Helena Amanda Rodriguez

"Once the ink gets in your blood, you can't take it out!" That is what a former newspaper editor told me. I think I was born with ink in my blood. My name is Helena Amanda Rodriguez and I am passionate about life. It shows vividly in my writing and in everything I do. I am a Hispanic woman who did not have to "find my voice," as some people say. It was never lost! In fact, I like being a voice for others. I am a former newspaper reporter and have continued to write a regular religion column for 25 years. "Caldo & Crucifixes" is my debut book. It is a testimony. It is an exclamation point about embracing your heritage, celebrating your faith, and, for me, setting the world ablaze - like we are all called to do - but in my case, with the power of the pen. I invite you to join in my "fiesta of faith." As a religion writer, I find myself not just writing the stories, but having lived them. The best writing is often messy, and in life, we seem to learn the most when it gets messy, too. My life has been a precious mess at times. I am not a religion writer because I walk around with a halo. I am a work in progress, just like my writing, and I have many more stories to tell.