Q: Alright Elisa Nader, We gotta talk about this chapter. For me, it is easily the most disturbing chapter of the book. The stunning reveal of who this character is at the end of the chapter is absolutely haunting.
Awesome! That’s exactly what I was going for: Disturbing.
And “haunting” is a plus.
In addition to the list of suffering our characters face, this adds the traditionally taboo subject of self-injury and hair pulling. I used to work in the mental health field, and I know how terribly common this is. What made you go there?
This probably sounds incredibly shallow, but I went there because I needed a title! After Shaun read my chapter, he suggested the title “Grooming Habits,” which went well with the story idea. I was worried, though, that the reader would guess the ending based on that title, so as a Red Herring (something that is intended to be misleading), I added in Abby’s Trichotillomania (compulsive hair pulling). I hoped the reader would think that was the “grooming” referenced in the title, allowing the ending to be a real surprise.
After doing some research, I thought the compulsion made sense for Abby given what happened in her past, and, of course, her home situation. Her mom is absolutely awful to her.
I think the most disheartening part of this is that the horrors of bad parents, emotionally absent parents, and insecurities don’t go away with age.
YES! The reader assumes Abby is something she’s not based on her behavior and her relationship with her mother. People think as we age, we don’t need need the approval of our parents/caregivers. It’s so not true. With your parents, you’re always in the role of child, not matter how old you are. They’ll always make you feel like a kid.
Q: Are we to assume that Kirby was being sexually abused?
Yes? No? Maybe? I think that’s what’s so clever about this book. Shaun carefully ensured no one story gave a reason for why Kirby opened fire in the gym, and leaves it up to the reader to come to their own conclusion. Anything could have happened after Abby asks Kirby to close the classroom door. And what exactly happened? Even I don’t know.
Hypothetical Time Travel—Mindi Scott
I thought it was great to get Carah’s point of view. We get to see the family dynamic from her perspective, which, while not perfect is not horribly abusive either. We get to see a fairly normal family dealing with this loss, while others are judging them, assuming they are horrible parents.
This chapter also shows us a possible genetic link to depression and suicide.
And, of course, we do like that Kirby makes a special gesture to his sister with the dog.
In your view, why was it important to show Carah and her state of mind? And why was it important to have the ending the way it was? The ending was powerful and showed us caring friends, not some of the dysfunctional, so-called friendships we see in other chapters.
I’m so gratified to hear that you liked reading about Carah and found the ending of her chapter powerful!
The main reason I wanted to include her point of view in this story is because I’ve been in a similar (although far less extreme) situation in the past. I know what it’s like to be close to someone whose actions have been reported on by media, and I can relate to the devastation of not being able to comprehend what’s happened, while at the same time recognizing that the news stories out there are filled with as many mi-sassumptions and inaccuracies as they are truths.
A couple of years ago, I watched a press conference in which the younger sister of a school shooter spoke about how her brother’s actions had affected her and her family in the immediate aftermath, and in the year that had passed since. As I listened to her, I was thinking, Yes. This. THIS is what it’s like.
So, when Shaun later approached me about contributing to this novel, I knew immediately which point of view I was interested in writing. In the scope of this book, I could never show Carah’s full emotional journey after experiencing so much trauma and loss, but like you mentioned, through Carah, readers can gain insight into the home and family life of Kirby, our central character. It was also my hope that readers would empathize with Carah’s situation, and that maybe if someone they knew was ever faced with similar heartbreak, they might choose to be like Carah’s friends, who continue to care for her despite the deplorable actions of someone she loved.
