Wednesday, March 16, 2016

EXPLORING THE BULLY


COMFORT (sequel to BLUE) has a bully.  Rob Walker is not a  huge part of the story but he manages to make Ann Fay's life with a disability extra challenging. What we don't see in COMFORT are the factors that influence Rob's mean behavior.

While writing AIM, my forthcoming prequel to BLUE, I had the opportunity to explore Rob's life. His older brother, Dudley is our window into Rob's world.  Dudley's behavior toward protagonist, Junior Bledsoe is bullying at times. And even Junior acts thoughtlessly and with a mean spirit a time or two in the story.

What Junior doesn't expect, is that he and Dudley have more in common than either of them imagined. And that explains a lot about Rob, too. As it turns out, a mean-spirit can pass right on down a family line.  Which is certainly not to say that meanness is in our genes - but that our family circumstances can make us hard.

Every bully begins life as an innocent babe.  Then something happens. Or a series of somethings. That's what I wanted to explore in AIM - when hard things happen, do they have to make us hard? Or can we choose to be positively shaped by them? Junior Bledsoe finds himself faced with these questions. 

For more on bullies and literature, check out the latest issue of Talking Story.

AIM will be released Oct. 4, 2016 but you can pre-order it now!


10 comments:

  1. Thank you for this window into how a real artist works. Perhaps without realizing it you're teaching us inexperienced writers through your work. I'm so happy for this new book, AIM, and can't wait to read.

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    1. Thank you,Lisa. Obviously you are also a real artist. And I bet our process is similar - think, write, revise, think write revise. Trial and era and life observations. Am eager to read your book as well!

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  2. Really looking forward to reading this one, Joyce. I agree with "Every bully begins life as an innocent babe. Then something happens." It's so important to remember when dealing with bullies. Thanks for the post.

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    1. Ah, thank you, Rosi. One of my favorite bullying stories is Twerp which you introducing me too. I cherish that.

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  3. Can't wait to host you on my blog, Joyce! Congratulations on your new book and the prequel to your much beloved Blue! Love the jacket art. Thanks for your insightful observations about bullies.

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    1. Thank you much, Clara - I can be ready anytime! Email me to discuss a date.

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    1. Thank you, Peggy. And I am so excited about The Seagoing Cowboys. Ready for an appearance on my blog again?

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  5. As you know, I'm excited about reading AIM!!! Yahoo! Great post too, BTW.

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  6. I cannot wait to read AIM. I have read Blue to my fourth graders and now Comfort to my fifth graders. I am very excited to see what you do with Aim. Oh, and I would love to see what happens after Comfort. In my mind, Ann Fay and Junior need a happy ending. No matter what, I have truly enjoyed your books!

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