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MEET DAWN ANFUSO
by Bonnie O'Brian

What did you most like to do when you were a child?

I liked to play pretend. When people ask me about the inspiration for my book, "Imagination: A Journey of the Mind," I usually relate a story about how I used to love to ride my bike around the neighborhood and pretend it was a horse -- a beautiful black and white Palomino named Thunder.

What books influenced you most when you were growing up?

When I first started reading, I was a big Snoopy fan, and read anything written by Charles Schultz. I also was a Dr. Seuss nut -- and still am. I think that's why I wrote my book in rhyme. When I was in grade school, I enjoyed the "Little House" series of books.

Did you write stories when you were growing up? At school? Or at home as a hobby? As a young child, or as a teenager, or both?

Creative writing was my favorite subject in grade school and middle school. I remember writing stories about inanimate objects -- like pencils -- having lives, and telling their tales of the places they've been. In high school I realized that writing was what I was best at, and decided then to go into journalism.

When you went to college, were you already pursuing a writing career?

I majored in magazine journalism in college, so yes, I was pursuing a writing career. I just didn't know then that I would author a children's book. I had aspirations to go on tour with a rock band and write a documentary of sorts!

What was your first job when you graduated from college?

I started interning at a trade magazine while I was in college and was hired on as an editorial assistant when I graduated. I stayed at that publication for close to 10 years, working my way up to managing editor before I left.

Was your first book accepted immediately? or did you experience a number of rejections?

I chose to self-publish so I could hire my own illustrator and have more control over the process.

What are the topics are some of your books?

Right now I only have one book. It is a rhyming, richly illustrated book that encourages children to play pretend, to use their imagination (and some props such as boxes or hairbrushes) to be anyone they want to be-- from an astronaut to a pop star.

Do you do other types of writing - for example, educational, nonfiction, magazine work?

I currently write a workplace and job search advice column that runs in three local newspapers and am the senior editor of an online publication for the interactive marketing industry.

How did your life change when you got married and had children? Did it make it easier or harder to find time to write?

It's certainly harder to find the time to write with a husband and child to look after, but my son gives me the inspiration I need. I had actually started my book prior to having him -- working on it now and then over the years -- but it was only after I saw how much fun he would have turning boxes into spaceships and cars that I was motivated to finish and publish it, so that I could hopefully inspire other kids to do the same.

What do you most want the students to get out of your school visits?

I want them to be inspired -- not necessarily to be a writer or an illustrator but to use their imagination to do anything and be anyone they want to be.