Mama Diaries

Thursday, December 3, 2015

Guest Author, Virginia Wright

Today, I have special guest, author Virginia Wright, at my pad. She has an adorable new Christmas book and coloring book out. She's giving away one copy of the book and one copy of the coloring book. If you'd like to enter the contest, leave a comment below indicating such. If you want bonus points, share your favorite Christmas memory. The winners will be announced Monday.

Without further ado, let me tell you about Virginia's book and let her share some thoughts with you.




Blurb:  Join Timothy, a house mouse, on Christmas Eve, as he tries to survive a cold winter's night, all alone in an old Maine farmhouse. To eat, he must venture out into a terrible snowstorm. Come along with Timothy and meet other interesting forest animals in this delightful children's holiday story.

* Great Christmas Eve bedtime story!
 
My Review:  It's Christmas Eve. Timothy the mouse is alone in an empty house. The residents have moved, and now there are no crumbs to eat. Timothy must venture out into the cold, snowy night in search of food. Timothy fills his bucket with acorns, but is surprised when other hungry forest creatures help themselves to his stash. Things look bleak until Timothy discovers a delightful Christmas surprise.

Timothy the Christmas Mouse is a lovely Christmas story to share with young children. They will enjoy the illustrations of all the forest creatures, and will want to know if Timothy manages to find a Christmas Eve meal. Also included, are some coloring pages. Children will have fun adding their own artistic expressions to the book. Recommended for children ages 3-7.  Five stars.
 

 

 

 

 
 
 

Buy the books:
 
You can watch the video trailer here.
 

 
Interview:
 
1. Thanks for joining us, today! What was your inspiration for writing this book?  The inspiration to write Timothy the Christmas Mouse came after my family bought  an old New England farm house in Maine some years ago.  The house had been empty for about two years before we  moved in. There was a big breezeway and  a barn attached to the main part of the old house.  The former owners had chickens, horses, goats,  and… house mice. I know this about the mice, as we found one mouse after another.  We think that the mice were attracted to the hayloft where it was warm—it was this experience that prompted me to write Timothy the Christmas Mouse.
Sounds like a very cool old house! I don't know about all the mice, though. I'm glad at least they served as an inspiration for your story!

2. What did you enjoy most about writing this book?  Sherry,  as a writer yourself, you know that writing every book evokes different feelings.  With that said, I not only write, I also illustrate my own books.  I want to speak about the illustrations, as I created pages purposely anticipating giggles.  Anticipating the giggles is definitely what I enjoyed the most about  creating Timothy the Christmas Mouse.
I bet there will be a lot of giggles from kids reading your book!
3. Share your favorite Christmas memory. I would love to share my favorite Christmas memory, Sherry.  I was just  four or five years old, and living on a farm in a small country town in Swanville, Maine.  It was Christmas Eve and my parents told me to look out the window as Santa and his reindeer were outside.  I crawled up on a stool and looked out of a frosty window pane just in time to see a red light bobbing up and down in the field by my house.  Of course I assumed it was Santa with Rudolph, so I climbed down off the stool and ran to my bedroom to go to bed for the night as I knew Santa would not come to my house if I did not fall fast asleep.
That's a great memory! I remember my uncle used to take me up to a room on the top floor of my grandparents' house and tell me to listen to the reindeer on the roof. The tapping sounds were pretty convincing!

4. When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer? I always wanted to be a writer!  Ever since I have been a young girl― I put words to paper. I can remember sitting on the veranda of my parent’s house writing, first it was a little diary with a lock and key, later, as I started growing up it was a pen and pad in hand—back then, I wrote mostly Poetry and Haiku’s. My excitement for writing was realized in 1981, when I sold my first writing to a regional publication Washington County Magazine, but the excitement for writing didn’t stop there, it continued to grow!
So many writers start out when they're kids. I was the same way. I had no idea I'd ever be a published author, though! You've written a lot of wonderful books for children. I'm so glad you've continued writing! 
5. What secret talents do you have? Secret talents…  hmm. I am not certain some would call this a talent, but I hold an “FCC Amateur Extra Radio License.”  In order to receive this top US license,  which by the way is the highest class license you can make, I had to first pass a 5-WPM (word per minute) Morse code exam, then earn other  class licenses, and in the end, to get Amateur Extra License, I had to pass a large theory exam,  and pass  a 20-WPM (word per minute) Morse code exam. I had to decipher words like SOS with dots and dashes, and all other words used in sentences. Those who hold an Amateur Extra license have all privileges on all US amateur radio bands.

