OneTribune

Author Felicia Jones discusses how her writing journey was influenced by empathy, gratitude, and imagination in this kind and perceptive discussion. She talks about the creative process of bringing everyday moments to life with wonder, the emotional lessons woven into her rhymes, and how stories can help both adults and children rediscover the subtle beauty of what they already have, all while drawing from her well-known picture book Jerome’s Magical Home. This interview explores imagination, fortitude, and the craft of crafting stories that evoke joy and kindness without solely depending on fiction.

Felicia, thank you for joining us. To start, could you tell us a little about yourself—your background, what drew you to writing, and what you hope readers take away from your work?

Hi! Thank you for having me. I’m from North Carolina. I’m also a singer-songwriter. I have always been a creative person since I was a child. I loved to draw, sing, read, and write. I would often write stories in notebooks and never finish them. As I got older, I lost the practice of being an avid reader and writer, due to school and work. During the pandemic, I started to take writing seriously. I was inspired by other creatives sharing their work online. I want my readers—especially young readers—to know that anything is possible. I hope audiences of my YA books find my work interesting and are immersed into plots full of twists and turns.

Jerome’s Magical Home is full of wonder and heart. What sparked the idea for this story, and how did you balance fantasy elements with the grounded emotional lessons woven throughout?

I got the idea from a dream I had where a woman moved into a magical house where chores were completed on their own. I thought this would be a great idea for a children’s book. I balanced the emotional lessons by focusing on Joan’s reaction to his house and how she compares it to hers. Her jealousy and comparison are emotions we have all experienced. I think the magical house allowed me to explore those emotions and lessons in a safe and fun way.

The book beautifully explores the feeling of comparing one’s life to another’s—something both children and adults can relate to. How did you approach writing about envy and gratitude in a way that felt hopeful rather than heavy?

I channeled experiences as a child and all the great times I had with my friends. I do remember feeling jealous and envious, but I got over those feelings when I had a great time with my friends.

Your storytelling voice flows with rhyme and rhythm that feels both classic and fresh. What’s your creative process like when crafting rhyming narratives that still deliver emotional impact?

My creative process starts off with writing all my ideas out on paper. After that, I started to create the prose. I focused on having a mixture of perfect and slant rhymes. Some of the rhymes are unexpected. I also wanted to infuse humor into the story to keep children engaged. I wanted the rhymes to feel fun and free-flowing.

Many readers see your book as more than a children’s story—it’s a gentle reflection on happiness and self-worth. What message do you think parents or educators can share with children through Jerome and Joan’s friendship?

The message I want parents and educators to take away is that possessions are meaningless, especially if you have no one to share them with. Comparison is the thief of joy, and even though something might seem perfect, it is always not that way.

The illustrations in the book radiate color and warmth. How closely did you collaborate with your illustrator to ensure that the visuals captured not only the “magic” but also the subtle emotions behind it?

I worked very closely with my illustrator from the beginning sketches to the final product. I had a vivid image of what I wanted for each illustration in the book, and Marian was able to capture my visions perfectly.

You’ve been recognized with a Wordscape Wonders Book Award from OneTribune Media. How did that recognition feel, and what does it mean to you as both a writer and storyteller?

The recognition from OneTribune is such an honor. I was very surprised when I won the Wordscape Wonders Book Award. I couldn’t believe it. As a writer and storyteller, it has given me encouragement to continue this journey of sharing my stories. As a self-published author, there are many ups and downs. This recognition shows that my voice matters and that my stories have impact.

Imagination plays a major role in your story, but so does honesty—acknowledging that even magical places have imperfect days. How important is it to you that children’s books reflect real emotions and imperfections?

I believe it’s very important for children to reflect on those emotions, especially at a young age. It will help them process and understand these emotions better. These lessons are struggles that I and many adults still face. It’s important to know imperfections are an inevitable part of life and they should be embraced.

Your story subtly promotes ideas like appreciation, empathy, and kindness—values that strengthen communities and relationships. How do you see storytelling contributing to these shared human values?

I think storytelling is a great way to explore human values. It is a wonderful way that people from different walks of life come together and realize we are more alike than different. Storytelling has always contributed to human values, and I’m interested to see how it evolves.

For aspiring children’s authors or educators hoping to write stories that teach without preaching, what practical advice would you offer from your own experience creating Jerome’s Magical Home?

I would advise making the world of the story fun, colorful, and engaging. The story should have relatable characters that children can relate to that also experience the same problems they do: making friends, fears, and bullying. I think it is best to show the lesson through the characters’ actions. Lastly, the story should have a satisfying ending that doesn’t simply summarize the lesson.

If you were to write your bio in your own words, what would you say? What legacy do you hope to leave?

I’m a multi-passionate dreamer that wants to create as much as possible. I want my work to inspire others to pursue their passions and to spread positivity in the world.

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