Please welcome Kirsten Welsh to my blog. Hello Kirsten! Welcome to my blog. Shal we have a chat about your first book, Phantom Dog Show?

Please introduce yourself to those reading this blog post.

Hello, this is Kirsten, I’m 16 years old. I enjoy writing, playing the violin, music, dance, art, cooking, reading, learning and much more. I love dogs, wolves, and animals. I am fond of adventures and mysteries and find them both to be very exciting.

• Has writing always been part of your life and when did you “know” that it was time to start writing your first book?

Writing I haven’t always been interested in, however, I have had an enjoyment with storytelling, though in seventh grade, I think, it was when I got interested in writing. I wanted to start writing this book after seeing the play The Phantom of the Opera, which I enjoyed, with its super cool special effects.

• How difficult was it writing your first book?

I don’t think it was difficult, I do know though that it was fun.

• Have you ever wanted to give up and what stopped you?

No, I just took it nice and easy, taking breaks here and there.

• Who is the most supportive of you and your dream to be a writer?

God and my best friend Jesus, for God gives each one of us special gifts and talents and He encourages us to use what He’s given us, for not just ourselves, but for others and for Him. And my mom and sister have helped me during writing and through getting my book published, and my friends for also helping me with ideas, and Mary Schmidt for helping me greatly with getting my book published.

• Anything specific you want to tell your readers?

That God loves you greatly, He’s very fond of you, and no matter how many times you mess up or what you mess up with, He loves you, and He wants to be your friend.

• What is the best advice given to you (book or otherwise), and by whom?

I’ll have to say that all the people I have met, all the people I know, or have seen and heard all have had an effect on who I am, and what I have experienced also makes me who I am, for God places you and people in certain places and at certain times so that we can all learn something. And this is also how we’re all special, because we all have a different story, we all have different experiences.

• What is your target audience and what aspect of your writing do you feel targets that audience?

When I wrote this book, I didn’t really think about who would be reading this. This book I think can be read by people through the ages of 8-13, however I think this book can be for everyone.

• Did the cover evolve the same way, or did you work with someone to make it come together for you?

I came up with the pictures by myself after looking up different breeds of dogs and the way they look.

1. What are you working on now? Can we get a peek, an excerpt?

Awesome ideas, here are just a few little peeks at my ideas:

            Theater Holiday

            Sickness of Fear

            The Prince and the Phantom

            Superheroes and Supervillians

What do these words mean?  Find out in the books where these ideas are connected to.

1. Any last words before we wrap things up?

God loves you, and all that truly matters is having a relationship/friendship with Jesus.

I’m a 16-year-old writer and illustrator from the USA, and this is my first published book. I enjoy
mysteries and adventures. I love learning about who Jesus is, and the love that He has for me, and even if I doubt His love, it always feels great when He reminds me that He loves me, even when I mess up and do wrong. I enjoy writing, playing the violin, music, dance, art, cooking, weather, reading, and more. I love dogs, wolves and animals.