- October 8, 2020 Sister Stories
Q&A Interview with Sister Joan
What inspired you to start publishing at this point in your life? Were you always a writer?
My life as a writer began when I was about five. I am one of 10 children and birthdays were special. Mom baked a birthday cake in the morning. After supper, the kitchen lights were turned out and, as we sat around the table, the candles on the cake were lit and we sang "Happy Birthday." Then each of us recited a verse that we made up for our birthday brother or sister. With nine siblings, I had lots of practice for writing verses, and I’ve always remembered the fun we had reciting our birthday verse. I know it was those early days of my life that brought me such a love for writing.
When I was in high school, I wrote a short story for a Reader’s Digest contest for sophomores. I did not win a prize, but my paper was returned with this note that the editor had written in the margin, “Miss Pitlyk, you have talent. Keep plugging away.” Throughout my life, I have done just that—I have plugged away and I’ve enjoyed every minute.
Why did you wait until now to start publishing?
I never thought about that until our recent Zoom community meeting when Sister Donna Gunn read the story, What Do You Do with a Chance?, I realized it took me 90 years to reach out and take hold of this chance, this dream, of writing a novel. Like the child in the story, I let chances pass me by until last January when I took a risk and discovered what amazing things happened when I said "yes" to writing the novel. With Five Dogs, a Rabbit, and a Nun, I did take a chance. So now I am delighted like the child in the story who finally took a leap into a new experience. Instead of saying, “I wish I could,” I said, “Of course, I can.” And this was the beginning of an unforgettable experience.
You previously published a book of poetry. Did you find it a challenge to write a chapter book?
Not really. For many years, I have been writing short stories about the dogs and sharing them with a few family and friends. In January, when I decided to write a book using some of these stories as well as writing new ones, it was never a challenge. Whether it is poetry or prose, I love writing.
Your new book focuses on the adventures of your dogs from the viewpoint of the dogs. What adventures stand out to you?
I don’t dare choose one of the dog’s adventures over the others. I have always told the dogs that I have no favorites and that I like each of them all the same. So it’s the little rabbit who stands out for me. He was brave enough to hop from my earlier book of poems into this new book because he wanted to be a friend with these five dogs. In Five Dogs, a Rabbit, and a Nun, the page from the rabbit’s diary about his first time being an Easter Bunny is memorable.
What do you hope readers will experience and come away with?
I hope as readers turn the pages, they will smile and perhaps laugh because sometimes you just need a really good laugh to make your day.
Any projects coming up? What’s next for you?
A mother in my parish at Sacred Heart Church in Florissant, Missouri, bought the book and was showing it to her five-year-old daughter. The little girl listened to her mother and then said, “I know what a dog is; I know what a rabbit is; but, Mom, what is a nun?” That just may be the title of my next book, But, Mom, What is a Nun?
PURCHASE BOOK
To purchase a copy of Five Dogs, a Rabbit and a Nun,
contact Sister Joan Pitlyk at [email protected]. Books are $10 each.