Deborah Macgillivray's Blog, page 51

The beauty of Harper Lee and the passion of a first book

***** Be warned *****  my view of Go Set A Watchmancontains SPOILERS, but I couldn’t see how to express my thoughts without touching on a few points (many already discussed in the countless reviews before the book hit the shelves).

I finished Go Set a Watchman this morning and have so many thoughts about the novel.  For one, I think the media flap over Atticus being less than a paragon was hardly more than the publisher sending out PR stories to up their sales.  At some point they took a look and saw presales were not hitting the big money mark that they had greedily anticipated, so they set out to create a mountain out of a molehill; with the help of a few reviews of outrage, they fueled the sensationalism-hungry media and social networks, the pursuing flap drove everyone out to buy it to see for themselves.  Well, perhaps there is a lesson there – never truly judge a book by its cover – or rather, we need to pay smaller heed to the fray and just read it for yourself.  You might be surprised.  I was.
I went in to buying the book feeling concern for Harper Lee.  Had she been taken advantage of?  Did she even pen the book?  Some of the circumstances of the “finding” of the novel have been called into question by various sources.  This came on the heels of Lee having to sue to get her rights for To Kill A Mockingbird back from the nephew of her former agent, that she had been duped into signing them away, even an investigation into concerns of abuse of the beloved author, who had trouble seeing and hearing and no champion to protect her.  It was a murky whirlpool of speculation that saw the book making it into print.  I know one thing without a doubt –– Go Set A Watchman was penned by Harper Lee.  The book is hers.  Unpolished in places and dealing with a period of growth for the nation, it wasn’t a pretty picture she painted, but it was an honest one from her stand point and typical for the era.  But beneath the shaky start to the book, you hear Lee’s beautiful prose ringing clear, especially when you go through the flashbacks of Jem, Dill and Atticus.
There is a tendency to see this book as a sequel to To Kill A Mockingbird.  It begins with a grown up Jean-Louise Finch returning home for her annual visit to Maycomb, Mississippi.  Atticus is now aging, nearly eighty-years-old, and fighting to retain his pride though crippled with rheumatoid arthritis.  He needs Jean-Louise home, but is too proud to ask her.  Instead, his sister (which we met in To Kill A Mockingbird) is there to help him through his everyday life.  Jem is gone, lost to a sudden heart attack – the same thing that had claimed their mother when Jean-Louise was too young to recall.  You have a sense throughout the whole story that Scout hasn’t truly grieved over the loss of her hero brother, hasn’t been able to let him go.  It gives you a sense that he is still alive for her, as long as she keeps him locked in the cocoon of childhood memories.  Dill is spoken of, but never plays a role in the book outside of flashbacks.  You sense a detachment from her beloved childhood friend, which mirrors Harper Lee’s own estrangement from Truman Capote (the model for Charles Baker Harris).  And beloved Calpurnia, who served as mother to Jean-Louise, is now retired.  Their reunion is bittersweet and tears at the heart.  Other characters from To Kill A Mockingbird are scattered about, lending an instant familiarity, but their roles are changed in various ways.  Walter Cunningham, who got her in trouble with that “dumb lady teacher”, is no longer that poor little boy who pours molasses all over his plate, the son of the man who works off his entailment by bringing nuts to the Finch house early in the morn –– the only form of payment he can afford.  Instead, Walter owns the Maycomb ice cream parlor, built on the land where Scout’s old home once stood. 
In the first few chapters you hear a young writer struggling to find her voice.  The first three have a flat, detached feel to them, almost another voice, almost like Lee was trying to sound like an author rather than be one.  The harder she tried the farther she got away from her own natural magic.  Other times, she’s dead on target and straight from her heart.  As the book progresses you are treated to remembrances of Jem, Dill and Atticus.  Oddly enough, there is no mention of Boo Radley.  There is a mention of a trial, an echo of Tom Robinson’s, but this young black man, accused of rape by a white woman, lost his arm to the sawmill instead of the cotton gin, and this time Atticus saw him acquitted.  Seeds planted that would come full force and be the center of Atticus’ great journey in To Kill a Mockingbird.  All these changes see Watchman a sequel, and yet not truly a sequel.
You quickly sense there are two voicesstruggling within the character – Jean-Louise in the present, but also Scout who never truly went away.  She has moved to New York, tried to be worldlier.  Instead, she just put a veneer over the shy, tomboy that never quite fit in.  It’s that duality of the book, which took a few chapters for Harper Lee to master.  Through the unfolding of the story, we learn Jean-Louise is really just Scout in an adult’s skin.  It’s the battle between who she thinks she is, and who she truly is that causes most of her misery.  She still sees the town and Atticus through Scout’s eyes.  Following Scout’s recollections as she grew we learn, while horribly bright and encouraged to read about everything, she is quite backward about life in general –– terrified she is dying when her first period comes, which evolved later into nearly nine months of wretchedness after she mistakenly thinks she’s pregnant from French kissing Walter Cunningham.  Currently, she loves Henry, the boy next door, but she’s not in love with him.  In many ways the young man, best friend to Jem, has stepped into Jem’s shoes for Atticus.  What to do?  She hates the town she grew up in with a passion, yet loves it and wants to cling to the past with equal measure.  She’s horrified Atticus could have ever attended a KKK meeting, but in Jean-Louise’s simplified view of life, there are no grays.  It never occurs to her Atticus was a man who moved through Maycomb, handled legal matters, dealt with judges, lawyers, politicians and businessmen, and it was vital for him to know which ones hid behind a mask.  Scotland has a saying, you hold your friends close, and your enemies closer.  Atticus was merely following that sage adage.  However, Jean-Louise cannot see beyond the surface, only that Atticus had done something that went against everything she believed he was.
As we grow our perceptions of the world changes.  We learn, accept, reject and are changed by the various trials and tribulations.  Jean-Louise didn’t change.  She was still Scout inside, still clinging to her childish views of life, her hometown and the people she loved.  Much like Lee herself.
Go Set a Watchman is a worthy companion to the later To Kill a Mockingbird.  It’s different in many ways.  It’s a first book of an author, and showcases the shining talent of that writer finding her way, of becoming a wordsmith that would go on to turn out a masterpiece.  I think it’s an example, showing any author how to take their novel and go back and do second, third or fourth drafts to take a good story and make it something special.  Some of the writing, where Jean-Louise is examining the views on race relations of the period, Lee wanders between a Joan of Arc mentality to mounting a very preachy soapbox.  Much can and will likely be made of her simplistic views of the period, of good and evil, of the town’s resistance to the coming end to segregation.  For those too young to recall the ugly face of history, you will probably judge the book harsher than those of you who lived through the upheavals and changes and understand the complexities first hand. 

