Cybercrone asked Anthony Bidulka:

Do you really see small towns as you portray Beautiful? From growing up in one, I saw that anyone who was different was shunned, gossip - YES, and 3 generation feuds over a stolen (by listening in on the 22 party-line telephone) cake recipe just before the annual Strawberry Social.

Anthony Bidulka Hello.
Fiction is fiction, and I do at times veer toward an idealized version of how I'd like the world to be and how I believe it can be if we all just try a little harder and be kinder to one another. I am a self-admitted optimist.

I grew up on a farm in Saskatchewan and have a great deal of experience with small towns. Indeed, growing up different in a small town can have its challenges. I had problems, believe me. Yet, throughout my career, I have often been invited to small towns to present my work and I have always been wonderfully surprised at how welcoming, accepting and generally interested people have been. Perhaps my idealized version is coming to pass? :)

I chuckled when you mentioned party lines. I remember my mother becoming a little vexed (but usually more amused) when she suspected someone was listening in on a call.

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