Author Interview with Rocky Dania
What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
Ans. => I usually get inspiration for things to write about while I’m getting dressed in the morning.
What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
Ans. => When I’m not writing, I like talking with friends or listening to music, but I really like to make sure to take time every day to spend time with just myself. That’s where I gain the passion to be able to do everything else I want and have to do during the week.
When did you write your first book and how old were you?
Ans. => I released my first ebook in 2015 a couple weeks after my 25th birthday.
www.rockydania.com
What does your family think of your writing?
Ans. => My family supports my writing, thankfully.
What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?
Ans. => The most interesting thing I’ve learned in creating books is that when you make the decision to put pen to paper, anything can happen. I definitely like the idea of things being generic and not forced. It’s amazing what a person can come up with when they just let their creativity flow organically.
How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?
Ans. => I’ve written three books: “Dear Worshiper” and “A Young Woman’s E-Guide to Learning How To Let God Love Her (Parts 1 & 2).” Of the three, my favorite book is “Dear Worshiper.”
“Dear Worshiper” was the most challenging book for me to write. During the writing process, I was still learning how to apply the topics I was writing about before the book was even completed. That was pretty difficult for me, but somehow I got through it. I nearly gave up on getting the book published on several different occasions. I felt very insecure about the sensitivity of the content and how it made me feel, knowing that it was a piece of writing that forced me to examine myself intently. Pushing passed my low feelings and getting to the point where I confidently got the book published, was a great accomplishment for me. You would have to read the book to understand why it made me feel so insecure while I was writing it.
Dear Worshiper: The Core of Praise and Worship
In a book that tackles many of the challenges Christians face today, Rocky Dania combines Bible passages and practical stories to give readers an understanding of true worship – and how a heart of worship can make a difference in a person’s life. With topics concerning many of the anxieties Christians face – in their hearts, their minds, their families, their communities, and personal lives – this book will inspire readers to rely on the stabilizing factor that comes from meditating on the goodness of God.
How did you become a published author? Any inspiration?
Ans. => I have a friend named Cindy who encouraged me to step out and publish “Dear Worshiper.” “Dear Worshiper” is my first paperback book. My other two works are ebooks. Shout out to Cindy for her encouragement!
Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?
Ans. => From my mistakes (laughs). Seriously, though! Trial and error, in life, is a big thing for me. I master things by failing a million times first. I only feel confident about what I “learn” if it’s tested, tried, and true.
What’s next for you? What are you working on now?
Ans. => I’m currently working with some others on a “Dear Worshiper” Audio Book and a “Dear Worshiper” Monthly Planner. So far, working on the concepts for these things has been challenging, but somewhat exciting.
Also, since I’ve found so much safety in expressing myself while writing “Dear Worshiper,” I’m applying my new-found freedom to my songwriting and will be releasing new music on my website soon. I’ll be releasing a new song at the end of this month. It’s called “The Cost” and it’s going to be made available exclusively on rockydania.com.
A Young Woman’s E-Guide to Learning How to Let God Love Her
‘A Young Woman’s E-Guide to Learning How to Let God Love Her’ is a compilation of advice geared towards helping young women learn to love themselves and accept God’s love for them before seeking gratification from things/people in the world. This mini ebook discusses the causes for some of the most common insecurites among young women, addressing topics such as loneliness, embarrassment, and more.
A Young Woman’s eGuide Part 2: The Art of Receiving Love
“A Young Woman’s E-Guide: The Art of Receiving Love” is a mini e-book that explains what it means to be loved as a young women. As a continuation to Part 1 of this series (A Young Woman’s E-Guide to Learning How to Let God Love Her), this e-book uses biblical examples of the love of God as reference points to highlight what real love should be like in our everyday relationships.
Do you have any suggestions to help me become a better writer? If so, what are they
Ans. => Write your heart out and edit later (laughs).
Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say?
Ans. => The thing I hear most from readers is that they appreciate my openness and vulnerability. I wasn’t anticipating that reaction, but it’s okay. I actually wasn’t anticipating any reaction at all while I was writing. I just wrote what I was feeling and what I felt was right. I didn’t write the book about myself. I wrote it TO myself. Somehow, readers probably sense a part of that when they’re reading it. I’m not sure, but I do know that they say the writing is “vulnerable and raw” when they read it.
Do you like to create books for adults or children…Why?
Ans. => I like to create self-help books for adults because we are always growing and every time I learn something new in life, I think that I should share the information I’ve gained. That’s just my personal conviction.
What do you think makes a good story?
Ans. => I think a good story is made up of something people can connect to on an emotional level.
As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?
Ans. => When I was a child, I always wanted to become a songwriter or a princess. I became one of those things (laughs).
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
Ans. => The first time I realized I had the ability to become a writer was when I was in high school. My English teacher told me I was onto something with my writing. I started to take writing seriously only after he told me that.
How long did it take you to write this book?
Ans. => It took one year for me to write (and get to the point where I became confident enough to publish) “Dear Worshiper.”
What is your work schedule like when you’re writing?
Ans. => When I’m writing, I try not to force myself to come up with ideas. I just know it when I naturally find an idea in my mind that I can write about and expand on. Then I just take it from there and start to write.
What brought you to write this book series?
Ans. => I wanted to take myself back to the foundation of the things that used to inspire me to live, love, and be creative, when I was a teenager. I think “Dear Worshiper” did just that for me. While writing, I was reminded of where my true inspiration and zeal for life used to come from at a time when I was most innocent and pure.
