From Teachers to Authors: What Does it Take?

Mrs. Arnold works to put together her second novel. Photograph by Julie Arnold.

By Maren Gemerchak
March 24, 2025

Toledo, OH.- St. Ursula Academy is known to foster an ambition for growth among its students, but lately that notion has extended further as teachers make headway on personal projects. 

Mrs. Chrissy Rode and Mrs. Julie Arnold have both made the jump into becoming published authors, though their experiences could not be more different. 

Mrs. Rode published her first book this March. Conversely, Mrs. Arnold’s first book was published in 2019, and her second this January.

For Mrs. Rode, the publication was long-awaited. Her first novel is just a portion of the 7-book series she has been developing since 2005, marking nearly two decades of progress upon this first release.

Cover of Mrs. Rode’s Sacramental Death. Photograph by Caroline Jardine.

Mrs. Arnold’s experience differs- she has settled on two novels, the first of which took about two years to write. The second followed quickly, written in little less than a year. 

​​          Covers of Mrs. Arnold’s Nothing Ventured and Northern Refuge. Photograph by Julie Arnold.

Yet, the approach to publication is not the only aspect that sets the two apart. 

“What’s important with my books is to have people be able to look at them and say, ‘that could have happened,’” Mrs. Rode said. “That is something that matters to me.” 

Mrs. Rode’s emphasis on “getting things from point A to point B realistically” shines through in her true-to-life manner of writing, setting it apart from more lenient styles.

For example, Mrs. Arnold describes her writing as “a Hallmark movie printed out,” highlighting her focus on picturesque and feel-good writing as opposed to detailed subtleties. 

“At the end of the day, it’s just a side hustle,” Mrs. Arnold said. “It’s truly just ‘write a page here, write a page there’ for fun.”

Student searches to buy Sacramental Death on Amazon. Photograph by Maren Gemerchak.

Despite these distinct perspectives, the authors share one thing in common: the fight to balance writing with their time spent at SUA.

Both teachers acknowledge it as “a crunch for time,” seeing that it often takes a backseat to their priorities as mothers and educators.

“I never knew how successful I would be or not, but I always knew that I would be a writer,” Mrs. Rode said. “However, it [writing] can’t be your chief concern, being a teacher and all. It’s a kind of balancing act between the two.”

Regardless of this demand, both women have dedicated time towards showing themselves to the world through their writing with equal effort and ambition. It is the same unwavering spirit and dedication that they showcase to the rest of SUA.