Interview with Diana Johnson Narod

Author of Rebecca’s Adventure The Enchanted Seashells

Where are you from originally and where do you reside now?

I grew up in Brooklyn New York. I am currently living with my husband in New Jersey.

If you currently reside somewhere besides where you were born, what’s the story that lead from there to here?

My husband and I owned a home on Long Island, New York. Our children and grandchildren didn’t live too far from us, but slowly one by one started to move off  from Long Island to either Virginia, Upstate NY, and Texas. We decided to move to New Jersey where we are renting for now. I have two sisters who live within 20 min away from me.We do visit our children Upstate and Virginia every few months, but our daughter and grandson is only once a year.

What made you decide to write and publish your first book?

This book was inspired by my two grandsons, 7 and 9 yrs old (before they moved to Texas). This story started out as a bedtime story that I would tell them when they had sleepover time with my husband and me. I would asked them to help me by giving animals they would like to have in the story.Of course before an ending came they would fall asleep,but the following month when they came over for a sleepover I asked them if they wanted me to read them a story. They both wanted me to finish with Rebecca’s Adventure, now I had no idea where I’d left off but they did and remembered it. Well, I started to write down all of the important parts of the story and decided to write a children’s book.When I finished it, my grandsons read my first draft and loved how I ended the story.

How would you describe your books to first time readers?

There are many funny times and loving family time. The adventure  of Rebecca and her best friend Suzie ,that are sharing together is exciting and you can’t wait to see what happens next. This book, you won’t want to put down cause the unexpected does happen that you may say, “WOW! I didn’t see that coming.” This is an experience that Rebecca and Suzie will always remember for years to come.

Who do you feel is most likely to connect with the topics you write about?

Children from ages 6 to 14. Although some adults have purchased my book and asked when is the next one coming out, they really enjoyed it. My book is about 72 pages, with maybe 8 back and white pictures.

What unexpected or surprising thing did you learn during the process of writing and publishing?

What did surprise me was how images and thoughts just kept flowing thru my head, and of course writing everything down. Publishing my book with the publishing company did take a little time. The publishing company was wonderful they corrected grammar, spelling, and would asked my opinion on certain aspect of my book. This was just unreal to me, I could not believe that my book got published. My family and friends was just excited for me.

If you could, what advice would you give to your past self before embarking on this journey?

I think my advise would have been to think about how having an imagination about so many different subjects. Ask someone in the field how to get started. Maybe attend a journalism course, this is my passion, writing. So if I could turn back time I would have tried to talk to a school counselor for advice.

How many people would you ideally like to reach with your books?

I would love to reach so many people that my book would become the number one best seller.

What has been the biggest challenge and frustration during the process to date?

I would have to say promoting my book. I did do a signing at Barnes and Noble, they bought twenty books and I sold all of them. I have reached out to schools also other books stores but never heard back. I wish I could afford a agent whom would handle all of this but I can’t.

What’s your biggest strengths when it comes to book a) writing, b) publishing and c) marketing?

I would have to say writing. I am not a self Publisher and Marketing takes a lot of time and sometimes money.

What’s your biggest weakness when it comes to book a) writing, b) publishing and c) marketing?

It would be marketing.

When do you think you will write your next book?

I have started my next book, but I am waiting and hoping the first one will succeed before I spend a couple of thousand to publish my second book.

Are you self published or did you use a hybrid publisher, or a traditional publisher?

I used a traditional Publishing Company, Dorrance Publishing Co.