Featured Interview With Jonquil Graham
Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was born in London, grew up in coastal Sydney, Australia and now live in beautiful Golden Bay in New Zealand. My husband and I bought an old historic house and we have raised many foster children and adopted nine, including “triplets” from Romania and twins from Russia. We helped initiate inter-country adoption in New Zealand, which was huge effort as we were busy raising so many children with various needs and working full time on our kiwifruit orchard. I have backpacked across Europe and did the hippie trail across Asia for several months. I have also written “Once I was a Teenager: Growing up in the 50s and 60s in Australia and beyond” which has been popular with baby boomers.
At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
My father gave me a diary when I was nine and I have kept one for over 50 years. I felt a day not recorded was a day lost. It’s been a great source of entertainment and helped me record conversations and memories for both my books. I’ve won several prizes for writing since I was 10.
Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I was brought up on Enid Blyton and when my family travelled on ships between Australia and the UK, my father read out books like the Bafut Beagles, Wind in the Willows and Gone with the Wind. I love books about adoption, adventure, sailing around the world, or anything inspirational. I was inspired to write “How Many Planes to get me?” by Helen Doss who wrote “The Family Nobody Wanted”, about her experience of adopting 12 children of various nationalities. She encouraged me to write my story.
Tell us a little about your latest book?
How Many Planes to get Me? – Nine children adopted into a New Zealand family is the true story of why and how we adopted so many children and fostered many more. My husband and I got a 3 year old on our honeymoon, then more children came into the family. It’s a light-hearted fun read with some heart-ache when it came to adopting from Romania which makes some readers cry. The book took a few years to write because I as so busy with our kiwifruit orchard and raising needy children. The book is free on http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IB3THRU from 19 to 23 May 2015
Connect with the Author on their Websites and Social media profiles