Eli
asked
Michael Finkel:
Did you give a percentage of what you earned through the publication of 'The Stranger in the Woods' to Chris and/or Chris's family?
Michael Finkel
While I will be forever grateful to Chris Knight for sharing his story with me, he is not receiving any remuneration from the book.
A financial arrangement with the subject of a book removes a level of independence from the project -- Chris Knight had absolutely no say in what I wrote. I tried to make the book as accurate as possible, and while I care deeply for Chris Knight and find his story to be absolutely riveting, my goal in writing the book was not to please him. It was to tell the true story.
In addition, any financial arrangement between Chris and me would make the two of us business partners, and Chris wanted to avoid any sort relationship at all with me (and pretty much everyone else too).
I am, however, donating some of the book's proceeds to The Pine Tree Camp, a summer camp in Maine for children and adults with mental or physical challenges, and the place where Chris Knight did much of his thieving. It's an excellent program, and if anyone is inspired to donate, money can be sent through the Pine Tree Society's website: https://www.pinetreesociety.org/child...
A financial arrangement with the subject of a book removes a level of independence from the project -- Chris Knight had absolutely no say in what I wrote. I tried to make the book as accurate as possible, and while I care deeply for Chris Knight and find his story to be absolutely riveting, my goal in writing the book was not to please him. It was to tell the true story.
In addition, any financial arrangement between Chris and me would make the two of us business partners, and Chris wanted to avoid any sort relationship at all with me (and pretty much everyone else too).
I am, however, donating some of the book's proceeds to The Pine Tree Camp, a summer camp in Maine for children and adults with mental or physical challenges, and the place where Chris Knight did much of his thieving. It's an excellent program, and if anyone is inspired to donate, money can be sent through the Pine Tree Society's website: https://www.pinetreesociety.org/child...
More Answered Questions
Michael
asked
Michael Finkel:
Michael, For nearly three decades, I've had a strong feeling deep in that part of my gut, my chest, that I have a story to tell. I believe everyone has a story. My question is, how do I pin point my story and make it interesting to readers? How do I sort out all the things in my head from experiences I've had and the feelings produced by them and put them into a cohesive story with a point?
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Feb 08, 2018 10:40AM · flag