Ana Beatriz
asked
Huntley Fitzpatrick:
Hi Huntley! So I'm brazillian and one of my favorites parts from What I Thought Was True was Gwen's grandpa and his portuguese lines ( Very well written by the way). Where did you get the idea of making Gwen 1/4 portuguese? And thanks for creating such an amazing character like her.
Huntley Fitzpatrick
Hullo Ana,
I'm so happy you liked Grandpa Ben and found his lines believable.
And what a great question.
I wanted Gwen to feel like an "outsider" in many different ways--on Seashell, with Nic and Viv, and in town, with the school and the Hill boys. Where I live, near New Bedford, MA, there is a long and proud history of Portuguese culture and heritage. But, given who Gwen spent time with, timing the swim team boys, I could see how it would be another way for her to feel 'different', and another way to help her learn she wasn't. I wasn't trying to teach any lessons, per se, but it was in the back of my mind that she had that to overcome.
Does that make sense? I'm glad you liked her!
Warmly,
Huntley
I'm so happy you liked Grandpa Ben and found his lines believable.
And what a great question.
I wanted Gwen to feel like an "outsider" in many different ways--on Seashell, with Nic and Viv, and in town, with the school and the Hill boys. Where I live, near New Bedford, MA, there is a long and proud history of Portuguese culture and heritage. But, given who Gwen spent time with, timing the swim team boys, I could see how it would be another way for her to feel 'different', and another way to help her learn she wasn't. I wasn't trying to teach any lessons, per se, but it was in the back of my mind that she had that to overcome.
Does that make sense? I'm glad you liked her!
Warmly,
Huntley
More Answered Questions
Marta Muñoz Torres
asked
Huntley Fitzpatrick:
You have your new BIG fan! I just finished my life next door. I was looking for an easy YA romance read. But this book was such a big surprise. I myself come from a big family (I'm the 2nd child of ten) and the way you described the Garrets it touched my heart, because sometimes that's us. I want to write you a whole letter about how much I loved it, not just the characters left I have in here. Is there a way I can?
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