Tell us about yourself.
My name is Rishawna Gould and I was born and raised in Washington, DC. I currently live in Laurel, MD – pretty equidistant between Baltimore and DC where you can have the best seafood and crabs around or take a tour of the White House or the Washington Monument. By profession, I’m a graphic designer but I’ve recently added new author to my resume.
However, in 2019, I suffered a hemorrhagic stroke and my life changed overnight. An artery burst in my brain and I had five seizures and a stroke in less than one hour.
And as a stroke survivor, I am truly blessed to have a second chance at life. I remind myself daily how God wrapped his arms around me and never left me for a minute. During this second chance, I “rebranded” and rebuilt myself in a way that changed me forever. My life has been a rollercoaster of events, but each stage has taught me things about myself that I never would have imagined; and I am so humbled and grateful to be here today.
Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?
I grew up in Washington, DC. When I was younger, my family and I always took family trips. Generally, I'd carry a backpack filled with books, a sketchpad and lots of pens, pencils and crayons. This became a key component that I carried whenever and wherever I traveled. I'd sketch out places I visited, make up stories about my trips or read some of my books. As an empath, I kept journals and would write down my thoughts and deepest feelings.
I’ve always dabbled with writing but really discovered the author in me after the death(s) of my mother, Joan, and aunt, Juliet. Writing has always been an integral part of my life, however, up until now, I only wrote for me.
What was your journey to getting published like?
It has been an interesting journey. There are so many levels to navigate – you write a manuscript. You need to find an editor, then you need to find an illustrator, then you need to find a layout artist and then decide on publishing and so forth. This process definitely keeps you busy and on your toes. It wasn’t until the death of my aunt two years ago that I really decided to address my emotions from the deaths of her and my mother and get serious about writing. That was when I contacted DG Self Publishing, a Black-owned business, founded & lead by a husband and wife team – Donnie & Shamirrah Hill, and they helped me create this beautiful amazing book that is now an integral part of my family’s legacy.
What’s the best piece of feedback you’ve ever received?
Believe in your unique talents—they’re what make you extraordinary.
What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
Take care of yourself. You can get fired from a job, but you can’t get fired from your gift. Take care of yourself so that you can share that gift with others.
What’s a fun fact about you that your readers might not know?
I've flown a Cessna 172 plane and it was SUPER FUN!
What’s your guilty pleasure book or genre?
I'm a romantic at heart and I love romance novels.
What’s your favorite quote about writing?
{“If there’s a book that you want to read but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it.” – Toni Morrison
When you’re not writing, how do you like to spend your time?
I love digital illustration, traveling and meeting new people.
Do you remember the first story you ever read, and the impact it had on you?
I believe the first story I ever read was Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown. It was a calming night ritual to read me that book before bedtime. A simple little bunny saying goodnight to everything surrounding him. Ironically enough, I started a little ritual of my own; as the youngest I made it a point to say goodnight to everyone in my family, every single night.
What has inspired you and your writing style?
When you were little, did you ever get the opportunity to take a trip somewhere? So, when I was younger, my family and I always took family trips. My dad would take our family on a road trip every summer in our family van. During college, I took my first solo international trip and when I graduated from college, my parents and I drove across country from DC to California.
However, over the years, I have personally met so many children and adults of color, who have never left more than 10 miles away from where they grew up. Research shows that nearly 60% of children from low-income families do not have access to books at home, and by fourth grade, 80% of these students are reading below their grade level. Compounding these issues, a startling number of children in these communities—particularly those in urban or economically disadvantaged neighborhoods—never venture beyond the few blocks they call home. Studies suggest that as many as 70% of children in these environments grow up without the opportunity to travel outside their neighborhoods.
This lack of exposure to new places and cultures often leads to an enduring cycle: many of these children grow into adults who, due to financial constraints or lack of curiosity sparked by early exploration, never travel beyond their city or state. Children who lack exposure to diverse experiences are more likely to struggle with social skills and social awareness as adults, a problem that stems from the inability to see beyond their immediate surroundings and understand the broader world. Research has long shown that travel, even small excursions to nearby parks, museums, or new neighborhoods, fosters empathy, critical thinking, and adaptability in children, leading to enhanced social and communication skills as they grow into adulthood.
I want to change that. I want to change that dynamic and provide hope. My book, The Adventures of Joanie and Juliet, takes children places they thought they could never go through imagination. And who knows, when they become adults, that dream could manifest into reality where they could make real trips happen.
How do you deal with negative reviews?
As a professional graphic designer, I am used to criticism. Criticism come in all shapes and forms – some good, some not so much. However, constructive criticism is key. Constructive criticism is a type of feedback that aims to highlight areas for improvement by offering specific, actionable advice, focusing on positive change rather than personal attacks, and usually includes both positive acknowledgements and suggestions for improvement.
When I receive negative reviews, which I have, I see it as a way to provide growth and development in a helpful manner. I am a new author. I have so much to learn and I want to to learn the good, the bad and the ugly when it comes to writing. My goal is to educate children through imagination, adventure and exploration. Who says the educator cannot be the student?
How do you connect with your readers?
I love a story that is catchy yet fun and educational. Back in the day, I was a Cat in the Hat fan. I loved Cat in the Hat as well as the Sweet Pickles Series.
The Sweet Pickles is a series of about 40 children's books by Ruth Lerner Perle, Jacquelyn Reinach, and Richard Hefter are set in the fictional town of Sweet Pickles and are about these personified animals with different personalities and behaviors. Each book’s theme revolved around an animal in a “pickle-like” situation that learns a valuable lesson at the end.
I wanted to tap into the same energy for The Adventures of Joanie and Juliet. I wanted my book to be catchy, yet educational. Now my main characters don’t find themselves in pickle-like or problematic situations per se, but they must use problem solving, critical thinking and social skills to navigate a foreign country, learn a new language, and meet new people.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Wow. What’s next? I’d like to turn this single story into a series. I am in the thought process of figuring out where Joanie and Juliet will go next. Perhaps readers could help. Please go to my website, RishawnaWrites.net and vote for where you think Joanie and Juliet should go to next. There’s a little poll and you have a chance at choosing where the sisters will travel to next. Help me write my next story.
I would love to see my book evolve and branch off into various avenues such as a cartoon series, literary workshops for children, and audiobooks. Additionally, I intend to create a platform where I am able to sponsor and promote individual and family travel and encourage other engaging opportunities for low-income and disadvantaged children.
Are there any Easter eggs or hidden messages in your work?
I love this quote by Jamie Paolinetti, "Limitations live only in our minds. But if we use our imaginations, our possibilities become limitless." It's not a hidden message, it's a call to action.
How do you approach writing dialogue for your characters?
My story is written in a syncopated rhyme format. Dialogue is woven in to fit the cadence of the lines.
If you could share one thing with your fans, what would that be?
I'm nobody special. Just a girl from DC with a dream to help our babies and future babies become the best versions of themselves they can be.
Rishawna Gould’s Author Websites and Profiles
Website
Amazon Profile
Goodreads Profile
Rishawna Gould’s Social Media Links
Facebook Page
Instagram
