Meet Raema Mauriello | Author

We had the good fortune of connecting with Raema Mauriello and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Raema, why did you pursue a creative career?
I never grew up wanting to be an author. In fact, I wanted to be a Chemical Engineer but quickly discovered I was really bad at both math and science. I joined the Navy out of high school however I hated every single job that was available and the only one I was slightly interested in was Journalism. So, I actually held two positions while serving; Journalist and Search and Rescue Swimmer. I enjoyed writing about the other people with whom I was serving on the ship. I loved telling their story, listening to what brought them to join the Navy, what their lives were like and how they became the people they were. People and life are fascinating to me.
I met my husband in the Navy and when our time in the service was over we moved to San Diego for a year and then here to Dallas. At the time I only had one child and our marriage was on the verge of divorce. I found myself at a crossroad. At the place of decision is where I met Jesus and everything in my life changed.

My husband and I stayed together and we had three more children. Our family was a part of planting our church here in Dallas, Shoreline City, and this is where my writing came back to the surface. I was encouraged by my pastor and friend, Oneka McClellan to start a blog. About a year later, I had an idea to write a devotional for moms and that is how “Because Crack is Illegal” came into existence. Six months later, I released my second devotional, “The Struggle is Real” and in April of 2021 I released my third devotional “I Don’t Know What I’m Doing”.

I never went to college to learn how to write. I never pursued a career in this field but I believe I was set up to tell stories others are afraid to tell; to paint Jesus in a different light, to bring a lightness to heavy topics through writing. I wonder if there is something missing in my brain that is supposed to tell me, “you can’t do that, you weren’t trained for it, who do you think you are?” because my position has always been, “who said I can’t”?, if they can do it, so can I and if there is a will there is a way.”

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
The world is in desperate need of hope and I believe I have been uniquely wired to pull together humor and challenging topics with transparency. I live my life as an open book, I share openly the history of my life, parts of my story and how God placed me back on the path I was designed to walk down.
Many hold the opinion that being a Christian means you can’t make light of things or laugh at ourselves or the ridiculous things that are happening around us. I see much of life through the lens of humor. I believe God laughs and wants us to laugh. This is how I have been gifted to communicate; with humor and truth. Laughter brings walls down so we can have a conversation.

Some of my favorite moments are when I get to meet people who have read one of my books. Hearing their story and how what I wrote impacted them is my favorite part and it makes all of the “not so fun parts” worth it.

Along the way, I have learned everyone has an opinion but if you have a clear vision for something, swing for the fence regardless of what other people might say. Creatives have been given the ability to live outside of the box and that confuses people who love a good box. One life lesson I share with my kids and those I get the opportunity to sit and meet with is this: life is too short to play it safe. I never want to get to the end of my life and regret not at least trying to do that “thing”. We all have dreams in our heart and I want to die empty, having accomplished or at least tried everything that has been placed inside of me to do in my lifetime.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I have four kids so “the best time ever” has taken on a different meaning.

Dinner spots – Ferrari’s Italian Villa & Chop House (Addison), Ricks Chop House (McKinney)
Movies – Ipic in Fairview. Food is amazing, movie experience makes you feel like you are a bajillionaire because of the service.
Church – Shoreline City
Shopping – Northpark

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
The first person that I want to shout out is my husband Jordan. He has always laughed at my jokes. He’s worked really hard so I could stay home with our kids and pursue the dreams in my heart. He jokes that he is my “venture capitalist” because writing and publishing books isn’t cheap. He isn’t wired to be a loud cheerleader but when I share with him something I want to pursue, without blinking or hesitation looks at me and says “you could totally do that”.
Second person I want to shout out is my mom. I was raised by a single mother and I learned how to figure things out from watching her figure things out. It was because of her encouragement I joined the Navy. I remember like it was yesterday when I was second guessing my decision to join the Navy and she gently told me a story of how she once wanted to join the military but didn’t and it was one of the biggest regrets she had. She has always shown up for me, she edited this interview because I can’t spell, she held our world together as we were growing up and I actually get my humor from her.

Third person is my pastor and friend Oneka McClellan. She saw a gift in me and encouraged me to write again. She is a creative genius and has helped me with the creative parts of the publishing process with every book. She has been a cheerleader and a sounding board and if it hadn’t have been for her, I am not sure I would have picked up writing again. It’s fascinating what a person can accomplish when they have people in their corner cheering them on and pushing them to become everything they were created to be.

Last but also first is Jesus. It sounds cliche but He is the whole reason I write. I want other people to know Him like I do, I want people who feel broken to know He makes them whole. I want them to encounter the One who restored a broken marriage, loved an angry, hurt and resentful woman and made her who I am today. I would not be where I am today if He hadn’t rescued me.

Website: www.raemam.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/raemam/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raema-mauriello-747970118/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/raema.mauriello/

Other: Because Crack Is Illegal devotional : https://www.amazon.com/Because-Crack-Illegal-30-Day-Devotional/dp/1683503759/ref=sr_1_1?crid=269VZAXEZ6L6E&dchild=1&keywords=because+crack+is+illegal+devotional&qid=1620102685&sprefix=because+cr%2Cstripbooks%2C176&sr=8-1 I Don’t Know What I’m Doing Devotional: https://www.amazon.com/Dont-Know-What-Doing-Devotional/dp/B0924KJ1VK/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=