Jordan
asked
Miranda Kenneally:
Do you share similar religious views with Kate (from Things I Can't Forget)? Did you find writing about her and her strong religious influence difficult in comparison to other/past characters?
Miranda Kenneally
Hi Jordan -
I grew up like Kate. Until Middle School, I thought I had to follow everything the Bible said 100%. When my friends did something against the Bible, it freaked me out because I didn't want them to get in trouble with God. It was a lonely place to be. As I grew older, my beliefs began to evolve and I wasn't that total rule follower I once was. In high school, I found that particular people from church began to judge my actions, and yes, I didn't like that, but it also reminded me of how I had been judgmental toward others in middle school. Who was I to behave like that? I struggled with doing everything the Bible and my church said was right vs. what I knew in my heart to be true. Finding balance seemed impossible, and to this day, I still don't know what I believe. With THINGS I CAN'T FORGET, I wanted to show readers that it's okay to feel that way. We all believe different things. I myself haven't been to church in many years. I don't feel that same pull I once did.
Yes, it was a very difficult book to write because as the author, I knew Kate was kind of snobbish and mean, but she *had* to be for the plot arc to work. I needed her to evolve over the course of summer to realize that her truths aren't everybody else's truth. That meant writing an unlikable character, which was risky! It scared me to death to put this book out in the world, but I felt I needed to tell this story. I am so happy when I hear from readers that this is their favorite book because they can totally relate to it. Others have not liked the book as much, and that's okay. We all have different "truths."
Thanks for your question,
Miranda
I grew up like Kate. Until Middle School, I thought I had to follow everything the Bible said 100%. When my friends did something against the Bible, it freaked me out because I didn't want them to get in trouble with God. It was a lonely place to be. As I grew older, my beliefs began to evolve and I wasn't that total rule follower I once was. In high school, I found that particular people from church began to judge my actions, and yes, I didn't like that, but it also reminded me of how I had been judgmental toward others in middle school. Who was I to behave like that? I struggled with doing everything the Bible and my church said was right vs. what I knew in my heart to be true. Finding balance seemed impossible, and to this day, I still don't know what I believe. With THINGS I CAN'T FORGET, I wanted to show readers that it's okay to feel that way. We all believe different things. I myself haven't been to church in many years. I don't feel that same pull I once did.
Yes, it was a very difficult book to write because as the author, I knew Kate was kind of snobbish and mean, but she *had* to be for the plot arc to work. I needed her to evolve over the course of summer to realize that her truths aren't everybody else's truth. That meant writing an unlikable character, which was risky! It scared me to death to put this book out in the world, but I felt I needed to tell this story. I am so happy when I hear from readers that this is their favorite book because they can totally relate to it. Others have not liked the book as much, and that's okay. We all have different "truths."
Thanks for your question,
Miranda
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