Interview with Cheri DeGroot, author of Dear Friend

ABOUT DEAR FRIEND

 

Title: Dear Friend
Genre: Non-fiction humanities
Author: Cheri DeGroot
Publisher: iUniverse
Pages: 60
Language: English
ISBN – 978-1-44016-146-9

Are you looking for a way to meet new people from all over the world, make new friends, and help others? The solution is simple and affordable—become a pen pal. In Dear Friend, author Cheri DeGroot shares the joys and rewards of becoming a pen pal and provides tips on sharing friendships through handwritten letters. Based on fifty-three years of personal experience as a pen pal, DeGroot details how her lifelong passion for pen palling began and how her friendships with people from all over the United States have helped her through life’s good and bad times. This guide demonstrates the positive aspects of pen palling—from sharing news of family, hobbies and emotions to expanding their knowledge by learning about different cultures and different people. Stressing the importance of communication, Dear Friend reveals how becoming a pen pal can help those who are lonely to find friendship, love, and happiness through the power of the written word.

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What has influenced your writing?

I believe writing since I was ten years old has influenced my writing quite a bit as I truly love it and it has grown on me.

Why did you write Dear Friend?

I wanted others to know what a joy it is to write. Writing to me is a gift in itself I find when I started writing the words just came out so clear on the paper. Everyone always told me I was born to be a writer.

Have you ever experienced writer's block?

Well sometimes when you want to write a story on someone you know what you want to say. But the words you wanted to write were holding you back it like having writers block. If you leave and come back later you find the words will come back.

What is in your future?

Well I would like to write another book on pen palling in the future, as all my pen pal friends liked this one so much.

Where do you like to write?

I like to write in my office mostly where it is quiet and peaceful I write what I feel and I find writing from your own personal experiences. I really don’t have a specific style.

ABOUT CHERI DEGROOT

Cheri DeGroot loves writing letters and journals of her life. Pen palling helps her make new friendships by reaching out through written letters and by computer. DeGroot has initiated several pen pal clubs. She has three grown children and seven grandchildren and lives in Milverton, Ontario, with her husband, Joe.