I just spent a great afternoon in the town my book 'Running Barefoot' is set in. I grew up in the town, and if you've read the book, the people and the community play a big part in the story.
It's been almost twenty years since I've lived there, but things haven't changed too much. There have been a few move-ins, as people have discovered the great little town, and the younger generation has grown up without ever knowing my family, or me, because we don't live there anymore.
So it was a hoot to hear from some of my old friends telling me all about the 'stink' my book has caused. They told me folks were saying that "her mother died when she was nine, you know?" or "She always was into Navajo boys," or "Did you see that part in the book, the part that she wrote about me?" Of course all these statements were about yours truly...and not my character Josie. But it seems I have become Josie Jensen, the blonde haired heroine in my story, and she has become me.
Nope. I'm a brunette. My mom is still alive and well, my husband is a red-head with freckles - I've never even dated someone with Navajo heritage, and sadly, I don't know the people who are claiming fame for certain parts of the book. But boy did I have a good laugh with my old friends, and I actually did see a few people who inspired parts of the story, but I'll never tell them that. Ah small towns....there's nothing like 'em.
It's been almost twenty years since I've lived there, but things haven't changed too much. There have been a few move-ins, as people have discovered the great little town, and the younger generation has grown up without ever knowing my family, or me, because we don't live there anymore.
So it was a hoot to hear from some of my old friends telling me all about the 'stink' my book has caused. They told me folks were saying that "her mother died when she was nine, you know?" or "She always was into Navajo boys," or "Did you see that part in the book, the part that she wrote about me?" Of course all these statements were about yours truly...and not my character Josie. But it seems I have become Josie Jensen, the blonde haired heroine in my story, and she has become me.
Nope. I'm a brunette. My mom is still alive and well, my husband is a red-head with freckles - I've never even dated someone with Navajo heritage, and sadly, I don't know the people who are claiming fame for certain parts of the book. But boy did I have a good laugh with my old friends, and I actually did see a few people who inspired parts of the story, but I'll never tell them that. Ah small towns....there's nothing like 'em.
