Shiloh Blog

ela

comment:

how do you write all of that.

 

Phyllis replied:

Well, I just think a lot about the story and the characters–what the biggest problem would be in their lives, and the different ways they might go about fixing it. Then I either start typing it out or writing it in longhand.  Several hours every day, until I get the ending I want.

Tyler County Librarian

Comment:

Good morning! I’m the librarian at Tyler Consolidated Middle/High School in Tyler County, WV, and several of our students just finished reading Shiloh Christmas. I love telling the story behind the Shiloh books to our students and always encourage them to drive out to Shiloh where they can see for themselves where the books began. I knew the Maddens, and remember them as energetic, productive members of our community. My own children loved meeting Clover when the Maddens brought her to school to “pawtograph” their copies of Shiloh.
Thank you again for treating my home county so gently in your books and for giving your readers a glimpse of beautiful Tyler County, West Virginia. I wish you the best!

 

Phyllis replied:

I’m so happy to know that you felt I did a good job when I wrote about your school (mostly from my imagination).  I do remember that I called your school several times when I was writing the story to find out something I needed (like whether the high school and middle school were in the same building, etc) and everyone I talked to was so courteous and helpful.  I know that one of the paperback editions of “Shiloh” has photographs in it taken of the Madden place where I set my story, and I treasure my visits to Shiloh.  I fell in love with West Virginia when I fell in love with the West Virginian who became my husband, and we had many happy trips back to his home state.

Judd Travers

Comment:

I am a grade 4 student at AISA (American International School of Abuja) in Nigeria. I really enjoyed your book, and we just read the part of the book that described how you got the idea for Shiloh. I have a question about Judd Travers. Who inspired the character of Judd Travers?

 

Phyllis replied:

Judd Travers is entirely from my imagination.  But I know that some people who have been mistreated themselves choose to work out their feelings by finding someone else to mistreat–to be the bad guy himself and let someone else be the victim.  Some take it out on their animals, who can’t defend themselves.  Or even their children.  Others, who have been mistreated when they were young, make the decision to be the opposite of someone who was cruel to them, and they “break the chain” of hurting others.  Judd was necessary for the plot of putting Marty in the position of having to figure out what was “right” and what was “wrong.”

How Old Is Shiloh?

Comment:

Hello! I’m in third grade in Houston, Texas and I wanted to ask how old is Shiloh?

I really enjoy the Shiloh books. I’m reading the third one right now and my mom and dad got me the fourth one for Easter. They’re my favorite books of all time.PS Will you ever write another Shiloh book?

 

Phyllis replied:

What a thoughtful gift!  I came across the real dog that inspired the Shiloh books in 1988.  (It was a female dog).  The vet estimated that she was probably about two years old at the time.  She died in 2000.  So she lived a good 14 years, and at least twelve of those years with kind and loving people.   I think that with the 4th Shiloh book, I’ve said all I wanted to say about Shiloh.  But if you like books about animals, you may also like my Cat Pack books, beginning with “The Grand Escape.”

shiloh

Comment:

omg i love shiloh he is sooooo cuuuuteettetetetetetete!!!!!!!!!!

Phyllis replied:

I think so too.

Skyping

Comment:

My classroom is currently reading Shiloh and they love it. I was wondering if you would be able to Skype with my class so they could ask you some questions about the book. This has been their favorite novel that we have read. Thank you so much. I hope we can make this work.

Phyllis replied:

I’m sorry.  I wish I could say yes to all who write to me, but I’m not set up for skype and simply don’t have the time to do it for everyone.

Childhood Books

Comment:

The Shiloh books have been apart of my childhood growing up since i was in 3rd grade (Im 16 Now).I’ve have always loved the great read. Thank you for the great books and stories. I was wondering, what has been your favorite part on working and writing these amazing books?

Phyllis replied:

For these particular books, figuring out the plot was the most rewarding.  Having come across this real dog in Shiloh, W. Va, I originally started writing the first book just to see if I could work out in my mind how an eleven year-old boy could persuade a miserable, cruel man to let him have his dog.  What obstacles would he face, being only 11?  If his family felt they couldn’t afford to take care of a dog properly?  If the boy had to lie in order to keep it?  In the end, the theme of the book turned out to be that gray area between right and wrong, and it was fascinating to see how each decision the boy made to save the dog caused a problem somewhere else.  This was challenging to work with, but fun to do.  I’m glad you liked the books so much.

Mood and tone?

Comment:

What is the mood and tone for the book Shiloh? Are there any literary devices used? thank you for your time.

Phyllis replied:

Hmmm.  Why do I get the feeling that you want me to do your homework for you?  What kind of tone do you think I used in telling my story?  What kind of mood did it put you in when you read it?  When I write a book, I don’t think about “literary devices.”  I just want to tell a good story.

4th grade novel study Silver Spring MD

comment:

I am a 4th grade teacher at St. John the Baptist in Silver Spring, Maryland. I remember reading Shiloh when I was in elementary school and absolutely loving it. I have a class that is very sympathetic to dogs that have had a challenging life, therefore I knew Shiloh would be a perfect novel study for us. I have a rescue dog myself that the class constantly hears stories about.

I was wondering if my class could write some letters to you. Do you mind providing an address I could send the letters to?

Phyllis replied:

students may write to me at 401 Russell Avenue, Apt. 713, Gaithersburg, MD  20877.

The memory I’ve created with my son

Comment:

My son read Shiloh with his class last year. I was, at that point completely oblivious to your work. My introduction came earlier this school year when he chose Shiloh-Season for his very 1st book report. Up to now, it is the only book I’ve seen him pick up to read on his own. Subsequently, we read Saving Shiloh together, aloud taking turns reading to each other, and we just checked out Shiloh Christmas last week. Mam, I am a 51 year old man who lives in Colorado with absolutely no discernible connection to West Virginia or the small town lifestyle of the Preston’s. I have, for my entire life loathed reading books. I am not sentimental by nature nor am I religious so no explanation of divine intervention is readily apparent. You may be amused to know that when Judd Travers waded into the creek, and then was being interviewed for the paper and he said that he had to save Shiloh because Shiloh had saved him, I was bawling like a baby, to the point I had to stop twice to regain my composure and pretend (not convincingly by the way), that I had something in my eyes and cough/choke at the same time. I apologize for the length of this message, I just really need to thank you for the memory I have created with my son that I know each of us will treasure for as long as we live. I am forever grateful.

Phyllis replied:

I hope you don’t mind my reprinting part of your letter.  You must know that I cried while I was writing some parts of the Shiloh series too.  I’m just delighted that you shared these books with your son, and that it meant so much to you both.  You may want to rent the movie “Shiloh.”  In fact, the first three Shiloh books were made into movies, but the first one, especially, really comes to life.  Of course, in “Saving Shiloh,” that rescue is dramatic…..  But I thank you in return for your letter.  It was the one bright spot in a weekend spent wrestling with a new novel I’m writing that is currently much too long….