We recently connected with Rebecca Rosenberg and have shared our conversation below.
Rebecca, we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?
You know, building confidence as a novelist is an interesting journey. It’s really about learning to trust yourself, especially when you’re constantly putting your work out there. And for authors, that’s more than just writing—it’s interviews, promotions, and getting your book noticed.
I’ve definitely had my share of… learning experiences. You know, interviews that didn’t quite flow, promotions that didn’t take off, and media pitches that seemed to vanish into thin air. But instead of letting those moments define me, I ask myself, ‘Okay, what can I learn from this?’ Maybe I needed to prepare a bit differently for that interview, or maybe that promotion didn’t resonate with the right audience.
And honestly, I focus a lot on the wins. That interview where I felt a real connection, that promotion that sparked genuine excitement, or that email from a reader who really connected with my story—those moments are huge. I analyze what worked, what resonated, and I try to build on that.
I’ve learned that confidence comes from being authentic. It’s about finding your own voice and trusting it. And honestly, writing a book is like walking the plank into a dark and wild ocean. You have a story to tell, but with each step you wonder, am I telling it right? Am I telling too much or too little? Is it too bold, is it too meek? And then, when you reach the end, you know you need to take the plunge and see what happens. It’s that moment of vulnerability, of letting go, that builds real confidence.
I used to think I had to be this polished, perfect author, but that just wasn’t me. Now, I focus on being genuine, on letting my personality shine through.
And you know what? People respond to that. They respond to authenticity. It’s about showing up as yourself, being present, and learning from every experience. It’s about building a foundation of trust in your own abilities, and that, for me, is where real confidence comes from.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
What really motivates me is uncovering these amazing women from history. It’s like they’ve been whispering their stories, and I’m just trying to make sure everyone can hear them. So many of them were just… incredible. They were tough, they were smart, they were breaking all the rules, and yet, a lot of their stories have kind of faded away. And it’s a shame.
I guess I want to bring them back to life. I want readers to feel like they’re walking alongside these women, experiencing what they experienced. It’s not just about dates and facts, it’s about the heart of it all. What did they feel? What drove them? What were they fighting for?
And honestly, I hope people walk away feeling inspired. You know, like, ‘Wow, if she could do that back then with all the problems and constraints, maybe I can do this now.’ Because these women, they didn’t have it easy. They faced so many challenges, but they didn’t give up.
Plus, it’s fascinating to see how the world has changed, and how it hasn’t. Putting these women in their time period, it really makes you think about how far we’ve come, and also, where we still need to go. I want my books to be a good read, of course, but if they spark curiosity and reflection, that’s even better.
You know, my latest novel, ‘Silver Echoes’ was a really personal journey for me… trying to understand something incredibly complex and sensitive. I was drawn to the story of this real-life burlesque and movie starlet from the 1920s, Silver Dollar, who had Dissociative Identity Disorder. Even though there was not a name for it at the time. It’s a condition that’s so often misunderstood, and I wanted to approach it with real empathy.
Imagine this woman, creating this incredible, headlining speakeasy act with tigers, getting tangled up with gangsters, living this vibrant, public life… while internally, she’s battling this fractured sense of self. It was a huge challenge to try and capture that, to get as close as I could to what that experience might have been like.
And then, she disappears. Seven years later, her mother, Baby Doe Tabor, this legendary silver mogul, is desperately searching for answers. That mother-daughter dynamic, the pain of not knowing, the struggle to understand—it was all so powerful.
I really wanted to show how devastating DID can be, not just for the individual, but for everyone around them. How it impacted Silver Dollar’s life, her relationships, her choices. It wasn’t just about the glitz and glamour of the 1920s; it was about the human cost of a hidden struggle.
It was a tough story to tell, but it felt important. I hope readers come away with a deeper understanding of DID, and a sense of compassion for those who live with it. And, of course, I hope they’re captivated by Silver Dollar’s incredible, and ultimately tragic, story.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking back, I’d say three things have been absolutely pivotal in my journey.
1. Adaptability and Reframing: Life, especially a creative life, rarely goes exactly as planned. You’ll face setbacks, unexpected turns, and moments where you feel completely lost. The most impactful skill I’ve developed is the ability to reframe those moments, to see them not as failures, but as opportunities for a new chapter. My advice to anyone starting out? Cultivate a mindset of flexibility. Learn to embrace change, to pivot when necessary, and to see every challenge as a chance to learn and grow. Don’t be afraid to rewrite your story.
2. Reflective Learning and Amplifying Success: We all make mistakes, and we all have successes. The difference lies in how we respond. Regularly reflecting on both, analyzing what worked and what didn’t, is crucial. But it’s not just about identifying the issues; it’s about actively amplifying what does work. Take those wins, dissect them, and figure out how to replicate and build upon them. For those starting out, make reflection a habit. Journal, talk to mentors, and consciously seek out lessons from every experience.
3. Persistent Dedication and Trust in the Process: There will be times when you feel like you’re pushing against a wall, when progress seems slow or nonexistent. That’s when persistence becomes your superpower. It’s about showing up consistently, putting in the work, and trusting that your dedication will eventually pay off. My advice? Set realistic goals, break them down into smaller, manageable steps, and celebrate every milestone, no matter how small. Build that trust in your process and in yourself.
Ultimately, it’s about building a foundation of resilience and self-belief. It’s not about avoiding setbacks, but about how you respond to them. It’s about learning, growing, and trusting in your own journey.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
I enjoy working with other authors of historical novels to create content and support each other. I also love to work with sparkling wine and champagne houses, with my expertise in Champagne Widows novels and history. I currently collaborate with wineries, media outlets, book clubs and bookstagrammers and bloggers on exciting projects about sparkling wine and historical novels.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.rebecca-rosenberg.com
- Instagram: RebeccaRosenbergNovelist
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rebeccarosenbergnovels/
- Linkedin: https://www.instagram.com/rebeccarosenbergnovelist/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvxpFD-RX4Y
Image Credits
these are all my own phtographs
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.