An Interview with B. Irene

Hi, I’m B. Irene. I’m a storyteller, maker, and believer in the quiet power of words. I write books that help people, especially kids, grow in self-awareness, emotional strength, and faith. Whether crafting a whimsical children’s tale or a reflective Christian journal, I aim to create something meaningful that whispers truth in a noisy world.

I’m the author of The Dragon Who Forgot How to Roar, the first book of the Tales of Becoming series. This gentle fantasy story helps kids process big feelings with courage and kindness. I’ve also written devotionals like Finding God in Nature and God in the Everyday, which invite readers to notice God in everyday moments.

Through my publishing imprint, Irene Publishing, I focus on creating books that nurture the soul and stir the imagination. When I’m not writing, you can find me sketching ideas, 3D printing, laser engraving, or spending time with my family, who inspire many of my stories.

Thanks for being here. I’m honored to share this journey with you.

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What inspired you to start writing this book?

In a time when we can see the whole world instantly, it is easy to feel small, like you have no voice and don’t matter. These are all issues that have been and are experienced by those who are closest to me. I have always believed stories can heal us, especially the ones we didn’t know we needed. This book began with a quiet idea. What if we could help children and adults rediscover their voices through a gentle tale? That idea bloomed into a story about identity, courage, and quiet strength. I wrote it for the kids who feel silent in a loud world and the adults who still carry that child inside them.

Tell us the story of your book’s current title. Was it easy to find, or did it take forever?

The title came in a moment of quiet reflection. I wondered how many people—especially kids—feel like they’ve lost something essential inside themselves. I pictured a dragon sitting silently, not because it couldn’t roar, but because it’d forgotten how. That image stuck with me. The Dragon Who Forgot How to Roar felt honest, a little mysterious, and deeply relatable. It didn’t take long to decide—that title was the story.

Describe your dream book cover.

This cover captures everything I hoped for—soft, expressive, and full of quiet strength. I wanted a dragon who looked gentle, not fierce. One who seemed like she was thinking, feeling, remembering something important. The muted blue tones, the painterly texture, and the way her eyes draw you in tell a story before you even open the book. It’s not loud but lingers with you, just like the message inside.

If your book had a soundtrack, what are some songs that would be on it?

Great question! If my book were to have a soundtrack, I imagine it would include:

“Saturn” by Sleeping at Last – for its beauty and emotional depth.

“River Flows in You” by Yiruma – quiet, introspective, healing.

“Glorious” by David Archuleta – the perfect anthem for rediscovering your voice.

What books are you reading (for research or comfort) as you continue the writing process?

I often revisit The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy. Its simplicity and soul inspire me. For comfort, I turn to authors like C.S. Lewis and keep a rotating stack of children’s books nearby—there’s profound wisdom in stories written for young hearts.

What other professions have you worked in? What’s something about you that your readers wouldn’t know?

My path to becoming an author wasn’t a straight one. I currently work in the engineering department of a large truck body manufacturing plant—so most of my days are filled with precision, problem-solving, and steel. Before that, I was a kitchen designer at Lowes, and before that, I worked hands-on with a contractor remodeling kitchens and bathrooms. I’ve always built things—homes, systems, solutions. But about a year ago, I felt an unexpected pull to create something different: a story. That urge gave birth to a book and Irene Publishing, a creative outlet that now runs alongside my more industrial day job. Most people wouldn’t expect an engineer to write children’s books—but maybe that’s what makes it work. Both are about building something that lasts.

Who/what made you want to write? Was there a particular person, or particular writers/works/art forms that influenced you?

One of my earliest inspirations was from my wife’s family’s homemade ice cream shop. Her dad built these big metal blueberry sculptures, Ma and Pa Blueberry, and I thought, what if they had adventures to share with their grandberries? That idea became The Adventures of Ma and Pa Blueberry.

Later, I got the itch to make a video game and started writing a story to go along with it. That story grew into something bigger than I expected—what is now the beginning of an epic high fantasy series. And then, almost out of nowhere, the idea for The Dragon Who Forgot How to Roar showed up, soft and persistent. That was the one I finished first. So, for me, writing didn’t start from a single source; it began from living life with open eyes and letting creativity lead the way.

Where is your favorite place to write?

I have a small office space where I do most of my other creative work—3D modeling, laser engraving designs, and even the occasional video game. It’s a practical, quiet spot when I need to focus. I’ve also found a hidden wooded path along the edge of my manufacturing plant. I don’t usually write there, but it’s where I go to clear my head, connect with God, and sort through the ideas constantly spinning in my mind.

But honestly, my favorite place to write is much simpler—sitting in the living room beside my wife. Whether it’s day or night, with a movie, TV show, or YouTube video playing in the background, that’s where I feel most at peace. Something is grounding about being near her while I write—it reminds me who I’m doing this for and who’s cheering me on.

What advice would you give your past self at the start of your writing journey?

You don’t need to roar to be heard. Trust your pace, write from your heart, and stop waiting for the “perfect time”—it doesn’t exist. Just begin. Let your voice come through, even if it’s a whisper.

What’s one thing you hope sticks with readers after they finish your book?

That they are not alone. That softness is not weakness. Being quiet does not mean you lack strength. I want them to close the book and remember—you are still becoming, and that is something truly beautiful.

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Are you a writer, too? Submit your manuscript to Atmosphere Press.