Q&A with Rainbow Rowell

[Rainbow]

Milady wrote: "In the book, Eleanor explained to her reading class that she did not like Romeo and Juliet because she felt like Shakespeare was just making fun of them. Do you think that or were you writing that as Eleanor's POV? "

Oh, I was totally writing as myself there. It's not that Eleanor doesn't like "Romeo & Juliet"; it's that she doesn't think it's much of a love story. And I agree with her. It do think Shakespeare is making fun of love -- among other things.

[Genesis]

What inspired you to write this book? Why did you? Did you do any of the activities in this book?

[Rainbow]

Amy wrote: "My question though, is about the ending. A lot of people have perceived the ending as an open ending and have taken their own meaning and closure from it. Did you intend this, or do you have a very specific way the characters ended in mind? "

I guess I never thought of it as an open ending. More ... that these characters are 17. And 17-year-olds don't get endings -- they get beginnings.

I felt like ... this is where Eleanor and Park are *now*, at the end of the book. They got through that intense year together and that lost year apart, and now there's hope for them.

That part ISN'T open-ended; the book ends with Park feeling hopeful.

As for what happens next, definitely readers can imagine whatever they'd like. I'm cool with that. Do Eleanor and Park stay together? Do they break up? That's up to you, as a reader.

That's ALWAYS up to you, as a reader.

I know what happens to these characters in my head, and eventually I'll write it down. And even then, I'm okay with readers deciding that I'm wrong or choosing their own ending.

I love J.K. Rowling -- LOVE -- but I reject almost every word of the Harry Potter epilogue.

Once these characters live in your head, in some ways they're yours as much as they're mine.

[Rainbow]

rachelle wrote: "I thoroughly enjoyed E&P and Attachments. Loving the playlists, too! I'm listening to "Park, Side A" on Spotify now."

Thanks, Rachelle! You can listen to all my book playlists on Spotify -- even for my books that aren't out yet.

http://open.spotify.com/user/rainbowr...

[Rainbow]

Hey, everyone --

Thanks for inviting me to your book club! And thank you for being so kind/smart/insightful. You really made me think with a few of these questions.

[Rainbow]

Genesis wrote: "What inspired you to write this book? Why did you? Did you do any of the activities in this book?"

Hi, Genesis,

That's a really tricky question. I'm not sure why I wrote this book. I know that I've always wanted to write a first love story ...

But I can't explain why I wrote this story or where I found these characters. When I'm writing, I feel like I'm uncovering the book, not necessarily building it from scratch.

That said, I lived in a neighborhood just like Eleanor and Park's. I rode a bus to school for a while ... There was a boy who sat next to me who let me read his comic books.

It's almost like all of that -- all of everything I've ever experienced -- becomes part of my palette as a writer. And when I reach for some detail, I'm not even sure why or what I plan to do with it.

I wish I could explain it more concretely.

[Genesis]

Do have any regrets? Any changes you wish you added or eliminated from the story?

[Angie, YA lovin mod!!]

The Q&A is over Genesis. :( Rainbow is really active on facebook and twitter... you should ask her there!

[Angie, YA lovin mod!!]

Thank you so much to Rainbow for coming by our group and making the group read soooo much more fun. I can't wait to read Fangirl!!!

[Jane]

And thanks Angie, for organizing this. :)

[Angie, YA lovin mod!!]

Jb wrote: "And thanks Angie, for organizing this. :)"

Thanks!! It was so much fun!!