#TuesdayTalk with Pam Withers. Her novel, Bungee Jump, is on shelves now!
Tell us a bit about your book.
Thirteen-year-old Chris and his younger sister need to help make their family’s new bungee jump operation work, which means battling rumours that the island it’s on is haunted.
What was the catalyst for your story?
Bungee Jump was inspired by the real-life case of a former leper colony island long rumoured to be haunted.
What was your favourite book as a child?
The entire series of The Wizard of Oz! I loved the imaginative characters and settings.
In your opinion, what makes a compelling story?
I think that a story comes from believable, conflicted characters and lots of action, adventure and tension.
Does your book have a niche or specialty market?
All 18 of my books are outdoor adventure stories, typically featuring extreme sports combined with a mystery. Bungee Jump fits right in with that!
Do you gravitate toward a certain genre or type of writing?
Having spent a lifetime involved in outdoor sports and adventure, that’s what I’m interested in writing about. Why? Because the ideas come most easily in that genre, and hopefully my passion and experience lifts the writing.
What types of conversations do you hope will come out of your book?
Besides an appreciation for the sport, I think readers will learn interesting things about the history of leprosy. Also, like the main character, they will realize that it’s possible to overcome fears, and it’s okay to speak up about a dishonest adult.
Tell us a little known or interesting fact about yourself.
I have studied five languages and I kayaked the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon for ten days when I was 22 years old.
Award-winning author Pam Withers has written numerous bestselling sports and adventure books for teens, including four for Orca Book Publishers: Camp Wild, Breathless, and Daredevil Club. Pam is a former outdoor guide, journalist, editor and associate publisher. She lives in Vancouver, British Columbia, with her husband and tours North America extensively. For more information, visit www.pamwithers.com.