Danette Shares Her Inspiration

Please welcome Danette Vigilante, author of The Trouble with Half a Moon, published by G.P. Putnam & Sons.

From Amazon:

Thirteen year old Dellie lives with the guilt that her little brother's death was her fault. Her mother cries all the time and because she wants Dellie to stay safe, she keeps her inside as much as she can. It doesn't matter that Dellie longs to go outside to be like other girls or that there's a boy she likes and he likes her too. All that matters to her mother is that she's safe at home. So, Dellie has no choice but to watch the world of her housing project through her second story window.

Things start to change soon after new neighbors move in on the first floor. Trouble like this has never happened in Dellie's building before. Now there are men fighting on the stoop, gunshots echoing through the night and Corey, a hungry and abused five year old boy knocking on her door looking for something to eat. Corey reminds Dellie of her brother and even though their friendship is dangerous, she wonders if this time, she'll be able to do what needs to be done. Will she be able to save Corey? Show Mo

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I love the premise of The Trouble with Half a Moon because it takes a look at the ripple effect of what we do with the good and bad in our lives. What inspired you to write this book?

I grew up in a housing project where a little boy would go from apartment to apartment asking for food. As you can imagine, it was heartbreaking. That little boy stayed with me and patiently waited until I was ready to give  him what every child should have: safety, love, food and friendship.

Who in your life inspires you and why?

I’m a greedy inspirational seeker so I find it everywhere from my two girls and my husband for not being afraid to step out of their comfort zones to everyday stories I read about people doing good for other’s.

Which book character do you find inspirational and if he/she were to talk to you, what might they say?

At the moment it would be, Deza, the main character in Christopher Paul Curtis’ newest book, The Mighty Miss Malone. If she were to talk to me she might actually giggle then ask, “You’re not going to let THAT get in your way, are you?” Then she’d adjust her family’s motto for me: “You’re on a journey to a place called Wonderful, so keep it moving!”

What is it that you are hoping to inspire into your reader’s lives?

That even the smallest good deed is powerful enough to change a life for the better. Maybe even your own.

And here are some quickies:

1. Favorite type of chocolate:

Believe it or not, I’m a relatively new chocolate lover and pretty much like it all with the exception of dark chocolate. Can I just say that I’m currently addicted to chocolate covered raisins from Costco. They blow Raisinets away!

2.  #1 country you’d like to visit:

Without hesitation, that would be Italy. For its beauty of course, but I’m a serious pizza lover so …

3. Favorite mode of transportation:

My feet! I love to walk.

4. Preferred writing method: (i.e.) computer, pen, pencil:

Definitely computer. I couldn’t survive without cut and paste.

Her website: http://danettevigilante.com/

Her blog: http://danettevigilante.blogspot.com/

On Twitter

On Goodreads

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