Interview with Author Reea Rodney

Why do you write the kinds of books you do?

I’ve always been fascinated with children and I especially have a desire to help them excel from on stage to the next in any area of their development. As a mom and childcare provider, I personally have a front row seat to witness first- hand some of the things children struggle with as they grow. Issues such as coping and adjusting to change, separation anxiety, behavioral issues, love, family etc. are all important topics to be discuss. Therefore, it is my desire to offer some motherly love and guidance with these issues, but in a fun, creative and interactive way, one child at a time, one home at a time.

Do any of the books you write come from your own childhood?

I can personally relate in one way or another with the topics I write. However, a lot of my knowledge on these topics comes from being a mom, and childcare provider “Nanny.”  It also comes from my adult life, the world I see around me and the daily observations and experiences I have. All this feeds into my writing.

Is writing easy for you?

I find writing to be very challenging but I love the challenge and I usually figure out what direction to take once I start. It’s my job as the author to know what I want my book to say, so I can’t really rely on anyone to direct me. However, once I’m done I can rely on my family, editors and professional friends in the education department to give me their sound reviews or advise.

Why don’t you illustrate your own books?

 I can’t draw to capture the imagery that I’m looking for however, I have an excellent illustrator and together we make a great team. I’m good at being very detail about how I would like each illustration to look and my illustrator is great at bringing it alive.

How do you feel when someone disagrees with something you have written?

Would I like for everyone to love my writing? Yes. But I can’t force anyone to buy my books. We live in a world where everyone has the freedom of speech and a free will to choose. Therefore, I am very open to hear the views of anyone to see if it can be used constructively to help improve my next title.

How long does it take to complete one of your books?

My first tittle Juniper and Rose Sisters First and Best Friends Forever took me a few months to write as I wasn’t fully committed with it at the time. However, once I realized that I wanted to write professionally my other titles was written within four to six weeks.

Why did you choose a bi-racial family for the characters in the book?

The idea came to me when I started a new job in a very diverse neighbored in 2014. I remember suddenly realizing that the image of the traditional home has changed as there were so many multiracial families. I was intrigue by my observation and did some research at the Barnes & Nobel and the local library in search of children book about bi- racial families. My finding was very few and I immediately felt enlighten to change the characters in my book to a bi-racial family. Additionally, I believe that every child should be able to relate to the books they read in one way or the other.

What make you decide to become a full-time author of children books?

I fell tremendously ill in 2012 and after being ill for almost fifteen months I was diagnose with fibromyalgia, which causes chronic widespread paid all over the body along with many other symptoms. After struggling with this incurable disease for approximately four years, in 2016. I had no choice but to reevaluate my life, and being a pediatric nurse didn’t seem as an option anymore. To still provide care to children I decided to write children books that is centered around real life issues. My hopes are that I would be able to retire my childcare job in a few years to something less demanding.

Why did you chose twin girls as your leading characters?

I am professional nanny and at one point in my career I cared for beautiful fraternal twin sisters whom I love very much up to this day. I wanted to make the storyline all about them Juniper is my Emma and Rose is my Alexa.  One day I took both girls too Barnes & Noble and the neighborhood library in search for a book about twins. I was shocked when I realized they did not have any books that was age appropriate and flattering. And this was 2012, suddenly I felt enlighten and very inspired to write a children’s book with twin sisters as the main characters. The words for Juniper and Rose Sisters First and Best Friends appeared almost immediately in my mind and I knew this was meant to be. I truly love caring for children and I knew this would be a way for me to connect with children all over the world.

What would you like to accomplish with your children’s books?

It is my desire that Juniper and Rose Sisters First and Best Friends Forever warm hearts, providing an abundance of laughter, spark positive change, and solve problems. I’m aiming for my characters Juniper and Rose to become a household name and one of the most talked about book nationwide by every little girl, boy and adult.