Deanne has a informative website that features her books and other interests. Please visit for a look at an excellent example of a nice site and read about her books. She is an exceptional writer who has made many contributions to the non-fiction genre for children and young adults.
1. SR: How did you get started in writing?? When did you start your professional writing career?
DD: About 1970 my husband bought into a partnership that had just acquired a small weekly newspaper. I was in the office one day and the editor said what the paper really needed was some fresh writing. I thought, "I could do that!" And I went home and created "Tween Us Gals," a weekly column which I hoped would someday give Erma Bombeck some competition. It didn't. However, when I saw my words in print, it was love at first site. From that moment on I wanted more, more, more. And I began working toward that goal and joined a creative writing class. I was told that before I could hope to be published in other publications I would have to write a million words. I immediately began work on my million word apprenticeship. That instructor also gave me written criticism on a piece I planned to submit to Highlights. She said it would never sell. It was too unbelievable. I submitted the story anyway. I know she was wrong! The story was based on a true event - Our mother cat did adopt a newborn skunk! And the mother skunk had a black and white kitten in with her litter. And the fiction story that came out of that experience was my first sale - to Highlights.
2. SR: Was there someone in your family or a teacher who inspired your writing or interest in reading?
