MUSE MONDAY
When I published Death by Dissertation, the first book in the Cassandra Sato series,
I felt elated to check off my bucket list item that said, “write a novel.” But
although writing feeds my creativity and love of story, my day job feeds my
soul. Working as an American Sign Language Interpreter, I give access to
communication for people who wouldn’t normally understand each other. For
example, in a doctor’s office appointment, I help the medical people understand
where the patient who is deaf feels pain, or how they became injured so the
doctor can make a correct diagnosis and effective care plan. In a college
classroom, I help the professor and students who don’t know ASL understand the
discussion contributions from the student who is deaf.
Many times people
who can hear but don’t know ASL tell me they want to learn because it looks
fun. Often, they are shy about approaching a deaf person who uses ASL and
communicating directly with them. I tell people to learn a little bit and then
go try it out. I don’t speak Spanish or Italian, but I know a few phrases to
find a bathroom, say please and thank you, or excuse me when I travel. The rest
we figure out with pointing and gestures.
I hope people who
read my books will feel inspired to communicate with your deaf family,
coworkers, or fellow parents who have a kid on your softball team. Cassandra
Sato, the main character, only knows a little bit of ASL but she figures out
how to get her point across in other ways.
Learn ASL online
or at your local community college (and not only the swear words, please).
Don’t be intimidated that you only know a few signs. Most people appreciate
that you’ve made a direct connection and are trying to use their language. I
believe that being understood is a basic human need we all have, and we
shouldn’t be afraid to reach out to people different than us and understand the
world from their viewpoint.
Here's one of my
favorite websites to start learning signs:
Ambitious
Cassandra Sato traded her life in Hawai’i for a dream position at Morton
College in rural Nebraska. She expected the Midwestern church casseroles,
land-locked cornfields, and face-freezing winters would be her biggest
challenges, but it’s her job that’s rapidly becoming a nightmare.
A deaf
student is dead, and the investigation reveals a complicated trail of
connections between campus food service, a local farmer’s beef, and the science
lab’s cancer research.
Dealing
with homesickness, vandalism, and a stalker, Cassandra is trapped in a public
relations disaster that could cost her job, or more. No one said college was
easy.
EXCERPT
“Sheriff
Hart’s hand rested on his thick black leather utility belt. “Can anyone
identify the student?”
Evan
said, “I’ve seen him on campus, but I dunno his name. He’s a sophomore or
junior.” The others nodded, but no one volunteered a name.
Cassandra
looked right and left in surprise. Morton was so small, Cassandra had just
assumed others recognized him, too. “I know him. I’m pretty sure that’s
Austin.” Saying his name out loud had made it real. “His roommate, Lance, is a
work-study student in my office. He’s deaf . . . both of them
are,” she added.
Loud
voices drew Cassandra’s attention to the far end of the two-story Media Center
where a small crowd had gathered. A wide sidewalk, bordered by shrubs and
ornamental trees, connected it to the Edgerton Center. Even 20 yards away they
chattered animatedly, but one student wearing a knitted hat was more agitated,
pointing at the staircase and yelling.
Cassandra
looked back over her shoulder at Austin’s body. As bad as she felt for him, he
was the police’s responsibility now. Her job was with the students. No one
covered this in New Student Orientation. Frowning, she moved towards them and
noticed Dr. Nielson doing the same thing.
When
she came close enough, Cassandra heard shouting. “My lab’s in there! I need to
check the rats! Who is that?”
Excerpt
From: Kelly Brakenhoff. “Death by Dissertation.”
BIO
Kelly
Brakenhoff is an American Sign Language Interpreter whose motivation for
learning ASL began in high school when she wanted to converse with her deaf
friends. Her first mystery, Death by
Dissertation, was published in April, 2019. Look for the sequel, Dead Week, and her children’s picture book series featuring Duke
the deaf dog, both coming in the Fall of 2019.
Website:
http://kellybrakenhoff.com/
Barnes
and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/death-by-dissertation-kelly-brakenhoff/1131043237?ean=9781733742405
Goodreads book page: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44423181-death-by-dissertation
Bookbub
book page: https://www.bookbub.com/books/death-by-dissertation-a-cassandra-sato-mystery-book-1-by-kelly-brakenhoff
Twitter:
@inBrakenville
Instagram:
@kellybrak
Pinterest:
@kellybrak
Thanks Brenda for inviting me on your blog! I'm so happy to share my love of ASL with you and your readers.
ReplyDeleteKelly
It's great to have you. I enjoyed your post.
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