When it came time to respond to this note, I was a little baffled.
I had to try to figure out the writer’s name by the email address. My sense is that I probably botched it horribly.
Oh, well!
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The email read . . .
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Good evening. I am in the 7th grade and I recently read the book Bystander. I loved the book and I usually don’t like reading. You probably had others tell you this idea but I think Bystander would make an awesome show or movie. I hope you can reply and take this into consideration. Thank you
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I replied . . .
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Licenie,
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Did I get that right? Licenie? A new one for me. Or is it Pierre? The reverse???
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I’m so confused!
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(You didn’t sign the email, so I’m looking at your address and guessing.)
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Anyway, yes, thank you, I have heard that observation before. I take it as a great compliment. My goal for my writing is always to be visual, for there to be a “movie” playing in the back of the reader’s skull. For this book, in particular, I really tried to refrain from explaining the action, or getting too interior with different character’s thoughts and feelings. I wanted the action to take place on the surface — we are watching it — and for the reader, like Eric, to have to figure it out on his or her own. So maybe in that way it’s more of a cinematic book?
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There’s a sequel to Bystander, a companion book, titled Upstander, which also comes in the form of a pretty decent audiobook, extremely well read by Caitlin Davies. Worth checking out! The two books overlap a little bit: Upstander begins before Bystander and catches up to the ketchup scene, from a different perspective, about halfway through. –
You might like it! Or not!
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And, yes, I particularly love hearing from someone who enjoys a book but doesn’t usually “like reading.” Few things make me happier, because reading has been such an important part of my life, giving me so much pleasure and satisfaction. I hate to think of someone missing out on all that great, great stuff. Especially someone with a whole life in front of you. So many books, so little time.
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You are never going to like every book. Nor should you. But there are great books out there that are just right for you. Please, don’t give up on books!
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My best,
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James Preller
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