Behind the Scenes of
A Little Magic
Dear Louise,
I really enjoyed reading your review of this story! Here are my comments.
Prologue: I like to begin a story in the middle of a conversation, almost as if you walked into the room while it was going on. It makes everything immediate that way, and you want to know more. I was a little concerned that such a dark beginning might put some readers off. Hopefully they’ll stick around till the end. But you know right away, in spite of the title, that this is not a children’s story.
Ch. 1: I had that scene from The Long Sleep in mind too when I wrote it. Great minds, thinking alike? I was very happy with the way the fairies are brought into the story. I didn’t consciously plan it, but as I was writing it seemed like a cool idea to make them slightly ethereal, so that we’re not sure about their reality. (You know I love to play with reality!) And I was quite pleased at how it worked out. My daughter also said that it was a while before she was sure they were real.
I love the scene where he confronts them! It can’t be often that the Great Straker gets the brush-off, and at his own studio! I was a little worried that what he had planned at the end of the chapter was too obvious, so it’s good to know that you couldn’t figure it out. Kept you reading, didn’t it?
Ch. 2: Paul. Hmmm. Yes, we discussed how versatile he is as a character. And how just about everyone in this story is a fool at one time or another. I never worried about Ed seeming effeminate, but then I had the clear picture in my head. (And it’s lovely!) The picnic was my favorite scene to write, and it flowed much better than I thought it would. My favorite image from that scene is when Marie falls asleep on his lap.
About the King of Shadows quote. When I found that in the play, it was far too good an allusion to pass up. So I didn’t! *grin*
Ch. 3: Miss Ealand’s comment wasn’t in the original scene, but when I reread it, I realized that he was going down to HQ in his costume! So I added a touch a humor there. The dream chokes me up when I read it just as it did when I wrote it. My dreams tend to be this way, and I hate it when I remember my dreams because of this. I would have liked to have dispensed with the dream altogether, but it was necessary to show his state of mind when he later confronts Faye. The confrontation scene was difficult to write, because I needed him not to sound unreasonable, yet for the reader to understand where both of them were coming from.
Ch. 4: Alec provides the comic relief between harsh scenes. I don’t know what I would have done without him. He’s a great wisecracker! My daughter knew by the end of the scene at the rest home that Straker would eventually ask for Faye’s help with the children. But she loved the contrast between this place and the hospital later.
Of course, Ginny’s in love with him. Wouldn’t you be if you worked with him every day? Matron is taken from a real person. Linda Hunt is an incredible comic actress who also does dramatic roles very well. She was my inspiration for Matron. My daughter nearly laughed when she called Ed a "young man." (Well, someone needed to show him that age is relative.)
I trod as lightly as possible at Marie’s bedside. I didn’t want the story to descend into pathos or – God forbid! – morbidity. I’m glad it comes across with dignity, because of all the characters in the story, Marie is the wisest of all. Her and Matron have it all figured out.
And for the man who’s never wrong to actually realize that he WAS. Well! But even he refuses to wallow in it, but immediately makes plans to fix it. That seemed like a very Straker move to me.
Ch. 5: This was a really enjoyable scene to write. My husband kept interrupting me, and I almost barred him from the room! He was ruining the mood!!! My daughter thought Straker’s comment about "A baby yet" was condescending, but I felt that he would think of the age difference that way, especially since he feels so old himself.
I was hoping for a date, too. But he wouldn’t do it. Sometimes my characters go their own road and refuse to do what they’re told. But on rereading the funeral scene, it made sense that he wouldn’t ask her for a date date at a funeral. He’s not that tacky.
Epilogue: Radhi is an African name meaning "content," which he so obviously wasn’t in his first scene. So I had to have him happier in this final scene. And since Straker wouldn’t take the initiative and ask her out, I had Faye do it. Her personality was bold enough for it.
It’s not a story that readers will want to reread often. It’s too dark for that, because of the subject matter of traumatized and dying children. But my daughter said that it was a story that people will remember and think about often. So I guess I can handle the trade-off.
I'm so glad you liked the story! It was such a fun way to combine two of my favorite things in one place -- Straker and fairies!
