ReShonda Tate Billingsley

AUTHOR OF THE MONTH: ReShonda Tate Billingsley

Fueled by Passion…ReShonda Tate Billingsley

Interview by Angela Anderson

ReShonda Tate Billingsley is a national best-selling author of 50 plus books. She has had the gift of an active imagination for as long as she can remember. Little did she know, her riveting imagination and ability to create believable stories would be the catalyst for her one day becoming the renowned author she is today.

ReShonda started her career as a news journalist. She later decided to stop talking about writing books to actually writing books. The road was not always easy. She started with more rejection letters than she could count. However, she was determined not to allow anyone or anything to validate her talent. She went the self-published route for her first novel. ReShonda took the bull by the horn and persevered with hard work, determination, and an unwavering work ethic. She was later picked up by a major publishing company, Simon and Schuster. Fast forward to fifty-plus books later, an NAACP Image Award, two books that are now films, and numerous awards and accolades, you have a well-rounded author with no signs of slowing down.

For ReShonda, her love for reading has always been present, but her love for writing came after reading I Know Why the Cage Bird Sing by Maya Angelou. This book ignited her love for the written word. That fire ignited years ago is still burning and has not been extinguished yet. She continues to bring you page-turning stories that are actual conversation starters that include family dynamics, with the ability to educate and entertain. Her fiction novels allow readers an outlet to escape a world of facts to a world of fiction with a freed imagination that many enjoy.

The Heat Seekers Magazine with ReShonda Tate Billingsley: Angela Anderson: When did you know that you wanted to become a writer? ReShonda Tate Billingsley: I knew early. It started back when I was a little girl, making up stories just because. My mother called me a “little liar” because I would just make up stories out of the blue.

AA: What do you enjoy about writing and creating stories?

RTB: I honestly have to say that writing and creating bring me tremendous joy. I would write books for free. The great thing is I don’t have to.

AA: How would you describe your writing style? Do you have a writing tagline to describe your stories?

RTB: Real issues. Real people. Real stories. I really do write reality. A lot of times, people will say, ‘why didn’t she end up happy?’ Because in life, the person doesn’t always end up happy. In life, all the pieces don’t always fall into place. And those are the stories I tell.

AA: What was one surprising thing you learned about yourself during your writing journey?

RTB: I used to always say, “I’m not a business person. I’m a creative.” And then, I looked at my approach once the book was written. Even having a major publisher behind me, I treated my brand like a business. And it’s paid off.

AA: What is a fun or interesting fact about you that most readers don’t know?

RTB: I wanted to be a rapper growing up. And I must admit, I have some lyrical flows...even if no one but me appreciates them, lol.

AA: You have written over 50 books and won several prestigious awards. If you had to give one piece of advice to new authors, what would it be?

RTB: Don’t let anyone but you and God determine your destiny. I was rejected a lot in the beginning. Imagine if I had internalized those rejections. I just flipped each NO into something I climbed ON to achieve my goals.

AA: You have a new novel that was released during the month of February 2022, Miss Pearly’s Girls. What was the inspiration behind this story?

RTB: I wanted to address what happens when we allow secrets and lies to fester. So many families do that, and I wanted to show the damage and dysfunction that allowing them to fester can do.

AA: If you could describe this book in three words, what would they be?

RTB: Healing with faith.

AA: May is the month we celebrate Mother’s Day in the US. Who is an influential woman in your life, and how has she helped shape and mold you into the woman you are today?

RTB: My mother, who, even when she couldn’t see my dream of being a writer (because she had never seen writers of color) but worked tirelessly to give me the best life possible.

AA: Share with us what you enjoy about being a mother.

RTB: I love watching the wonderful young people my children have evolved into. All three of them have such nurturing spirits, and it warms my heart.

AA: What is next for ReShonda Tate Billingsley?

RTB: I’m super excited about my next project. It’s different for me. It’s a historical fiction novel on the life of Hattie McDaniel. Stay tuned!

AA: How can we stay connected with you?

RTB: My website is ReshondaTateBillingsley.com. I am also on social media. My Facebook and Instagram handle is @reshondatatebillingsley, and my Twitter is @ReshondaT