Frankly, I was scared to read the book after all the hoopla in the media.  I so loved To Kill a Mockingbird that I feared this book would destroy that love somehow.  She says Maycomb had once been told it had nothing to fear but fear itself.  I supposed I should have recalled that line.  In the end, I laughed, I cried, and I was sad when the book ended.  And extremely sad such a wonderful, wonderful writer never penned more books for the world to enjoy.  I loved this book almost as much as I do To Kill A Mockingbird.  Harper Lee has said she is Boo.  The summer we started so long ago has ended and Boo has finally come out.  When considering this book one needs to recall what Lee wrote about Atticus saying never judge someone until you’ve climbed into his shoes and walked around in them.  That is good advice about reading Go Set a Watchman.

Go Set A Watchman from Amazon.com

Publishing of Go Set A Watchman drives home a point for all authors to consider

The publishing of Go Set A Watchman is driving home this point vital to ALL authors -- plan ahead. We write and write and write, and I doubt few take time to consider what would happen to your works if you were suddenly not there, or too ill to handle your business decisions. Would you want someone selling your earlier works that were not polished or approved by you? Who would you want to control your books in the event you could not?This is something we all need to seriously consider and take pro-active action in setting someone to control our rights, to handle business choices, and what you want never to see the light of day....
No time like the present to think about these things and make decision so that you rights and will be followed.

Montlake promoting two of Dawn's books in Kindle

Kindle Users!!! Listen Up. Montlake Romance/Amazon Publishing is running a promotion for two of Dawn’s books.Beginning 7/14/2015, you will see the promotion here:http://www.amazon.com/b?ie=UTF8&node=11782825011
100 Kindle Romances for $1.99 Each in the US marketplace, starting 7/14/2015 and running through 8/14/2015.

ah, sadly, the Renfaire Closes....

 

Candy made Rondini Alexander a "mini me" doll and surprised him with it.
I think he was happy with his pint size version.
 
 


Rondini getting ready for his second performance of the day.

 

Daniel Higgins owner of The Gilded Lady came over and was checking out the Rondini doll.

Rondini and Daniel joking around

Daniel Higgins with Candy

Daniel with me


Me with Rondini, and um, Rondini...lol.  The real pictures were behind the camera where Daniel was doing everything he could to get us to crack up.



and no visit to the Renfaire would be complete without visiting with the gorgeous Tara Reed of Fool Hearty.

Well, the six weekends have come and gone.  Our Renny friends will move on to other venues.  Behind they leave love, laughter and memories to treasure until they come again next year.  We will go take Tara and Mark out for a farewell supper Wednesday.  So while it was a great day, it was a sad one, too.

Kentucky Highland Renfaire weekend 5 - Tournament Weekend

Me in my medieval dress.  The day was glorious!  So wearing a gown was actually comfortable.




Candy all ready to go!


Always a pleasure to get to see Fool Hearty - Tara and Mark Reed, and visit with them between performances.  We just LOVE them!!


 Tara Reed with an adorable miss - Jessica Rook who plays Alice at the Renfaire.  But don't let those innocent faces fool you (no pun intended)!  Tara is running a clothes pin game - similar the old game where you stuck signs on peoples' backs saying - Kick Me?  Well, this involved a clothes pin with a message written on it.  And yes, Tara got me!  Here she involved Jessica to attempt to tag her daddy, Jeff, in the Macleod kilt.






 

Ut oh!  They are trying to tag Marquise now!


Candy's Scottish UnicornsOne one beautiful lady who took one home.