Love,
Denise
I really enjoyed reading your review of this story! Here are my comments.
Prologue: I like to begin a story in the middle of a conversation, almost as if you walked into the room while it was going on. It makes everything immediate that way, and you want to know more. I was a little concerned that such a dark beginning might put some readers off. Hopefully they’ll stick around till the end. But you know right away, in spite of the title, that this is not a children’s story.
Ch. 1: I had that scene from The Long Sleep in mind too when I wrote it. Great minds, thinking alike? I was very happy with the way the fairies are brought into the story. I didn’t consciously plan it, but as I was writing it seemed like a cool idea to make them slightly ethereal, so that we’re not sure about their reality. (You know I love to play with reality!) And I was quite pleased at how it worked out. My daughter also said that it was a while before she was sure they were real.
I love the scene where he confronts them! It can’t be often that the Great Straker gets the brush-off, and at his own studio! I was a little worried that what he had planned at the end of the chapter was too obvious, so it’s good to know that you couldn’t figure it out. Kept you reading, didn’t it?
Ch. 2: Paul. Hmmm. Yes, we discussed how versatile he is as a character. And how just about everyone in this story is a fool at one time or another. I never worried about Ed seeming effeminate, but then I had the clear picture in my head. (And it’s lovely!) The picnic was my favorite scene to write, and it flowed much better than I thought it would. My favorite image from that scene is when Marie falls asleep on his lap.
About the King of Shadows quote. When I found that in the play, it was far too good an allusion to pass up. So I didn’t! *grin*
Ch. 3: Miss Ealand’s comment wasn’t in the original scene, but when I reread it, I realized that he was going down to HQ in his costume! So I added a touch a humor there. The dream chokes me up when I read it just as it did when I wrote it. My dreams tend to be this way, and I hate it when I remember my dreams because of this. I would have liked to have dispensed with the dream altogether, but it was necessary to show his state of mind when he later confronts Faye. The confrontation scene was difficult to write, because I needed him not to sound unreasonable, yet for the reader to understand where both of them were coming from.
Ch. 4: Alec provides the comic relief between harsh scenes. I don’t know what I would have done without him. He’s a great wisecracker! My daughter knew by the end of the scene at the rest home that Straker would eventually ask for Faye’s help with the children. But she loved the contrast between this place and the hospital later.
Of course, Ginny’s in love with him. Wouldn’t you be if you worked with him every day? Matron is taken from a real person. Linda Hunt is an incredible comic actress who also does dramatic roles very well. She was my inspiration for Matron. My daughter nearly laughed when she called Ed a "young man." (Well, someone needed to show him that age is relative.)
I trod as lightly as possible at Marie’s bedside. I didn’t want the story to descend into pathos or – God forbid! – morbidity. I’m glad it comes across with dignity, because of all the characters in the story, Marie is the wisest of all. Her and Matron have it all figured out.
And for the man who’s never wrong to actually realize that he WAS. Well! But even he refuses to wallow in it, but immediately makes plans to fix it. That seemed like a very Straker move to me.
Ch. 5: This was a really enjoyable scene to write. My husband kept interrupting me, and I almost barred him from the room! He was ruining the mood!!! My daughter thought Straker’s comment about "A baby yet" was condescending, but I felt that he would think of the age difference that way, especially since he feels so old himself.
I was hoping for a date, too. But he wouldn’t do it. Sometimes my characters go their own road and refuse to do what they’re told. But on rereading the funeral scene, it made sense that he wouldn’t ask her for a date date at a funeral. He’s not that tacky.
Epilogue: Radhi is an African name meaning "content," which he so obviously wasn’t in his first scene. So I had to have him happier in this final scene. And since Straker wouldn’t take the initiative and ask her out, I had Faye do it. Her personality was bold enough for it.
It’s not a story that readers will want to reread often. It’s too dark for that, because of the subject matter of traumatized and dying children. But my daughter said that it was a story that people will remember and think about often. So I guess I can handle the trade-off.
I'm so glad you liked the story! It was such a fun way to combine two of my favorite things in one place -- Straker and fairies!
Love,
Denise