Meet Deborah Reed

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Deborah Reed. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Deborah below.

Deborah, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

I have always enjoyed writing stories and wrote my first novel at age fourteen. While I love writing in the mystery/thriller genre, I found my true calling as a writer when I met a teenager with a severe physical disability. Despite her physical limitations, she was grabbing the reins to life and living life to the fullest – on the outside. On the inside, however, I found that she struggled with doubt, feelings of worthlessness, and fear of being a burden to those she loved. I wanted to write a short story that would show this young woman that her worth did not lie in her physical capabilities, but in her mere existence – no matter what struggles she might face. That short story morphed into my first full-length young adult novel.

As more and more people approached me about how that novel (Daisies in the Rain) touched them or a loved one, giving them hope and/or a new sense of self-worth and confidence, I realized I could use my skill with words to help young adults navigate this thing called life. Though I still enjoy writing thrillers, my main focus is writing young adult realistic fiction that focuses on struggles youth face every day. Through storytelling, I strive to guide young people through life and deliver a message of hope.

I also teach creative writing workshops to all ages. My hope is that sharing my passion for storytelling will inspire others to find their voice within the written word as well. Words hold power and can be an avenue of relief, hope, awareness, healing…the list is endless!

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

My name is Deborah Reed, and I write novels under the pseudonym D.A. Reed. I am a wife and mother of two incredibly creative and talented children who keep my on my toes. I am slightly obsessive-compulsive and am addicted to running, chocolate, and caffeine.

I enjoy writing in multiple genres, but focus on young adult realistic fiction. Life is hard, and we all need guidance and encouragement. Through storytelling, I attempt to help young people navigate the challenges and struggles of everyday life while also providing a message of hope. Because there is ALWAYS hope.

The thing I love most about writing – and is coincidentally the hardest to explain – is when a character or story takes on a life of its own. Countless times I have sat down to write and the story has advanced in a far different direction than I had planned, a character has shown a side of themselves I didn’t know existed, or a new character has “story-bombed” the scene and helped carry the novel to its completion. I never fully know what is going to happen when I put pen to paper or my fingers to the keyboard – it’s like magic!

The most exciting part about teaching writing workshops is seeing the spark of imagination light up a student’s eyes, no matter their age. I can often tell the exact moment someone gets an idea, breaks through writer’s block, or even just begins to believe their dream truly is possible. One of my favorite moments was when I taught a workshop in a school classroom. One student in particular looked bored out of his mind, like he would rather be anywhere but in the classroom listening to me. However, as soon as I had the class begin writing…his pencil never stopped moving! I think he wrote more than any other student in that room. It helped me realize that even if it looks like you have not made an impact, you might have literally just changed someone’s life.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Drawing on my own experiences, my willingness to learn, and my willingness to step outside my comfort zone have been instrumental in getting to where I am today.

I am often asked how I make my young adult characters so believable and relatable. The answer? There is a lot of ME in those characters. How I felt, what I thought, and what I learned during certain situations in my youth (and even as an adult) often make it onto the page. Every single part your life can be used in some way to create authenticity. I also listen to others tell their stories and share their feelings and beliefs, drawing on the wisdom of others to grow as a person as well as a writer.

For several years, I was not willing to read outside my favorite genre (thrillers) or accept constructive criticism about my writing. Eventually I accepted that, in order to grow as a writer, I needed to be willing to listen and learn from those around me, whether that person was another writer, a friend, or a stranger. Over the years, I have learned how to sift through comments and advice given to me by others and figure out what will be helpful in making my writing flourish and what will cause me to deviate from my own voice or goal for my writing. That can be a fine line to walk, but it can be done!

Stepping outside of my comfort zone was also a must to continue my journey. I am an introvert by nature, and believed writing was the perfect career for me. After all, writing is (mostly) a solitary activity and doesn’t require talking to…well, people. Then I realized that, if I wanted people to know about the messages contained in my books, I had to talk to people about them. So I sighed heavily and told God that I would take any opportunity He gave me to talk about my books – He just had to give me the words. I have since participated in radio interviews; conference presentations; led workshops in schools, writing camps, and international book festivals; accepted a job as a journalist to help other people give voice to their stories; and so much more. And you know what? I enjoy it all – so much! Do I get nervous? Sure. But I have so much fun talking about writing, guiding others on their writing journey, and meeting new people that I jump at every opportunity God brings my way.

We’ve all got limited resources, time, energy, focus etc – so if you had to choose between going all in on your strengths or working on areas where you aren’t as strong, what would you choose?

I believe it is vital to continue learning, growing, and gaining perspective throughout life. No matter what age you are, there is still room to learn and grow as a person, as well as in doing what you love.

Part of how I choose to grow is by accepting new challenges in writing. Whether that is writing about a topic that intimidates me or writing a story in a genre I have never tried before, I continually step out of my comfort zone and try new things – and try to do them well. Writing young adult fiction is not something I ever thought I would do, but it ended up being what I love writing the most. If I had refused to begin that journey, if I had refused to immerse myself in all genres of reading, if I had refused to listen to the knowledge of others around me, I firmly believe my writing would have grown stagnant and I would not have become the writer I am today.

My journey with the written word has also prompted me to take this view on life in general. If I have an opportunity to try something new, I take it. And because of that, I have encountered countless amazing and life-changing relationships and experiences.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://dareedauthor.com/
• Instagram: @dareedauthor
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorDeborah/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborah-reed-12b615180/
• Twitter: https://x.com/dareedauthor

Image Credits

Matthew Reed, Ken Wright, Lois Atkins, Deborah Reed