Shiloh Blog

How to create a character

Comment:

I teach fourth grade. used Shiloh as a mentor text in my Writing instruction and now have a group of fourth graders reading Shiloh as part of their Reading instruction. It is a wonderful book! What advice would you give fourth graders about creating characters and situations that feel authentic? Thank you!

 

Phyllis replied:

You need to imagine your self in the role of each of the characters.  What kind of a boy would Marty be, who would do so much to rescue a dog?  What might be going through Dara Lynn’s head when she’s such a pest to her brother?  And what makes Judd Travers so angry and rude?  What problems might he have that make him act the way he does?  Make sure that your heroes have not-so-nice traits too, and that your villains aren’t all bad.

Rave Reviews!

comment:

I have a group of fourth grade students who just finished reading, Shiloh. They all enjoyed it tremendously. They especially liked the end where Marty made a deal with Judd and got Shiloh.

They are wondering what you are currently writing. Also, my students would like to know if you have a dog right now.

They are eagerly waiting to see if you reply. Thank you so much!

Sincerely,
Evan, Ben, Brody, Caroline, Juliana, Alexis, Chloe, Rileigh, and Mr. Mohn

 

Phyllis replied:

Right now I am working on a very long novel for adults, but there are a couple of ideas for new children’s books that keep nibbling at my brain, so I imagine I’ll be doing those next.  If you liked Shiloh so much, I hope you will read the last three books of the Shiloh quartet, because it’s like one continued story…you’ll find out in the very last book how things turn out between Judd  Travers and Marty Preston.  And you’ll love the DVD movie, Shiloh.   I don’t own a dog now, as I live in an apartment, but I grew up with a Springer Spaniel named Pepper.

Why did you choose West Virginia?

Comment:

What inspired you to make WV the setting for the first Shiloh book?

 

Phyllis replied:

Because that’s where I found the real dog that inspired me to make up the story.  It was in the little community of Shiloh, West Virginia.

Marty’s home in West Virginia

Comment:

I am now 36 and remember reading the 1st two Shiloh books. Ive seen the movie. My question is I know that Marty is a fictional character but if Marty’s house were real, whereabouts in Tyler County in the county would it be??

Phyllis replied:

Since Shiloh was based on a real dog that I found in the little community of Shiloh, West Virginia, the best directions I can give you is to start at the little post office for Friendly, W. Va.  It’s between Sistersville and St. Mary’s, on the road that runs along the Ohio River. Ask the post master for directions.  It has been some time since I’ve been there, but my memory is that from this location, you will start up a road that gradually leads up and up, and I believe you make a right turn at some point.  Following this next road, you will eventually pass a little sign that says simply, SHILOH, and when  you finally get to an old iron bridge that crosses Middle Island Creek, this is the location I had in mind when I wrote the Shiloh books.  At this time there was a very small house to the right, just before you crossed the bridge, and I imagined this as Marty’s house.  I suppose it’s gone by now.  I hope not.

will there be a next Shiloh book?

Comment:

miss Reynolds Naylor will there be a next Shiloh book I love your books I hope their is a new book

Phyllis replied:

I don’t know how many Shiloh books you have read, but there are four in all:  Shiloh, Shiloh Season, Saving Shiloh, and A Shiloh Christmas.   Enjoy!

What gave you the idea for Shiloh?

Comment:

what gave you the idea to wright the book Shiloh.

 

Phyllis replied:

I came upon an abandoned little dog when we were visiting friends in the community of Shiloh, West Virginia.  That’s what gave me the idea.

Grew up with Shiloh/New Book?

Comment:

I want to ask you if you was gonna write another Shiloh book? Maybe a Halloween book or Shiloh getting a girlfriend? But on the other hand I want to say thank you for writing these lovely books. I love every single one of them and the books/movies inspired me to get my own beagle and I finally got my wish last year! Anyways I thank you again and I look forward to more books if you write more Shiloh books.

 

Phyllis replied:

I’m so glad you enjoy my books, and am happy that you finally got your own beagle.  There are a total of four Shiloh books–three of them have been made into movies.  One of them does have Halloween in it–I believe that Marty and David Howard go to a Halloween party together.  I have not written any other Shiloh books except those in the Shiloh quartet.  There are just too many other kinds of books I want to write!

