Author Interview & Spotlight: Rochele Rosa

Today, we have debut author, Rochele Rosa to answer a few questions and tell us a bit about her new book, GENERATION OF THE LAST HOUR.

Welcome, Rochele, thanks for taking the time to chat with us. Why don’t you start by telling us a bit about yourself. 

I was born and raised in small town Illinois, and I knew I wanted to be an author when I was in third grade. Of course, I didn’t know how much work was needed.

In high school, I had a crippling fear of public speaking and I knew I had to conquer it to achieve my ambitions. So, I joined the FFA and eventually competed in two national public speaking events. During my freshman year of college, I was on the 2014-2015 Illinois Association FFA State Officer Team.

Now, I’ve left Illinois to finish my Bachelor’s in Public Relations at Murray State University in Murray, Kentucky. I’m a member of Murray Chi Alpha, which is a chapter of the global network of Chi Alpha Campus Ministries. I’m also an active Murray State PRSSA member.

 

Wow! Impressive! How long have you actually been a writer?

I started writing in elementary school. My third-grade teacher really inspired me to pursue writing although I had always been an imaginative kid. I tried writing my first book in about fourth grade and it’s progressed since then.

So, you’re debut novel, GENERATION OF THE LAST HOUR released earlier this week–May 23rd to be exact. What was the inspiration for this book?

The initial thought of a book about a city of kids on their own came when I was in seventh grade. I’ve had some dreams about it. I didn’t have enough plot to actually write a story and quite frankly I didn’t like the concept all that much. As I got into high school, I loved to learn about World War Two history. So, I merged some concepts from that time period with some old notes I found from seventh grade on the initial idea. I started fleshing out the rough draft between sophomore and junior year of high school. I put it on the shelf for four years and then pulled it out last summer. Anaiah Press offered me a contract in September 2016 and the rest is history.

This is fascinating. You’re a college student and have already published your first book. What’s that like? 

Edits were a struggle. I didn’t tell many people for the longest time. So after my classes or Chi Alpha/PRSSA events I would spend anywhere from four to six hours holed up in my dorm room slashing away at my book until 1 or 2 am. Then I’d get up at 6 am to get ready for morning prayer with Chi Alpha, and then carry on with the rest of my day. I did that for about three months. At the end of the spring semester, everyone knew, and I would have people who I barely knew come up and congratulate me. That was strange, and I suppose it’s something I’ll get used to.

Well, congratulations from everyone at Anaiah Press! When you’re not writing (or editing), what do you do?

Well, I’m still in college so I can be found doing extracurricular things with Chi Alpha –the campus ministry I’m involved in– and the Murray State University chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America –because that’s my major. Next week I’ll be in Phoenix for a PRSSA conference and then I’ll be in New York City for a public relations internship.

You certainly keep busy, huh? Can you tell us three things about you that not a lot of people know?

1. I have this dichotomy of loving both girly and grungy things: Audrey Hepburn and Terminator; dresses and combat boots; He is We/Taylor Swift and Fall Out Boy/All Time Low.
2. My love for tiramisu is infinite. However, I’m incredibly picky because it’s so hard to find a restaurant or bakery that has great tiramisu.
3. I’ve competed in three national public speaking competitions. The first two were team competitions in high school and we placed silver. The third time was an individual event in college and I placed seventh. Writing is for introverts and this introvert loves public speaking.

All right, so the question everyone has been waiting for. Tell us about your book! The cover is stunning!

In an underground city devoid of adults, fifteen-year-old Raquelle Granger holds the position of Council Member, and thousands of lives within City Ten rest in her hands. Unfortunately, she only has two years left until she’s supposed to join the adults on the front lines in a war that never seems to end. But when the enemy army rolls into the area with drills, intent on destroying the city and taking no prisoners, Raquelle, together with her little brother and childhood best friend, must make a choice—Fight, or die a martyr among the Christian youth.

Where can we get a copy?

Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo

And you can add it to Goodreads.

And where can readers find you?

My website, blog, Twitter, and Instagram. I’m going to learn to be more disciplined in my blog writing.

Finally, tell us what’s next. What else are you working on?

Oh man, I have plenty of ideas and not enough plot structure yet. I like to write Sci Fi and Dystopian stuff. The market is pretty saturated with dystopia right now, so I’m looking at my other projects. Regardless if my writing is labeled ‘Christian’ or not, everything of course is written through that lens.

Thanks so much, Rochele!