As promised, Kirby shares her own personal connection to Hattie's story:
My beloved maternal grandmother was suffering from Alzheimer's and I was helping to take care of her. My heart was breaking over losing her, and at the same time, I was in a writing funk because I'd gone seven years without an acceptance letter. I was pretty sure I was supposed to quit writing. One day, I was with my grandma and she said, "The only time Mom was afraid was in the winter when the wild horses stampeded." Now, we live in the city so wild horses aren't generally something we have to worry about!
Though I tried to get more information from Grandma, she didn't even remember saying those words to me. They stuck with me, however, and I asked my aunt if she had an idea if they meant anything. She recalled that my great-grandmother, Hattie Inez Brooks Wright, (technically, my step-great-grandmother) had homesteaded as a young woman. And perhaps in Montana. I was so fascinated by that prospect, I began to poke around to find out if that was a true story.
The real Hattie with her niece and nephew |
Lois Thomas Wright Brown, Kirby's maternal grandmother and model for the main character in Hattie Big Sky |
And now that you've heard this "story behind the story", here is your chance to win Hattie Big Sky on CD. And yes, Kirby will find a way to autograph the CD for you or for someone you love.
Here are the rules:
- If you already follow this blog, please share this contest via social media then post a comment on my blog or tag me on Facebook.
- If you aren’t a follower, sign up, and then leave a comment (see #1).
- If you have never entered one of my contests, PLEASE include your email address so I can contact you if you win. No contact information--you can't win!
- HURRY! Contest ends TOMORROW NIGHT. Winner will be picked December 15th.
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Next Holiday giveaway is Kami Kinard's book, Boy Project!
4 comments:
Having lived in Montana, I can't wait to read Hattie Big Sky. Thanks for this post, Carol, and for sharing your story, Kirby.
Sign me up, Carol.
Such a wonderful book--I would love to have it read to me, and to pass it along to other book-lovers I know.
This would be an amazing story to share- thank you for the opportunity!
kduff@oelwein.k12.ia.us
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