Could we have your address?

Comment:

My daughter wrote you a letter and drew you a picture based on her love of your book Shiloh. She wants to send it to you. Is there an address she can send it to?

Phyllis replied:

She can send it to me at 401 Russell Avenue, Apt 713, Gaithersburg, MD 20877

 

Growing Up With Shiloh

Comment:

I loved Shiloh when I was a kid. I read the books and watched the movies over and over. Animal abuse is a issue that I’m concerned about and Shiloh was what got me concerned even as a child. Reading the series and watching the movies also taught me that someone who is mean can change. Even now as an adult I still read your Shiloh books and watch the movies. Thank you for writing the books which gave me some of the best memories growing up.

 

Phyllis replied:

Thank you so much for taking time to write to me.   It’s difficult to put yourself in the mindset of someone who would mistreat an animal, but understanding how they got to be that way sometimes helps.  I’m glad you enjoyed the books, both as a child and as an adult.  I hope that the fourth book will eventually become a movie.

The Moral Question in Shiloh

Comment:

Our class just finished reading your book, Shiloh. I really enjoyed reading it. At times your story made me happy, other times it made me very worried, and there were a few times when I didn’t know what to feel. My emotions from beginning to end were, honestly, all over the place and I wouldn’t have wanted to experience your story any other way.
Your book made me think. It brought up a lot of interesting questions. Questions that have crossed my mind in other moments but questions that I haven’t stopped to ponder like this before. One question you presented to me was, is it morally wrong to lie when you see a problem that won’t be fixed by telling the truth? If you think about it, it’s a very complex and deep contradiction to consider. Morally, lying is wrong, but if you do it for the right reasons, like saving a dog, is it really that bad? This question made me think a great deal and still does. I am still not sure I have the answer and, well, I don’t know if I ever will but I do know that I will look closely and differently at situations in the future that are similar to this because of your story.
Another question your book brought up to me was if someone breaks the law, but in doing so saves a life from bodily harm, is it okay? Breaking the law is wrong, but so is hurting someone. The question has two sides, both with a strong point of view and both depending on the situation. A good example of someone who broke the law for a greater cause is Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. He stood up for African American’s rights, even though it meant that he would have to break the law to do so. This was very brave of him. And his actions, even the unlawful ones, made him a historically known figure that made real change for real people and that people now look up to, so is it right? Should we all act like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. sometimes? I don’t know.
We tried to understand this hard question that you asked in your book in our class. We had a mock trial. In our mock trial, Marty was suing Judd Travers for abusing his animals. We talked about the questions your book brought up and how they helped us in our lawful cases and, also, helped us to understand both sides of the story, Marty’s and Judd’s. Our trial ended with Judd being innocent but he had to have a social worker come to his house every three days to make sure he didn’t harm his dogs. Marty got to visit Shiloh once a week so he could still be close to Shiloh. I felt this was a fair outcome for both sides. I came to the conclusion that nothing is as clear as it seems and that’s why I loved this book.
I love books that have emotion, are smart, intriguing and leaves you really excited to see what will happen next. I especially love books that I think about long after I finish reading them. Your book is all of those, and that is why it is one of my favorites I’ve ever read.
Thank you for writing Shiloh. I loved it.

 

Comment:

Well, I loved reading your email, because you found the real meaning behind the story: the gray area between right and wrong.  I don’t have an answer for you, because every person will face decisions similar to this in his life, and has to work it out for himself.  For example, when it is time to vote, both candidates may have serious faults, but if you are a good citizen, you know it’s your responsibility to vote, so you have to choose one (or write in the name of somebody else who probably would not get the vote).  And of course there are times you should  break the law.  What if you see a toddler who has fallen in a fountain that says “Keep Out.”  Of course you should wade in and rescue the child.  Martin Luther King is also an excellent example of a person breaking a bad law.  Sitting in at a lunch counter was not hurting anyone, but it was disobeying a local law for the good of a whole race of people.  Some decisions are easy; some are hard.  But this is part of growing-up–taking responsibility for doing what you feel is right.  And I think your jury made a wise decision in your mock trial of Judd  Travers.