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Hostess Risa
Board Administrator
Username: Risa
Post Number: 8692
Registered: 05-2003
| | Posted on Friday, April 24, 2009 - 12:35 pm: | 
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Dear Transplant Buddies,
I would like to cordially invite you to an on-line discussion of the novel IRREPLACEABLE by Stephen Lovely, which will begin on the Book Forum page on the morning of May 4. The author will be present for the discussion and will be happy to answer questions, and to respond to ideas and comments.
IRREPLACEABLE, published in February, tells the story of four people whose lives entwine and complicate in the aftermath of a heart transplant. The novel avoid sentimentality and sensationalism and looks with a focused eye at the emotions, relationships, and complexities created by a heart transplant and the effects it has on everyone involved. For a description of the novel, feel free to visit Stephen Lovely's web site at www.stephenlovely.com and click on the "Irreplaceable" page. There is also a Reader's Guide on the main page near the bottom that provides ideas for questions and subjects to discuss. There is also more information about Stephen, who attended the Iowa Writers' Workshop and worked for 7 years as a unit clerk in an intensive care unit at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.
Stephen Lovely is excited to participate in this discussion and looks forward to hearing your thoughts and opinions (and criticism!). I hope you will join us on May 4th on the Book Forum page for what promises to be an interesting discussion of a wonderful book. Many of you have received a copy of the book many months ago. Those who have not read the book, I highly recommend that you buy the book. I could not put the book down.
Sincerely,
Risa
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Jim Gleason TRIO
Member
Username: Gleasonjim
Post Number: 8
Registered: 02-2009
| | Posted on Friday, April 24, 2009 - 02:14 pm: |
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Discussion with the author is such an exciting opportunity. Thanks for making this possible...
I have recently enjoyed reading Irreplaceable and have written a review of it that you can find by clicking on this book's title in the long list of transplant books at http://trioweb.org/communications/bookreviewshome.shtml (or any other title you may find of interest. Note too that the home page at http://trioweb.org at the bottom of the left column has images of recent books linked to their reviews.
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Karen R.
Member
Username: Relivkaren
Post Number: 2864
Registered: 07-2007
| | Posted on Friday, April 24, 2009 - 02:19 pm: |
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Risa:
Is there any particular time that we should be logged on? I loved the book and would like to participate in the discussion. Will Stephen Lovely be around most of the day or only for a period of time?
God Bless!
Karen
Dx: BOOP - May 2006. Rediagnosed with Bronchiolitis Obliterans Nov. 2006
Listed Feb 2008 - Double Lung at Cleveland Clinic
Ohio, USA
Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle. |
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Hostess Risa
Board Administrator
Username: Risa
Post Number: 8696
Registered: 05-2003
| | Posted on Friday, April 24, 2009 - 02:39 pm: |
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Hi Karen
I think he said he would be here in the morning. If he lives in Iowa then this would be central time.
I hope to have a big turnout from all those who read the book. I too enjoyed his book. After page 200, I could not put the book down. Since his story was not based on a true story, I thought his imagination of how the characters all met was done creatively. I believe his book will become a movie. In my opinion, it has all the elements of a good book.
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splovely
Member
Username: Splovely
Post Number: 1
Registered: 04-2009
| | Posted on Friday, April 24, 2009 - 02:41 pm: |
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Hi everyone,
I'll plan to be on-line from 9 am to noon on May 4th to read posts and respond, and then after that I'll respond when able for as long as the discussion continues. I'm really looking forward to it!
Stephen
www.stephenlovely.com |
Hostess Risa
Board Administrator
Username: Risa
Post Number: 8829
Registered: 05-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, April 30, 2009 - 05:35 pm: |
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Dear TransplantBuddies
Here are my answers to the readers guide for "Irreplaceable"
Please note, I read the book in late August 08
This readers guide was copied from http://stephenlovely.com
IRREPLACEABLE
Reading Group Guide
1. Why does Isabel decide to become an organ donor? Do you agree or disagree with her.
I was very moved when she shared with Alex that she wanted to be an Organ Donor. She was positively a loving person who cared for others. I agreed with her because I was blessed to receive the gift of life. I was an organ donor before my transplant. I believe she was at a restaurant when she shared her news with Alex. If my memory serves me correctly, Alex joked around at first and had a difficult time understanding her.
decision.
