Colorado22
asked
Catherine Ryan Hyde:
Hi Catherine - I recently finished "Funerals for Horses", which I loved. Your Author's Note mentioned that the editor asked you to change the ending. What was your original ending and how did you eventually change the story?
Catherine Ryan Hyde
This answer contains spoilers…
(view spoiler)[MARKING THIS A SPOILER: In the original version she finds Simon fairly early on and brings him home more or less against his will. In retrospect I'm glad I didn't do that. But the editor's objection was that the mystery of where he had gone fell away too early in the book. His idea was that Simon never be found, which I thought was just about the worst idea for an ending imaginable. I thought the reader would feel tricked and cheated, and rightfully so. The way I eventually revised it kept the tension alive until much closer to the end of the book, but (I feel, I hope) gave the reader the answer they had earned by reading, and that they deserved. Hopefully you understand why I didn't include those details in the author's note. Nobody wants to have the resolution spoiled for them before the first page.
Really happy to hear that you enjoyed it. My older ones are darker, and not all my readers want to go there. (hide spoiler)]
Really happy to hear that you enjoyed it. My older ones are darker, and not all my readers want to go there. (hide spoiler)]
More Answered Questions
Pamela Hall-Hamilton
asked
Catherine Ryan Hyde:
I absolutely love your work. I am an author also. I have only just discovered you actually. I stubbled on "Don't Let Me Go" loved it and then read, "When You were Older." That was it I was sold and now I'm reading, "Walk me Home." and have bought, "Take me with You" also. I'm so happy when I discover authors that I love. I also thought your video was very good. ? Regards Pamela Hamilton
Russell Day
asked
Catherine Ryan Hyde:
I spent some time up that way. The working-class people of Buffalo were in communion with all others who lived hard and by a Harry Dean Stanton code of friendship you feel oozing from him on every frame. Drunkeness well done by the family people who could care less for fame are my kind of people.
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Oct 17, 2023 03:19PM · flag