Q&A with Sheila Dalton discussion

Hi, everyone
I'm a writer based in Ontario, Canada. I was born in England, and came to Canada with my family when I was six. Like most writers, I've been writing since I was small. I'm not sure when I started wanting to be "a writer". Mostly, I just wanted to write. I remember wanting to be a veterinarian, a psychoanalyst, a nun, an actress, an anthropologist (my favourite) and a bohemian. (I think I thought it was a career option at some point.)
I've had over 10 books published, one by a small press, several by larger presses. I'm excited about my new one - my first published book in 12 years! - and eager to connect with people here on Goodreads.
There's a giveaway going on right now until Nov. 18, if anyone is interested.

Shelia, I was so hoping you'd do a Q and A for THE GIRL IN THE BOX. Its themes and your brilliant way of writing about them lend themselves perfectly to an opportunity like this.

Delighted to be asked to participate in your Q&A, Sheila.

Michelle wrote: "Shelia, I was so hoping you'd do a Q and A for THE GIRL IN THE BOX. Its themes and your brilliant way of writing about them lend themselves perfectly to an opportunity like this."

What a lovely message to get. Of course, I'd love to talk about the themes - I thought no one would ever ask! ;)

Linda wrote: "Delighted to be asked to participate in your Q&A, Sheila."

Thank you, my talented friend.

Shelia- delighted to be here. What was your inspiration for writing Girl in the Box?

Ann wrote: "Shelia- delighted to be here. What was your inspiration for writing Girl in the Box?"

Hi, Ann. Lovely to hear from you!
This Q & A wasn't supposed to start till the 24th, but I must have done something wrong. I am pretty much of a techno-klutz!

A extended trip to Guatemala in the late seventies, at the height of the Civil War there, was the original inspiration.
I set off with a girlfriend with the naive idea of discovering the "real" Central America. We didn't have an itinerary, or reservations, or much of a plan, other than that we wanted to stay for four months.
I was under the impression that if you wanted to write, you had to know something about the world. The trip was going to be part of a writer's education!
We were quite broke - I sold crafts for a living back then. If we hadn't live in a house with a lot of other young people at the time, I never would have saved enough for such an extended trip.
We traveled on second-class buses and stayed in no-star hotels. It was what we wanted. And it really was a great adventure.

Thanks for the invite Sheila!

Wendy wrote: "Thanks for the invite Sheila!"

You're very welcome, Wendy. Thanks for participating. You should do one sometime, if you haven't already. I'd could think of a few questions to ask you.

I would be honoured Sheila.

Wendy J. wrote: "I would be honoured Sheila."

They're easy to set up, Wendy. Let me know if you decide to do one.

Hi sheila, I'm here! Thank you for the invite. I'm frantically busy here but will try to pop in from time to time.

Judith

Judith wrote: "Hi sheila, I'm here! Thank you for the invite. I'm frantically busy here but will try to pop in from time to time.

Judith"

That's very kind of you, Judith. I understand about "busy" so don't worry. Just thinking about your output makes me dizzy!

Thanks for the invitation. I'm looking forward to reading it when it comes out.

Tamye wrote: "Thanks for the invitation. I'm looking forward to reading it when it comes out."

Thanks, Tamye. Welcome aboard. Looking forward to chatting.

Hi Sheila! Carlyle loves your book, and I'm looking forward to gracing my Kindle with it ASAP.

Best to you!!

Suki

Suki wrote: "Hi Sheila! Carlyle loves your book, and I'm looking forward to gracing my Kindle with it ASAP.

Best to you!!

Suki"

Hi, Suki. Now that you're a post on my blog tour, you could ask Naj to send you the PDF proofs which can be downloaded onto a Kindle, I think.
And, btw, Carlyle was a great help to me on TNBW - his critiques were excellent, and his enthusiasm really helped me over the rough patches.

I don't think PDF's can download to Kindle - at least our PDF didn't. We can try it though, but I think it messes up the formatting. Kindle needs html or mobi.

Anyhoooo - looking forward to your blog tour.

Yeah - Carlyle's nickname is Brain Creature. He's really amazing.

Suki wrote: "I don't think PDF's can download to Kindle - at least our PDF didn't. We can try it though, but I think it messes up the formatting. Kindle needs html or mobi.

Anyhoooo - looking forward to your..."

Brain creature? Oooh. I may be able to get you a review copy from the publisher - it would be in paper, though. The ebook won't be available for a while.
I can send the PDF now and you can tell me if it works.
Sheila

Okay! Thanks!!!

Suki wrote: "Okay! Thanks!!!"

If I ever had your personal email address, I've lost it. Message me on here with it, and I'll send that PDF.
Sheila

Sheila wrote: "Hi, everyone
I'm a writer based in Ontario, Canada. I was born in England, and came to Canada with my family when I was six. Like most writers, I've been writing since I was small. I'm not sure wh..."

Thanks for the invite, Sheila. I look forward to participating. And thanks for sharing a bit of yourself. You made me laugh with the adolescent desire to become a bohemian when you grew up. ha! Soooo cute. I didn't know you had 10 books published either. Congratulations.

See you in the threads I can comment on,
Susan Stec

Susan wrote: "Sheila wrote: "Hi, everyone
I'm a writer based in Ontario, Canada. I was born in England, and came to Canada with my family when I was six. Like most writers, I've been writing since I was small. I..."

Hi, Susan
Just ask me any questions you like. I don't have any new threads planned right now.
Thanks for joining.
(Yeah, I'll bet I thought "beatnik" was a profession, too.)

I got the PDF from Naj. When Carlyle gets home, we'll see if it loads on the Kindle.

Thanks!!

Suki wrote: "I got the PDF from Naj. When Carlyle gets home, we'll see if it loads on the Kindle.

Thanks!!"

Let me know!