Don’t Let the Kids Bite the Dog by Kathy Pease

With the victorious campaign slogan “I Like Ike!” ringing in your ears, journey back in time with Kathleen Holstad Pease to a less complicated time and place. It was the fifties, that prosperous decade following a tragic war. Experience life in a small town in North Dakota through the eyes of a child. The challenging winters and stifling summers create a community of hearty souls that fill the pages with delightful stories of her early years living in a basement house, the county sheriff’s house complete with a jail and finally, an apartment on Main Street. Travel with the family as they journey west seeking economic stability. This coming-of-age tale will make you smile, shed a tear, and escape to another period in time. Hold on to your hat, we’re on our way! Proceeds from the sale of this book will be donated to Rady Children’s hospital in memory of Emma Mahatsachan Pease.

Interview With The Author

SJF:  How did you discover SDMWA?

KP: Marni Freedman told me about this organization and I joined in 2016.  This organization just keeps growing and getting better all the time.  I am honored to be selected as December’s Member of the Month.

SJF:  Have you been taking writing classes/workshops?  If so, where?  Which made the most impact?

KP: I started taking Marni Freedman’s Memoir Certificate Program in January of 2016. I had written some chapters of my memoir, but Marni’s classes on structuring my story were critical to the development of my book.  Marni is a gifted teacher and she inspired and encouraged me all the way.

SJF: Tell us about your book Don’t Let The Kids Bite The Dog and memoir piece The Peace Offering from Shaking the Tree-brazen. short. memoir. Volume 1.

KP: Don’t Let the Kids Bite The Dog is a coming-of-age story that takes place in in the fifties in a small town in North Dakota where I was surrounded by friends and family.  It describes life in a basement house often covered with snow, then living in a county house complete with a jail when my father was Sheriff and finally moving to an apartment on Main Street.  In 1956, we moved to Oregon and began two years of challenges as we moved frequently, attended several schools, and finally landed on our feet.  

Here are a few excerpts from my readers on Amazon:

“I laughed, I cried, I loved reading this book!  A must-read for everyone!”

“This was a real page-turner of a book and I was sorry to turn the last page at the end of this well-told story.”

“Witty and insightful.  I highly recommend this book.”

“This book rocks!”

In 2016, Liza May, a story about my mother’s last months was selected for the San Diego Memoir Showcase. This story became the Epilogue for my memoir.  In 2017, The Peace Offering was selected for the Memoir Showcase and the anthology Shaking the Tree.  This was part of a chapter in my book telling the story of one of my favorite prisoners when my dad was Sheriff.

SJF: What are you currently working on?

KP: I am currently writing stories that may become another memoir.

SJF: What are some of your favorite memoirs?

KP: I have enjoyed Educated by Tara Westover, The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls, The Middle Place by Kelly Corrigan, Wait Till Next Year by Doris Kearns Goodwin, The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid by Bill Bryson, and the Liar’s Club by Mary Karr.

SJF: Any advice for new writers?

KP: I would recommend Marni Freedman’s memoir classes.  Everyone has a story and it is a real adventure to go through the process of taking your thoughts and creating a book.  I learned a lot through Marni and the other students in her classes.  Their stories were varied and inspirational.  Pick up your pencil, grab some paper, start writing and have fun!

SJF: Where can we find your blog/website or any other online links?

KP: Don’t Let The Kids Bite The Dog is available at Warwick’s.com. All proceeds are donated to Rady Children’s Hospital in memory of our granddaughter Emma M. Pease.  

SJF: Many thanks, Kathy!