While Rochelle is fascinated by the supernatural. I am mesmerized by the Winchester brothers on CW’s smash hit series, Supernatural! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Jensen and Jared. Toss in Misha… and well…let’s not tease a gal is all I’m sayin’!
Rochelle’s interest in the mystical was sparked as a child when she overheard her Mother and Aunts whisper behind closed doors about trips to a fortuneteller — a scandalous taboo in their devout Catholic family. As a teen, she and her friends dabbled in the occult until a rainy afternoon at the Ouija board scared them straight. After Hurricane Katrina, a tour of the New Orleans French Quarter with a voodoo priestess inspired Rochelle to weave elements of the supernatural into her writing.
Rochelle loves mystery. As for my obsession with mysteries… two words – Nancy Drew!
Rochelle’s dream to become a novelist came true in the UCLA Writers’ Program — a “do it or quit talking about it” challenge she gave herself. While in the Writers’ Program, she started Who Do, Voodoo?, her first mystery novel. After completion, Who Do, Voodoo? won a Conference Choice Award at the San Diego State University 2010 Writer’s Conference, was a 2010 RWA Golden Heart finalist in the Contemporary Series - Mystery/Adventure/Suspense category, and sold to Berkley Prime Crime. Who Do, Voodoo? is out now.
Rochelle took time to walk away from her crystal ball part pajama party to share her Thanksgiving memories with me. Enjoy!
What are you most grateful for?
What an amazing year it’s been. I’m grateful for my dear friends, my supportive family, the gift of my two adorable great-grandnieces — Maddie (born in April) and Ellie (born in August) — and for the best-selling launch of Who Do, Voodoo?, my first novel. I’m bursting with joy.
Favorite Thanksgiving tradition?
Thanksgiving dinner is my favorite meal of all and any time, so everything about the day excites me. But my favorite? (Looks around, whispers,) I can’t wait for the turkey to come out of the oven so I can tear off a crispy piece of skin to munch on. Is that gross?
Where will you spend Thanksgiving this year?
I’ll be celebrating here in Los Angeles at the home of a dear friend with her extended family and friends. Adults in holiday gear, kids, babies, dogs, cats, too much food, football, music, too many people in the kitchen. I can’t wait!
Most memorable Thanksgiving memory
Oh, that’s easy. I’ll NEVER forget the year I was a guest at a very special, catered Thanksgiving in a Manhattan penthouse. Famous guests. Beautiful dinnerware. Silver. Crystal. After we sat down and spread our linen napkins on our laps, our hostess stood with an announcement, “By the way, Granddad is on a low-sodium diet so we instructed the caterers to season the entire meal with onion powder.” Ack! Have you ever tasted turkey seasoned with onion powder? Don’t.
Article comments
1 - Rochelle Staab
Thank you for letting me share about my favorite eating holiday, Diane, but I didn't get the chance to ask what YOU'RE doing for Thanksgiving! Any big plans?