Today I’d like to welcome author Debbie Roppolo to Juniper Grove! Debbie is here to promote her book Amelia Frump and her Peanut Butter Loving, Overactive Imagination!
About the Author:
Debbie Roppolo has always had an active imagination. When she was in kindergarten, she once tied a string to a hot link and dragged it behind her for a few hours. “I thought if it was walked enough, it would turn into a wiener dog, something I always wanted,” she admits.
She never got her wiener pup (though there were other dogs later in her life), and she used her imagination to fuel her writing. Debbie Roppolo’s stories have appeared in newspapers, magazines, and in a few of the Chicken Soup for the Soul books.
Married for over nineteen years, she resides in Texas with her husband John, and their two sons, Jonathan and Joseph.
Debbie has graciously submitted to an author interview! Check it out below:
Without giving too much away, can you tell us what your book is about?
Amelia Frump is a nine year-old girl with a very active imagination. One night as the winds howl through the treetops, a spooky, bony, finger appears outside her bedroom window and taps on the glass. Amelia must use her imagination to save herself, or be the final ingredient in a Grubby Sock Casserole.
What was your inspiration to write this book?
During part of my childhood, bedtime was something dreaded. Clowns scared me to the point I wouldn’t let anything clown-related stay in my bedroom, and they tormented me in nightmares.Monsters from scary movies lived under my bed, so that, added to the clown nightmares, made bedtime miserable.
My mother assisted me in realizing I could empower myself by using my imagination. Together, we thought of ways I could scare the monsters behind the bed’s dust ruffle, and how I could defeat the scary clowns in my dreams.
And that’s my reason for writing the book. I want children to realize imagination is a wonderful powerful tool, and some things (ghosts, witches, monsters…) that scare them exist there only.
Once children take control of the characters and the situations in their imagination, they will have nothing to fear, and may in fact enjoy bedtime.
Do you have any writing projects you are currently working on?
Cooking and creating recipes have always been my second passion. Now I’m working on a children’s cookbook based on the Amelia Frump character and her friends.
Do any of your characters have qualities/characteristics that are similar to yourself?
I confess, the “Amelia” character is me. I’ve always had a very active imagination, and when I was child, it sometimes drove my parents and teachers nuts.
There were fake marriage ceremonies during kindergarten recess, and tea parties with Bantam chickens, all who were dressed in the latest doll fashions. The latter sounds harmless enough, but imagine my mother’s horror when she caught me sharing a tea cup with my pet rooster, and dining on “Purina Chick Starter”.
Do you listen to music while writing? If so what?
There are times when I’m writing, the whistle of the wind through the treetops outside my window and the song of a nearby mourning dove is the only melody I need. There are other occasions, however, easy listening, songs of the 70‘s era, and jazz helps me focus on my writing.
Say your publisher has offered to fly you anywhere in the world to do research on an upcoming book, where would you most likely want to go?
I’d love to go back to New Orleans, Louisiana. The city is a melting pot of all religions and cultures. It shines with its abundance of creative genius, and dark mysterious streets lay silent, waiting to tell their stories to those who wish to listen.
If you had to have one word or phrase written on your forehead for an entire week, what would it be?
“Got coffee?” I can’t help it–I’m addicted to the stuff.
What is the best advice anyone has ever given to you?
My husband’s cousin once told me to never fear failure, and pursue my passions. He pointed out that we fail at something at least once a day, and if we let a fear of failure stop us in our quest to achieve goals, we’ll never know what we could have accomplished.
If you had one wish, what would that be?
My wish would be to reverse the hands of time 40 years. I grew up in an era (1970′s) where people treated others with dignity, respect, and compassion. Home invasions meant the neighborhood kids were raiding your fridge, playing games with your children, and sleeping over. Passing drivers greeted each other with a wave (all five fingers), and customer service was given with a smile.
I realize these things are nothing more than whispers of the past, but it’s something I wish we could experience again.
Do you have a Website or Blog?
My websites are:
www.wix.com/ameliafrump/fansite
Thank you Debbie for that insightful interview!
Synopsis:
Amelia Frump has a problem: an overactive imagination that sometimes gets her into trouble. One night, as the winds howl through the treetops, Amelia sees a spooky, bony finger tapping on the glass outside her bedroom window. Can her wild imagination save her in time, or will she be the final ingredient in a Grubby Sock Casserole?
Thanks to Debbie, One lucky reader will win a Print copy of Amelia Frump and her Peanut Butter Loving, Overactive Imagination and a plush teddy bear!
This giveaway is available to the US and Canada only!
Happy Reading,
Jaidis
About the Author:
Synopsis:
About the Author:
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