Keeping it Real

The hometown launch for my book has occupied my mind for weeks. Last night, we did it. The Bohemian Cafe in downtown Kelowna, with its red walls and warm lights, was full--old and new friends, teaching colleagues, librarians, fellow writers, and family, down to cousins once removed. My Grade 10 English teacher, Tom Potts, was there, and nearly made me burst into tears when he remembered a story I wrote at age 15 (that wouldn't be the first burst recently, I have to say). I've had some excellent and encouraging teachers, and he's one of them.  I thought of Daniel Boone learning to read and write with his sister-in-law, clearly a memorable teacher too.
The inimitable John Lent hosted for us. I'd hoped to talk him into reading one of his poems, but no such luck. Almost got him into a Benedict Cumberbatch mask, though. I ended up making a last-minute choice to read from a chapter about Daniel's courtship of Rebecca. More singing! The album is going to drop anytime now.
I was especially happy that my friend Mary Ellen Holland was there.  A helpful critic and reader of drafts, as well as a brilliant teacher, she also has a Ph.D. in Fairy Godmotherhood. There's nobody quite like her. (She's going to hate this.)  So much goes into writing a novel; so many people help with ideas or readings or talk about anything other than writing.  On this book tour, I've been lucky to see my editors and agent, and now my homies. Thanks, everyone.