THanks for opening the thread, Nancy! There's been so much buzz and discussion about this book already (I am feeling HUGELY blessed, let me tell you), that I thought it was about time we opened a discussion thread where spoilers would be okay. So here we are! Hope you'll come into the thread and really let us know what you think. What disturbed you about the book (if anything), what moved you. The good and the bad, etc...I'm eager to discuss this book of my heart! Hugs! Deidre

starmuser wrote:

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Deidre, when you began the book, did you know that was how it would begin? Or did the opening find you over time. I can't say I've ever read a more compelling first line. We're immediately drawn into Rebecca's plight....truly wanted to wrap the woman up into a protective hug.
I would love you to talk about your creative process as you crafted the opening pages of Butterfly Tattoo.

Let da spoilers begin! :D

Hugs*

Hey:
I actually had to work on that opening a LOT. I honestly don't remember how many iterations it went through, or even--not totally--where it began. It always started at the studio, I remember that. But there was a pt that came to me after the book was almost done when I realized that opening line..when I understood that by causing a collision between her working life and her past in that script meeting, that it could really show us her exact state of mind. It seems that, prior to that realization, we had Michael show up a little sooner. But his arrival lacked the powerful context that it needed.

It's interesting, but I've seen some reader comments and reviews where they said they didn't feel Rebecca had as clear a resolution in her struggles as Michael did. I've found that surprising because to me we see her retreat out of her fear and self-protective instincts, and then we see her go through an entire process of revelation and growth. From her, "I've been a fool" moment with Jake the Snake (lol), to visiting her mother...to her final talk with Trevor. That understanding that love is never without risks--and she takes the ultimate one by going to the ice skating party.

I wonder if it's a difference in them as characters. That Michael's journey requires him to become the pursuer whereas Rebecca goes into retreat mode. I don't know, but for me, I felt she had an equal resolution in the story. It was just different than Michael's. More internal, too, b/c Michael had to work things out with Andrea...Rebecca had to work out much of her issues within her own heart. Still, as the author, I wonder if I didn't quite deliver enough of a completion to her journey. In fact, I am more than willing to accept that although I felt I'd delivered that fully satisfying journey for Rebecca, something must not have quite hit the mark or I wouldn't have seen this from several sources.

And that alone is an interesting part of the writer's journey for me with this book. Because I really thought I had given Rebecca just as as strong of a resolution to her issues. She tried lying to herself, tried running, went into self-protection mode, but in the end--on her own and with the support of those close to her like her mother and Trevor--took the ultimate risk by showing up at that party. And took the greater risk beyond that, by deciding to begin a life with Michael and Andie. Sob. I miss those characters. (And shocker: I have a fair amount written on a book about Laurel.)

Love the comments. Thanks! Anyway, back to your other question about creative process, one of my biggest challenge stemmed from the altnerating POV. It didn't give me the same freedom to advance the story from the POV I wanted at jsut the right time. So at some point, I actually broke the rhythm and did a few double chapters with one character. But I felt hemmed in at times, and especially with the way I love third person/multi POV, you can imagine it was an interesting challenge! OTOH, first person can create more mystery. For instance, if we'd had Andrea or Laurel's POV, then I couldnt have kept those certain secrets. They would have busted them open from their own POV. So I think one of the things I most came to appreciate in writing the book was that first person has its limits--but also can stock your arsenal with unique power. Oh, and of course, the present tense completely adds a major layer of immediacy and intensity. It was absolutely the only way this story could have been told.

Thoughts, me peeps?? :) Love, D