Stephanie Gertler's spent most of her life writing. She's written for magazines, newspapers and currently has her own column appearing in two different newspapers.
Now Gertler talks about her writing, books and publishing with FictionAddiction.NET's Kathleen Walker.
Why did you choose not to reveal what actually happened with the accident?
The only two people who may have given the best GUESS as to what happened have died. And remember that when the accident happened, there were no adults around to see what the circumstances really were. I suppose in many ways, this is the very core of the definition of the word "accident."
As the writer, not revealing what definitively happened did two things: 1) It placed no blame (and how can one blame a child anyway?) And 2) It wasn't so much the accident that is at the core of the story but the residual trauma of the tragedy. The story is about the fallout from the accident – not about the accident itself.
Why are the two main male characters, Adam and Luke, at opposite ends of the emotional spectrum?
I don't know that they are necessarily at opposite ends of the emotional spectrum so much as they are in such emotional contradiction and juxtaposition to one another. Besides, how much fun would it be to read a book where one man was truly emotionally unavailable and the other was just "middle of the road?" Passion! I wanted this opposite ends of the spectrum to show the passion!
Several people tell Grace she needs to forgive her parents, yet we never see her do this. Why?
Oh, I think she does forgive them once she reads her mother's letter. Her forgiveness is defined more by understanding and compassion mixed with a sadness for them – how sad that they were never able to reveal themselves and open up to others – especially their daughters. Forgiveness in Grace's situation was unspoken.
Revisiting the past seems to be a theme in your books. Is this intentional?
Absolutely intentional. I think the past defines us. Our pasts, our childhoods, our histories hold keys to our presents and our futures.
How do your ideas come to you?
Better living through introspection! We all have stories to tell. We have all experienced loss, sadness, disappointment, romance, elation, epiphanies...And then when you meet other people and form intimate friendships, you add to your own experience. And then I sit down and let my mind wander and wander...and take what might have been a loss in my own life, for example, and translate it into fiction...