 

And once again, they taggers are at it.
Next we visited storytime with the Disney Princesses.  This was a great hot of a mother and child listening.  It was standing room only, so the mother knelt down, so her daughter could use her lap as a chair.




okay what is Jessica up to now??  lol

Rondini Alexander - hamming it up with Candy and one of her Scottish Unicorns.  He is just a magnificent performer, who draws the largest crowds and keeps them cheering.  But he is such a sweetheart.  So kind and funny.  What an amazing person!


He reminded me that I am always taking pics of Candy and him, so In needed to get in a few shots too.   What a wonderful time at the Renfaire.  So many precious memories and wonderful friends.


My beautiful friend, Angie Greenwell.

The weather are perfect and the weekend so grand!
And we were treated to great performances from TARTANIC

Kentucky Highland Renaissance Festival - Steampunk Weekend.

Me in hat ready to head to the fourth weekend at the Renfaire.

Candy was all sixes and sevens because she had a request order for a chocolate unicorn that she had to do over night, so we could deliver Sunday to a Faerie from Tennessee.  But I think she looked adoreable in roses.

   Chocolate Unicorn -  the new owner adored it.


Jeff Rook (in kilt - program director) and Dragon Bob (Robert Barker) entertaining passing people with music.
 Dragon Bob with Marvin the Dragon (Candy made Marvin last year)


And a weekend would be complete without joining the single along with Drunk & Sailor.

Caught a Wood Faerie blowing bubbles

Master performer Rhondini Alexander mesmerizes the crowds each weekend with his swordsmanship and his Houdini routines.  He always has a huge crowd hanging on his performances.  Here he takes a few moments to give Candy and hug and pose for some precious pics!  He is amazing performer and such a sweet man.



In these two shots taken ny TLKonline.com photos of Rhondini surprising Candy with a kiss.  She was laughing so hard she couldn't keep still. 


Where else can you see a kilted stormtrooper?


Dragon Bob being a bit of a dragon...lol.
 

Faeries Dancing in the rain to Saxon Moon's music.


Saxon Moon providing Celtic/ Mystical Rock

No idea what is going on, but it looks interesting!!

I didn't ask why "Alexander Mackie" has flowers on his head...lol

New cover and title of Book 2 of the Dragons of Challon

The new cover for the second book in the series Dragons of Challon.  Originally, Damian's story was contained within the first book, but it made the story too long for traditional publishers, so I pulled that story out, entitled it Ravenhawke, and sold both books to Hilary Sares at Kensington Books.  Along the course, she informed me my book was now called In Her Bed, which I supposed worked for sales, but not precisely in keeping with my design of the series.  Now, the original title is being restored as I move to relaunch the series with the coming release of Redemption.  While the Kensington cover saw my book selling like crazy, totally sold out of two print runs, plus a lot of sales overseas in various translations, I do believe going back to my original title and with the new cover is a smart move.

Original Kensington version 2008

Spanish version

Japanese version

German version

celebrating the anniversary of a wonderful character

the new cover for re-issue of A Restless Knight.
A Restless Knight was my first published book.  I saw the release this time 8 years ago.  Like so many I am dreamed and worked to be an author.  Even after I had contracts with two different publishers - Kensington Books and Dorchester Publishing, I still never really knew how it felt to be an author.  Until that bright sunny day when UPS delivers a huge box with 100 copies of my book which was to be released the following week.  I opened that box and held my book in my hands.  There are no words, just an understanding of magic, when I opened and saw my words printed there.

I cannot thank the wonderful Hilary Sares, my editor, for the life-altering experience.

In celebration I am posting the original cover and some of the covers of translations for my novel, the first Dragon of Challon.


original 2007 Kensington Books cover

2008 Brazilian cover

2008 German version

2008 Japanese version
I never saw the Russian cover or the Spanish one.  If anyone has, please send me a link!

Amazon and AARP team up to give their members a great discount!!

Amazon Publishing is delighted to let you know that your books  will be included in Amazon.com’s Exclusive Offer for AARP Members! . Books will be available for purchase in eBook format for a discount of up to 10% off their current Amazon prices, and in physical and audio formats for a discount of up to 50% off their current Amazon prices.

The promotional period runs NOW through October 31, 2015. 

eBook: https://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html?docId=1001927991

Physical and Audio Books: https://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html/?ie=UTF8&docId=1002994231

Weekend 3 - Day 1 of Kentucky Highland Renaissance's Pirate Weekend

arrrrr!  Pirates we be!!!  Me (top) and Candy (bottom) ready to go to Pirates Weekend - Day 1
at the Kentucky Highland Renaissance Faire

 

Candy's Baby Dragons for Once Upon a Dragon Time.

And what is a Pirate Weekend without  Cap'n Jack Sparrow!!!

Candy getting a kiss on the hand from Cap'n Jack!



Tara Reed "Ima Nutt" chatting with Robert Barker "Dragon Bob"
  

The day was cut short as my knees really couldn't take it much dashing about.  Still, it was another wonderful time at Briarwood.  Next weekend -- Steampunk!!!

At the end of the day -- MELTED Candy, me and Robert Barker (Dragon Bob) -- Photo is by Paul Gregory