tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6265428284848727164.post4913865793101747574..comments2024-01-12T00:00:04.996-05:00Comments on The Paper Wait: Nuances of CharacterEileen Cameronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03147679493619958932noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6265428284848727164.post-32788570466999854272009-10-02T20:01:56.935-04:002009-10-02T20:01:56.935-04:00Robin, I'm sorry to hear about your uncle, and...Robin, I'm sorry to hear about your uncle, and I think you're right about your cousins details. I feel like I knew him.<br /><br />I think when we write, adding those little character details often propels the plot forward, even in first drafts. I find subplots sometimes grow from one, small, added detail.<br /><br />And count me in the Rudy fan club. The devastated fan club.J.A. Palermohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18325616361174334630noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6265428284848727164.post-68642732497101212382009-10-02T19:47:01.858-04:002009-10-02T19:47:01.858-04:00Robin, I think we had the same uncle.
As for mem...Robin, I think we had the same uncle. <br /><br />As for memorable characters, I often find myself thinking about Meg from A Wrinkle in Time and Fern from Charlotte's Web. Why? I don't know, they were both hyper emotional, but I guess their soft sides touched a nerve with me.<br /><br />As for The Book Thief, well, I'm reading it now and I just met Rudy and fell in love with him and his Jesse Owens fascination and now I know that something horrible is going to happen to him and I don't think I want to read the book anymore because I'm not going to be able to stand it when it happens. Argggggh. <br /><br />P.S. Kidding. I will, of course, continue to read this amazing book but I will brace for the sad fate that I now know is to going to befall Rudy. Sigh.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6265428284848727164.post-38834005245893738902009-10-02T10:25:03.497-04:002009-10-02T10:25:03.497-04:00Thanks.
Meg - I *loved* Rudy in The Book Thief - ...Thanks.<br /><br />Meg - I *loved* Rudy in The Book Thief - sobbed at his fate. (don't want to spoil in case anyone hasn't read it!) Marcus Zusak created such a masterpiece.<br /><br />Gale - that's one I haven't read yet but I have heard of - so you know she's a good character! Love the bubble gum and yes, what a subtle but powerful way to show Gilly's feelings.Robin Constantinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12702857007702547325noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6265428284848727164.post-6664093395488135682009-10-02T08:41:59.292-04:002009-10-02T08:41:59.292-04:00I'm sorry your trip home this time was for a s...I'm sorry your trip home this time was for a sad occasion. <br /><br />You asked about memorable characters and I immediately remembered the opening scene of THE GREAT GILLY HOPKINS. Now there's a character! She's in her social worker's car on the way to a new foster home. The social worker is pleading with Gilly to give the new home a chance. How does Katherine Paterson show Gilly's attitude in small ways? Her bubble gum! Gilly views her social worker through a big bubble, then POP the gum is in her hair and on her nose. When she's told to get rid of it, what does Gilly do? She sticks it "carefully" under the car door handle and leaves it there as a "sticky surprise."<br />I read this book years ago. Gilly stuck with me!Gale Sypher Jacobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06316827256622168039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6265428284848727164.post-25882364560701628342009-10-02T07:18:09.833-04:002009-10-02T07:18:09.833-04:00I am sorry for your loss. But through this loss, I...I am sorry for your loss. But through this loss, I think you've made a very important point. What makes our characters human? What little personality quirks do we give them to make them real?<br /><br />I just re-read THE BOOK THIEF and I love Rudy's obsession with Jesse Owens. The fact that he covers himself with coal and recreates Owens' legendary Olympic victories is genuine. And that Rudy does this with no care for the racism of Nazi Germany makes him an innocent child. Likewise, Rosa Huberman's constant swearing first appears as if she's uncaring, but we soon see her swearing as a quirky way of showing love. <br /><br />Nice post.Meg Wiviotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16178051434999444739noreply@blogger.com