We recently connected with Tamara Rene and have shared our conversation below.
Tamara, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?
Years ago I was involved in an abusive relationship. Nearing the end, when I was gathering my strength and courage to leave, I was sitting with my best friend in my car. The sun was shining. The summer air was blowing through the open windows. We were at a T-intersection, a wall of brick mortar businesses sitting in front of us as we waited for the light to turn green. I’d just finished telling her about the latest incident. She was the only one that knew. The only one privy to the ins and outs of the relationship and what I was going through. And as we sat at that light, I took a deep breath, let it out, and said, “One day, I’m going to write a book dealing with abuse, and if it can change one woman’s life then everything I’ve gone through will have been worth it.”
I’ve written that book now. And I can say with 100% certainty that I did what I set out to do. My mission is to weave real experience into my writing to show readers that they are not alone. To change, touch, and help as many readers as I can through my work.
Tamara, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Living with Fire is my debut novel, but I’ve been writing for more than half my life. I first got into writing through fan fiction many, many years ago (writing four novels before I was out of high school), and then crossed into storytelling RPG, which is a collection of writers who come together, each having one (or more) characters who tell a story together. It’s a fun way to write because you never know what another character is going to come up with or how it will affect your character or the overall storyline. It’s a constant evolution of story and character, full of twists and turns that you never see coming. It’s very reflective of how life works.
I moved out of that world a few years ago and got back into novel writing as a way to heal from a lot of different things in my life, and to also help others heal. My writing is there to create laughter and joy for readers while also hitting on difficult or relatable points so others might not feel so alone if they’re in (or have been) in similar situations.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
The most rewarding aspect is hearing from readers who have loved my book. Going a step further, it would be those readers who have reached out and told me that my novel has changed them, or made them feel less alone in their own journey. It was my number one dream in releasing my book, and the dream that came to fruition before it was officially released to the public. It’s helped shape where I’m taking my future books and what I want them to look like.
Alright – let’s talk about marketing or sales – do you have any fun stories about a risk you’ve taken or something else exciting on the sales and marketing side?
My favorite story (so far) is my first event as an author. My friend got us a table at a festival, prior to my release day, and because she knew the coordinator, we wound up with a table beside the fire department. Now, my books feature firefighters, so being beside the fire department was a dream come true. At least until the day of – despite it being great marketing, I was incredibly nervous and a little terrified.
What proceeded to happen that day was beyond my wildest dreams. Not only did the firefighters engage with me, and ask me about my book, but I got to learn so much that I wouldn’t have otherwise, just by listening in while they spoke with the public. Then the fire truck showed up, and I was like a kid on Christmas morning. Again, despite being terrified, I asked to take pictures with the fire truck, with my book, and the Captain was more than happy to oblige this author. I got to take pictures, I was able to go inside the truck, the firefighters allowed me to pick their brains for a few minutes on all things truck related. It was one of the most incredible, surreal moments of my life.
And by the end of the day? A real life firefighter bought my book. Bucket list item accomplished.
As the male main character in my book would say, “Dreams are meant to come true.”
Contact Info:
- Website: https://tamararenebooks.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tamara.rene.books/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556885241291
- Other: Tiktok:
@tamara.rene.books Threads:
https://www.threads.net/@tamara.rene.booksEmail:
[email protected]
Image Credits
K.B Barrett Designs for Cover Images