I’m delighted to hear that you’re reading Wild Dog Summer, and thanks for getting in touch. As you’ll see from my blog, I had a chat with a class in Alberta earlier this year, and they posted lots of questions about the book and also about my life as a writer. It was a great way to connect!Feel free to browse my Shout-Out to them (February 24, 2009) and my answers to their questions (February 25, 2009). You might find some of your questions already answered.
In fact, feel free to read any of my blog posts – they’re all about writing and reading. For instance, my most recent post presents a conversation with the photographer who creates the covers of my books.
Above all, feel free to post your questions as comments. I’d love to hear from you, and I’m always happy to answer questions and talk about books and writing.
Let me start by asking you a few questions. First, what do you think of Wild Dog Summer? Are you enjoying it? What do you think is going to happen next? Do you know anyone like BJ? Or Craig?
I’m looking forward to reading your questions and comments – write soon!
Wow - the kids are not going to believe that a real live author has written to us! Thanks for responding so promptly and we look forward to further communication.
ReplyDeleteWhy did you write 'Wild Dog Summer'? Does the story have a personal connection to you? If so which part of the book was your personal connection?
ReplyDeleteI look forward to your response!
I was so tempted to read the book, "Wild Dog Summer."
ReplyDeleteI wanted to ask what made you write Wild Dog Summer?
Was there something in your life that inspired you to write this intelligent book?
I also wanted to ask why you chose the title, "Wild Dog Summer?"
Good questions, Ashley and Ashley! The story of Wild Dog Summer does and doesn't have a personal connection to me. Confused yet? It does have a connection because I lived in a small town, just like Rosehill (in fact I used this town, St. Clements, Ontario, as a model for Rosehill). There were many Mennonite farms in the area, and lots of old barns which always caught my imagination. And there really were wild dogs, too. But thankfully, I never lost one of my brothers in a drinking/driving accident, so that part of the story had no connection to my real life - although I did read the news, and tragic accidents like the one that killed BJ's brother were all too frequent.
ReplyDeleteYou can read more about the background of Wild Dog Summer if you read my Archived post "Readers in Alberta Want to Know!" which I published on this blog back in February.
Thanks for your questions! Feel free to write again.