Ask the Author: Helene Dunbar
Answered Questions (5)
Helene Dunbar
Thank you for reading, and for your kind words. When I was working on the book I studied psychology sources in childhood PTSD, spent many months reading first hands accounts, and talked to friends. I also drew on my own experience of having my mother pass away when I was a teen.
What I meant by that comments is that when faced by trauma, some people withdraw, some run towards the trouble (because it's familiar), some (like Kevin) become angry. Everyone's life experience and chemistry come into play in making those determinations. So you need to look at your characters as whole people rather than people with an isolated issue.
While I would like to write a sequel, as TGW is now out of print, I don't see that happening. Thank you, though. That brought a smile to my face.
What I meant by that comments is that when faced by trauma, some people withdraw, some run towards the trouble (because it's familiar), some (like Kevin) become angry. Everyone's life experience and chemistry come into play in making those determinations. So you need to look at your characters as whole people rather than people with an isolated issue.
While I would like to write a sequel, as TGW is now out of print, I don't see that happening. Thank you, though. That brought a smile to my face.
Helene Dunbar
This is really a two-pronged question for me. BY FAR, the best thing is knowing that people are reading my words, particularly when they contact me to say that a book has resonated with them or helped them in some way.
Selfishly, the other side, is seeing these characters - who have lived in my head for so long - actually realized. It isn't simply seeing them on the page, but to hear readers discuss them takes me back to high school and college when I was the one dissecting a book. I take a lot of pleasure in hearing how others interpret my characters and I can't wait to see what readers make of BOOMERANG.
Selfishly, the other side, is seeing these characters - who have lived in my head for so long - actually realized. It isn't simply seeing them on the page, but to hear readers discuss them takes me back to high school and college when I was the one dissecting a book. I take a lot of pleasure in hearing how others interpret my characters and I can't wait to see what readers make of BOOMERANG.
Helene Dunbar
With BOOMERANG's release on the horizon, I'm getting some pre-sale giveaways together (stay tuned!). But I'm also working on the sequel to my 2019 book PRELUDE FOR LOST SOULS, and a WIP that is incredibly important to me about coming of age in the very early days of the AIDS crisis.
Helene Dunbar
The heart, if you will, of What Remains was always the friendship between Cal, Spencer, and Lizzie. When I first drafted this back in 2010, I was reading a lot of YA about romance, but not enough about the intense bond you have with your friends when you're in high school and college. So many of my closest friends are the people I met during that time and I wanted to capture the love and bond that comes from friendships formed during those important years.
The premise, which hinges on cellular memory, guilt, love, confusion, and really trying to figure out who you are and what it is exactly that defines a person, is something I've always been interested in.
The premise, which hinges on cellular memory, guilt, love, confusion, and really trying to figure out who you are and what it is exactly that defines a person, is something I've always been interested in.
Helene Dunbar
Thank you so much for your kind words, Liz and for the lovely review. Hearing that TGW gave you hope is the greatest thing ever.
I'm so very sorry about your friend. So many people are unaware of the lasting effects of childhood trauma and how insurmountable that pain can seem.
Wishing you peace.....
I'm so very sorry about your friend. So many people are unaware of the lasting effects of childhood trauma and how insurmountable that pain can seem.
Wishing you peace.....
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