INTRVIEW: Genna Rowbotham, Author

INTERVIEW: Genna Rowbotham, Author

WELCOME TO WEDNESDAY WITH WOMEN

Creativity and imagination is what it takes to write books for children along with a healthy dose of love and children's book author, Genna Rowbotham, fills that requirement with extra to spare. One look at her magical book covers let you know you're about to enter a world only she could dream up for little ones to enjoy. She extends an opportunity for parent and child to escape the seriousness of life and allow children to be children in short stories made to entertain while weaving lessons to help the reader grow. You can tell by Genna's smile she is meant to bring a smile to the reader's face and if you look close, you can see the sparkle of magic in her eyes.   

                                                        

1.       What is the name of your book/genre?

My latest children’s novel ‘The Wish Fairy of Stoney Middleton’ is a short story about a young girl called, Jessie who is heartbroken over the loss of her much-loved horse, Cleo. At school, she daydreams of Cleo and is desperate for her to be alive and well again, so when the English teacher tells her to write a story, she creates a magical tale about a Wish Fairy that can grant wishes. The trouble is things don’t go exactly to plan... The story is full of magic and teaches young and old about love, loss, and the magic of wishes.

2.       When did you start your writing career?

My career began in the secretarial field until becoming a full-time Mum, but thoughts of writing a children’s book would often pop into my head. Usually, when I was reading stories to my own children. At the time, I didn’t think it was something possible for me and hadn’t a clue how I would go about it. But whenever I mentioned writing a book, my husband would say, ‘Just do it!’ So I did. In 2017, I took the plunge, and I have been writing ever since. I have learnt so much since back then, but you never stop learning and there is so much to learn in the publishing world.

3.       Did you have support from family/friends/community?

Yes, especially my husband. If it hadn’t been for his constant love, support and faith in me I might have given up. He believed in me when I didn’t and encouraged me to keep going.

4.       What is most difficult about an author’s life?

Writing can be very time-consuming but as a busy Mum, I love the flexibility of working my own hours and I have always loved the world of books, so I count myself lucky doing the job that I love. Creating stories for children to enjoy is very rewarding.

5.       As a woman do you feel an obligation to write on women’s issues (in some form)?

No. I am more drawn to entertaining children through my books and hopefully, they can learn some life issues/lessons that might help them along the way.

6.       Do you create stereotypical female characters i.e., weak, need to be saved?

No, not at all. I write different characters with different problems regardless of gender. They might have weaknesses in some form but that helps them to learn and grow as their character evolves throughout the story.

7.       Do you try to be politically correct or stay away from politics/controversial current event as plots?

It’s not something I’ve consciously thought about writing children’s books. But I’m not interested in writing about politics/controversial current events as plots. There are far more exciting stories to be told.

8.       What makes a woman a success?

Not trying to fit into any role model but being yourself and following your own unique path – whatever makes you happy. Challenging yourself often. Creating goals and passionately striving for them. Being confident in your own skin. Independence. Respect for oneself. Courage.

I hope you enjoyed today's interview and hope it encourages you to follow your dream of writting. Please support Genna and go to her links below and check out her work and share with friends and family. 

If you would like to be featured on WEDNESDAY WITH WOMEN, it's easy. Contact me at: rizerfall@yahoo.com for the details.

www.gennarowbotham.co.uk

https://twitter.com/GennaRowbotham

The Wish Fairy of Stoney Middleton by Genna Rowbotham | Goodreads

The Wish Fairy of Stoney Middleton eBook : Rowbotham, Genna: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store

   

A Hell of a Blog or the Blog from Hell

 I know, I know. Everyone believes their blog is great and that they say profound and enlightening things when more than likely it is a toddler's rant, the 10th how to on an overdone subject, or a patch work of the current news headline (or that can just be me).

Well, truth is --- I may fall into all of the afore mentioned categories. But the workings of my mind - I believe - adds a little spice, a twist, a jolt, and a lot of Food for Thought.

I don't even try to be a 'Shock Jock.' Rush Limbaugh (R.I.P.) set that bar way too high, and I hate self-righteous Saints spouting angel dust and Jesus coated posts. So where do I fit into this blog-a-verse?

That's just it. I don't even begin to try to fit in. I love my own blog and think it is one hell of a blog.

I had a man call me some kind of Jesus sex freak because I wrote a post about Viagra. I was like Wow someone took the time to call me a sex freak. A first of many firsts yet to come in my writing career. The ability to offend is easier than falling off a log, little effort is required. Just write something, anything and BAM! Offense taken.

Of course, I have had people say 'Oh, I love your take on that topic. Great piece." And I am like Wow someone said I was a great piece. A first of many firsts yet to come in my writing career.

But the one thing I am most proud of is the fact that I do not sit in my underwear, in some Emo type room, dark and dank (I had to clarify Emo because since Covid I do sit in my underwear), using an anonymous name, being crude, rude, and lude. I like the Emo look. I just used that generalized group borrowing their dark coolness which is nothing like the Goths of my day. Sorry, but the Goths were only depressing, not engaging, and scary. I'm out of the loop and I'm not sure if Trolls, spun off of the Emo's or just festered into the people we came to loathe, or if they have their own look, but they are not cool.

But I digress. The point I wanted to make before going astray about underwear and trolls is, there are so many bloogers with great blogs on any topic you can imagine and they are informative, uplifting, inspirational, and some just for fun. The blogging community is supportive and encourage sharing of blogs just like authors do with fellow authors, bloggers, and writers.

That brings up the thing I am least proud of when blogging - not knowing what words are considered to be cool? Hip? Banging? Ab Fab? Crunk? Gucci? Fire? You get my drift. Hey, my target audience includes the twenty-somthings even though I believe I am failing miserably using their lingo. Well, hell, they don't even use their own lingo they use EMOJIS. 

One thing I keep in mind as I write on topics the timid would never touch is: "Wonder if this topic is going to send me straight to hell?" 

I wonder about this because I write about Christianity, Politics, Womanhood, Racism, and Uglyism. Yeah, I make up words as I see fit. I'm not as good as Snoop Dog, but I do alright.

Each new dawning of a new day I invite my Twitter followers and others at nauseum on Twitter to read my latest post, share, comment, retweet, and most of all I hit that more bang for your bucks writerslift. Facebook is not spared from being asked to come on over and have a gander at my blog on my Facebook page: Dorothy Guyton, author. I must admit my Facebook page is a no-man's-land. I have as of this date 112 followers. OUCH!! I also have a whopping 7 followers on my blog but a large number of readers. Hey, lemonade out of lemons people. I'll take that WIN.

Having viewers but not followers is like being told "It's not you. It's me. I've always had trouble committing." The rejection cliche no one ever wants to hear. but hey, I'll go along with it and agree it's you not me lol.

BUT, if you want to live on the edge with me; take some time and become one of my followers, tell a friend, list me as one of your favorite blogs on your blog page because

THIS IS ONE HELL OF A BLOG OR THE BLOG FROM HELL.

please feel free to peruse OLDER posts for your enjoyment.