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The Cuckoo's Child
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From: Freeman808 at aol.com <Freeman808>
Date: Sun, 8 Sep 1996 14:37:13 -0400
I am honored and grateful that my book, The Cuckoo's Child, was chosen by CCBC-Net as a discussion topic this month, but I have to confess that I was extemely nervous about the idea of reading comments from people so knowledgeable about children's literature. My hands were shaking as I downloaded all the remarks and started to scroll through them.
Pretty quickly, I stopped shaking -- I was amazed and thrilled by the evidence of careful reading I found along with perceptive questions and generous comments. Thank you all very much for your time and your interest.
Dr. Ruth Gordon pointed out that there seemed to be an intentional use of high places (water towers, trees, etc) that tied in with the novel's title and that's true -- I had this idea about flying and falling that I wanted to get in there. The book's original title was Wing and Wing -- I thought it was wonderfully clever because it made reference to Kit's two broken arms too
-- but my editor hated it. Now I think she was probably right.
The rituals that Mia followed weren't part of my original plan, but they worked themselves into the story and they felt powerful, so they stayed and, eventually became an integral part of the book.
As for Mia herself, I know she isn't always likeable, but, for me, that made her all the more loveable.
I'd be happy to hear anything else that people want to say, or ask, about the book. Thank you all once more. Suzanne Freeman (Freeman808 at aol.com) 22 Brook Street Manchester, MA 01944
Received on Sun 08 Sep 1996 01:37:13 PM CDT
Date: Sun, 8 Sep 1996 14:37:13 -0400
I am honored and grateful that my book, The Cuckoo's Child, was chosen by CCBC-Net as a discussion topic this month, but I have to confess that I was extemely nervous about the idea of reading comments from people so knowledgeable about children's literature. My hands were shaking as I downloaded all the remarks and started to scroll through them.
Pretty quickly, I stopped shaking -- I was amazed and thrilled by the evidence of careful reading I found along with perceptive questions and generous comments. Thank you all very much for your time and your interest.
Dr. Ruth Gordon pointed out that there seemed to be an intentional use of high places (water towers, trees, etc) that tied in with the novel's title and that's true -- I had this idea about flying and falling that I wanted to get in there. The book's original title was Wing and Wing -- I thought it was wonderfully clever because it made reference to Kit's two broken arms too
-- but my editor hated it. Now I think she was probably right.
The rituals that Mia followed weren't part of my original plan, but they worked themselves into the story and they felt powerful, so they stayed and, eventually became an integral part of the book.
As for Mia herself, I know she isn't always likeable, but, for me, that made her all the more loveable.
I'd be happy to hear anything else that people want to say, or ask, about the book. Thank you all once more. Suzanne Freeman (Freeman808 at aol.com) 22 Brook Street Manchester, MA 01944
Received on Sun 08 Sep 1996 01:37:13 PM CDT
