Interview with Jodi DeSautels

Today, I get the pleasure of interviewing another  award winning author.  She is introducing us to four books.  (I hope you enjoy this interview and check out her books.)  And…she teams up with her sister to complete them.  Her sister is her illustrator!  Welcome, Deanie!      Thank you so much for inviting me to chat with you today, Jodi. It’s a pleasure to be spending time with you. Please tell us about yourself, Deanie.  I’ve been a children’s author since 2009, when the first edition of my award-winning children’s autobiography, Tails of Sweetbrier was published. All four of my books are illustrated by my talented sister, Holly Humphrys-Bajaj. What inspired you to write this book? Before I began writing Tails of Sweetbrier, I’d been searching for an office job. I even took a course in Medical Coding, in hopes of launching a new career. But I didn’t find a job, so I was feeling a little sad about it. Then I had a strong intuition that I should write a story about my childhood at our family farm, Sweetbrier. Since I had already studied with the Institute of Children’s Literature, I thought it would be an opportunity to use those skills. Once my first book was published, I discovered my new career! I love writing for children and helping them discover some valuable life lessons. Please tell us a little about your book; Tails of Sweetbrier is an inspiring story of a little girl who wants desperately to ride horses in competitions, like her sisters. But she had a handicap and doctors told her parents she would never walk. Her dad refused to accept that. He had other plans. Since I’m that girl, I can tell you that my dad and I began our journey and we proved the doctors wrong. I can’t spoil all the surprises in the book, but I can say that it will show all things are possible if you don’t quit. Tails of Sweetbrier has won the Silver Medal in The Feathered Quill Writer’s Contest. (2014) Do you have other books? Yes, I have a series of three fictional stories: Charlie the Horse, Charlene the Star, and Charlene the Star and Hattie’s Heroes. The animals talk in these books and they are quite amusing. Readers will enjoy knowing their thoughts and ideas. The characters all work together to solve problems. Children also enjoy the adorable illustrations that Holly created. Do you make your own covers?  No, Holly designs the covers as well as the illustrations.  The covers are colorful and very cute! Holly’s talents make the stories come to life and I’m extremely blessed to have her.  Is your book educational, if so, how? Yes, Tails of Sweetbrier shows children that anything is possible if you never give up on your dreams. I think it’s important for them to realize that there will always be people who try to discourage you by saying you can’t possibly do something. You have a choice. You can choose not to listen, as I did. The only time you fail is when you quit, in my view. What are you working on now? Holly is working on the illustrations for our new book,Charlene the Star and Bentley Bulldog. It has some of the same characters as our other books, but they have a completely different adventure. What is your hope for your book? Of course, I hope that it inspires kids to do their best and follow their dreams. Someday, I would love to have a movie made, based on Tails of Sweetbrier. It would be an opportunity to introduce many more children to this book’s message.  What are your links? Here are the links for my books on Amazon: Tails of Sweetbrier: http://www.amazon.com/Tails-Sweetbrier-Deanie-Humphrys-Dunne-ebook/dp/B00DRPCA9E/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1391615592&sr=1-1&keywords=Tails+of+Sweetbrier Charlene the Star: http://www.amazon.com/Charlene-Star-Deanie-Humphrys-Dunne-ebook/dp/B00E0MMOEO/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1391615670&sr=1-1&keywords=charlene+the+star Charlene the Star and Hattie’s Heroes: http://www.amazon.com/Charlene-Hatties-Heroes-Deanie-Humphrys-Dunne-ebook/dp/B00C81V2DI/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1391615774&sr=1-1&keywords=charlene+the+star+and+hattie%27s+heroes Charlie the Horse: http://www.amazon.com/Charlie-Horse-Deanie-Humphrys-Dunne-ebook/dp/B00CEJ2Y4A/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1391615861&sr=1-1&keywords=charlie+the+Horse Website: www.childrensbookswithlifelessons.com. (also includes blog tab) Blog: www.dhdunne.blogspot.comdeanieblog.wordpress.com