Story Behind The Story

As some of you know, I get a lot of reader mail. I love reading your letters!

 One of the fun things that's happened is that I've been getting questions about specific books, along the lines of why I included something in a novel. Because my books are way more interesting than my life. (today's big event? Writing then going to WalMart!) I thought I'd spend Wednesdays answering some general questions about my books from reader letters.

Here we go….

Dear Shelley,  I just read The Protector and I loved it! Since I'm a librarian, I was thrilled to see Katie's interest in her library's summer reading program. Any chance you did one of those?

Here's my answer:

When I first thought about Ella, I knew I wanted her to have a love of books. It just made sense, since she'd spent most of her life caring for her parents and not having a lot of  friends. When I moved her to Jacob's Crossing, I wanted her to have a job, so working at the library sounded like a perfect job for her. The library would give her friends, and a place to shine when she wasn't falling in love with Loyal.

Then I started thinking that Ella would probably be much more comfortable around children than adults, so I had her read to children…which brought me to the summer reading program and little Katie Weaver.

I did join the summer reading program every year! I loved writing each title down and getting stars on my card for each book. I grew up in the suburbs of Houston, and when I first started reading, we didn't have an actual library. It was a satellite branch, housed in a trailer by a park. I vividly remember walking around that rickety, musty trailer, going to the far end, where the children's books were located.  The first book I checked out? The Little Match Girl, which, by the way, still makes me get choked up.

One more note about books and the library in The Protector~it was tradition at my children's school for the kindergarteners to have a Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Play.  I spent hours with each of my kids practicing their verse for the big night. Ever since, that book has been one of my favorites. I knew both Ella and Katie had to love it, too!

Here's a question for y'all….anyone else remember one of their first library books?

Thanks for visiting!

Shelley