Part III - The Origin of the Dot to Dot in the Sky series

Upon discovering the locations of many constellations, I began a quest to learn the myths associated with these star groups and returned to the library. Although I found many books on myths, few tied these stories to the stars. It was frustrating to review the many volumes that told stories about different mythological gods, goddesses, monsters, and heroes but failed to explain the context or family relationships of these characters. I read and read and read until my gaps filled, but the process was more complex than it needed to be. I still wanted a book that simply and clearly blended constellations with mythology.

Meanwhile, as a member of the Writers Guild of Alberta, I discovered that Whitecap Books was interested in acquiring nature related manuscripts. I turned my astronomy- blended-with-mythology idea into a proposal and eventually Dot to Dot in the Sky, Stories in the Stars was accepted for publication. The first book was released in October 2001 and became an instant bestseller in Canada. This initial print run sold out before Christmas of that year and has been reprinted twice since that time.

The series has grown to include:

Dot to Dot in the Sky, Stories in the Stars (2001)
Dot to Dot in the Sky, Stories of the Planets (2003)
Dot to Dot in the Sky,Stories of the Moon (2004)
Dot to Dot in the Sky,Stories of the Zodiac (2008).

Part II - Origin of the Dot to Dot in the Sky Series

My wonder with the night sky stayed with me and as I grew up, I learned a few constellations along the way. First Orion, the Hunter, then Cassiopeia, the Queen, and Cepheus, the King.

A visit to the Edmonton Space and Science Centre (later called the Odyssium and today known as the Telus World of Science) gave me the opportunity to look through quality telescopes and ask volunteers from the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada all kinds of questions. On various visits over the years I had spectacular views of Venus, Mars, and Saturn, as well as Jupiter and its moons. I saw Comet Hale-Bopp, craters on our Moon, and even an asteroid!

Still fascinated by the constellations, I discovered their patterns are easier to find if you start with a star group you already know then jump dot-to-dot in the sky to the nearest constellation. My new method worked! Now I began to spot constellations more easily and frequently. What had been an erratic scattering of twinkling lights was now a black canvas filled with monsters, heroes, royalty, and creatures.

I began to wonder about the ancients cultures who had named the constellations. Why was there a dragon in the sky? Was there a reason so many cultures saw Ursa Major as a big bear? What possessed someone to name a constellation Furnace? I returned to the library looking for books that would explain the myths and legends associated with the night sky, starting with the Greeks and Romans.

You can see the experiences that led to writing the Dot to Dot in the Sky series evolved over many years.

Origin of the Dot to Dot in the Sky Book Series

Where I live in Alberta, summertime skygazing means staying up late. Ever since I was a young girl, I looked up at the stars and wondered how the first constellations came to be named. Sometimes when a friend came for a sleepover, we snuggled down into sleeping bags spread on the backyard lawn. The evening was spent looking at the stars and searching for satellites, until mosquitoes, sleep, or the chilly air drove us deep beneath the warm flannel lining.

Long driving trips with my parents, who are also fond of late nights, meant many hours staring out the back seat window. Too dark to read--it was me, the pictures in the sky, my imagination, and--oh yes, those two people in the front seat.

Other times I spent winter evenings gazing up at the stars, bundled in a snowsuit, scarf, mittens, and hat, laying on my back and happy for the shelter of my snow fort walls. Able to locate the Big Dipper and Little Dipper, I wanted to know more.

I already had the How and Why Book of Astronomy, which inspired me with thoughts of becoming an astronomer. A visit to my own personal habitat--the Sherwood Park Library, found me carrying an armload of books home, ready to memorize the patterns in the heavens.

Alas, there were too many dots on the page and too many stars in the sky. An unsupervised child in the adult section, I had signed out text books far beyond my understanding. Stargazing sessions left me confused and frustrated. My method of counting stars in the constellation books and comparing them to the patterns I saw in the sky left me unsure of whether I was really seeing what I was looking for. Unaware of the impact of light pollution or moonlight, I eventually returned the books. But, the wonder of the night sky stayed with me.

Learning my way around the night sky was not forgotten, only postponed. All this is leading up to how I went from an uncertain, child sky gazer to the author of an astronomy book series.

...to be continued.

PS: This is my first blogging post. Please bear with me as I figure out how it works.