Natasha Deen writes for kids, teens, and adults, and believes the world is changed one story at a time. As a Guyanese-Canadian and a child of immigrants, she’s seen first-hand how stories have the power to shape the world. Her works include the Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection Thicker than Water, Guardian which was a Sunburst Award nominee, and the Alberta Readers’ Choice nominated Gatekeeper. When she’s not writing, she teaches Introduction to Children’s Writing with the University of Toronto SCS and spends an inordinate amount of time trying to convince her pets that she’s the boss of the house.
The Signs and Wonders of Tuna Rashad is the newest YA Novel from Award-Winning #Own Voices Author Natasha Deen. The novel is a new funny, honest, YA novel following one girl as she tries to win over her crush before she leaves for college.
FWM: When did your love for writing begin?
I’m not someone who finds writing easy or simple—I feel like I wrestle and fight for every word. Saying II have a love for writing might be giving me too much credit!
What I DO love is storytelling and that started when I was a kid. Guyanese culture is a story-telling culture. From the time you’re small, you’re surrounded by the elders who teach you about your family and history with stories. And of course, as every kid knows, if you’re very quiet when they’re talking, they soon forget you’re there. And that’s when the really good stories come out—all the adult gossip and juicy bits of life that they’d normally never tell you!
When I got older and began pursuing my degree in psychology, I saw how much stories connected with our mental and physical health. And I realized that at heart, we are storytellers. “I love my job!” or “I hate my job!” We constantly tell ourselves stories about who we are, what we can accomplish, and if the world will embrace and encourage us.
But it goes deeper. There are many articles on the benefits of reading and writing (from boosting our immune systems to helping us sleep better). It hit me, how much story ties into our everyday lives and influences every moment, and how connected books are with helping us feel empowered, seen, and valued. That was all I needed to make the jump. I shifted from pursuing my Masters to researching the craft and business of writing.
FWM: You believe the world is changed one story at a time. How did your childhood shape your world to become one of the world’s renowned writers?
My family’s ancestry includes slavery and indentured servitude. As such, I know almost nothing about my family—but there’s a myth passed down to the generations. That when we were “gifted” with our freedom, the first thing my ancestors did was change their names because they refused to identify with the names given to them by their enslavers. It may be the only thing I’ll ever know of my ancestors, but in many ways, it’s all I need to know about them.
When I think of my elders and what they endured—as People of Color, Women of Color, People of Mixed-Race—what strikes me is how the story they told themselves was always more powerful than the story the world told them. They—and not the world—decided what they could be and accomplish.
Pulled out of school when she’s eight because she’s a colored girl? No problem, my grandmother educated herself in secret. Denied a job because he was a man of mixed-race? No worries, my grandfather went back again and again to that foreman until he got the job.
When I pursued publishing, I embraced my family’s philosophy. To make it as a published writer, there’s a 1% chance of success. But I figured if my elders and ancestors could make their dreams come true, then so could I.
For all the emerging writers out there, persevere! Keep writing and stay hopeful—the world will eventually catch up to you (or it’ll just have to get out of your way!).
FWM: Tell us about the Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection, “Thicker than Water.“
That was such a fun story to write! I started from an idea, “Could an eyewitness be both right and wrong?” and layered in a question, “How well do we know the people closest to us?”
From there, Thicker than Water was created: Zack Bernard has a thing for crime shows, especially the forensic-investigation kind. So, when his friend Ella goes missing, Zack can’t help piecing together what he thinks is concrete evidence that could lead to her whereabouts. The problem is, it’s all pointing toward his dad. He knows his dad is lying about not having seen Ella because Zack saw them together at the mall the day she disappeared. What he doesn’t know is why. With the help of his friend Ayo, Zack tries to solve the mystery himself to avoid having to make the terrible choice between losing someone close to him and betraying his family.
I was delighted when it was chosen as a JLG Gold Standard Selection and listed as a Starred Selection with the CCBC Best Picks for Kids and Teens. I’ve loved getting reader emails about how much they enjoy the story.
FWM: Your newest YA novel, The Signs and Wonders of Tuna Rashad follows one girl as she tries to win over her crush before she leaves for college. Tell us about the main character.
Oh, Tuna. I loved creating her! Tuna is Guyanese and follows the cultural philosophy of her elders—the belief that the ancestors watch over their descendants and send them signs to let them know they (the ancestors) are around. The ancestors also send signs to help their descendants with life.
So, Tuna is always on the lookout for messages and uses the signs to help guide her decisions. In this case, she’s partnering with her ancestors to help her brother deal with the grief over the loss of his husband and she’s hoping the ancestors will help her win a date with her crush, Tristan Dangerfield.
I think one of the biggest joys of writing Tuna was creating a character who was unapologetically herself. Tuna doesn’t rationalize, excuse or justify how she moves in the world. It was refreshing to write such a confident character and I had a lot of fun putting that confidence in conflict with the world around her.
“Effervescent and irrepressible, Tuna Rashad will leap off the page and straight into your hearts.”―Nafiza Azad, author of The Candle and the Flame, The Wild Ones
“Genuine growth is hard to script but easy to find here.”―Kirkus Reviews
FWM: What did you enjoy the most when writing this book? Why is it connecting with readers?
Hands down, writing the humor. I love reading books that make me laugh and I love creating characters that create joy and laughter in readers.
One of the things readers have connected with Tuna is with her sense of humor and how funny she is. As a writer, I’m thrilled to hear it!
FWM: What is your most popular series?
Oh, great question! I’m not sure (book sales are an ever-changing number), but I love writing the Lark Ba series, which is for ages 6-9.
Lark and her twin brother Connor are spending the summer solving mysteries in their town. From missing pets to stolen diamonds, vandalism and ghostly encounters, there isn’t a mystery too big or small for this duo!
Readers enjoy Lark’s humor and problem-solving abilities. One of the things adults who read the series with their little ones is how much they love the small touches in the series. For example, Lark is dyslexic, and in the books, readers can see her misspelling then correcting words. Readers also like the use of idioms (some of them Lark and Connor understand, while they sometimes get the other ones hilariously wrong). There’s a section at the back of the book that explains vocabulary and the idoms for young readers. And of course, readers definitely enjoy solving the mysteries alongside her!
FWM: Where do you get your inspiration from?
Gosh, where don’t I get inspiration? From TV, movies, overheard snatches of conversation, to nature walks and conversations with friends, story ideas are always popping up!
FWM: What is next for you?
This fall, I’m teaching “Writing for Children: Introduction” with the University of Toronto (online) and I’m currently at work on two YA novels and an early reader.
Amazon.com: Amazon.com: The Signs and Wonders of Tuna Rashad 9780762478682: Deen, Natasha: Books
Amazon.ca: The Signs and Wonders of Tuna Rashad eBook : Deen,
Natasha: Amazon.ca: Books
