An Interview with J.J. Raine
J.J. Raine is a mother-son duo whose debut novel, Whispers From the Treehouse, began as a whisper in a high school classroom and grew into a story of memory, magic, and connection. They write to remember, to heal, and to pass the lantern forward.
What inspired you to start writing this book?
J.J. and I wrote stories for a class at around the same age. We noticed some similarities in our stories and writing styles and decided to merge the stories and build an even bigger and mystical world.
Tell us the story of your book’s current title. Was it easy to find, or did it take forever?
The title came pretty easily as the story centers around a treehouse located in a forest where there are lots of secrets from the past.
Describe your dream book cover.
I think we came up with it. A tree hidden in a forest grove. Mystical colors all around as the reader steps into the story.
What other professions have you worked in? What’s something about you that your readers wouldn’t know?
J.J. is sixteen; his current focus is on school. While I (Raine) have held many jobs over the years. Everything from retail sales and management, travel agent, quality assurance agent, to artist.
Who/what made you want to write? Was there a particular person, or particular writers/works/art forms that influenced you?
Bev, my lifelong friend and son’s godmother. She saw the narrative thread running through our lives and simply stated that we had compelling stories ready to be captured on the page.
Where is your favorite place to write?
No, not particularly. We tend to write wherever the mood strikes us. Often, we sit in our recliners or outside.
What advice would you give your past self at the start of your writing journey?
Never let naysayers get in your head, and you are never too old or too young to chase after your dreams.
What’s one thing you hope sticks with readers after they finish your book?
It is our wish that readers learn something valuable. Remember the past, learn from it, to heal, and to pass the lantern forward.
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