Ilene Goff Kaufmann was born and raised in rural Lapeer, Michigan. She was adopted when she was four years old, along with two of her brothers. She began writing poetry at a very early age. It became a way for her to express her deepest thoughts and feelings. Her love for writing poetry continued throughout her life. She is the author of Rhyme and Reason, My Life In Poems. She’s also written a children’s book, Jayden’s New Adventures.

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What motivates you to write and how did you get started?

I’d have to say it’s my children and grandchildren. But when I was younger I think I was motivated more by pain than anything else. Writing became a way for me to say what I was feeling without actually speaking a word. It became an outlet for me. I would write stories of my life that ended with “happily ever after.” Or poems that made anything pretty.

What’s most rewarding about writing?

The way it makes people feel. The power it has to change a person’s life, attitude, or even perception, is amazing to me! Take me for example, writing literally saved my life, in more ways than one.

What’s your favorite genre and why?

Science fiction, without a doubt! But don’t ask me to write it…(laughs)

Where do your characters come from?

Mostly from family and close friends. Some are made up to fit into the storyline.

Who is an author who inspires you and why?

VC Andrews! I know she’s deceased, but she was the first author that ever moved me to want to read. I couldn’t get enough of her! I even named one of my children after one of her books that I was reading when I was pregnant, “MY SWEET AUDRINA”!!

What do you look for in other people’s books?

Passion. If I don’t feel their heart and soul in their writing, I lose interest fast. I’ve always been like that.

What are you writing now?

The third book from the Jayden and Rylee Series. And ever so often I will write a poem. Writing poems is different for me, they come to me when I least expect it. And I have to sit down and write them out in their entirety, before I forget. Sometimes they’ll come at 3 in the morning and other times they’ll come when I’m driving home from work. Either way, it’s a race to get to pen and paper before I lose the entire poem! Writing children’s books is so much easier and orderly.

What kind of book would you like to be known for?

One that can touch a person’s heart or change people’s lives for the better.

What has writing taught you about yourself?

That I matter. Writing makes me feel like I’ve accomplished something. What? I can’t really say. But something good … I hope.

How has your life experience influenced your writing?

It’s the reason I started writing! And the good, positive place I’m in now is the reason I keep writing.

What encouraging advice can you offer new writers?

Wow, I’m not sure. Don’t do it for the money…. If you do you’ll be strongly disappointed and you’ll be selling yourself short. Because only those writers that write from the heart will keep writing even when there’s no paycheck in sight. And those are the books that are worth reading!

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