BLUE 3 IDEAS

I've gotten emails from 3 of Mrs. Halterman's language arts classes. (J. Frank Hillyard Middle School, Broadway, VA)

The first two classes focused on questions about Blue 2 -(COMFORT) which they had just completed. This last class to write, offered ideas for BLUE 3.

TBH, I'm not convinced I'll write Blue 3. I’ve thought about it, of course. I have some plot ideas but I've learned that, for me, a good idea is not enough. First, I need to find the heart of the story - the passion that will carry me through the long hard process.

Of course, a little brainstorming of ideas never hurts. From a good brainstorm, passion can grow. So today, I'm sharing suggestions from 7th Graders at JFHMS.

Possible titles: Joy, Peace, Contentment, Hope, or Happiness. (I guess we're leaning towards a one-word title too!)

• Ida and Ellie could go to Warm Springs and put on a play for the residents.
• Gavin could visit Ann Fay, but fall for Peggy Sue who owns and operates a beauty salon in their hometown.
• Junior and Ann Fay could get married and have a family of their own.
• Ann Fay invites Imogene to her wedding.
• Ann Fay finishes high school and works at Warm Springs.
• Otis could fall for Bessie (becoming Junior's step father!)
• Maybe due to Mrs. Barkley's influence, Ann Fay becomes a teacher.
• Ann Fay could teach Otis how to read.
• Imogene marries a young preacher who ends up moving up to take over the little church close to Ann Fay's home. They try to rekindle their friendship.

Well, we hope you enjoyed reading our ideas. Mrs. Halterman and her 2nd period class.

Yes - loved reading these ideas! And there is certainly potential for passion there. It's so sweet that these 7th graders want Otis to find love. It never crossed my mind...

What would I do without my readers?

DISCUSSING COMFORT WITH 7TH GRADE READERS

Last week, I enjoyed some email exchanges with Ms. Halterman’s 7th graders at J. Frank Hillyard Middle School. The next several posts will reflect those exchanges.

We just finished reading Comfort this morning and here are some comments and questions that we have for you:

The book was awesome! We loved it!
Thanks!!! I am so glad!

Will there be a third book? We would love to see one!
Thinking about it. If there is, that will answer some of the questions below!

We liked that the baby was a boy.
Me too.

What did they name him?
Honestly? I don't know. Got suggestions?

We liked that Ann Fay's dad was working out his problems.
Me too!

Does Ann Fay marry Junior?
Honestly? I'm not telling! Not yet - maybe if there is a sequel we'll learn more.
Why was fact that Ann Fay had a beautiful singing voice introduced into the story, but never followed up on?
Good question. Really I started out thinking Ann Fay will find her place in art or literature but those things didn't work out so naturally. And while I was writing it the music theme came up. I realized, hmmmm she is always referring to music in Blue. Maybe she is a musician. So I went with it. She is singing near the end of the book remember? Sometimes we get to know our characters better over time. I hadn't expected that really. Perhaps a 3rd book could explore it some more. If there is a 3rd book.

Was that the end of Imogene after Ann Fay's visit? Do they remain friends or ever see each other again?
Honestly? I don't know. It seems like it might be. It seems unlikely for the time that they would have been able to sustain a friendship. But one never knows! Maybe if there is a 3rd book, we'll learn more.

Does Otis find love????? :) Interesting question. Hadn't thought about that. Now you’re giving me ideas! Thanks!

Does Ann Fay ever go back to Warm Springs?
That could happen. If there is a 3rd book!

Does she ever see Gavin again or hear from him?
Don't you think he could present some interesting conflict for a 3rd book?

Does she ever visit Suzanne and scrapbook with her?
You know the answer to that, I bet. (3rd book - If there is one which I don't know for sure yet. Thinking about it though.)

Will there be a movie?
In my dreams...