Sunday, April 28, 2013

Perspectives

     I've had the pleasure of attending several book clubs since THE SANCTITY OF LOVE AND WAR was first published.  What I find myself reflecting on as a result of the latest readers' group discussion is how the age of the reader seems to dictate the direction of the discussion.  For instance, an overall observation I've had is that while younger readers get caught up in the details and pace of the book, older readers are more fascinated by the philosophical and spiritual dilemmas the characters face.  I've also been amazed that the view of the characters' decisions seems to depend on the age of the reader.  I was most interested in this aspect when I contemplated one particular decision the character of Piper made.
     Older readers have shared their overwhelming approval and understanding of Piper's choices while younger readers have sometimes shared their questioning and disapproval of those same choices.  It's worth noting that when I was writing about the decision in question, I had various outcomes originally written.  What I eventually came to understand as a writer was that, in order to stay true to the character and the time period in which the book was set, I needed to write not as a woman living in the present day, but one guided by the ethos of a woman living in the 1940's -- and by the introspectively deep personality traits of the character herself.  Readers identify Piper as a character led by her own sense of self and the world.  Older readers relate to the philosophical ponderings of Piper's mind.  Having lived life over more years, they are able to appreciate the way Piper views the world.  The question was again given to me --  How can someone who has not lived during that time and who does not have the benefit of years write a profound commentary on the world?  My answer is that anyone who is willing to be a true witness to the world around them is capable of the same insight.
     THE SANCTITY OF LOVE AND WAR was begun as an honest effort on my own part to make sense of the world around me.  Readers might even be surprised to know that some of Piper's own journal writings at the beginning of the book were, in fact, my own journal writings.  When it became clear to me that my own writings were not sufficient enough for me to gain the perspective I needed, I began imaging a more evolved version(s) of myself.  Hence, the characters of Piper and Bo were born.
     As a witness to my grandparents' lives, I was able to draw on many memories of their stories to depict the time period in as fair of an interpretation as possible for a girl born in 1972.  When we are observers of the world as the character of Piper is, we are capable of deep, philosophical views on life.  I suspect that because older readers have had the opportunity to observe life longer than younger readers, they are more innately able to identify with that characteristic.
     I would like to thank the ladies at the Glenmaura Country Club for inviting me to be a part of their book club discussion of THE SANCTITY OF LOVE AND WAR -- Judy, Carol, Paula, Ginny, Mary, Diane, Kathy, Joann, and Marsha.  Their support, like everyone who has read the book so far, has been much appreciated.