Virginia Wright's interview with Deanie Humphrys-Dunne

Today’s guest author is Reader’s Favorite Book Award-Winner, Deanie Humphrys-Dunne. Deanie is a winner in 2016, 50 Great Writers You Should Be Reading Presented by The Author’s Show.com. She has received several other awards and nominations.

I met Deanie online a few years ago, and we have been author buddies ever since. I hope you have fun learning a little bit more about Deanie through the conversation we had below.  Her book My Life at Sweetbrier is being spotlighted in this interview as it is a true story that I loved.

My Life at Sweetbrier by Deanie Humphrys-Dunne is a beautiful, touching true story about a little girl that was diagnosed with a condition Cerebral Palsy and was told by her doctor that she would never be able to walk. Her father would not accept that diagnosis and instills faith in his little girl, and he set out to teach her to ride horses and felt if she could do that, she would be okay. Her parents opened a riding school (Sweetbrier) so that her dad could keep his promise to her. Despite her diagnosis, the family sets out on quite a journey in life…I recommend this book for older aged children for a couple of reasons, because it is a touching story of determination and it teaches a lesson never to give up, and that dreams can come true.

Big Bear Hugs,

-Virginia

How long have you been writing?

I studied and graduated from 2 courses at the Institute of Children’s Literature before writing my first book, Tails of Sweetbrier. It was published in 2009 but republished in 2017 with a new title, My Life at Sweetbrier, a new cover, and five additional chapters.

Do you like silence or music when you are writing?

I prefer silence because I think it’s easier to concentrate on my writing without distractions.

Is there any one thing that helps the creative juices flow?

No, I’d like to discover one, though.  If I have trouble discovering an idea, I try taking a break from writing. It sometimes helps me gather ideas.

What is your next work in progress?

My sister, Holly Humphrys-Bajaj, is working on the illustrations for our next book. We’re excited about creating our first picture book, about a little tractor named Wilbur. We don’t have a timeframe for the release yet, but I’ll be sure to keep you updated on it.

What would you like readers to remember most about My Life at Sweetbrier?

I think every child deserves to be inspired to follow their dreams because all things are possible if you persevere. You can realize your dreams against the odds like I did.

Thank you so much for interviewing me today, Virginia. We had fun together, as always. -Deanie

You are welcome, Deanie. It was fun…you truly are an inspiration. Xo -Virginia

Amazon page:

https://www.amazon.com/Deanie-Humphrys-Dunne/e/B003FFS15S/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1

Website: www.childrensbookswithlifelessons.com

Facebook: 

Memories of Sweetbrier:

https://www.facebook.com/Memories-of-Sweetbrier-Farm-Easton-CT-1736497933252082/

Children’s Author Deanie Humphrys-Dunne:

https://www.facebook.com/Childrens-author-Deanie-Humphrys-Dunne-574820065875628/

 Pinterest:

https://www.pinterest.com/deaniedunne/

Interview by: Author and Illustrator, Virginia Wright 

Books by Virginia Wright can be found at Amazon.com and other online retail stores
Latest release: Who the Hell Are you? Alzheimer’s the Wrong Diagnosis

Interview with amazing author/illustrator, Virginia Wright

"Thank you so much for inviting me on your blog, Deanie. I feel honored to be your guest author.  Big Bear Hugs, –Virginia

 How long have you been an author? In 1981, when I sold my first writing to a regional publication Washington County Magazine, is when I consider myself first published. After that, while raising my children, I would write and then tuck away my writings, thinking that one day I might get back to writing. Then it wasn’t until after my mother died in 2007 when I was going through her cedar chest, and I found a yellowed envelope with coffee stains on it that I opened up and inside were old manuscripts that I had given my mother to hold onto. I started writing again as a method of healing the loss of my mum.

I'm glad you found that envelope, Virginia and so are your readers and fans. You're a gifted author and illustrator.

Is it something you always dreamed about? Yes, being a writer is always something I wanted to do, ever since being a young girl I put words to paper. I can remember sitting on the veranda of the house I grew up in with pen and pad in hand—back then, I wrote mostly poetry and haikus. My excitement for writing was realized in 1981, and it continued to grow!

It's important to follow your dreams and use your natural talents, as you are.

