Shiloh Blog

How long did it take?

Comment:

Our class just finished the Shiloh book and movie. In my opinion, I really enjoyed it. I have some questions,how long did it take to write,correct,and publish the book? Another question is do you plan on making more Shiloh books? Last questions is, did you enjoy writing the book?

Phyllis replied:

I don’t remember how long until it became a book.  I know that I wrote the first draft in about six weeks because I was so moved and upset about the mistreated dog we had seen in West Virginia (and I was so happy when our friends there said they finally adopted it).  From the time I submit a book to my editor, however, it usually takes about a year for it to be edited, revised, copied, bound and to finally appear in bookstores.  There are three more Shiloh books, making it a quartet.  You need to read them all to find out what finally happens between Marty and Judd.

 

End of movie

Comment:

My class here in Ohio just finished your book Shiloh #1 and the movie. I loved it, I had a few tears but they were happy tears. The movie is now my favorite movie and the book is my favorite book ever. The story and the movie were so cute. At the end of the movie it surprised me because it was not the same as in the book but I loved it. How old was Shiloh? At the end of the movie my friend and I said we will never ever let our pets get hurt.

Phyllis replied:

I was surprised at the end of the movie too, because it was so unlike the book.  Judd is angrier still in the movie than in the book, but that simply leads the reader into the next three Shiloh books to find out what finally happens between Marty and Judd.

Mean Judd

Comment:
my fourth grade class just got done reading Shiloh and we watched the movie too. I just wanted to say that it was the best book ever and I want to ask, how did you get the idea for Judd Travers?

Phyllis replied:

If there had not been a cruel man causing problems like Judd Travers, there wouldn’t have been a story.  Not this story, anyway.

Characters’ names

Comment:
My 4th grade class in Ohio just finished reading Shiloh and even watched the movie in class. I really liked Dara Lynn and Becky. I liked Sam from the movie, too. I just love the part of the movie where Judd Travers lets Shiloh out of the truck, and just runs to Marty.. I have a question for you to.How did you come up with all of the character’s names in the movie and book?

Phyllis replied:

It takes me a long while to think up names, even though I have a big book called What to Name the Baby,  which tells the meanings of names.  I have to consider what part of the country the people live in, how old they are, whether male or female. Whether the name is too unusual or too common…. lots of things. And I make sure that no two names sound alike, that might confuse a reader–such as Marty and Marvin or Lily and Lilah.  I try not to have too many names ending in “y” or “ie” or “a”, just so the reader can easily keep them apart if it is a book with a lot of characters.

Judd’s name

Dear Phyllis Reynolds Naylor,
My 4th grade class in Ohio just read Shiloh and watched the movie.It was a great movie and book.In the end of the movie I cried happy tears. How old was Shiloh? It was an amazing movie and story.It is my favorite book and movie.Where did you get the name Judd Travers from?I loved it!

Phyllis replied:

The real dog who inspired the Shiloh books was around twelve years old when she died, we believe.  (It was really a female dog).  I spent a lot of time deciding on Judd’s name.  I didn’t want it to be a common name that a lot of boys might have.

Shiloh

Comment:
I watched your book Shiloh.I really liked the book.You did a really good job on making the book Shiloh.I really liked in the book where Judd has a change of heart and let’s Marty keep Shiloh. I have one question. Where did you get the name of the Preston’s family?

Phyllis replied:

I don’t know.  Just made it up.

Why?

Comment:

my 4th grade classes just got finished reading your book Shiloh and watched the movie. We loved them so much. My favorite part was the end when Judd Travers lets Shiloh out of the truck,and Shiloh ran towards Marty. Why did Judd Travers go get Shiloh but then lets Marty keep him? I was so happy when Judd Travers let Marty keep Shiloh, it made me feel really happy.

Phyllis replied:

I think that Judd was feeling some respect for Marty–the way Marty kept to his part of the bargain by working so long for Judd.  And at the very end, when Marty says, “All I had was your word.  Doesn’t that mean something to you?”  That line wasn’t in the book, but I thought it was a good one.

Shiloh

Comment:

My 4th grade class in Waynesville, Ohio just finished reading and watching Shiloh. . My favorite part was when Judd gave Marty the collar for Shiloh.

Phyllis replied:

A lot of people like that part best.

Why did Judd let him?

Comment:

my class in Ohio has just finished reading and waching the movie Shiloh. I really enjoyed both the Shiloh movie and book. One question I had was why did Judd let Shiloh stay with Marty? Judd seemed like such a mean person.

Phyllis replied:

The dog had been injured, and might need more treatment.  So Judd’s attitude was, “You’re the one responsible for this, so if he needs more medical help, it’s up to you; you’d better save my dog.”

Shiloh

Comment:
My name is Josh I am in Fourth grade and have Miss Ferguson as my reading teacher. My class just finished reading your book Shiloh it was a really good book.I like how you make Judd change from the beginning of the book to the end of the book. I also liked how you were so descriptive you were because I could picture everything so easily. I have one question for you do you like dogs in the first place.

Phyllis replied:

Yes, I like dogs.  I don’t think I could have written the book if I didn’t.