What a question. Here's the thing: I want to be remembered for touching people. I want to touch people near and far. I want to touch people in far away lands that I'll likely never travel too. I want to touch people of every race and age.
If you haven't guessed yet, I'm fooling. I'm hoping you're laughing and not calling 911. The truth is that before Deathday came out, I got an email from someone who really loved the book. It made them laugh in the middle and cry at the end and they wanted Ollie to come back so that they could spend time with him and Shane and Ronnie again. So I guess when I die, I want people to remember that I made them laugh, that I made them cry, that I made them throw my book across the room and curse me to a long, painful afterlife. I hope to do that through a combination of plot and style and character and setting (which can itself be a character) but I think I do it best through my characters...even though I still have a long way to go.
And just so that Shannon doesn't beat me up for trying to say all four, I'm picking characters. They're the ones your want to hang out with.
Hey! Check out Amanda's awesome answer tomorrow and see that the marvelous Michelle had to say yesterday!
Also, go give a huge congratulations to Christine Fonseca who's book EMOTIONAL INTENSITY IN GIFTED STUDENTS comes out today. You can even check out the first chapter here.
It sounds as if you've already accomplished what you set out to do! Congratulations! But don't take that to mean you can leave us just yet. ;)
ReplyDeleteGreat response, Shaun. I have to agree though. Your characters are still lingering in the back of my mind, mostly as awesome examples of how to do characterization really well!
ReplyDeleteWe do remember our favorite books for the emotional responses we had to them. The best ones (I think) elicit the same response even when someone's readings are years apart. Sorry, a bit off-topic.
ReplyDeleteYou characters and their relationships were definitely what stuck with me after reading Deathday (and that they made me laugh and cry, sometimes at the same time).
Um, yeah, so actually, you had me going in the beginning. I thought it was so touching that you wanted to touch someone.
ReplyDeleteSo...yeah.
;)
For real, though, great post! :D
I'm sharing your space and thoughts already by reading the blog (winks) kind of unforgettable. Seriously, great post.
ReplyDeleteI think if I want to be remembered for anything...let it be my words, words that allow someone to, see life through my eyes, maybe stop and think for a moment. Sometimes that's all it takes, is a single moment to find yourself introduced to new worlds. (Hugs)Indigo
love Love LOVE you answer! Brilliant.
ReplyDeleteHey Shaun! Thanks for the great shout out. I loved your answer, loved that you want to touch people. I SO get that!!!
ReplyDeleteAnother one for characters! More to our side! LOL
ReplyDeleteI love your characters.