"Something actually good can come out of COVID," says Stephanie Kauffman, who took advantage of the pandemic and wrote her first book. And she says the book has a theme that we can apply to life under a pandemic.

"I'm really excited because I have just received my books," says Kauffman. "I am finally a brand new author. It's entitled 'The Girl With Nine Lives.' I have a website now which is the first time thing for me -- www.stephaniekauffman.ca. But the thing I'd like to focus on is the fact that there is so much negativity with COVID and depression and everything else going on that this here is actually a chance to say, 'Hey, something good has actually come out of COVID.' For years, people have told me, 'You have such crazy stories that you need to write a book about it.' But I said I'm too busy living life to stop to write about it, and I volunteered at six or eight places around Portage. And when COVID shut us down, I suddenly no longer had any excuse that I don't have time, and so this is a dream that has survived and become a reality because of COVID, something that I never thought would have ever happened."

Kauffman says she's also a member of Prairie Players, and two other members also took the time to write a book.

"Rachael Clarke just published a book in the reality of a children's story," continues Kauffman. "I have just published a book on True Life Adventure and Terrie Todd's is coming out in August on Historical Fiction. So, Prairie Players, even though we can't have drama on the stage, we have managed to turn to drama on the page."

She adds she hopes people buy her book, but she's thrilled that she's able to bring a positive tone to the community despite COVID. Kauffman says Prairie Players was still able to have some of its members promote community togetherness despite being shut down.

"I was adopted," Kauffman adds. "The doctor said I would never walk and God has done a lot of miracles in my life as I struggled through feeling unwanted, through feeling, 'How am I ever going to be as good as anybody else? How can I cope?' So, I think, as people read that book, they will identify with it. And children love the animal stories. I've escaped wolves and bear. Moose played bowling ball with me and yet I'm still alive."

Kauffman notes the book was printed by Friesen Press. She says you can purchase them from her or use her website to buy them online. Kauffman says it's in hardback, paperback and e-book formats.

"I just I want people to understand that, even when bad things happen, and bad things happen to me in my book, you can find humour in situations to help you get through it," adds Kauffman. "And same with this COVID. It's hit us all in many different ways. Instead of dragging us down, let's try and see what it can do to change our lives. When God closes the door, he opens the window; and that's a quote from Sound of Music."