Nan’s Comments (group member since Aug 17, 2013)

Nan’s comments from the Ask Nan Cuba group.

Thanks, Jodi, again for your comments. I would like to riff on your mention of the universal theme of good vs. evil. In a recent marvelous essay by Rob Roberge in THE RUMPUS (http://therumpus.net/2013/08/the-sund...), literary fiction is identified as "ethically complex," and as fiction that addresses "non-conventional morality" and raises more questions than gives answers. I agree with that and urge you and others to read Roberge's essay. In BODY AND BREAD, I try to do that through the disagreement over whether the Peltons should have to share proceeds from their grandparents' estate with Terezie in order for Cornelia to have her kidney transplant. Hugh says he hasn't seen Terezie in over thirty years, that Cornelia is not Sam's daughter, and his responsibility is only to his wife and child. But Sam left instructions, which would be legal in court, to give his share to his widow. This ethical argument is never resolved, which leaves it open for discussion. Hopefully, that means my novel fits Roberge's description of literary fiction. What do others think?

Although this discussion site is designed to address issues surrounding my novel, I would love for anyone--writer or reader--to come forward here to raise any topic of interest, one based on any book or writing/publishing idea.

Thanks, Jodi, for your candid response. I hope others will share theirs, as well. As you know (and here I should say that Jodi is my former graduate student), writers don't like being labeled. We resist the idea of our work being connected to any group, and as you've pointed out, prefer that the work appeal to a universal audience. One reviewer labeled BODY AND BREAD a regional novel, and I both liked and resisted that. Since Katherine Ann Porter is an influence, and her Texas cycle is obviously set in this state, I figure if she can do it, so can I. The difference, in my opinion, hinges on the ideas at the story's core, not the location.

Since the novel contains detailed descriptions of the Texas settings, along with references to Texas history, one reviewer has called this a regional book. Do you think that's an accurate label? Why or why not?

Please don't feel that every post should require a reply from me. This discussion should be open-ended. I'm happy to answer questions about the book, my writing process, or my publishing experience, but let's open up the discussion to everyone. Maybe one of you who writes would like to make reference to your own work as an example of a point you want to make. Either respond to one of the current topics or open one of your own. Please. Step up.

Thanks for your comments about Sarah. I especially like your observation about Sam and his likely feelings about Cornelia. That makes perfect sense to me, too. So if Sam could meet Cornelia, can you imagine what that moment would be like?

Thanks, Sarah, for joining the group. And congratulations on completing your thesis! I look forward to reading your comments and questions here.

Thank you, Susan. Writers work a lifetime--which I almost did--to hear a reader make such a comment. You have no idea how much your engagement with the story means to me. Yes, the inspiration was autobiographical; my brother Paul committed suicide, and he was much loved by me and everyone else in the family. For those who don't already know, the book took me twenty years to write and publish, and that journey taught me about persistence and commitment to grow as a writer. That meant making sure that every plot turn, every character, each nuance, phrase, and word was not hyped, not exaggerated, never sensationalized. I was after honesty, especially since the story was inspired by my brother. I'm proud of the results, thank goodness. But maybe someone would like me to be more specific about the process for turning autobiography into fiction. If that's true, let me know.

Thanks, Marian, for stepping up. My hope is that since we've all now come to the party, we'll huddle and talk about the book. Many of you are writers, and all of you are readers, so anything about either is game. As for Cornelia, I had a blast writing her scenes. They were easy and usually made me laugh while I was typing. I've known wonderful young women just like her--irreverent and golden--who knock me off my soap box or back on my feet. God love them.

I'm curious to know whether you like Sarah, the protagonist. She's prickly and reclusive, but she knows that and tries to resist those tendencies. What do you think? Do you like one of the other characters better?