Susan
asked
Val Emmich:
Joan is such a completely original character....I couldn't help but love her. Was she inspired by somebody you know or was she just sheer genius and imagination on your part?
Val Emmich
You're very kind, thank you! The inspiration to write part of the book from a child's perspective came, in 2013, from being a new father and spending time with my first daughter. Seeing the world through her innocent eyes reignited an innocence and playfulness in me. But my daughter is not Joan. I don't know exactly where Joan came from. Certainly she shares many of my own concerns about life and the world. But I don't possess her gift of memory, so she's not completely me. Over the course of writing, she took on a life of her own and I'm thankful--that was the goal.
More Answered Questions
Nicole(Newbookcats)
asked
Val Emmich:
Hi,Val!I have a friend who loves Dear Evan Hansen.She listens to it all the time.She is crazy excited for your book to be released.It is also nearing her birthday. Could I get an ARC for her? I'm a book reviewer so I can review the book for you; then, I can give it to my friend.She is just so ecstatic for this book, and it would mean the world to her if she could get an early copy.Thanks, Nicole!
Layne Bergeson
asked
Val Emmich:
Hi Val, I wanted to thank you again for meeting with my Book Club last night, the girls we were sad to let you go! Of course one thing we thought of after the call was we never mentioned anything about the Mindy Love show! As you said last night most of the characters and scenarios hit close to home or had to do with something you have personally experienced. Where does Mindy come in at, if at all?
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