Author's Comments # 3

1. Well, you've all figured out that Luther and Freeman are not angels in disguise. They're a couple of bad cats, and Luther seems particularly nasty. Luther is certainly the most obvious choice for "Boat Saboteur of the Year".

2. Most of you also have the right answer when it comes to Jack and how he feels after fixing the boat, and quickly learning some seamanship skills. He feels great, respected, wanted, needed, and part of a team. These are new feelings for Jack, especially lately. The events of these chapters have changed Jack, for the better.

3. Most of you also have the right answer for why Jenny keeps appearing, even if only for a brief moment. Jenny is still part of the story and these vignettes provide an opportunity to keep her in the mind of the reader. It indicates that she is important, and also gives a chance to see what is happening through her eyes. Jenny will see some action soon enough.

Now for some answers to your questions:

Gabrielle M, I'm sure that your teacher says some words a little differently than you, and that is because people often say words differently in various parts of the country. Grand Mananers have a distinctive accent; although to you, it appears that Ms McQuaid and I are the ones with the accents.

Rachel, you asked about similarities between York and Jack. I certainly did not clone York to become Jack, but they do have some similar character traits. Most heroes of action novels are clever, brave, and strong but the fine details of the characters can be very different. You'll see some of these differences as the story progresses. How did York react when the going got the toughest, he just dug in more. Watch and see how Jack reacts when he is very stressed (coming up soon).

Kyle B, you asked about my choice of subject: pandemics understandable, but fishing? You're getting into the mind of the author now. Well, I know lots about fishing as well. When I was your age I spent most of my summers on Grand Manan, fishing, building weir, handlining, playing in boats, building bonfires on the beach, swimming in Miller's pond, etc. I have family connections to Grand Manan, and I still spend time there every year. In the "Acknowledgements" at the start of the book, I give credit to Vera and Jewett Green, and Virginia and Liscombe Greene, who spent hours being interviewed by me before I started writing the book, to get details of life on the boats and on Grand Manan back in the 1940s.

By the way it's good to have lots of interests, and in fact reading books is a great way to develop interests.

Jack has certainly found an interest that he likes; lets just hope that can make his way in this new interest, or will other events intervene?