27 rapid fiRE questions with Rona Maynard, author of ‘The Starter Dog: My Path to Joy, Belonging and Loving This World’


Rona Maynard wants to love her life again. Stuck in the what-next doldrums after quitting a big job, she needs a new bridge to the world. So, well into their married life, she lets her husband talk her into their first dog, a rescue mutt named Casey. 



Rona frets about shedding, lost travel opportunities, and arguments about walking duty. She doubts she can love a dog. But when Casey romps through her door, Rona falls hard. Over time he gives her what no human could―a new way of seeing the world, and a pathway to the heart of a moment. 



Her downtown neighbourhood reveals its true face as she explores it with Casey, making new friends and discovering hidden beauty spots. She learns to have adventures on her own stomping ground. Through Casey, Rona falls in love with the world and her place in it, an animal among other animals.


Order The Starter Dog: My Path to Joy, Belonging and Loving This World

To learn more about Rona, keep reading for my rapid-fire interview.



From childhood well into adulthood, we've all played generic ice-breaker games—Never Have I Ever, Two Truths and a Lie, and the dreaded "tell me an interesting fact about you." At RE:BOOKS, we wanted to break the ice differently by getting to know new authors by introducing our segment "Rapid FiRE Questions!" In twenty-seven fast, fun, and cheeky questions, you'll get to meet some incredible authors— and maybe learn something new along the way! 

27 Rapid FiRE Questions with Rona Maynard, author of The Starter Dog: My Path to Joy, Belonging and Loving This World

  1. What’s your number one writing superstition? Me, superstitious?

  2. Where’s your favourite place to write? My messy desk.

  3. Cats or dogs? Dogs!

  4. Who gives you inspiration for writing? My dead.

  5. What book did you lie about reading? I cannot lie.

  6. Beach or ski trip? Beach.

  7. A book you wish more people knew about. Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal? by Jeanette Winterson

  8. What’s something most people like but you don’t understand? Soccer.

  9. An author you wish more people knew about. Me!

  10. A book you’ve read more than once. Transit of Venus by Shirley Hazzard

  11. Your zodiac sign. Libra.

  12. A quote you love. “Look for a long time at what pleases you and for a longer time at what pains you.”- Colette

  13. Your favourite character in your new book. My dog, Casey.

  14. Your favourite surprise ending in a book. No spoilers!

  15. Alcohol or marijuana? Alcohol, hands down.

  16. If you only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would you choose?  Cheese.

  17. Stupidest question you’ve ever been asked as an author? “Where do you get your ideas?”

  18. Favourite cheesy love song? Baby, Let Me Follow You Down by Bob Dylan

  19. What unusual trait do you find attractive in a person? Curiosity

  20. What’s something you’ve never been able to do well? Drive. I stopped.

  21. If you had a time machine, what time period would you travel to? The 17th century.

  22. Would you trade intelligence for looks or vice versa? Nope.

  23. What do you like most about yourself? I’m never bored.

  24. What time of day are you most productive writing? Morning.

  25. How many times did you cry writing this book? Two.

  26. Who's your fictional “crush”? Rooster Cogburn

  27. What do you want to be when you grow up? A writer.


To buy Rona’s Starter Dog click here or visit her adorable website here!



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