How one writer turned a lifelong love of words into her debut novel.
Born in Paris and raised across Canada, Odile Rose brings a rich cultural background and deep emotional insight to her writing. After spending nearly two decades in the financial industry, she took a leap of faith to pursue her lifelong passion for storytelling. Her debut novel, The One Reason, is a moving romance that explores fate, resilience, and the power of love in the face of loss.
In this interview, Odile shares how she approaches emotionally charged scenes, how her life experiences shape her voice, and what inspired her to begin her writing journey. She also discusses her creative process, her poetry on social media, and her experience publishing with Tellwell Publishing.
At forty, I told myself, “If not now, then when?” I knew I had to write the story that was still brewing inside of me.
Odile Rose
The novel begins with a life-changing moment that shapes everything that follows. How did you approach writing such an emotionally charged opening?
I acknowledged that it requires intention and respect. I centred it through my character’s emotional response. The scene must shape the character’s journey, character development, and growth and resonate throughout the story. Empathy guided every choice so that the opening anchors the story in humanity. I drew myself into that setting. I imagined what my character was experiencing and processing in that moment. It helped me be part of all the emotions he was going through. The significance of that scene is extremely sensitive and fragile and I wanted to give it compassion, respect, and emotional truth.
Your personal journey spans multiple countries and cultures. How has that background influenced your voice and storytelling style?
Living in different countries and cultures has been quite the experience. It has broadened my perspective and given me the ability to see the world through unique lenses. I have lived many different chapters in life and it has shown me how we all have one thing in common: love.
You spent nearly two decades in the financial industry before pursuing writing. What gave you the confidence to finally take that leap of faith?
At the age of 12, I fell in love with the power of words. I would write these little poems that started with “roses are red and violets are blue . . .” That journal was lost during one of our moves. Life took me on a different path. I became a banker at the age of 19. In my mid thirties I woke up one morning and this story had come to me. I imagined the beginning and the end of it, and all I had to do was tell the in between. So, I wrote half of the story, then some events in my life happened that forced me to put it on pause. I printed all the pages I had written up till then and tucked them away in a box in my closet. After nearly six years with it never leaving me, I turned 40 and told myself, “If not now, then when?” I knew that I had to write this story that was still brewing inside of me. I’ve always been a lover of words and when I get to write, I’m in my happy place. I wanted to live my passion and allow myself the chance to do something I truly love. I also have the most incredible support from my loved ones and my faith in God.
As a romance author, how do you balance emotional depth with hope and optimism in your stories?
I believe romance is still alive. I love love! I feel the best way to find happiness is through love in all forms. My heart feels full when I create through the art of words and bring my readers to feel, to resonate, and to be reminded how beautifully love deeply lives inside us all. It’s truly magical.
You have shared poetry on social media. What inspires you to write your poems? Are they from your imagination? Things you watch or your experiences?
Many things could inspire me to create stories and poetry. My imagination runs deep when it comes to creating. A mental image could come to me while I’m driving, cooking, cleaning around the house or surrounded by a crowd. It could suddenly appear as it plays out like a movie in my mind and evokes emotions, which essentially I describe through words. It could come to me from watching a lovely couple walking down the street hand in hand, or listening to classical music that takes me to a another world, or my own experiences with love and heartbreak.
What helped you decide choose Tellwell as a partner in your self-publishing journey?
I chose Tellwell because of the flexibility and opportunity to be the creator of my book. The staff is attentive and genuinely care about their authors. Tellwell’s team has a passion for art and a wonderful dedication to their artists. It meant a lot to me to be part of the journey of creating my novel while we brought it to life in the way I had imagined it, and Tellwell offered me the chance to be hands-on and involved with my novel.
