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Get to know Rhonda…
Rhonda is a children’s book writer, a mother, and wife. She is a children’s book reviewer and goes to college full-time as a graphics designer. Ted and Raymond came from a story that she created from another story of her own. Rhonda encountered a little frog one day and ever since she became fascinated with collecting frogs, then writing about them. Ted and Raymond are frog friends, who love to tell their story and help others. Rhonda hopes you will enjoy her frog friends and other stories she has to tell. For more info, visit her website.
Quirky Questions
If you were a prescription drug, what would be your main side effect?
No sleep.
What company advertisements could you model for?
Barnes and Noble.
What is the worst occupation in the world?
I believe it would be trash state worker.
What is your greatest phobia?
Snakes and losing people I love.
If you ran a funeral home, what would your company slogan be?
A tisket a tasket come to me for your casket. Lol.
What is the messiest place in your home?
Living room.
What random act of kindness have you done in the past year?
I give people money when I can. I am always helping others when I have that spare minute or if someone needs me. I am doing a book for a friend now.
If had to smell like one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?
My kids. I would love to be able to smell them every day in my life. They are my worth living for.
What current product do you think will baffle people in 100 years?
Cell phones.
What is the last thing you paid money for?
Water balloons.
What do you often make fun of?
I try not to make fun of anything.
What is the best thing about staying at a hotel?
Getting away to relax from the realities of home.
What is one thing you do with determination every day?
I promote for others and myself.
If you could have your mailbox shaped like an object, what would it be?
A frog.
What healthy habit are you glad you have?
Drinking water.
What is the biggest advantage of being short?
I am short; my advantage is reaching things closer to the floor.
What would you title your autobiography?
My whirlwind life.
What topic would you like to know more about?
Social media.
Knowing what you know now, what would you change about your high school experience?
Being more talkative to others.
What is the first thing you notice when you meet someone?
Their smile or eyes.
If you could travel back to 1492, what advice would you give Columbus?
Travel away from the new land.
Writing Questions
How do you know when a book is finished?
I know when a book is finished by when my main message has been told. I love having messages in my stories.
What impact (good or bad) do you think the media has had on your work?
I love that Kristin Davis of Sex and the City reviewed my book in a magazine. I believe it has done well for promotions.
When did you know for certain that you wanted to pursue a career in writing? Have you ever questioned that decision?
I always put off my dreams when I was younger. Things kept coming up in my life that I could not pursue a career in writing. I knew at a young age I wanted to be a writer and a good one.
What traits, if any, do you think that creative people have compared to people who are not creative?
I believe that everyone is creative; we all have ideas that are different whether they are a book writer or a seamstress. Even if the person thinks they have no talent at all, they do. They have to find in their heart what they love the most to do, and then do it.
Have you ever felt that your personal expectations have limited your creativity?
If so, how have you dealt with this? I have. Personal things always came up in the past. Now, I have the tools and the research under me to make things happen. I am in college getting my associates degree in Graphic Arts but really thinking about my Bachelors.
Do you ever feel that you have to censor your creativity because you don’t want to offend anyone?
Sometimes I do, but then I know there are others who agree with me and I do what I feel. Someone is going to get offended about anything and everything anyways, so I just write and be happy with what I am doing for me.
Do you do anything special to get your creative juices flowing?
I think always of my next adventure. A lot comes to me at once. I write down a title for everything I want to do, and then I make a story out of it. I have many on the way as well.
What are your words of wisdom for someone starting out in the field of writing?
Before you put your book out in print, make sure you research, get readers BEFORE your book is out, make sure everything is edited and just the way you want it before you do anything else. Keep writing, even if someone says you will never make it, prove to yourself you can.
How would you define creativity?
Creativity is anything. Anything that you think of on your own and make. If you make a cake and it is different than others then it is being creative.
Why were you drawn to a career in writing instead of to a job that might offer more stability and security?
I am a stay at home mom. My husband lost his job several years ago. I had been researching for his career and was helping him. I wrote book years before and showed it to him. He loves to draw so we decided to finish this book. It is a rush to finish a book and it makes my heart filled with joy that my books may one day help a child.
Who do you consider a literary genius?
No I do not. I do not know how to edit my own work. I do not like English writing because it is so hard for me even still me being born here. I wanted to make books easy for kids when they read so they do not have to get a dictionary out and look up big words just to see what I was talking about in a book.
What obstacles have you had to deal with in your career?
Editing. It is hard to get customers as well. In children’s books there is a lot of great competition out there. I know I read kid books also to give reviews back to them. I love paying it forward to others.
What are the biggest challenges you have had in the realm of your art?
The biggest challenge is my four-year-old. I stay at home with him during the day and he wants my attention most of it. I am in school fulltime as well online. So dealing with both of these things is really hard as a writer. My thinking level is after 5 pm when my husband comes in.
How did you pick your writing genre?
It was really easy. I love working with kids. It is really hard for me to write something for adults. One, I do not know many big words, I love being simple with writing.
What life experiences have inspired your work?
Being without you seem to want more when it comes to your kids. I push myself to the limits to learn more so we can make it better for our two kids.