That's pretty cool! I don't know too many people who have that ability. Maybe your next book can be a spy book and use some of this knowledge you have!
 
 
 
 
 

 
Bio

Virginia Wright (born Virginia Brown March 19, 1958) is an American author and illustrator of children's fantasy fiction and non-fiction books. She first became a published author in 1981 when she sold her first writing--Faith, to a regional magazine in the state of Maine. Faith, The Blessing, and Rosarium are published in an anthology--Soundings by the Poetry Fellowship of Maine. Wright received a World of Poetry Merit Award-- with Rank: Honorable Mention (1987) for her poem, Faith. The poems Picture Memories and Life, Love, Inevitably Death are published in Our Day of Passing Anthology by Ingrid Hall, Franco Esposito, Dennis Higgins, Virginia Wright and a collaboration of 30+ other talented co-authors around the globe. Besides poetry Wright has written six books, her first a children's book, "The Princess and the Castle, A Fairy Tale" (2010) and this was followed by three other fairy tales, The Prince and the Dragon, Crying Bear, and a Christmas classic, The Christmas Secret: Mikey's Story. Wright is the author of an educational non-fiction, short book for all ages, Buzzzzzzzz What Honey Bees Do. Her latest book, Wild Animal Sounds, was released November 2014. As an illustrator, the cover Wright, illustrated for Steampunk Alice by Dennis Higgins won the AUTHORSdb Gold Award (2014).
 
Connect with Virginia:
Blog                                                                                                           

Facebook                                                                         

 Twitter                                                                                 




 
Thanks to Virginia for being a guest here!

Before I go, I would like to let you know that as part of my World of Ink  Book Tour, my book Ten Zany Birds, is being reviewed at Families Matter. These are some of the bloggers who organized my tour. If you are a children's writer, and are looking for a company who will promote your book specifically to people who are interested in children's books, World of Ink Network, is a great place to go.    

68 comments:

  1. What an adorable book, Good luck to Virginia and congrats to her.
    I really enjoyed the interview Sherry. Thank you.
    Yvonne..

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    1. Virginia is always a fun person to interview! Thanks for stopping by, Yvonne!

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    2. Thank you, Yvonne. I appreciate your comment.

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  2. Sounds like a fun book. I'm sure all sorts of kids will be giggling over those illustrations.

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    1. There are lots of cute animals. I'm sure kids will love them!

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    2. There is a couple of illustrations that I did in the book on purpose for prompting giggles, Liz. It is a fun book! Thanks for stopping by Sherry's blog and commenting.

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  3. A colouring book! Such exquisite delight!

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    1. It's a perfect coloring book for Christmas!

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    2. I had lots of fun creating this coloring book. I have another coloring book I am working on for another one of my children's books, Wild Animal Sounds. Thanks for commenting.

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  4. Wonderful interview and review. Sounds like a fun and heart warming tale. Love those illustrations!

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    1. Thank you, Christine. So excited to hear that you love the illustrations you see here on the blog. I enjoyed illustrating this book--and had fun doing the coloring book.

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  5. This book sounds so cute... I like how the idea for it came about... that is creative thinking of the mice from the move into the farm house... They would have just scared me... lol :)

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    1. It's funny how life events can turn into a good story!

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    2. Yes. I agree Sherry. LOL Launna, a house mouse is adorable, not scary at all.

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  6. Congratulations Virginia! Sounds like kids would be loving this book for many years!

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    1. It's a perfect book to read on Christmas Eve!

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    2. Thank you. Timothy the Christmas Mouse storybook and companion coloring book is perfect for Christmas Eve. thanks for stopping by to comment.

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  7. Anticipating the giggles is always fun indeed

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    1. With all of your books, I'm sure you know all about anticipating giggles! ;-)

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    2. As a prolific writer as yourself, Pat...I see you can relate to what I am saying. Giggles and smiles on children's faces is what writing is all about for me, and is worth "every writing moment.

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  8. Great interview! Timothy the Christmas Mouse sounds like such a cute book. Definitely a perfect choice for the holidays!

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    1. Thank you, Heather. It is one of my favorite books I have written thus far. Timothy the Christmas Mouse is a great Christmas Eve bedtime story to read for sure.

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  9. I think it's interesting that coloring books for adults are all the rage. When my kids were young, we often sat together at the kitchen table and colored.

    Love,
    Janie

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    1. I've seen a lot of the mandala coloring books. It's supposed to be relaxing to color them. I got one for my daughter. She needs to de-stress. We'll see if it helps her.

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    2. Hi Janie, When my kids were young, I always colored with them too. Thanks' for stopping by Sherry's blog to comment.

