A conversation with Mindy and George from 'Tillie's Tale' by Mindy Mymudes

The characters from Tillie's Tale decided to stop by to share their insight into why middle grade readers love spooky stories. :)

Mindy:

I think middle grade readers love spooky stories. If they are in scouts or do any group camping, stories about ghosts are told over a fire in the inky darkness. It’s so easy to see one forming…

George:

Well I think I was asked this question. You are just my secret-ary. I hired you to handle the keyboard on the computer, since that’s a distinctly Peep form of prejudice. Not that dogs need to write to prove our perfection. However, Peeps can’t interpret dog language, so we have to do all the work and learn Peep. We are very good.

Dogs are excellent characters in middle grade books. What’s not to like about us? When our Girl and Boypeeps are afraid, we are there to take care of them. Dogs aren’t worried about ghosts. Or even of horrible Hodags. When our young packmates are sad, we snuggle up to them and let our fur soak up their tears.

We enjoy walks with them, so we all get exercise. Dogs are excellent teachers. When we’re out on our walkies, our poo is important, so our young Peeps pick it up in special bags. Responsibility is very important to learn. Since we don’t have fingers, they have to feed and give us water.

Besides, we’re cute, give kisses with our magical drool, and our fur is very soft to pet. Lastly, we’re are very smart, and I’m the smartest dog of all. Basset hounds are perfect, and I’m not only a basset, but also a magical familiar.

I think I’ve made my point. Dogs should be the main character in all books, not just young Peeps.

Mindy:

<Sigh> I guess George covered everything. Thanks for having me.

George:

<Cough> Thanks for having me.

Tillie’s Tale – Magical Drool Mysteries

by Mindy Mymudes

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BLURB:

Who is the mysterious ghosty haunting puppygirl Tillie? And why? George, the magical basset hound familiar is on the trail.

It’s not often a basset hound puppy is haunted by an unhappy ghost, but George’s packmate, Tillie, manages to attract one. George and Tillie need to find out how to help the ghost before she turns into a poultry-ghost.

Read an excerpt:

“Wrrrrttttle.”

Tillie’s tail is spinning in circles. She’s staring at a filmy thing sitting on the steps of an old, rough-brick building. I know it’s really a large Peeps’ den, but since it’s bad to be in the dog house, I assume it’s bad to be in a house. Why don’t they just call it a den if houses are so bad? From the smelltaste of cooking, Peeps, dust, skin, and the other stuff Peeps like, there are many small dens inside. Tillie “wrrrrrtttles” again and adds a soft “wuff.” Her front goes down into a play bow. The thing she’s trying to get to play is shimmery and clear, with thick and thin spots swimming on the surface.

“Snoof. Snuffle” I lick my lips. There’s a disturbing smelltaste of dustmoldlightningozone.

Oh mousefleas.

It’s a ghosty.

Available on Amazon

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

I've worked in a hazardous waste lab, where under the sign for the Right To Know law, was added: if you can figure it out. I've been a metals tech, a bakery clerk, a professional gardener, taught human anatomy and ran two university greenhouses. Along the way I picked up my Master's Degree in Biology, specializing in the population genetics of an endangered plant. I am also a top breeder, handler, trainer of English springer spaniels, with three in the equivalent of the National Club's (ESSFTA) hall of fame. Every time I think I know dogs, another dog comes along and proves my beliefs are totally wrong.


Links:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-Mindy-Mymudes/486126501426333

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6702514.Mindy_Mymudes

Website: http://mindymymudes.weebly.com

Blog: http://bassetbones.wordpress.com

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