Interview with Children's author, Deb Hockenberry

“This morning I have the pleasure of interviewing children’s author, Deb Hockenberry, who has written an adorable book called Beepy’s Christmas Wish.” Thank you so much for spending time with me to discuss your book today, Deb.”

“You’re welcome, Deanie. I’m pleased to be here with you, as well.”

1.     Have you always wanted to become a children’s author?

Yes, I have. I remember telling stories to my siblings and the neighborhood children when I was in elementary school.

2.     Please share with me how you got the idea to write Beepy’s Christmas Wish:

You’re going to get a kick out of where the idea came from! One year, back in the 1960s, Santa brought my youngest brother a lot of Matchbox cars for Christmas. My brother got so many of those cars that he made a Christmas parade out of them going from the living room to the dining room! Beepy was born out of that incident. I didn’t realize that I even had this idea until years later when I was attending the Institute of Children’s Literature. This just proves that ideas come from everywhere and anywhere. Even from a younger brother who is playing with his cars.

I wanted to include many other Christmassy things, like my brother’s Christmas parade, in the story. But I had to shorten the story to keep it within the word limits of for the youngest of readers and listeners.

3. Please give me a short synopsis of Beepy’s Christmas Wish.

My synopsis is very simple. Beepy is a taxi cab who wants to wish people Merry Christmas like everyone and everything else. People are wishing Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays to everyone else. There are Christmas lights twinkling, Christmas music playing and decorations that sparkle. These things wish everyone a Merry Christmas that way. Beepy thinks that there has to be a way for him to wish everyone a Merry Christmas too.

He seeks out help from his friends and come up with a few ideas to solve the problem. Does Beepy ever get to wish people Merry Christmas? I’m not telling! Ha-ha!! You’ll have to read the book.

4.     What is the main idea you’d like children to remember after reading your book?

That anyone or anything can say Merry Christmas. All they have to do is want to and they’ll find a way!  Do you have any projects you’re working on now?

Yes, I have a few things I’m presently working on. I’m working on another Christmas story (can you tell that Christmas is a big deal for me?), a middle grade book and a book for young adults.

I also currently have a children’s picture book that was recently accepted by 4RV Publishing. The tentative publishing date for this is March/April 2014.

5.     Where can we buy Beepy’s Christmas Wish?

Beepy’s Christmas Wish is available as a FREE ebook. I wrote Beepy’s Christmas Wish as a Christmas present to everyone and won’t charge anything for it. If any of your readers would like a copy of the free download, all they have to do is contact me at http://www.debhockenberry.com and I’ll send it to them.

    

    

6.     What is the best advice you’d give to aspiring authors?

I’d tell aspiring authors just how important it is to follow your dreams and to never give up. I’d also advise them to keep studying this ever changing craft we’re in.

“I certainly enjoyed our time together talking about your delightful story, Deb. I look forward to a return visit with you soon. I’m sure many children will be thrilled to read Beepy’s Christmas Wish!”

“This was very nice, Deanie. Thanks for having me!”

KidzTales (website):  http://www.debhockenberry.com
The Bumpy Road to Writing for Children (blog): http://thebumpyroadtopublishing.blogspot.com