Author Interview: Sunshine Rodgers
As part of the virtual book tour for Just Brooke, author Sunshine Rodgers has agreed to participate in an interview with Hazel’s Book Tours!
A bit more about Rodgers from her author bio (from Amazon):
Sunshine Rodgers has written 13 books that have landed on Amazon’s International Best Seller lists in 26 different categories, including #1 in the United Kingdom, #2 in the United States, and #25 in Canada. Her books have been translated into several languages (Spanish, English, and Portuguese). She has participated in 8 book tours and dozens of book signings. Her Creative Team of 38 Professionals include Artists, Narrators, and Photographers. When she is not writing, Sunshine is a guest and featured author for a total of 82 Media opportunities, such as radio, podcasts, and online magazines. Sunshine is a Brand Ambassador to 38 Fashion, Health, Food, and Skincare Companies. She is a Blogger and an Entrepreneur with 58,000 social media followers. Sunshine is married to the love of her life, Travis, and they reside in sunny Florida.
Read on below for the full interview with Sunshine Rodgers.
.
Q: Congratulations on the recent release of Just Brooke! What inspired you to write this book?
I was inspired by the storyline of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl and the TV Shows: Big Brother and American Idol.
The premise of Just Brooke: A popular singing competition, The Tune to the Top, has audiences raving and cheering each episode as performers show what they’ve got to a panel
of judges.
But one by one, each performer falters and consequently gets eliminated due to a clear and obvious flaw. Zeek The Man is obsessed with the fanfare on social media. Nolan Artemis Jones the Third only cares about the prize money. And Desiree Simon comes from a prestigious family and feels entitled to the win.
None of the contestants are there for the right reason.
Except…one.
Q: What kind of challenges did you come up against while you were writing this book?
I am not a singer/songwriter and I had to write lyrics and use musical terminology in the text which required a lot of research!
From the pages of Just Brooke:
“While the rest of my class was at lunch, I was with Ms. Garrison, learning
musicality, practicing inflection, and hitting those high notes.” (pg. 19)
“I see the lyrics forming as if illuminated in the vast darkness of my psyche.
I start to sing the words pounding in my spirit like winged creatures being
uncaged for the first time. Unexpected. Unfiltered. Raw.
♫ I am trapped. The struggle is real.
I cannot form the words – but I know the deal. Come here, they say. Follow the script.
But I am the one who is so over it! ♫ (pg. 84)
“The words are overlapping one another. It is such a great song to sing as
Ms. Isle plays the piano in the background. Dean’s deep voice is meshing
very well with my soprano.” (pg. 131)
Q: What was your favorite scene to write in Just Brooke?
My favorite scene – so insightful! – is when Giovanni challenges Brooke to a virtual racing game at the arcade and uses this free play experience to explain the importance of the long game.
An excerpt from Just Brooke:
“There’s a short game and a long game,” Gio tells me.
“Oh? I thought there was just one racing game….” I look confused.
“Let me explain it to you.” He is serious in his tone. “If you go too fast, you’ll crash and burn.”
“I saw that.” I agree.
“But if you take it easy and pace yourself…” The screen is loading, so Gio continues. “You’ll end up winning. Don’t look at the cars ahead or behind you, though you’ll be tempted to. Keep your eyes on your own race. Don’t get distracted. Stay focused. Concentrate on the path in front of you. Keep the long game in mind. It’s like life, you see.” (pg. 122 – 123)
Q: If this book was made into a movie, who would you like to see playing
the main character?
Ally Brooke! I just finished reading her personal memoir, Finding Your Harmony. In this inspirational book, singer Ally Brooke recalls her journey to fame, reveals how she has remained true to her beliefs through her most difficult moments. She pushed herself to achieve her dreams, no matter how impossible they seemed. While her rise to fame was rapid, it wasn’t always smooth, and Ally candidly discusses the challenges she faced along the way, sharing how she navigated tough moments by staying true to herself and her beliefs.
Ally credits her start in the music industry from being on a TV Show Competition, The X Factor.
I think Ally Brooke would make excellent and an authentic Brooke Evans!
Q: Now that this book is finished, what will you be working on next?
I am working on Book #15 now, tentatively called Hashtag Family Photos at Work.
My new Fiction Novel is about Erin Melrose who experiences firsthand the benefits of coworker comradery, of team building exercises, of having fun on the job. And she is learning all of these invaluable lessons from the Department she is assigned to shut down. Will Erin keep her corporate status, or will she realize there is more to life than budget reports and the bottom line?
Set to be released Winter, 2024!
Q: What do you want your readers to know about you?
I am a Brand Ambassador to Fashion Retailers like Elevated Faith Apparel and The Pink Lily Boutique. I also represent Beauty and Cosmetics like Truly Beauty and Timeless Organics Skincare. I am paid by
Health and Food Companies as I promote their products like BHU Foods and Bare Life.
You can view the 38 Companies I represent on my website:
https://www.sunshinerodgers.com/disco...
Q: The classic bookstagram question- what book are you currently reading?
I am currently reading Skipping Christmas by John Grisham (SUCH a great writer!)
I am really into MOVIE VS BOOK reviews, so I cannot wait to compare Skipping Christmas to its movie adaptation: Christmas with the Kranks.
I host a MOVIE VS BOOK Blog Series:
https://www.sunshinerodgers.com/movie...
Thank you again to Sunshine Rodgers for the interview! Follow on Instagram and website to keep up with new books, writing updates and to help support an author.
https://hazelsbooktours.wordpress.com...
