Kimberli’s Comments (group member since Aug 05, 2013)

Kimberli’s comments from the Ask Kimberli Bindschatel group.

Chris wrote: "As a follow up of sorts, did you consider having your protagonist be a female? How might that have altered your telling of the same story?"

Thanks for asking this question. It's a good one because I put a lot of thought into it. The main reason is because I felt Roh and Bria were significant characters as well, with their own strengths and struggles. For me, the author, I thought just as much about them as I did Kiran, even though in this story you only get his point of view. (I was also purposeful in how I portrayed all the women in the story.)

Perhaps this is the time to mention, book two is Roh's story, and book three is Bria's. Bria will be back. We will yet see the power of women ;)

Chris wrote: "How much thought did you put into deciding on Kiran's age? Would the story have worked as well if he'd been, say, five years younger or older?"

This was meant to be a coming of age story, yes. An 11 year old or 21 year old would have approached the quest quite differently I'm sure. I was interested in that age of curiosity, of testing your own strength, physically and mentally. Also, the relationships would likely have been very different. Do you agree?

Chris wrote: "When you created the world for the book, did you worry that your target audience of young readers wouldn't connect with a "primitive society" (i.e., one with no electricity, fossil fuel, mass commu..."

Thanks Chris. That's a difficult one to answer. I have to be honest; I don't think I thought of it that way. I thought of it more as another world, like in a fantasy novel, one they were unlikely to be familiar with and eager to explore, yet one just like our real world, (which fit with the premise). I certainly was interested in having the Toran belief in supernatural occurrences be revealed to be natural phenomena. I think Earth is a magnificent, amazing place full of wonders we've yet to explain, some yet to discover. I really wanted to showcase that as part of the enlightenment experience. Traveling to new places here on Earth is often enlightening for the traveler. I hoped to give that sense or virtual experience.

April wrote: "Kiran thinking he was an orphan, in my opinion, is part of what makes him so strong and so open. He has always been on the outside looking in. He has had to find his way but has always wanted to be..."

Another great question. My intent as the author was to create a story that would encourage philosophical thought, not to preach any specific message. The only message I would say I strongly want readers to take away is tolerance. Kiran was able to learn from the other cultures he encountered only when he was open to their differences and could appreciate them. Deke's attitude on the other hand was to criticize where life wasn't lived as he thought it should be. He learned nothing new. And it cost him dearly. Would you agree?

April wrote: "I am going to ask something that probably gets asked a lot, but here goes: What prompted you to write about a religious quest? I am most impressed with Kiran's growth not only from a boy to a man, ..."

Great question, April. I've always been fascinated by religious belief. Why do people believe what they do? There are hosts of people out there writing books about it from the perspective of neurology, genetics, evolution, psychology, you name it. Indoctrination is a clear reason: most people share the beliefs of their parents.

As I delved into it, I became more interested in behavior based on belief. Specifically, intolerance. We know this is basic human behavior, to separate us from them, to be part of a group, a clan, going all the way back to tribal behavior for survival. So why, with the world being so different today, do we hold on to those tendencies?

I'm not here to bash religion. What I am interested in is how religious belief seems to exacerbate the "us vs. them" issue, the concept of sin goes to the heart of right vs. wrong. How do we know what is right? When one group claims guidance from their god and another group has differing views, claiming they come from their god? Is only one right and the others, therefore wrong? It's a philosophical question.

To observe with an open mind and an open heart, as you say, is, in my opinion, the most respectful and enlightening way to approach this issue in the world.

Reminder: next Wednesday, please join us for the book discussion. All day, Sept. 11.

If you'd like to post questions or comment prior to the Sept. 11 discussion day, please feel free to