|
The very last page of WOODS DOG ("Note to Readers") explains it all, but if you haven't gotten that far yet, don't worry. I won't give away the ending. The simple answer to why I wrote WOODS DOG is "I had to."
Really, I almost feel like I didn't have a choice. Oddly enough, I am not even a very regular writer. Its not like I just sit down and write because it feels good. I don't earn my income from writing, either. But, as most writers understand very well, I had a story to tell and I just plain couldn't keep it to myself.
I started writing WOODS DOG even before my dog, Ranger, died. Yes, believe it or not, I started the rough draft with my old buddy Ranger lying at my feet. Actually, it was bitter-sweet. As I wrote, my emotions would be wrapped up in remembering events and feelings. My mind would be focused on some memory from when Ranger was quite young and vigorous and then reality would rush in as I once again noticed my surroundings and looked down at my old dog. In a way, having Ranger near was helpful. Afterall, he was my inspiration. But, in another way, it was sad to continually go from one place in my mind to a very different reality.
It was only a few months from the time I started WOODS DOG until Ranger was gone. Then, when he died, I really didn't have the desire to write much. There was no depression, but there was saddness and a wound that needed some time to heal. After several months, I picked up the story again and got serious about editing and smoothing things out. From then on, I didn't stop writing - spending several hours each night writing new material and ironing out older sections. In all, the process took almost a full year of "off and on" writing.
Was it therapy? Yes. Was it a way to hold on to Ranger? Yes. Was it a way to chronicle the methods I used to raise a great dog? Yes. Was it an effort to share a story with someone who might need to hear it? Well, only you, the reader, can be the judge of that. I would love to hear from you. Contact me at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
. Please include your name (at least first) and hometown with your message. |