Sunshine Rodgers
A bit more about Rodgers from her author bio (from Amazon):
Sunshine Rodgers has written 13 books that have landed on Amazon’s International Best Seller lists in 26 different categories, including #1 in the United Kingdom, #2 in the United States, and #25 in Canada. Her books have been translated into several languages (Spanish, English, and Portuguese). She has participated in 8 book tours and dozens of book signings. Her Creative Team of 38 Professionals include Artists, Narrators, and Photographers. When she is not writing, Sunshine is a guest and featured author for a total of 82 Media opportunities, such as radio, podcasts, and online magazines. Sunshine is a Brand Ambassador to 38 Fashion, Health, Food, and Skincare Companies. She is a Blogger and an Entrepreneur with 58,000 social media followers. Sunshine is married to the love of her life, Travis, and they reside in sunny Florida.
Read on below for the full interview with Sunshine Rodgers.
.
Q: Congratulations on the recent release of Just Brooke! What inspired you to write this book?
I was inspired by the storyline of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl and the TV Shows: Big Brother and American Idol.
The premise of Just Brooke: A popular singing competition, The Tune to the Top, has audiences raving and cheering each episode as performers show what they’ve got to a panel
of judges.
But one by one, each performer falters and consequently gets eliminated due to a clear and obvious flaw. Zeek The Man is obsessed with the fanfare on social media. Nolan Artemis Jones the Third only cares about the prize money. And Desiree Simon comes from a prestigious family and feels entitled to the win.
None of the contestants are there for the right reason.
Except…one.
Q: What kind of challenges did you come up against while you were writing this book?
I am not a singer/songwriter and I had to write lyrics and use musical terminology in the text which required a lot of research!
From the pages of Just Brooke:
“While the rest of my class was at lunch, I was with Ms. Garrison, learning
musicality, practicing inflection, and hitting those high notes.” (pg. 19)
“I see the lyrics forming as if illuminated in the vast darkness of my psyche.
I start to sing the words pounding in my spirit like winged creatures being
uncaged for the first time. Unexpected. Unfiltered. Raw.
♫ I am trapped. The struggle is real.
I cannot form the words – but I know the deal. Come here, they say. Follow the script.
But I am the one who is so over it! ♫ (pg. 84)
“The words are overlapping one another. It is such a great song to sing as
Ms. Isle plays the piano in the background. Dean’s deep voice is meshing
very well with my soprano.” (pg. 131)
Q: What was your favorite scene to write in Just Brooke?
My favorite scene – so insightful! – is when Giovanni challenges Brooke to a virtual racing game at the arcade and uses this free play experience to explain the importance of the long game.
An excerpt from Just Brooke:
“There’s a short game and a long game,” Gio tells me.
“Oh? I thought there was just one racing game….” I look confused.
“Let me explain it to you.” He is serious in his tone. “If you go too fast, you’ll crash and burn.”
“I saw that.” I agree.
“But if you take it easy and pace yourself…” The screen is loading, so Gio continues. “You’ll end up winning. Don’t look at the cars ahead or behind you, though you’ll be tempted to. Keep your eyes on your own race. Don’t get distracted. Stay focused. Concentrate on the path in front of you. Keep the long game in mind. It’s like life, you see.” (pg. 122 – 123)
Q: If this book was made into a movie, who would you like to see playing
the main character?
Ally Brooke! I just finished reading her personal memoir, Finding Your Harmony. In this inspirational book, singer Ally Brooke recalls her journey to fame, reveals how she has remained true to her beliefs through her most difficult moments. She pushed herself to achieve her dreams, no matter how impossible they seemed. While her rise to fame was rapid, it wasn’t always smooth, and Ally candidly discusses the challenges she faced along the way, sharing how she navigated tough moments by staying true to herself and her beliefs.
Ally credits her start in the music industry from being on a TV Show Competition, The X Factor.
I think Ally Brooke would make excellent and an authentic Brooke Evans!
Q: Now that this book is finished, what will you be working on next?
I am working on Book #15 now, tentatively called Hashtag Family Photos at Work.
My new Fiction Novel is about Erin Melrose who experiences firsthand the benefits of coworker comradery, of team building exercises, of having fun on the job. And she is learning all of these invaluable lessons from the Department she is assigned to shut down. Will Erin keep her corporate status, or will she realize there is more to life than budget reports and the bottom line?
Set to be released Winter, 2024!
Q: What do you want your readers to know about you?
I am a Brand Ambassador to Fashion Retailers like Elevated Faith Apparel and The Pink Lily Boutique. I also represent Beauty and Cosmetics like Truly Beauty and Timeless Organics Skincare. I am paid by
Health and Food Companies as I promote their products like BHU Foods and Bare Life.
You can view the 38 Companies I represent on my website:
https://www.sunshinerodgers.com/disco...
Q: The classic bookstagram question- what book are you currently reading?
I am currently reading Skipping Christmas by John Grisham (SUCH a great writer!)
I am really into MOVIE VS BOOK reviews, so I cannot wait to compare Skipping Christmas to its movie adaptation: Christmas with the Kranks.
I host a MOVIE VS BOOK Blog Series:
https://www.sunshinerodgers.com/movie...
Thank you again to Sunshine Rodgers for the interview! Follow on Instagram and website to keep up with new books, writing updates and to help support an author.
https://hazelsbooktours.wordpress.com...
Sunshine Rodgers
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