Cheryl Rainfield; more than just an author

by J. R. Wagner

 I've been blessed to have developed a relationship with Cheryl Rainfield during my short writing career. Cheryl is an incredibly hard worker -but that doesn't make her special, all writers who have any desire to 'make it' in this industry work their tails off. What makes Cheryl special is her dedication to a cause beyond writing, her positive attitude and her obvious love and appreciation of her readers.



I could quote her website, which is loaded with information about Cheryl, her past, her motivation to write and all of the wonderful resources she provides to anyone seeking help (with a focus on teenage girls), guidance or just an outlet, but I won't. Visit her website -It's all there.

I will say this; I have two daughters and the strength, courage and determination (all tucked neatly beneath an uber-friendly and charming exterior) she displays will inspire them for years to come.  Not because they've ever met Cheryl but because of her writing. One of Cheryl's greatest strengths in her writing is her ability to take what others would perceive as a weakness and turn it into a source of power for that character.

Cheryl is fearless in her addressing of issues most writers shy away from. Sexuality, self-harm, rape, race and on the list goes -all beautifully interwoven in her stories. It's never forced, never seems as if she's putting it in there just to put it in.  Each issue is dealt with carefully and responsibly. It is clear that she puts plenty of thought into how she wants to present these issues.  The mailable teenage mind always appears to be taken into consideration so, when you're reading her work the issues most of us are afraid to talk to our children about are slowly exposed like the pulling away of petals on a delicate flower.

So why all the hub-bub?

I recently had the pleasure of reading Cheryl's latest release, Parallel Visions and was once again struck by the ease with which Cheryl immerses the reader into the life of the main character. From page one, you fall deep into the mind of Kate (main character) and don't come up for air until the end.(check out my Goodreads review HERE)



I was recently on Cheryl's Create Space page for Parallel Visions and noticed a quote of hers in the header that sums up all of Chery's writing.

"I write the books I needed as a teen and couldn't find."

Cheryl has been gracious enough to grant me an interview, (stoked!)  which will post in a few days.  Keep your eyes peeled!

Cheryl's other works include:

On my first pre-release speaking engagement

Yesterday I completed my first pre-release speaking engagement with the Downingtown Library Teens group.  Of course I was nervous, who wouldn't be on their first go-around?

When everyone from the group came in, I immediately relaxed. Unlike adults, you can tell quite a bit about a teen simply from their body language.  They don't try to hide who they are behind a prim and proper mannerism like us adults. They are who they are, which I love.

I found it easy to build a rapport with them. (Some would argue because my mind still resides in that age group.)  I believe that may be part of it -all of us long to be able to return to those care-free days.  Part of it is because unlike the drones of adults I come across on a day to day basis, each and every one of them was unique -it was obvious from the second they walked through the door.  I could tell by the way they walked, the way they sat, who they sat next to, where they looked and who they interacted with.  I believe at that age, they strive for individuality as much as people in their 20's and beyond strive for conformity and consistency.

I found it easy to immediately enjoy each of their personalities -to find humor in their jokes and to appreciate their one-of-a-kind methods of interacting with me and others in the group.

I realize this isn't some societal epiphany -I'm sure teachers go through this all the time, but as someone who hasn't interacted with this age group (my oldest just turned 13) often, I found the joy and excitement and energy in it.  There was passion in every one of them -again something usually washed away by the flow of time, and it was empowering.

I spoke for about an hour, discussed my book, writing, publishing, popular titles. We played a game, I gave out some prizes including copies of The Maze Runner, Divergent and the least known but most coveted, Hunted.

Some stuck around to chat after it was over -the excitement was still there. I felt, for the first time that my cause, my passion -to help change the lives of tweens, teens, and young adults through writing and reading is in motion.

It was an exciting and energizing experience.  I can't wait to do it again!

           

Review: Hunted by Cheryl Rainfield

 Hunted by Cheryl Rainfield