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Worth Fighting 4
by Jarold Imes
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Our Voice: ReShonda Tate Billingsley
OTV: After writing several adult titles, how did you get into teen fiction?
ReShonda: My teenaged nieces were staying with me for the summer and in an effort to get them from in front of the TV, I made them read. But we could never reach an agreement on books. They wanted to read sex-filled, violence-filled adult books. The books I chose they said were too boring. So I decided to write young adult books that were full of pageturning drama, but something that parents and teens would want to read.OTV: Do you find that writing for the teen audience is similar or different?ReShonda: I basically write the stories I normally write for my adult books, but I have to be careful in the language. I try to stay away from big words that might disrupt the flow of making it "easy" reading for teens. The hardest part for me was learning I'm not as cool as I thought I was as I had my teen advisory board tell me people don't say things like "cool" anymore:-).OTV: Most would label your work Christian fiction, do you feel pressured to stay in one sector of that genre or do you like to explore different situations?ReShonda: I always joke that I was pushed into the Christian fiction category kicking and screaming. I write inspirational stories but I didn't want to be boxed in the CF genre because my stories are kind of edgy and I didn't want to catch flak from people who tried to stand in judgment of me. Eventually, I just accepted my destiny. I know some people may have a problem with my being labeled a CF author, but I'm happy with where I am. And the fact that I am touching lives with my work lets me know God is pleased with what I'm doing as well. Still, I created my own genre. I write Christian FRICTION:-).OTV: Do you plan on adding to NOTHING BUT DRAMA, BLESSINGS IN DISGUISE & WITH FRIENDS LIKE THESE?ReShonda: Yes, the series will continue. Three more books are due out in 2008 and will continue to follow the lives and escapades of the girls.OTV: What do you want readers to get out of these titles?ReShonda: I want to not only spark a love of reading among young people, but I also want to open a dialogue between adults and teens. Since the book is written so that both adults and teens can enjoy it, I'm finding that it's opening avenues of discussions. One mother emailed me and told me she and her daughter had a bonding, thought-provocative conversation about Blessings in Disguise, something they'd never done. That meant the world to me. I also hope that teens will learn from the mistakes of my characters and the positive messages displayed throughout the books.OTV: What books did you read as a young lady?ReShonda: Growing up, there wasnt a whole lot for me to choose from. I read Judy Blume, Nancy Drew and V.C. Andrews.OTV: Where do you want to see the YA market five years from now?ReShonda: Exploding! I think people are finally beginning to recognize that in our technology driven era, teens still love a good book.
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