Over the last several months I met a neighbor in my community at a relatively small book
club I started. I quickly learned, from a friend, that she was a writer with several books in
print and many more in the works. I befriended her, not just as a book club member, but
as an author and with an appreciation for the fact that she was a published writer. I found myself a month later attending a Book Signing she presenting at in the Tampa area. Though the event wasn’t impressive, she was as well as her books. Thus, began my fascination with Jeanette Lynn Hopkins Dundas as a writer.
Jeanette was born and raised in West Tampa Florida at a time
where mostly immigrants lived, close to a well-known Cigar Factory in that
era. She fit right in as her single
mother and grandmother raising her were both Italian. Jeanette grew up speaking fluently Italian to
communicate with both of them as well as speaking English.
Her mother Dorothy Gullo Hopkins ran her own business out of her own
home for years,
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| Dorothy Gullo Hopkins |
Dorothy’s Reweaving. As
it grew eventually it was moved to Kennedy Boulevard in Tampa with a
storefront. This allowed Jeanette to attend a larger more prominent high
school, Plant High School. Following this, she went to St. Pete’s College and
earned an Associate Degree in Marketing.
Interesting notes about Jeanette’s family:
Dorothy, her mother, could not read or write
music but had an astounding ear for it and could sing beautifully pitch
perfect.
Filomena Gullo Jeanette’s Nanna, as grandmas are called in Italy, had a love of books and began reading to Jeanette from a very early age. Being
bright, Jeanette learned the entire alphabet by age 3! Shortly after this began
her love affair with reading. This was followed by a continual passion and
lifetime love of writing. Jeanette began winning awards for this talent, including an award in College for a poem written about
Elvis Presley and later an award for Elvis Presley’s
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Nanna, Filomena Fraterigo Gullo,
(on Lfthand) |
Fan Club, which was quite large by this time, for her short story which had to include all of his hit songs.
Speaking of Elvis, you could say meeting "The King"was
a pivotal moment in Jeanette’s early life.
Her mom arranged the meeting knowing it would be a highlight in her 11 year old daughter’s life. They left a message on Colonel Parker’s
personal phone, Elvis’s agent. They wanted to
confirm he would be filming Follow that Dream the coming weekend before they made the long drive to Yankeetown, Florida. They also had the name of the hotel he would be staying at, which would be crucial later. Colonel Parker personally called them back, a good sign! However they were told he could not promise anything because filming would run late and it was hard to get near him but they would try.
When they arrived, the crowds were immense, girls
were screaming, grown women were blocking their view, everyone was in awe of The King. It was apparent, she would get nowhere near Elvis
through the throngs, though she managed to catch a glimpse. Plan B came to mind, circle back to the hotel,
knowing eventually he would return there after filming. And so, as she stood near and his car pulled
up, Elvis got out. Luck was on her side because Elvis made eye contact and saw
her. He literally pulled her close
showing a kindness to a young girl in awe of his celebrity status. As frightened as she was of the crowd pulling
and pushing to get near him, he not only sheltered her from everyone but kept
her at his side for all the pictures everyone was taking standing next to him
that day!
To this day, the grace and compassion he showed towards her
left an indelible mark. See not only was
Elvis kind to her but when she went back to his room to request one last
picture with her friend who was too shy to stand in line that day, he overrode management and stepped out to take a shot
with Jeanette’s best friend. Thus, nana
who had not liked Elvis prior to the trip, became sold on The King too!
Jeanette is most known for her Bongo Bay Mystery Series sold
on Amazon. Even this title is tied into her love of Elvis. His ex-wife Priscilla Presley wanted to get
Elvis one year something quite different for the man who had everything. Her
surprise was bongo drums. Being from
Tampa having a passion for the beaches, Jeanette put the two together and
formed her series name for her lifelong goal, to be a published writer with an
exciting mystery romance series - Bongo Bay Series. (Sold on Amazon, link below)
Jeanette does a good bit of her writing in either her home
in a special area that is light, airy.
organized but not meticulous. She is anything but anal, definitely more of
a go with the breeze.
Her home has more a of feel like you have just entered a
warm summer cottage. Perhaps she is
mirroring her cottage she still owns on the beach in Port Richey, Florida,
where she raised her two children.
Being with Jeanette, she gives undivided attention and leans in as if
she feels every speaker, everyone has something she can grasp and learn from.
Perhaps her author/writer mind is always working!
Her approach, as an author, is to create a character first
and then build a story around them. She has to believe the character truly exists so
that the story can be realistic. Only then, does she feel the reader can grab a hold
of it and go along for the journey with the twists and the turns.
Many authors feel their craft is limited for the very few
unlike Jeanette’s attitude. She
encourages anyone with a desire to write to do so, no matter the age or their background
in writing. Furthermore, any hidden desire that has never been tried for fear
of failing should be ventured, in her opinion because living is meant to be
lived in the fullest and experienced.
Writing to Jeanette “is not about who will read it, it is about
expressing your ideas on paper, if that is something that moves you. Be true to you!"
As the reader, she wishes for you to leave her stories feeling happy. She also likes there to be something of value learned and faith to be renewed that change can always occur no matter our circumstances. In her book
Stolen Destiny, domestic violence is interwoven in to one of the main characters but not the only storyline. It is illustrated clearly that it does leave scars. The storyline proves that issues kept in the dark, like domestic violence, victims need to deal with in the light of day. Once explored though, a person can capture their true identity and move forward and live fully!
Jeanette strongly believes we should not ever close doors, personally or professionally. Reach for the knob of the doors you want to open, nomatter how impossible the
feat may seem and give yourself the chance, life comes at you
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| Mr. & Mrs. Dave Dundas |
fast and you are worth it! She never dreamed, at this later stage in her life she would be publishing books. Having a wonderful relationship with her husband Dave gives her added encouragement to continue to fly with her passion. And reading any of her books or writings, you will see she does it quite well! Perhaps you will read them and find you can too!
“Always find a way to come out of your shell in this
lifetime.“ Jeanette Lynn Hopkins Dundas
To order any of Bongo Bay Series, see below. 1st installment is Stolen Destiny but each is a stand alone novel. Stayed tuned for 3rd book to come out shortly!
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