How did you get the idea for the story? I got the idea for Buzzzzzzzz What Honeybees Do from being a beekeeper.  But I would like to add to that statement because the book is dedicated to my granddaughter Abigail for a good reason. She came for a visit, and her grandfather took her to the apiary so she could get an idea of what beekeeping was all about and when they got back home, Abigail was full of questions that needed answering. Buzzzzzzzz What Honeybees Do answers her questions.

It's an informative story that children will love and value.

 What age range do you think would enjoy it most? While Buzzzzzzzz is meant for older aged children, I consider it appropriate for all ages. Many adults have told me that they learned things about honeybees, they didn’t know before reading Buzzzzzzzz. 
 I learned new things from it as well, Virginia.     

 Have you gotten comments from some of your readers? Yes, Buzzzzzzzz has many five star reviews on Amazon.com. 

I 'm not surprised you've gotten many impressive reviews for it, congratulations.

   The honeybee story has lots of photos. Did you take them? Yes, I took all the photos in Buzzzzzzzz What Honeybees Do. I also took the photo on the cover of the book.  My second love after writing is nature photography.  
  If you'd like to see some of your photography from your honeybee book, please visit your Instagram account: http://www.virginiawright.com/blog
 What would you most like your readers to remember about Buzzzzzzzz—What Honeybees Do? I would like readers to bear in mind that the honeybee is our greatest pollinator.  And it is important to be good caretakers of these little buzzers.

 Is there anything else you’d like to add? Yes, I would like to add that as a caretaker of this amazing insect, it is important to leave garden space to plant flowers that honeybees enjoy.  If we cut all our grass and don’t plant bee specific plants, where will the honeybees find food to continue surviving?

 I certainly hope children will remember how important the honeybees are.

 Thank you so much for spending time with me today and discussing your fun, educational, story Buzzzzz What Honeybees Do.

You're welcome, Deanie. I enjoyed our time together as well."

 Amazon Buy Link:  https://www.amazon.com/Buzzzzzzzz-What-Honeybees-Virginia-Wright/dp/1451552688

    Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/author/virginiawright

    Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/virginiabrownwright

  Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/wright.virginia

     Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/virginia_wright
copyright 2017: Deanie Humphrys-Dunne

*reblogged from dhdunne.blogspot.com

Deanie Humphrys-Dunne featured for 2 interviews tomorrow May 27-2016

WINNER of many awards and suffering through Cerebral Palsy, Deanie Dunne knows how to chase her dreams.

Don’t forget to stop in tomorrow 5/27/16 for our Friday Spotlight and Giveaway with Deanie Humphrys-Dunne, children’s book author. Bentley will be offered free through

https://www.facebook.com/From-Here-to-Eternity-The-Dennis-Higgins-Virginia-Wright-Fan-Club-1022527901175486/?fref=nf

LEAVE A REVIEW TO LET DEANIE KNOW HOW YOU LIKE HER BOOK…←

Today, we Get Caught Reading, with Deanie Humphrys-Dunne on Tell Me a Story.  We wrap up this series of programs specifically celebrating the children’s literacy initiative,

To find out more, please visit:

https://rhondapattonauthor.wordpress.com/2016/05/26/deanie-humphrys-dunne-will-be-featured-on-two-author-shows-tomorrow-52716/#like-2553

Drum Roll please... And the winners are...

Yesterday I was one of the authors who participated in Virginia Wright's Annual Author Giveaway.
It was fun to find out more about the other people who attended. We all asked holiday questions like:
"What's your favorite kind of cookie?" "What was the silliest gift you've gotten?", or "What are some of your favorite Christmas memories.?" I"m sure everyone enjoyed the event. Each author chose to give something as a prize. In my case, two winners could choose from 4 of my books: Tails of Sweetbrier, Charlene the Star, Charlene the Star and Hattie's Heroes , or Charlene the Star and Bentley Bulldog. The winners of my books both chose Tails of Sweetbrier.
And the winners are:
Lynne Ernst and Raebeth Buda
Congratulations to all the winners of Virginia's event!
 For more information on the other winners please visit:

https://www.facebook.com/events/865663433530926/

copyright: 2015 Deanie Humphrys-Dunne
Book trailer: youtube.com/watch?v=Rba4hkmmTyc&feature=youtu.be
website: www.childrensbookswithlifelessons.com