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  10. Nice to meet Virginia. Such a wonderfully festive post, Timothy the mouse would make such perfect reading for the Christmas Spirit Reading Challenge I'm doing so please include me in this wonderful giveaway.

    One of my favourite Christmas memories is as a child when we'd get up and go to my grandparents where we'd have tinned hotdog sausages in a proper hotdog bread bun - truly exotic then - before watching an episode of the old black and white Flash Gordon series which was on every morning over the holidays before opening presents. Ah, happy days.

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    1. Hi Tracy, You are included in the giveaway. Thanks for sharing your Christmas memory. If you share this blog post, then return and let us know where you shared, it gives you an extra entry in the giveaway. Merry Christmas. -Virginia

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    2. Great Christmas memory! Thanks for sharing, Tracy!

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  11. Wonderful Christmas story and coloring book for children. Very interesting questions and very inspiring answers. I enjoyed the hilarious Christmas memory.

    Best wishes

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    1. Thank you, Joseph! It is a great storybook and coloring book for children. Glad you liked my Christmas memory. :-)

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    2. I think kids will enjoy the book and coloring book! Thanks for stopping by!

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  12. Sherry thank you for sharing Virginia's latest books. And congratulations, Virginia on publishing more books. I loved your Christmas memory and learning more about you. Hope I win your books. If not, I'll have to buy my own copies. :-)

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    1. Thank you Tracy for stopping by Sherry's blog for the interview. You are entered in the giveaway by commenting here. Glad you liked my Christmas memory. For a second chance to win in the giveaway, go to my FB page (facebook.com/virginiabrownwright), look for the giveaway post and tell us your favorite Christmas memory. Good luck!

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    2. Good luck with the contest, Tracy!

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  13. I'd love this book! It sounds so cute. My parents owned 2 businesses. They were very busy at Christmastime. But my Mom would make everything look beautiful and festive. We'd always sing "Oh Christmas Tree."while we decorated the tree. My Mom would make sure I got a present from my pony, too.

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    1. Your mom sounds very thoughtful - just like you, Deanie!

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  14. Hi Deanie, Thank you--and thank you for sharing your Christmas memory. Loved it! -Virginia

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  15. Thank you Sherry, for having me on your blog. :-)

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    1. You are very welcome! It's always a pleasure to have you here!

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  16. I have known Virginia for about five years now. We correspond at least weekly. Sherry asked just the right questions for me to learn things about my virtual sister that I never knew. Great interview. I own both the story book and coloring book of Timothy the Christmas Mouse, as well as Ten Zany Birds. These are all wonderful books for Children. Please exclude me from the giveaway to let someone else have a chance to win them. Thanks.

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    1. Thanks for stopping by brother and lending your support!

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    2. Thanks for stopping by, Dennis! I think I've known Virginia about that long, too!

      I have your book, Dennis, and am looking forward to reading it!

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  17. Congrats, Virginia! This sounds like a lot of fun.

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  18. Another great review on Ten Zany Birds too, Shery

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  19. I own Ten Zany Birds too, Dennis.It is a super cute book. I reviewed it and gave it 5 stars out of 5.

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  20. Congrats to Virginia. Both the farm house and the book sound charming.

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    1. The farm house does sound charming. And I know for a fact that the book is!

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  21. Thank you, Medeia. I appreciate the kind words.

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  23. Thanks, Sherry, for having me as a guest on your blog! It was fun and I appreciate the support. Also, thanks to all the many commenters who came by Sherry's pad to leave a comment and share Christmas memories with us. I have chosen the book winners from this post...Congratulations to Christine Rains you won a Timothy the Christmas Mouse Coloring Book, and to Deanie Dunne who also won a Timothy the Christmas Mouse coloring book, and to Tracy Campbell, you won a Timothy the Christmas Mouse storybook. Please personal message me your mailing addresses over on FB, or give the mailing address to Sherry and she will get me your addresses. Enjoy!

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    1. Oh yay! I won your PB, Virginia. I'll be on touch later today or tomorrow as I'd also like to buy the coloring book. 😚

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    2. Congratulations to all the winners!

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  24. I love the idea of having coloring pages in the picture book!

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  25. I don't have any kids but I have no shame in admitting I enjoy coloring from time to time. Sounds like a great book (or two) for wee ones!

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  26. Sounds like Timothy is a delightful mouse! Congrats on your book.

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    1. Hey Lee, I tried commenting on your blog, but it said comments are restricted to team members. Apparently I'm not a team member (even though I joined your site a long time ago). Wondering what's up with that.

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