Exclusive Interview with
Roni Rosenthal
When did you start writing?
I started writing on the evening of the Passover holiday—it was a magical moment when the muse decided to land on me and set my creativity in motion.
What makes writing your passion?
Writing is my passion. It allows me to bring hidden, secret stories to life, giving voice to those who were silenced and connecting deeply with others through their untold journeys.
How long have you been writing?
What was the feeling when you published your first book?
What’s the story behind your choice of characters?
My journey into writing these stories began in December 2009, after my father passed away. Following his funeral, I walked into his room and found three things on his desk: a family photo album, a family tree, and a note that read, “Write their story, tell the world what really happened to them.”
That moment changed my life. It became my mission to uncover the hidden truths of our family’s past, to bring their silenced voices to life, and to connect readers to their resilience, courage, and humanity through my writing.
What annoys you the most in pursuing a writing career?
How do you get over the “writer’s block”?
We all know the writer’s path is never easy, what makes you keep going? What advice would you give to new authors?
What keeps me going is the responsibility to reveal the truth about the silenced stories of the Jewish community in Romania during WWII—stories hidden for so long. My advice to new authors: stay committed to uncovering and sharing the stories that matter, no matter how challenging the journey may seem.
If you could go back in time and talk to your younger self, what would you say?
If I could go back in time, I’d tell my younger self to sit , ask the questions that matter, and listen to stories—really listen. I’d remind myself that every photo, every memory, holds a piece of history, and once those voices are gone, you can’t get them back. Start collecting those moments before it’s too late—they’ll become the heart of everything you create.
Do you read your book reviews? How do you deal with the bad ones?
What is the feeling when you get a good review?
When I get a good review, it’s incredibly rewarding. It feels like validation—not just for the work I’ve done, but for the stories I’m telling. Knowing that someone connected with my words and the emotions behind them is both humbling and deeply fulfilling.
Have you ever incorporated something that happened to you in real life into your novels?
Which of your characters you can compare yourself with? Did you base that character on you?
I see parts of myself in Friddie, particularly her resilience and determination to keep going despite unimaginable challenges. Through her, I explore the courage it takes to find hope and rebuild after loss.
When I was a child, I wasn’t the most well-behaved student—I was the rebellious type. Even at the age of five, I stood up for justice, speaking out when I felt something wasn’t right. My family often said with a smile, “You’re so much like Friddie,” and in many ways, they were right. That fiery spirit and determination to fight for what’s fair have stayed with me and deeply influenced the stories I write today.
What do you think, the book cover is as important as the story?
Do you connect with your readers? Do you mind having a chat with them or you prefer to express yourself through your writing?
I absolutely love connecting with my readers—it’s one of the best parts of being a writer! Whether it’s a chat about a favorite character or diving into deeper themes, I’m all in. Writing is my first love, but hearing how my stories resonate with others is like the cherry on top of the creative sundae. So, let’s chat!
How do you feel when people appreciate your work or recognize you in public?
Who is your favorite author? Why?
What’s the dream? Whom would you like to be as big as?
The dream? To see Friddie’s story reach as many hearts as possible—on bookshelves, in book clubs, and hopefully on the big screen (popcorn and tissues required). I don’t need to be “as big as” anyone, but if sharing her journey inspires people to remember and honor the silenced voices of history, that’s all I could ever hope for!
Would you rewrite any of your books? Why?
If you could switch places with any author – who would that be?
What would you say to the “trolls” on the internet? We all know them – people who like to write awful reviews to books they’ve never read or didn’t like that much, just to annoy the author.
What would you say to your readers?
Thank you for taking this journey with me and for giving these stories a place in your hearts. Your support brings life to the voices I write about, and it means the world to me. Keep asking questions, keep seeking stories, and never stop believing in the power of words to connect us all.
Share a bit about yourself – where do you live, are you married, do you have kids?
I’m a dancer, an avid reader, and find pure joy in storytelling. Writing for me is fun, thrilling, and the perfect way to combine my love for movement and imagination into words that come alive on the page. It’s like choreographing with sentences!
What is your day job if you have one?
What are your hobbies? What do you do in your free time?
Did you have a happy childhood?
Is there a particular experience that made you start writing?
Do you have unpublished books? What are they about?
What do you think should be improved in the education of our children? What do we lack?
If you were allowed 3 wishes – what would they be?
If I had three wishes, they’d be:
1) To share Friddie’s story with the world, reaching hearts and minds everywhere.
2) A never-ending supply of books to read (and enough time to read them all).
3) For my family—and everyone—to live a life full of love, laughter, and good health.
And maybe a bonus wish for Krembo to always stay as energetic as he is now! 😊
What is your favorite music?
Share a secret with us 🙂