Publisher: CrossLink Publishing
Date Published: June 1st, 2021
First choices out. Second choices in.
It’s been that way since dialysis left fourteen-year-old Krissy disabled. Her limitations went from none to a ton, and now they stand in the way of her dream—to compete in dog agility with her new sheltie pup, Aslan.
She’s seen videos of agility handlers sprinting, spinning, and twisting as they race with their dogs through the intricate obstacle courses. It’s a beautiful sport. Like dance. Like art.
And surely impossible for someone like her.
Her suspicions are confirmed when an agility instructor says Krissy’s inability to run will keep her and Aslan from successfully competing against other lightning-fast agility teams and suggests Krissy choose a less physically demanding, second-choice dog sport.
Second choices—once again.
And on top of all that, Krissy is pretty sure she doesn’t even like her own dog.
Interview with Kristin Kaldahl
For those interested in exploring the subject or theme of your book, where should they start?
Great question! I’d recommend anyone wanting to learn more about the sport of dog agility attend a local dog agility trial. Once there, speak with the competitors to find the agility trainers in your area. A good trainer can get you started in the sport. Check out this link for more info: https://www.akc.org/sports/agility/getting-started/
How did you become involved with the subject or theme of your book?
Shortly after rescuing my American Eskimo, Laika, from a shelter, I took her to a beginning dog training class. The instructor suggested I check out a local dog agility trial. I did, and it was fascinating! There, I found competitors who pointed me in the direction of trainers in my area, and after signing up for classes, we were off!
What were your goals and intentions in this book, and how well do you feel you achieved them?
My first goal was simply to see if I could write a full-length novel. That was it. So, after not only writing the book but finding an agent, getting a book contract, and seeing ASLAN: RUNNING JOY released, I’d say I blew my original goal of finishing a novel out of the water!
Other goals developed as the book went through its sixteen revision and edit passes. Those goals were things like developing well-rounded characters, creating an intriguing story, and bringing the world of agility to life. If the early reviews are any indication, I met and surpassed those goals, too.
Anything you would like to say to your readers and fans?
While some of this book mirrors my life, it’s a true work of fiction. The Aslan in the book is based on my real-life agility champion sheltie, Aslan, but the fictional Aslan lives in a different world and with a different family. However, the fictional Aslan’s personality is a direct copy of the real Aslan’s.
All of the human characters are fictional, except the character of Krissy is a bit like I was as a 13-year-old—except I gave her more of a spine. I was way too shy!
The book draws from my experiences as both a teenage transplant patient and a disabled agility handler, allowing the narrative to zing with authenticity
What did you enjoy most about writing this book?
Bringing Aslan to back to life. The real Aslan died over a year before I began my book. It was cathartic to remember and put into words Aslan’s personality, quirks, looks—his essence. It was emotionally draining, but it was healing. By the end of the book, I had found a sense of closure to the grieving process because I knew I had captured this one-of-a-kind dog—my heart dog—in a book to be handed down in my family for possibly generations to come.
Can you tell us a little bit about your next books or what you have planned for the future?
Soon I plan on starting ASLAN 2. First though, I have to finish edits for my next book which doesn’t have a title yet. It’s a young adult fantasy about, you guessed it, dogs. It has some fantastic twists and a very unique magic system. I’m excited to see where it goes.
How long have you been writing?
I’ve been writing non-fiction professionally for 34 years. However, ASLAN: RUNNING JOY was my first full work of fiction as an adult. I wish I had tried writing fiction earlier. What fun!
Can you tell us a little bit about the characters in ASLAN: RUNNING JOY?
The two main characters are Krissy and Aslan. Krissy is a 14-year-old kidney transplant survivor who, after becoming disabled by dialysis, fights to reclaim her life with a sheltie runt and the athletic sport of dog agility. Aslan is the tiny, all-wrong-for-agility pup, and he has his own character arc as he deals with isolation and his too serious nature.
Aslan carries his own point-of-view in the book, something rarely done in young adult fiction. The current thought is that teens don’t want to read an animal’s point-of-view. And, I’d agree, if that POV is cartoonish and silly. But I think teens find it refreshing to read a realistic dog POV. Lots of adult books have realistic animal POVs, and teens deserve the same respect.
If you could spend the day with one of the characters from ASLAN: RUNNING JOY who would it be? Please tell us why you chose this particular character, where you would go and what you would do.
Oh gosh. This is easy. Aslan, of course! I’d spend the day with Aslan. We’d spend the day playing agility, maybe a picnic with his favorite treats, and visiting his human and canine friends. Then, we’d go home and snuggle on the sofa, talking about the day and how much he’s loved.
About the Author
Kristin Kaldahl is an agility instructor, national-level agility competitor, and dog agility blogger with twenty years in the sport. Her dogs have earned eight agility championships and have qualified for the AKC Agility National Championship twelve times. In addition, Kaldahl is a semi-finalist in the 2018 Genesis Awards in the YA category, an award-winning former journalist, and a long-term kidney transplant survivor. #ownvoices
Contact Links
Twitter:@Sheltiebeast
Instagram: kristinkaldahl2
Purchase Links
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