Interview with Children’s Author Corine Dehghanpisheh

Corine Dehghanpisheh is a children’s book author and illustrator. Her inspirations for writing and illustrating come from everyday life. She was a Mom's Choice Awards® Silver Recipient and a Next Generation Indie Author Finalist for her debut children's book Can We Play Again?, which was published in March 2012. Her inspiration for this book came from her work as a Licensed Creative Arts Therapist in NYC. Corine published her second children’s book, Buddy’s Dream, in November 2013, and her third children's book, #BabyLove: My Social Life, in July 2015. When Corine is not busy being creative, she is most likely having fun taking pictures of her family. Corine lives in Manhattan, NY with her husband and new baby.

Welcome to my blog, Corine. Please tell us about your book, #BabyLove: My Social Life.

#BabyLove: My Social Life is a modern children’s picture book based on a baby being raised in today’s digital world.  The story is told from the perspective of an adored baby who is photographed and recorded all day long for the purpose of sharing with family and friends via social media and messaging.  The story is intended to highlight today’s social phenomenon of sharing life using social media and technology.

Where did you get your inspiration for this story?

My inspiration for the story came from my own experience with my daughter Lily.  My husband and I live away from the rest of our family and many of our closest friends.  Social media and technology has provided us the opportunity to share the announcement of the birth of our daughter and other milestones with those that are far away.

Because of technology, Lily gets to see her extended family through regularly scheduled FaceTime sessions with her grandparents, cousins, and our friends whom she wouldn’t otherwise get to know.  Technology has actually helped her relationships with her family members.   When we do get to visit in person, she already recognizes and interacts with them comfortably and not as strangers.  This is one reason I see the benefits of using these tools. 

There are downsides to sharing and using technology such as safety and privacy.   We take security seriously and try to use our best judgment before putting pictures or videos of our daughter online.  Also, I do get a sad feeling at the end of a FaceTime session or when we are looking at photos together on my phone or computer when Lily gives the screen kisses and hugs instead of the real people.  But is that any different than kissing or hugging a photo?

What kind of research did you do?

I didn’t really do much research.  I just looked at every day life– how are people using their social media feeds?   It was abundantly clear that many people are using social media to share their life events and updates including their kid’s milestones, announcements, and updates. 

Where can my readers find more information about you?

Readers can connect with Corine on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.

To learn more, go to http://www.booksbycorined.com/

Now it’s time to tell us something about the real you that we’ll never forget.

As a child, I enjoyed reading so much that I would hide books and a flashlight under my bed so that I could read after the light went off.  Thankfully the flashlight didn’t bother my twin sister who slept in the same room with me.  I would read for hours and fall asleep dreaming of the stories that I was reading. 

Storytelling either through pictures or writing has something that I have done since I can remember.  I am very thankful that I am able to write and illustrate my stories for a larger audience.  I truly enjoy what I do. 

Thank you, Corine, for this awesome interview. I hope my readers will check out your book.