Tuesday, November 22, 2011

The Puppy That Came for Christmas - Megan Rix - Q&A AND Giveaway!

I'm thrilled to welcome author  Megan Rix to A Bookworm's World today. She was gracious enough to answer a few questions about her latest book The Puppy That Came for Christmas. Make sure you enter for a chance to win a copy!

You’re quite a diverse/ prolific writer. What does your writing day look like? My day starts early - usually at around 6 but occasionally 5.30am. Ian gets out of bed and our two dogs, Traffy and Bella, jump on (if they’re not already there.) Traffy’s the star of my first memoir 'The Puppy that Came for Christmas' and Bella’s our latest addition and just one year old.

Ian brings me up a mug of coffee before he leaves for work andif it’s still dark outside (like it is now) I usually do some longhand writing in bed while the dogs snooze if I’m lucky and play boisterously on the bed if I’m not.

Coffee drunk I take Traffy and Bella to the river which is close by. We usually walk there for about an hour and meet up with dog and human friends. When we get back we all have breakfast and then I get down to writing at my desk in front of the computer. At around 12-00 we're all usually getting a bit stir-crazy so we head off for another walk - usually in the opposite direction along the river bank.

And then I'll do a few more hours of writing in the afternoon while Bella and Traffy have a snooze on the bed. (Very occasionally I'll join them and it’s heavenly!) I stop writing for the day any time between 4 and 6pm when Ian comes home from work. I don’t usually do any writing once he's back as it's nice to have some family time before it starts all over again the next day!

I've heard that there may be a second memoir in the works? Can you tell us anything about it?
Currently I’m working on 3 different books: ‘Traffy at Two’ (working title) my second memoir about Traffy and Helper Dogs, ‘Cat Magic’ (written as Ruth Symes – it’s the fourth in the Bella Donna series of children’s novels – the first three have just been sold to China – can’t wait to see them in Chinese!) And last but not least - my first children's novel written as Megan Rix, published by Puffin, and coming out in the summer of 2012. It’s called ‘The Great Escape’ and is about 3 pets who narrowly escape death in World War 2 and cross the country meeting Winston Churchill on the way (he was a huge cat fan) to be reunited with their evacuated owners. I loved doing the research!
I swap between the books as the mood takes me. Sometimes I set myself targets like writing 1000 words a day. I think targets are good to have for motivation - but at the moment my deadlines are all looming so I don’t have time to think I'm not in the mood today - I just have to get on with it!

What's actually involved in taking in a dog to train?
A lot of patience and a lot of love.

What types of disabilities are they being trained for?
Helper Dogs are mainly to work with people with limited or no mobility but often they have extra training to cater to an individual’s specific needs.

Have you kept in touch with the dogs you 'fostered'?
Yes I have – Emma got to be a bridesmaid at her disabled partner’s wedding this year and Freddy’s still the life and soul of his new family. I’ve written about them in ‘Traffy at Two’.

Are you still involved in any way?
Very much involved – although Traffy’s now a therapy dog rather than a demo dog.

Why do you think animal memoirs seem to be all the rage lately?

I don’t know but I love reading them – so long may they continue! Read an excerpt of The Puppy that Came for Christmas.

Thanks for stopping by Megan! You can find Megan on Facebook and on Twitter.

Now while we can't offer up a puppy for giveaway, we've got the next best thing - a copy of The Puppy that Came for Christmas. Open to US and Canada, simply comment to be entered. Closes Dec 11.

26 comments:

Liz V. said...

Have read good reviews of "The Puppy That Came for Christmas". Best wishes for its success and success of your current works.

My husband has never met a stray he hasn't brought home, and they've added immeasurably to our lives.

Linda said...

I am amazed by the talents and abilities of helper dogs. My daughter is very involved with an animal shelter. I'd love to share this memoir with her. Thanks for the giveaway.
lcbrower40(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

Thanks for this wonderful giveaway. Dogs have so much inteliigence and abilities to offer people. We have a rescue dog who is a wise and special sweetheart. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

petite said...

Dogs have a hidden dimension and so many are able to help and give empathy. Many thanks.elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

bermudaonion said...

I'm reading The Puppy That Came for Christmas right now so there's no need to enter me. I admire the author's commitment to such a great cause!

charcharr said...

i love reading dog books. makes me extra appreciative of my sweet dog's love.

Kathryn said...

My daughter is autistic and having a dog has made a great difference to her and the whole family. Such loving, loyal creatures! Looking forward to reading this book!

Unknown said...

I love animal books, and this one looks super cute :)

unforgetable_dreamer_always (at) hotmail (dot) com

Martha Lawson said...

This sounds like an amazing book! I'd love to be entered to win it.

mlawson17 at hotmail dot com

Literary Chanteuse said...

Ahhhh how cute! My daughter would love the real thing but I'll settle for the book. Thanks!

Margaret
singitm@hotmail.com

Marjorie/cenya2 said...

I would love to win this book for my daughter. It sounds wonderful.

cenya2 at hotmail dot com

Jeryl M. said...

I would love to win this book. My girls would love it.

Hobbies on a Budget said...

Would love to win this giveaway! Thanks so much! btw - I have a book giveaway linkup that i'd love for you to add your book giveaway: http://hobbiesonabudget.com/book-giveaway-link-up/ Best of luck!

shana said...

I love getting good books! Animal books are usually some of the best!

nineteen19 at blackfoot dot net

Tami Winbush said...

How in the world do you juggle so many WIP?

Amy said...

I love to read. What a nice giveaway Thanks

Nancye said...

This book sounds great! Definitely one I would enjoy! Thanks for the chance!

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Julie K. said...

...a dog book before Christmas is a kind of honor for all of our animal friends :) Sometimes it is just scary how many people do not consider what does it really mean to get a puppy and so they forget about responsibility considerations...

Suzie B said...

The book sounds like an excellent read! Thanks for the giveaway!
sbabij2 at shaw dot ca

Susan O'Bryant said...

Puppies and Christmas. Two of my favorite things. Gotta have this one. Thanks for the chance to win it! :)

susanaudrey33 at gmail dot com

Jenna said...

I love animal tales :) :) I would love to be entered into this giveway.

papajm25 AT gmail DOT com

Kathleen Higgins-Anderson said...

Loved the interview, the story looks like it is a wonderful read. Thank you for the giveaway! :)

jerseygirlbookreviews@yahoo.com

Susan said...

As soon as I saw the picture of the puppy I was hooked. Thanks for a great interview and the opportunity to win your book!

Anonymous said...

I would love to win a free book.
Blessings,
Brenda

pattersonmom24@aol.com

Nancye said...

I would LOVE to win a copy of this book! Thanks for the chance!

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Jeryl M. said...

My girls would love this book.

jeryl.marcus@gmail.com