Thursday, March 3, 2011

Best part of being an author, and a challenge

First, I have to show you what I watched this morning while having breakfast:



My dog watched for a while, then shrugged her shoulders and went back to her squeaky toy. She's seen this show before.



Now, allow me to share with you what I think is the best part of being an author. Here are a few awesome emails I've been receiving from young readers of DOGSLED DREAMS.
note: some are editted to take out spoilers and I've replaced the name with the first initial


Dear Ms Johnson,

I really liked your book "Dogsled Dreams" and really liked how you described the characters. My favourite dog would be Apollo, because I think Apollo is a good dog.
I thought the book was REALLY FUNNY, interesting, and sometimes surprising. Sincerely J (gr. 5/6)



Dear Ms. Johnson,
I loved your book Dogsled Dreams. the dogs love running and stuff like that. I would love to try dogsledding. It sounds fun.
It was funny when the teacher slipped and landed on the pups’ pee. And I’m just like Rebeca I do those things and say those words !
Sincerely,
B


Dear Ms. Johnson,
I love your book "Dogsled Dreams". I thought your characters were fun and adventurous.
My favourite characters in "Dogsled Dreams" are Rebecca, Apollo, Rebecca’s dog team and Rebecca’s dad. But my favourite character would have to be Rebecca. She was exiting!
I probably like her so much because I am a girl too!
I liked it because of the thrill. It made me nervous exited and worried.
From,
K Grade 6



Dear Ms. Johnson,
I loved your book Dogsled Dreams sooooo much. I think it is the best book our teacher has read so far. I am going to read all your books.

My favourite dog is Doppler it is also Rebecca’s favourite dog. The book is so funny, I really liked the part when Rebecca and her dad went to the school to show the dogs to little kids and the dogs ran outside the classroom and to the hallway and one of the dog peed in the hallway and made the teacher slip, that was hilarious.
I think you write awesome books and I cant wait to read them all.
Sincerely, Y Grade 5



Dear Ms. Johnson,
I loved your book, Dog Sled Dreams. My favourite part was when the teacher slipped on the pile of pee. It was so funny. Your book was so cool. I loved it so much because it also had humor. One thing is that I hate Robin, she is so bad.
Sincerely,
S Grade 5



Dear Ms. Johnson,.
I thought your book was interesting, EXTREMELY funny, and sometimes surprising.
My favourite part is when Rebecca and her dad brought the puppies to school and they went to the bathroom on the floor. Then the teacher slipped and landed in the puddle the puppy made.
My favourite dogs are Tarzan, Doppler, Apollo, and Blaze.

Do you actually have a dog named Apollo? And do you race dogs yourself?
Your #1 fan
E. Grade 5




LOVE ALL OF THESE! And yes, Emma, Apollo was my leader for many years. Here he is:




And finally, I know I've already posted a cell phone pict, but please indulge me again. And to make it worth your while - here's a challenge -

if you find my book in your own bookstore, send me a photo and I'll send you a YA or MG book. Simple as that!


And so -  a few pictures that I can't stop looking at and grinning:


 Cole's bookstore. bottom left - that's me!
Chapters bookstore - holy crap!!!



Don't forget to enter my Insanely Mega giveaway. Nine winners! Nine fabulous books up for grabs.

21 comments:

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

I agree! It's the encouraging words from readers that make it awesome.

Janet said...

Wow, that's exciting. Your book sitting right up there for everyone to see.

Shannon O'Donnell said...

That is so cool, Terry. Those letters are a big part of why we write--for the reader's enjoyment. I love it that your book is FACE OUT in those pics. Too awesome! :-)

Caroline Starr Rose said...

What an absolute thrill, Terry! Rebecca is such a real girl, and those dogs are full so so much personality, it makes perfect sense that kids are connecting with her story.

JLD said...

Hey, Terry! My copy of your book arrived today so I'll be starting to read it tonight!! Congratulations on the wonderful bookstore placement of your book. I think it's funny how the kids who sent the emails all like when the teacher slips in pee the best out of all the things they could have chosen in the book. Their teachers had better be on the lookout for any suspicious wet spots on their classroom floors after this!

Judy

Beth said...

Wow! I'll start looking for your book!
Nothing better than letters from kids, is there?

Golden Eagle said...

That's so cool! :)

It must be awesome to see your book on the shelf in a bookstore!

Rachael Harrie said...

Hey Terry, they're such lovely letters :) And congrats on your book!

Hugs,

Rach

Kristine Asselin said...

These are so great Terry! How cool to get fan mail! And I think I'll hyperventilate when I see my book on the shelf. Feel free to share the picture as often as you like!

Jemi Fraser said...

LOVE those letters!! Your book has obviously really connected with the kids :)

Congrats on the book placement! That's awesome. I haven't been to my local book store in the last bit - I'll have to check it out :)

Kelly Polark said...

Oh, I love those letters, Terry! So heartwarming!!
I love when we have wildlife (though I'm certain you have more than me!). We had five deer in our yard the other day. So fun to see the wonders of nature right there in front of you.

Jaye Robin Brown said...

I have to agree with the kids - that school scene was spot on. I also thought it was interesting how you showed the neighbor girl, Robin?, and her different take on dog racing - I'm sure that's a pretty real response from some folks. And just have to say, I'm so glad I'm NOT looking at snow out my window anymore!

Anonymous said...

Love these letters! My daughter is so enjoying your book. And that picture of Apollo is gorgeous. Such intelligence in those eyes! On Saturday, I will attend the start of the Iditarod! I'm up in Alaska for a few days. I'll be thinking of you!

Susan Fields said...

Sounds like the teacher slipping on the pee was a huge hit! And you said you'd taken out the spoilers, but where I'm at in the book, Robin is still Rebecca's friend! Hmm...what's going to happen???

These are great emails, I'm so happy for you!

And also excited to see the real-life Apollo - how cool!

Natalie Aguirre said...

Those letters are so cool. You've got to save them. You're right, that must be the best thing of getting published.

Deniz Bevan said...

Congratulations TerryLynn! Those letters are lovely [g]
I'll be looking out for your book next time I'm at the bookstore!

Anonymous said...

I love your book, too, Terry, and I'm 70!! I learned a lot about dog sledding, and about dogs; I used to be afraid of dogs. Now I like them very much, due to my children and grandchildren having various kinds of dogs! As for your writing: the plot, characters, and dialogue are all excellent. I just have to get my act together and post a review of the book on various bookselling sites. I'm behind with this for other bloggers too, but I hope to catch up this week.

Congratulations, and enjoy the fun of these letters, and seeing your book on these shelves!!!

T.B. said...

Those were awesome emails!

Haha, and I would run out of the store screaming if I saw my book on its shelves!

Sage Ravenwood said...

Encouragement buoys the raft writers are adrift on.

There is something to the spirituality of a dog, that stillness I've encountered with my own - Pickles. I've bounded down the steps totally unaware when a small herd of deer is nearby (they come for the crab apples). Pickles sees them first and sits immediately. She'll lean in close, perfectly still, giving the deer a silent grace to finish grazing. Totally breathtaking. The last herd was two females and their young, not 10ft from us. (Hugs)Indigo

Paul Greci said...

Love the letters, and seeing your book on those shelves!!! Suweeet!!

Mindy said...

Congrats Terry on all your success! Those letters from all the kids were great to see. Seeing those pictures of your book on the shelves must be thrilling to see!