Interview with Deborah Reber
Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul: The Real Deal Challenges
by Jacquee Scott
July 11, 2006
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Interview with Deborah Reber Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul: The Real Deal Challenges by Jacquee Scott July 11, 2006 |
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Deborah's Biography
MyGurlStuff Interview with Deborah |
Good Morning Deborah ~ Thank you for taking the time to talk with me. Let me start by giving you some information about me. My name is Jacqueline Scott and I am a 7th grader at Larkspur Middle School in Virginia Beach. My mom, Cheryl Rome, and I created MyGurlStuff.com while she was working on her Masters degree. Our web site is designed for the entertainment and education of Tween and Teen girls aged 10 – 17 all across the world. MyGurlStuff gives you the latest interviews, horoscopes, games, cool links, poetry written by our staff and friends, and fashion tips. Our Virtual Library will help you with your research paper. The all "gurl" staff is based in Virginia Beach. We are dedicated to going out into the community and finding information about the Tween and Teen girls that are making the headlines in their schools, on the field, or in the community. We have grown from 57 visitors at the end of September 2005 to over 1,440 visitors per month. MyGurlStuff has a jewelry store and we now have a “members only” community. And we are still growing! I really enjoyed reading Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul: The Real Deal Challenges. The book was very enlightening. I didn't realize how many trials and tribulations my peers could be going through. After reading Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul: The Real Deal Challenges, your resume, your website (http://www.deborahreber.com) and biography, my mom and I have questions. Jacquee: What encouraged you to become a writer? Deborah: I’ve always loved the power of words and expressing myself through the written word. I also love seeing my name in print and knowing that the things that came out of my head are being read by people, and hopefully having a positive impact to boot. Jacquee: You are the author of:
Deborah: It generally takes me about six months to actually sit down and write the book, including time for researching, planning, brainstorming and outlining. Jacquee: Why did you choose to write this book? Deborah: The Real Deal Challenges came about because we went to teens and asked them what subject they’d like to see covered in an upcoming Real Deal book. The overwhelming response was a book on serious issues and challenges, and I was thrilled to take on this subject, since I know that resources for teens on difficult issues can be hard to come by. Jacquee: How did you encourage the teens and tweens to share their experiences, stories and poems? Many teens write in to me because of the popularity of the other Real Deal books, and so I’m always receiving submissions from teens and tweens through my website and snail mail. I also put the word out to teen organizations around the country that we were looking for submissions to try and get the opportunity out there to as many teens as possible. Jacquee: Before you wrote The Real Deal series, did you realize that today's teens were going through so many challenges? Deborah: My teen years were extremely challenging, which is why I chose a career that involves supporting today’s teens, so I was aware of how difficult being a teen can be. That being said, I am continually moved and touched by the stories and letters teens send to me, especially when they share their darkest and deepest secrets with me. It always reminds me why I’m doing what I do. Jacquee: Are the challenges that today’s tweens and teens different than when you were a teen? I think that the kinds of challenges are the same—dealing with peer pressure, wanting to fit in, trying to figure out who you are. But the world has changed so much that the problems seem to be more magnified and intense, and teens are also facing a lot more serious issues at earlier and earlier ages. Jacquee: What are some of the challenges of being a writer and mom? Deborah: The biggest challenge in being a writer for me has always been that there’s not enough time, and now that I’m a mom, that is even more true. I’m always juggling a million things and trying to squeeze in a little writing here and there, while also making sure that my son has my full attention when we’re together and I’m not too stressed out around him. Jacquee: What is your typical day like? Deborah: I get up around 7am, and spend half of my morning hanging out with my son—usually at the park or the zoo or some other outing—and the other half working. I have lunch with my son and husband (he works from home too), and then work all afternoon, usually sitting at the computer in my office or catching up on reading and research in my big comfy chair in the living room. Then it’s dinner time, putting my son to bed, and if I’m not on a deadline, having some R&R time watching TV and hanging out with my hubby. Jacquee: When you were a child did you imagine you would accomplish so much? I think I always wanted to do big things, even when I was a child, but I didn’t know what it would involve. I’ve always had big dreams, so I’m thrilled to be able to be reaching some of them! Jacquee: This question comes from page 99, “Do you know how to live in the moment? What are your techniques?” What a great question. I do my best to live in the moment every day. I do this by taking time to stop, breath, look and listen. I look at the beauty of the day, notice the beauty around me, whether it’s a garden or a bird in a tree or the way the light is hitting the leaves on the tree in my front yard. I find joy in the little experiences with my son and seeing the world through his young eyes. And I go for runs and walks everyday so I have time to decompress and remind myself what is important in life. Jacquee: I had to borrow this question from page 241, “Have you ever fallen flat on your face only to come out of the situation even stronger than you were before?” Deborah: Yes, and too many times to mention. I am a big believer in the idea that everything happens for a reason, and every time I fell flat on my face, both literally and metaphorically, I always ended up learning something valuable or growing because of the experience. The challenge is to remember that there is a purpose to these experiences when you’re going through them! Now on to the fun questions: Jacquee: What is your favorite thing to do? Deborah: Can I have more than one? I love to run, listen to the soundtrack from RENT and sing along, tap dance, play piano and guitar, take long naps and have picnics along the water. Jacquee: What is your favorite food? Deborah: I love French food, especially steak frites. Jacquee: When you were a teen, what was your favorite job? Deborah: I used to work at the movie theatre at my local mall. I loved this job because I got to see tons of movies for free, eat as much popcorn as I wanted to, and see who was dating who when they showed up at the theatre on a Friday or Saturday night. Jacquee: Who is a famous person that you would like to meet? Would you be nervous to meet them? Deborah: Oprah. I think the work she does is amazing and she has literally inspired a whole generation of women to be better people. I would be nervous, but more excited than anything. Jacquee: If you had a fear of speaking in public, how did you get of it? Deborah: Practice, practice, practice. I still get a little nervous, but the more I do it, the more comfortable I become. Jacquee: What is your favorite charity? Deborah: Girl’s Inc. Jacquee: You mentioned that you’re an avid runner, hiker, pianist and gardener, how do you manage to balance family, work, and personal time? Deborah: I make it a priority to fit in the things that I know I need in my life to stay happy and balanced. Going for a run or playing the piano might not seem like it’s as important as hitting a working deadline or cooking dinner, but since it keeps me mentally renewed, it is to me! Jacquee: Do you have any personal advice for tween and teen girls? Deborah: I have a lot of specific advice. But my general advice would be to take care of yourself…mind, body and soul. Know that you are a valuable, worthy and amazing person, and treat yourself that way! Jacquee: If you could change one thing that you did (whether it is past or present) what would it be? Deborah: I wouldn’t change a thing… I believe everything happens for a reason, and I wouldn’t be where I am today if things had gone differently. Jacquee: What is your next writing project? Deborah: I have a book coming out through Simon Pulse in April 2007 called IN THEIR SHOES: CAREER SCOOP FOR GIRLS FROM AMAZING WOMEN. In this book, I profile incredible women, from an Olympic athlete to an Emmy-winning actress to a world-renowned scientist, and share what their lives and careers are really like. |
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