When the Writing Gets Spooky, and the Spooky Gets Real

Writers love signs. Some of us light candles, set intentions, shuffle tarot cards, or just wait for that perfect little wink from the universe that tells us we’re on the right track. But when you’re writing spooky shit, sometimes the confirmation is downright terrifying. Let me tell you what just happened. I was editing a […]

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My First Book Sprout Review for The Alvarez Girls—And It Was Worth the Rewrites!

I just got my first-ever review for The Alvarez Girls on Book Sprout, and let me tell you, I am living for this comment: Mind-blowing. This did not end at all how I thought it would. I’m still kind of stumped at the whole story. LOL. LOL. YES. That’s exactly what I wanted! When I […]

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The Ordinary Bruja Is Coming—Get Your First Look! 🔮✨

Love stories that blend magic, mystery, and self-discovery? Then you don’t want to miss this. I stayed up late working on something special for you—a sneak peek into The Ordinary Bruja! If you love the haunting, atmospheric vibes of Isabel Cañas and Silvia Moreno-Garcia, and crave stories where magic feels like it belongs in the […]

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Embracing My Full Inheritance: A Hard Lesson Learned in Europe

I always knew we Dominicans tend to be dense when it comes to seeing another point of view—especially when it comes to race and ancestry. I grew up in the we don’t talk about Bruno mentality, where family conversations about ancestry were conveniently glazed over with a simple, “We are Dominicans.” I get the sentiment […]

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Do Men Truly Love Women or Just Tolerate Them?

I’ve been thinking about this a lot: Do men actually love women, or do they just tolerate us to get what they want? Because when I look at how they move, how they protect, uplift, and sacrifice for each other, it makes me wonder—who do they really love? Being in a male-dominated field has put […]

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From Whimsy to Darkness: How The Ordinary Bruja Evolved into a Haunting Exploration of Identity

Stories have a way of taking on a life of their own. When I first wrote The Ordinary Bruja, it was a whimsical, magical realism short story—something light, something filled with wonder. It had a touch of enchantment, a girl discovering something extraordinary about herself, a narrative infused with the warmth of magic woven into […]

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The Ordinary Bruja: The Rewrite, The Resistance, and the Horror That Crept In

Here I am, rewriting again. And mind you, I have a tendency to rewrite until a book is never finished. But this time, I see myself—I see the procrastination disguised as perfectionism, the endless tweaking that keeps me from calling a project done. And since knowing is half the battle, I’m determined not to fall […]

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The Unspoken Truth Behind the Fear of LGBTQIA+ Visibility

The Unspoken Truth Behind the Fear of LGBTQIA+ Visibility by Johanny Ortega Read on Substack I feel like I’m starting to understand Trump supporters more, based on conversations I’ve been hearing and some I’ve been part of. While I’ve often felt that Democrats haven’t done enough, one gentleman I spoke with believed the opposite—that they […]

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From Novella to Novel: The Evolution of The Ordinary Bruja and the Magic of Character Voice

When I first started writing The Ordinary Bruja, I envisioned it as a novella—a short, atmospheric story exploring identity, family, and the unseen forces that shape us. But as I dove deeper into the narrative and kicked out the first draft of the newly expanded script, it became clear: this story was always meant to […]

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Comment on The Ordinary Bruja Update- February 6, 2025 by A/V Revolution

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The Ordinary Bruja Update- February 6, 2025

It’s happening! The Ordinary Bruja is growing into something truly special, and I’m beyond excited to share an update with you all. If you’ve been following along with my journey, you know that this book is close to my heart. It’s a blend of magical realism, identity exploration, and the deep roots of Dominican culture. […]

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Comment on The Backlash of Acknowledging the Full Dominican Heritage by A/V Revolution

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Comment on California Fires: A Call for Empathy, Not Condemnation by Journey

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Comment on Why 13 Months Might Make Sense: Aligning with Nature vs. Following a Strict Structure by Johanny Ortega

In reply to <a href="https://mastodon.social/@miguar/113793634905255462">miguar</a>. This is awesome and such a cool idea—using the lunar calendar for planning and billing sounds so in tune with nature. I love the thought of creating a wall calendar aligned with the new moon too—it must feel so satisfying to stay connected to those natural rhythms. Has it changed the way you approach your work or life in general? I’d love to know more about how it’s working for you!

Comment on Why 13 Months Might Make Sense: Aligning with Nature vs. Following a Strict Structure by miguar

<a href="https://haveacupofjohanny.com/author/haveacupofjohanny/" rel="ugc">@haveacupofjohanny</a> I love this and agree. I typically do my personal planning and billing in rhythm with the lunar calendar and it feels more natural. Last year I created a monthly wall calendar for the year that is aligned with the new moon, I've found it helpful and enjoyable to be more connected to the natural cycles and rhythms.

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Comment on Why It’s Okay to Hit Pause on Productivity for Life’s Joys by Raemedy

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Comment on Breaking in Habits is Like Breaking in Boots – Start Small, March Strong! by Tammy

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Comment on Sunday’s Hot Topic: The Legend of Saint Nicholas – Uncovering the Origins of Santa Claus by Arun Binaykia

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