October 2, 2007

AH-ROOOoooo! That's what Blue the Basset Hound says in my new favorite book called "The Hound From The Pound." My friend Jessica Swaim is the author, and she makes me laugh all the time with her clever rhymes. What, you think dogs don't enjoy a good story?

I know Jessica because she raised a CCI puppy named Sprocket. He decided he didn't want to be a working dog, at least not for CCI, so he's living at home with Jessica and Steve. He loves Agility, Freestyle Dance, and helping Jessica write.

I had zero literary experience before I started writing this DogBlog. Hudson gave me a few tips, but Jessica is my mentor.

Recently some of the puppy raisers got together for tea, and Jessica signed copies of her book between cups of tea and crumpets (none of which would she share with any of the pups in attendance -- dog lover, HA!) Puppy raisers take any opportunity to make us pose for photos, and this was no different. Don't we look *lovely* in our hats? *ICK*

Anyhow, I took the opportunity to ask Jessica a few questions about "The Hound From The Pound."

PARKER: What was your inspiration for this book?

JESSICA: Dogs, of course! Especially naughty dogs. Which I'm sure you would know nothing about.

PARKER: Gosh no, not me, huh-uh. I'm a GOOD dog. How do you come up with such clever rhymes and phrases?

JESSICA: Oh, you flatterer! Here, have a cookie. Okay, I admit that I had help from a ghostwriter, Tux, a hound from the pound that I adopted from the Dumb Friends League. Tux was part black Lab and lived to be 13. Everybody knows that Labs are the cleverest breed. Tux died before the book was published, and I miss her terribly. Here, have another cookie, you sweet boy.

PARKER: (chewing) Yum, thanks! Do you take writing classes?

JESSICA: No. You mean there are writing classes?! Now you tell me!

PARKER: Ha. Ha. Ha. OK then, how about writers’ workshops or other groups?

JESSICA: I am a member of the SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators) and I occasionally attend their conferences. Mostly, though, I trade manuscripts with several wonderful children's writers I have met through online groups. All of them are dog lovers.

PARKER: I love the illustrations!

JESSICA: Me too!

PARKER: The dogs look so funny, they made me howl, especially the Bedlingtons bouncing on the bed! Did you do the illustrations?

JESSICA: Oh mercy, no. I can't even draw stick figures. Jill McElmurry did them, and she is a total genius. She is an accomplished illustrator with a quirky sense of humor who lives in Albuquerque.

PARKER: Did you collaborate (25 cent word there!) or did Jill just take your words and decide what to do?

JESSICA: Jill took my words and embellished (50 cent word!) them with her own hilarious details.

PARKER: Which one is your favorite?

JESSICA: It's hard to choose a favorite, but the wedding scene cracks me up every time I look at it, because Miss Mary is wearing a pink poodle wedding dress. So unexpected and yet so doggone perfect!

PARKER: I like that one the best too, though it made me a little nervous that Marianne might try to put me in a poodle outfit for Halloween. *Shudder* Marianne already has several copies of "The Hound," but where can she buy more? I think she needs to buy lots more. Christmas is coming.

JESSICA: Locally, as far as I know, the Tattered Cover has it, also some Barnes & Nobles, and possibly Borders. A little bird told me that The Bookies has "The Hound" on display, front and center. You didn't have anything to do with that, did you?

PARKER: (modestly) Well, they do love me at The Bookies, but nope, I didn't tell them about your book. Obviously they recognize a bestseller when they see it! Did you have any challenges writing this book?

JESSICA: Well, if you must know, the poodles were the most uncooperative characters throughout the many drafts I wrote. They demanded their own frilly pink wardrobe, wrote their own French dialogue (ooh la la and oui, oui) and pretty much took over the whole story.

PARKER: Brother. Some dogs are such divas. Do you have any other books in the works?

JESSICA: Oh, always. And I sneak at least one dog into everything I write.

PARKER: Well jeez, everyone knows that any book is improved by including a dog. Besides that, what advice do you have for a fledgling writer like me?

JESSICA: The popular advice is to read, read, read, and write as much as possible. Scribbling and doodling both count. So do journal writing and blogging. Lead a full life so you'll always have plenty to write about. Eating lots of chocolate doesn't hurt either (unless you're a dog, then chocolate is a definite no.)

Parker: I like Frosty Paws better than chocolate anyhow. Thanks for taking the time to answer all my questions.

JESSICA: AH-ROOOooo from me and Blue! And here, have another cookie, you sweet boy.

PARKER: So all my friends in DogBlog Land, RUN, do not walk to your local bookstore and pick up several copies of "The Hound From The Pound." It's the perfect gift for the dogs and dog lovers in your life. I daresay even people who like cats will enjoy it.

Chow for now!

Parker

For more information on the illustrator, go to www.jillmcelmurry.com

To hear a podcast discussion of the book go to www.justonemorebook.com.

Questions or comments for Parker? Send them to Call7ForHelp@TheDenverChannel.com.

Would you like more information about Canine Companions for Independence, or perhaps be a puppy raiser? Call 1-800-572-BARK or go to www.cci.org for details.