Janine Bray-Mueller, Author of fantasical Breton mythic stories
Some people are curious and wonder who the person is writing these books. So without too much preamble, let’s start with the private me — my hobbies and interests.
Some people have a million hobbies and interests. They can play the piano, swing dance, paraglide or skydive, and raise miniature pigs. Now I must admit that piglets may be sweet to look at and hold in your arms, but I have always focused on other things. No one could tell me when I started to read, but books have been my refuge and strength since I began reading—my constant companion.
Books have always been good friends. I read so much as a child (think of a torch under the bed sheet) that my parents told me it might damage my eyesight. Of course, we know that is not true now, but they might have wished I would do more than read books. So what else is as good as books for a bookworm child?
I turned to silk painting. Do you like to paint? The creative juices flow when I have my brushes, paper or silk, and colours all around me. I even managed to have an exhibition or two to sell my work. Here are some of my favourite paintings you can see on my walls.
The boat - silk painting
Rumpelstiltskin - on silk
Up on the Marsch Dike, The 'Old Land' in North GermanyWhen I wasn’t reading or painting, I climbed trees and watched the world below or the birds as they soared upwards and away. Sometimes I took my sketching pad with me, but more often, I took a writing pad and pencil to write fantasy stories. Can you imagine sitting on a branch somewhere in a tree with a pad of paper and clutching a pen? It’s a wonderful feeling. It’s a feeling that gives you a sense of independence, inventing new worlds of adventure and hope and rekindling the spirit to ‘Conquer the world!’ I sometimes think my urge for independence was born somewhere in Dorset, England, on a tree branch.
I studied foreign communications, the focus being the French language. However, my dream was to work abroad. Remember how I loved to climb trees and look far and wide? It took two years of determination and working as a temp to save enough money, catch a ferry to Belgium, and knock on company doors until I found a job in a large American conglomerate. I worked in the financial controlling department in the electronics and telecommunications group. It not only satisfied my inquiring mind about technology, but it turned out I got a special extra benefit! I found my future husband as well.
Later, we left Brussels to live in Hamburg, Germany. A new country to explore and enjoy.
And today?
We’ve sold up and moved to Brittany, France. We’ve found a beautiful spot in Brittany to live. We keep fit by running and maintaining a tiny business by renting out the two-holiday cottages (gîtes) on our property.
In our garden, my veg patch is important. We love the benefit of eating and preserving the fruit and vegetables grown in our garden. Our holiday guests often share the produce from our garden as well.
I keep my mind active, writing fantasy stories based on Breton myths from sites close to our property.
And now you know. 
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