To read a July 5, 2003 article by Saskatoon Star Phoenix reporter Bob Florence, go here.
Anita Daher, Aviation Nut and Childrens Book Author
An interview by Maggie Stampe
Anita Daher has just had her first book released. It’s an Orca Young Reader called Flight From Big Tangle, a story about a girl who learns to accept the death of her father after surviving extraordinary circumstance – getting lost in the woods, being chased by a wild fire, and flying her mother’s float plane.
Maggie Stampe joined Anita during a recent cookie baking frenzy, and asked her about her book.
Maggie: How exciting to have your first book published!
Anita: Very cool! As far back as I can remember I wanted to write books. From the day I read the words and understood that Dick and Jane were chasing Spot, I was hooked on reading. The day I imagined what would happen if they ever met Curious George was the day I knew I wanted to write.
Maggie: But you’re an old lady now…why did it take so long?
Anita: Hey! Thirty-seven isn’t old – pass the eggs – besides, I’ve been busy with a few other things. Having kids…working in the aviation industry.
Maggie: Ahh…there’s the connection. You wrote a book about a ten year old flying a plane, because you worked in aviation. The old, “write what you know,” right?
Anita: Kind of – watch out where you lean – I’ve always loved aviation. It’s in my blood. My grandpa was a navigator in World War II…my dad’s a pilot and used to work for Transport Canada. I’ve always lived near airports, and I love it.
Maggie: Kind of like Kaylee – the hero in your book. Dang…cocoa on my white sweater.
Anita: Here, put on this apron. Yes, there were a whole lot of real life moments that I was able to draw from to write the book. Of course, the biggest one was the forest fire.
Maggie: Tell me about that.
Anita: I remember the lightning strike that started it. It was May 1999 in La Ronge – a small town in northern Saskatchewan. It had been hot and dry for some time. One day there was a violent thunderstorm, and a bolt of lightning struck so close, it was as if a giant balloon had popped next to our house. The ground shook. Anyway, it was actually a strike six kilometers west of our town, and it smoldered in the underbrush for a few days before igniting. No one expected a forest fire. And because a forest fire-fighting centre was based there, no one expected that just a few hours later a subdivision would be incinerated, and the whole town would be in danger.
Maggie: Sounds scary.
Anita: It was. When I think of it, I can still feel the knot in my stomach. Do you know I could see from my window that the fire was getting closer, but while the RCMP were evacuating the town street by street, and alarms were sounding, I actually scrubbed the house, did the laundry, and put on a pot-roast.
Maggie: Nervous energy.
Anita: That’s it exactly. We all have different ways of handling stress. To get out of my head, I’ve always turned to getting busy with my hands.
Maggie: Is that what you’re doing now? I see peanut butter chocolate chip, sugar cookies, and mmmff…molasses. You’ve already got enough cookies here to feed an army. What’s up?
Anita: Not stress this time, though I do bake when I need a brain-break from writing. I’m getting ready for my book launch at the Bushplane museum.
Maggie: Right…October 19th. You’ll be reading, and Gene McCaughly and Gary Thompson will be talking about their water bomber flying adventures.
Anita: You bet. We’ll have some neat prizes and giveaways too.
Maggie: So what’s next? Will you be writing another Kaylee and Sausage book?
Anita: I’m talking with my publisher about a sequel. Plus, I’m hopeful my second book, Dear Blog, will be published next year.
Maggie: We’ll look forward to that. One last question. You spend all day every day in front of your computer. How does that affect you physically and mentally?
Anita: Well, aside from a permanent backache and neck kink, I do talk to myself from time to time.
Maggie: Is that a problem for you?
Anita: Heck no…it’s a form of entertainment.
(Written by Maggie Stampe, aka Anita Daher – born, Anita Margaret Stampe.)
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Copyright © 2002 by Anita Daher. All rights reserved.
Email Anita at anita@anitadaher.com