering the figures that taught us respect, caution, and the weight of our actions. By sharing the "monster" of my childhood, I’ve tapped into a global conversation about the balance between legacy and parenting, proving that our oldest fears can serve as a bridge to teaching modern resilience.
Bestselling Ganas: Outpacing the Monsters and the Giants
When you look at the books at the very top of this list, you see titles from global powerhouses like Disney—including the Encanto stories—and major imprints featuring world-renowned authors. These books are backed by massive publishing houses and multi-million dollar marketing teams. Seeing my independent, self-published "cuento" standing right alongside them is a powerful statement to the strength of our shared stories.
To be honest, I almost didn’t write this book because I didn't think this specific childhood memory was "big" enough. But the memory of being a child who respected authority—always with that classic parental "wink" and the warning that El Cucuy would get me if I didn’t behave—stuck with me vividly. It has truly become the "Cuento that Could," proving that the things we often dismiss as small are actually the most meaningful parts of our lives. We often wait for a "grand" idea to strike, but the most profound connections come from the simple, authentic truths of our own experiences. I encourage you to look at your own life this week and find value in those small traditions; you might be surprised by how much they resonate when you finally share them.
The New Blueprint
I am no longer just a fashion executive, and I am no longer just an author. I am a multi-hyphenate who uses the "architecture" of design to build resilience in the next generation. Whether I’m teaching students in my workshops to design their own version of El Cucuy or helping a business owner at Latin Biz Today find their competitive edge, I am using the same thread. We are all just trying to blueprint our way through our fears.
If you’re sitting on a "B-side" story—a project or a dream you’ve kept hidden because it feels too raw or "off-handed"—take it from me: Publish it anyway. Show up in the 6-degree cold. Face your adult El Cucuy. Your most authentic truth is the only thing with real staying power.
Check out the link below for a celebratory DIY “Cucuy Lantern” craft to banish your monsters! 😈