Pump Up Your Book Chats with Children’s Book Author Gina Browning

Writer 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

Thank you for this interview, Gina.  Do you remember writing stories as a child or did the writing bug come later?  Do you remember your first published piece?

Hi, thanks very much for having me. I actually wrote poetry quite a bit as a child, but I no longer have any of those poems. (I do still remember one of my 8^th grade haiku’s though.)

Moonbeam Dreams (http://www.eloquentbooks.com/MoonbeamDreams.html) is my first published book.

What do you consider as the most frustrating side of becoming a published author and what has been the most rewarding?

The frustrating part has been the difficulty in getting the book onto the book shelves and into peoples’ homes. It’s a very long process and requires a lot of on-going work, on my part. The rewarding part has been the glowing reviews that Moonbeam Dreams has received and the wonderful reception it gets when I show it personally to people. I now know that they’re not saying that it’s great, just to be nice. They really mean it!!

Are you married or single and how do you combine the writing life with home life?  Do you have support?

I’m married and I write anytime the urge strikes. It fits in with the home life with no problems. It’s not an issue. My husband doesn’t care for poetry so he isn’t “directly” supportive, but I’d have to say that he is very “indirectly” supportive. In other words, if I’m busy writing something, he’s quite willing and able to prepare dinner, help with laundry, do the dishes, etc. I reckon I’m very lucky to have him.

What do you like to do for fun when you’re not writing?  Where do you like to vacation?  Can you tell us briefly about this?

I’m passionate about scuba diving and underwater photography, so most of my vacations involve at least a few days at the ocean somewhere, like Fiji, Thailand, Cozumel, Australia, Hawaii, etc.  My other passion is making fine jewelry, and although that’s my official “career”, it’s much more like fun than work.

Moonbeam Dreams by Gina Browning (click on cover to purchase)

If you could be anywhere in the world for one hour right now, where would that place be and why?

I’d be diving in the Somosomo Straits in Fiji, for the enjoyment of the sheer pristine, unspoiled beauty of it all.

Who is your biggest fan?

I’m not sure. It might be my younger sister. But I do have a few friends who are big supporters.

Where’s your favorite place to write at home?

On the couch, with my lap-top.

What’s your favorite library and why?

Alice Springs Public Library because they hosted a book-launch for me and they have a very active kids activity program that my daughter and I have attended on several occasions.

What’s your favorite bookstore and why?

I don’t have a favorite at the moment, except for Amazon, I guess. I like the ease with which books (and other items) can be ordered from them, and I love their review process. And as for a “brick and mortar” bookstore favorite? I’ll have to reserve that decision for later, when I have one that is selling a lot of my books!

Do you have any pets?

Yes, we have 2 adorable Bengal Cats named Lord Vigo and Maddie, and a very energetic and charismatic Jack Russell Terrier, named Jackie.

What are you reading right now?

The Lost Symbol

Tell us a secret no one else knows.

The only bones I ever broke were my two pinky fingers.

What’s the first thing you notice when you meet someone?

I first notice their eyes and smile.

Have you ever won anything?

I’ve won a few art awards, and an art scholarship to a private school in Wisconsin many years ago.

What’s on your to do list today?

Laundry, some jewelry work, walking the dog, watching some TV, and finishing this interview.

I understand that you are touring with Pump Up Your Book Promotion in January in a virtual book tour.  Can you tell us all why you chose a virtual book tour to promote your book online?

The opportunities are endless in the on-line community, and the exposure one can experience is vast. It’s also much easier on one physically; i.e: no hotels, no restaurant meals, no gasoline expense, no rent car, no airplanes, etc.

Thank you for this interview, Gina. Good luck on your virtual book tour!

Thanks very much for having me today! It’s been a pleasure.

You can visit Gina’s official tour page here.