Meet Talented Author Rozé, Writer Behind The ‘Body Snatchers‘ Series
Queens native Jermine Benton, known in the literary world as Rozé, is a prime example of what’s possible when people listen to their heart, go with their gut, and follow that little voice in their heads. Luckily for us, Rozé listened to that little voice.
Rozé is a American author, whose books Body Snatchers and Body Snatchers 2 are action-packed crime thrillers that definitely keeps readers turning the pages. Her Haitian background also gives readers a unique perspective that’s simply lacking in today’s literary world.
The author gave me some insight into her world when we sat down together for a recent interview.
Parlé Mag: How did you first get into writing and what led you to pursue it as a career?
Rozé: I started writing in elementary school, then afterwards middle and high school, it was just these little short stories at first. Then I wrote for the college newspaper and two of my articles were published. That was pretty exciting. Friends tell me I downplayed myself too much back then, and I remember being extremely grateful at that moment. It’s all been a blessing.
Parlé Mag: The publishing industry is a tough business. What keeps you motivated?
Rozé: Well, it’s definitely very difficult. What keeps me motivated, I would definitely say my family, mother, my best friend, and my brother. My brother especially, he helped me a lot. Along with that, I would say the reviews I received on Amazon. The first book got a lot of reviews and wanting to keep the readers satisfied definitely pushes me.
Parlé Mag: I assume most of these reviews were good?
Rozé: I would say mostly, but the ones that weren’t I just use as constructive criticism. There were one or two stating how over-exaggerated something may seem in the stories but then I think why not? It is fiction.
Parlé Mag: Where do you find the inspiration to write the content that you do?
Rozé: Ya know, it’s a funny thing. For this particular series, my brother sent me an email with a few ideas and asked me what I thought about the topic. It was about Haitians since that’s our background and I remember it was right after the earthquakes. Another thing is that we watch a lot of movies together and we love action. It’s a nice thing to build ideas off of each other.
Parlé Mag: It sounds like you should give him some of those royalties.
Rozé: (laughs)
Parlé Mag: So I’m curious who came up with the title “Body Snatchers”?
Rozé: (Giggles) I have to be honest, it was my brother. I have to give credit where credit’s due.
Parlé Mag: Do characters like David and Jerry, with all of their wild adventures, just hit you all at once, or does the story come to you more subtle, piece by piece? Talk to me more about your writing process.
Rozé: At first, I see the story and where I want it to go. Then I’ll write a few pages, then a few more. And then a few more. I’ll send that to somebody, like my brother for example, and then he’ll give it back to me with his critiques. He usually says something is too much but I’ll think, nah it’s just enough. I don’t like to leave too much for the reader to guess. I like to leave a little for the imagination, but not too much so I write out everything I want them to see. Everything I want to see.
Parlé Mag: Continuing with that same idea, how do you recognize when you have enough content for a full-length novel?
Rozé: In the beginning, I never know. It starts off as a few pages, maybe like 50 or so. Then after making notes about what I need to add and where, researching this and taking out that. Maybe add in another character here. From there the story just grows and grows and by the end I’ve got a solid good 150 to 200 pages or so.
Parlé Mag: What type of novels do you read?
Rozé: Crime novels, not a big romance fan. Sci-fi too.
Parlé Mag: You write under the pseudonym Rozé. Talk to me about why you chose that name?
Rozé: This might sound silly, but I really like the mystic that comes from having a pen name. So I was trying to decide one, and my brother and I talked it over. Then he said why not Rozé, based on my liking the color pink. Rozé was also synonymous with a pink rose in French, and well me being Haitian… it was just perfect.
Parlé Mag: After reading one of your novels, what message should people take away about people of Haitian descent?
Rozé: Strong, resilient, and extremely loyal.
Parlé Mag: How would you describe your writing style?
Rozé: I would say a combination of everything. Descriptive, but not too much. I don’t want the reader to get distracted with too much detail because then they might have to backtrack. I like to give just enough information to where they can get a grasp of what’s happening and then go from there.
Parlé Mag: In finding that right balance for giving the reader information, what part of the process do you enjoy the most, detailing an amazing scene or creating dialogue?
Rozé: Oh the dialogue definitely, it’s comes so naturally. I love the back and forth between characters.
Parlé Mag: Your main characters from the first novel, David and Jerry can be quite terrifying at times. Were they drawn from any real or personal experiences?
Rozé: She pauses and then laughs. Umm… they definitely came from some people I’ve met, some friends and associates here and there. Not just from one person but everybody’s personalities all wrapped up together.
Parlé Mag: What influence, if any, do you think being a first generation American has on your writing?
Rozé: Not too much. The main reason I focused on Haitians is because there aren’t many books out there dealing with Haitians or the West Indies in general. I like to stir the pot and do something different.
Parlé Mag: So this is just something that a lot of other authors like to know. Can you remember how many rejection letters you received before you finally got published?
Rozé: Honestly, I didn’t go through much of that. I started off with a few pages that I gave to a friend who said keep going. This friend happened to be a publisher in the business and said if I finished it she would publish it.
Parlé Mag: Wow, that’s crazy. It’s interesting how these things unfold. You do have another job correct?
Rozé: Oh yeah!
Parlé Mag: So in a perfect world, what would it take for you to leave your day job and become a full-time writer?
Rozé: (She burst into laughter) Like a twenty book deal!
(Laughs)
I’m a safe player and I’m not a risk taker. I’m not a big risk taker. It would take a huge publishing house and maybe something like a 5 book deal. With that I could just concentrate on writing and not worry about the day to day.
Parlé Mag: Any authors inspired you growing up?
Rozé: The first novel I ever read, Sister Souljah, “The Coldest Winter Ever.” And then after that the “Autobiography of Malcolm X.”
Parlé Mag: Good choices. What can readers expect from your next project? Will there be a Body Snatchers 3?
Rozé: Not sure yet. I didn’t get as many reviews from the second book as I did with the first one. I want the next story to be as satisfying to the readers as the first two and it’s left open-ended just for that purpose.
Parlé Mag: Can I get a hint about what the next project will be? (She’s reserved but does give me a little something to grab on to.)
Rozé: The next project will be suspense crime genre but this time, the story will be coming from a different perspective. (The detective’s viewpoint)
Parlé Mag: Alright … imaginary world time. Let’s say there are two books left on the whole planet, and a potential reader has a choice between getting your book and some other one. Why should they pick up yours?
Rozé: Mmm… good one. I would say it’s a fast read. It will keep you at the edge of your seat. It will have you doubting the good guys and the bad guys. It gets personal and you feel the characters. An emotional rollercoaster and action packed.
Finally piercing through her humbled shyness she says coyly, “You’ll just enjoy it.”
Her novels can be found at Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
Rozebody@gmail.com – leave reviews, she does respond back. (That has to count for something)
