Paperback Writer welcomes our guest children’s author, Gina Browning. Author of Moonbeam Dreams she talks about how she came up with the idea for her book and among other things her favorite part of the book.
Book Excerpt “I once spied way up high a bright butterfly
looking lustrous from even that height.
It was covered in gems that dripped from the hems
of its wings- then they’d brightly ignite.
The ‘fly gave a quiver, then off with a shiver
flew all around, much like a sprite.
It flew down to my finger where there it did linger,
and then at last, did alight.”
SynopsisMoonbeam Dreams is an intricately rhyming bed-time story written and illustrated by Gina C. Browning. It takes the reader and listeners on a magical, Dr. Seuss-like romp to the Land of Beddie-byes, where they meet all sorts of wonderful and interesting creatures. There are butterflies with gems dripping from their wings, dragons riding in red wagons, Lycra-wearing newts skating on moonbeams, unicorns, a frog climbing a kite-string, extra large snails and cats with fish-tails, and many, many more fun creatures to meet. It’s a positive, up-lifting and fun story that encourages children that almost anything is possible if you can dream it and believe in it strongly enough. It also encourages children to not be afraid of the dark, and that they have the ability to take control of their dreams. It also encourages children to welcome the weird and wonderful things that they might see in their dreams.
It is a story with a vocabulary that a child can learn from and grow into. It is also entertaining and interesting for adults to read as well.
It contains some interesting rhyming mechanics, alliteration and 22 bright and colorful, entertaining illustrations.
Interview
Hi Gina,
Welcome to Paperback Writer! Hi! Thanks for having me!
Q: Will you share with us how you came up with the idea for this book?
A; In 1993, I was at my father’s house recuperating from 5 days in the hospital with a total hysterectomy, when the poetry and images began flowing freely every time I closed my eyes. I guess the anesthesia helped to remove old walls and blockages and essentially opened up the creative process for me again, after it had been closed for several years. I had all sorts of fantasy images and fantastical verse just pouring right out of my head. I couldn’t close my eyes without more and more verses coming to me, and it quickly evolved into a bed-time story. I looked at it as part of the healing process for me since I was unable to bear biological kids.
Q: Do you plan your stories first with an outline or does it come to you as write it?
A: This book and my next poetry book have come to me as I’ve been writing them. However, I think the other chapter book that I’m thinking about will need to be outlined.
Q: Do you know the end of the story at the beginning?
A: No.
Q: Do you have a process for developing your characters?
A: No.
Q: It is said that authors write themselves into their characters. Is there any part of you in your characters and what they would be?
A: I’m the Dragon in the wagon. (As a small child, I used to ride my little red wagon down the hill in front of my house repeatedly, (ad nauseum), and I’d deliberately dump myself into the grass before I got to the corner.) Also I’m the “Darlin’ swimming with the marlin to ocean depths”. I’d like to imagine that that’s me as an adult!!
Q: What is your most favorite part about this book?
A: It’s difficult to chose, but my favorite parts are the zoo verse and illustration, the dragons, and the “Darlin’ with marlin illustration. I also love the butterfly verse.
Q: When in the process of writing your book did you begin to look for a publisher?
A: I began looking for a publisher after the book was finished and I had also already started several of the illustrations at that point. But after getting the publisher, I still had to go through the critique and editing process, so the initial story was consequently changed, somewhat.
Q: What struggles have you had on the road to being published?
A: I received many, many rejections prior to connecting with my current publisher, and the whole process takes a VERY long time.
Q: What has been the best part about being published?
A: Having my long “labor of love” finally published, for other people to enjoy. Also, people are very congratulatory when they hear that you’re a “published author”, so it’s good for your ego. I’m still waiting for the publisher to firm up contracts with publishers from other countries (for purchasing the publishing rights.) When that happens, I’ll be REALLY pleased.
Q: What do you want readers to remember and carry with them after reading your book?
A: How much they enjoyed the poetry and illustrations, how much their kids enjoyed it, how you can reach your dreams, no matter what, if you believe in yourself strongly enough, and how they’re looking forward to reading it again, and again.
Q: Do you have plans to write another book?
A: Yes, I have a couple of ideas for another children’s book (or young adult.) This will be a compilation of unusual, entertaining stories from my life, written in poetry format, and also a fantasy chapter book for kids, written in prose.
Q: Would you care to share with us how the virtual book tour experience with Pump Up Your Book Promotion has been for you?
A: It has been very professionally done, with access to some wonderful sites! I’m definitely a big fan of the process.
Q: Where can readers find a copy of your book?
A: They can purchase it from: http://www.eloquentbooks.com/MoonbeamDreams.html , and also from http://www.amazon.com, or http://www.bn.com.
Q: Do you have a website for readers to go to?
A: We’re working on it, but it’s not ready yet.
Thank you, Gina, for sharing your book and characters with us today. It has been a pleasure and I hope you have had a successful virtual book tour.
Thanks so much for hosting me today!!
About the AuthorWriter and illustrator, Gina C. Browning, says some of the verses in her poetry book first came to her in her dreams as she was recovering from surgery years ago.
The poems and illustrations in Moonbeam Dreams gradually evolved into “a keenly rhymed, fantastical romp through a fantasy land, with weird and wonderful characters for readers of any age to enjoy.” Her poetry truly is for the young at heart.
Browning thinks her dreams are fun and adventurous, as she always looks for the positive side to everything. Her book encourages children not to be afraid of the dark, and to believe in themselves and their abilities so that almost anything is possible. Browning says dreams can come true “either in daylight or night” if you believe in them strongly enough.
You can visit Gina online @ http://www.eloquentbooks.com/MoonbeamDreams.html
ABOUT THE BOOK:
A tale of self discovery that speaks to all children’s fears of the unknown, Ms. Borg delivers a great read-aloud resource for parents and teachers alike. With an onomatopoeic construction that gives life to the story and encourages children to participate through repetition of words, noises, and actions, MEG THE EGG is the perfect story for beginning readers.
Pump Up Your Book and Rita Antoinette Borg are teaming up to give you a chance to win fabulous prizes!
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