Check Out Deborah Reed’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Deborah Reed

Hi Deborah, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My name is Deborah Reed, and I write novels under the pseudonym D.A. Reed. I enjoy writing in multiple genres, but focus on young adult realistic fiction.

A wife and mother of two incredibly creative and talented children who keep me on my toes, I am slightly obsessive-compulsive and am addicted to running, chocolate, and caffeine.

I have always enjoyed writing stories and wrote my first novel at age fourteen. While I loved 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 self-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 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.

I also flex my writing muscles as a full-time managing editor and writer for a local media station. I engage and build relationships with individuals and organizations, using various media outlets to help further their voice within the community.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
My writing journey has not always been a smooth road – but the road to anything worthwhile is rarely smooth and easy.

Finding time to write my novels while having young children is always challenging. If I became frustrated with my writing output, I would take a step back and remember that I wouldn’t trade my children for anything in the world – even a writing career. And then I would figure out what I WAS able to do with the amount of time I had, and not worry about the rest. As my children grew and became more independent, the time available to write also increased.

There is also the age-old challenge of breaking into the literary world, regardless of whether you are traditionally published or self-published. Navigating decisions regarding publishing always take – you guessed it – time. Whether seeking an agent or publishing house, engagement and promotion on social media, or the numerous other tasks a writer has to accomplish to get their work out in front of readers…it can be overwhelming. It was important for me to (again) take a step back and decide how much time I had to devote to those tasks and then work within those parameters.

As a journalist who is also an introvert, I often struggle with nervousness over speaking to people I don’t know well. And conducting on-camera interviews…well, let’s just say my first time on camera was akin to a deer caught in headlights. However, I have truly enjoyed meeting so many people from so many walks of life, and have been blessed and honored to hear their stories and be trusted to tell their stories. And that makes each upcoming interview more exciting than nerve-wracking.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Life is hard, and we all need guidance and encouragement.

As more and more people approached me about how my first young adult novel 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 life.

As a novelist, my main focus is writing young adult realistic fiction that focuses on struggles youth face every day. Through storytelling, I attempt to help young people navigate the challenges and struggles of everyday life while also providing a message of hope.

I am known for taking on subjects in my novels that are often hard to talk about in real life: teen homelessness, depression, suicide, etc.

As a journalist, I often take on projects that will raise awareness and give voice to relevant issues such as mental health, literacy, at-risk youth, etc.

I do this because I don’t want to simply entertain readers, I want to be a source of support and encouragement to them.

We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
I don’t consider myself a major risk-taker, but I have taken “risks” in the sense that I often force myself out of my comfort zone in order to avoid missing opportunities as they arise.

Whether that means grabbing the chance to climb mountains in Utah or to speak about my passion for writing in front of a large audience, I don’t want to ever regret missing out on a life-changing experience because I was too scared or nervous.

I believe there comes a time in every person’s life when they have to take a risk of some kind, and I believe it is important to embrace that risk when it comes, as long as it isn’t reckless. I fully believe there are necessary risks to advance a business or personal passion. Because of this, I often seek advice and wisdom from others who have successfully walked the road I am on before taking what could be considered a major risk.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://dareedauthor.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dareedauthor/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorDeborah/
• Twitter: https://x.com/dareedauthor

Image Credits
Deborah Reed
Matthew Reed
Ken Wright
Jerry Owsinski