Why does Alex voice such strong opposition to the idea? Do you find his reasons
compelling?
I found his opposition to make for a good read. It explained how many people view this decision making process.
2. The author of Irreplaceable tells the story from four points of view — not including those of
several minor characters. Do you think this was effective? How so? How would the novel have
been different if it had been told from only one point of view? Whose point of you would you
have chosen? Why?
While reading "Irreplaceable" I thought about how analytical a writer Stephen Lovely is. By sharing different view points throughout the story made for an interesting read. There are always many different viewpoints to decisions. By describing the many different viewpoints from the characters, this explains how we all view life different. We are all entitled to how we think and feel. I Stephen portrayed night and day viewpoints with all his characters. I cannot choose. I cannot imagine a book to be interesting with one viewpoint.
3. Alex is an archaeologist by training, and archaeology, as well as the more general subject of
anthropology, appears throughout the novel. What connection does the novel make between
archaeology and organ transplantation? What connection between archaeology and the nature of
grief?
This is a tough question to answer. Alex was opposed at first to Organ donation. When looking at life, there are always many feelings that can be present about any subject especially when takling about life and Death. Studying nature, we see beauty and destruction. Even though you would think that Alex would not disagree because of his career, we can always have mixed feelings about a subject that hits close to home. I am sure there are doctors and nurses who see life and death daily they too can have mixed feelings about the subject of organ donation.
Organ donation is a personal decision. *just my two cents*
4. Why does Janet want to contact Alex after she receives Isabel’s heart? Are her reasons and
intentions genuine? If you received a donated heart – or any other major organ – would you try
to contact the donor family? Why or why not?
Of course Janet's reason was genuine. She is very grateful tor her new life and she desperately wanted to learn about her Donor Family.
5. Why does Alex react so negatively to Janet’s attempts to approach him? Did you find his
resistance justified? Why or why not? How would you react if you were in his place?
Even though I am not a Donor Family, I would probably have mixed feelings about meeting the recipient at first. It seemed that Alex received the letter in the early days of her transplant. He was deeply in love with Isabel and was still grieving. Alex's feelings were absolutely justifiable!
6. What kind of person is Janet? Do you like her? Do you respect her? What are her admirable
attributes? What are her flaws? Is she a good person? Is she a good mother?
I liked Janet very much. She reminded me of myself  I thought she tried her best to be a good Mom Her flaws, perhaps she seemed a litlte obsessed with meeting Alex and overly concerned about her new looks therefore neglecting her husband a bit.
7. What kind of person is Alex? A very reserved and caring person. What are his admirable attributes? He listens and finally gets it after all.
What are his flaws? What do
you think of his behavior throughout the novel? Is he a better person at the beginning or at the
end?
His experience was life changing, almost ironic to how he felt in the beginning of the book about subject on Organ Donation. He seemed very much into his books and Isabel. He learned to apprecaite life in ways he never experienced before. He was blessed to meet Janet.
8. Alex’s relationship with Bernice is complex. What draws them together? What divides them?
Do you find their bond understandable or disturbing? Why?
I will not judge Alex and Bernice as I never walked in their shoes. Did I find it disturbing? No, Did I find it very odd YES! I predicted what could happen right from the beginning by the way you described her appearance and how much she reminded Alex of Isabel.. When that one scene took place, I was sort of happy that my prediction was correct. I am taking odd out of the equation here and adding LifeTime movie.
What divides them? Reality set in. They did not want to betray the memory of Isabel and they realized they were fooling themselves into thinking of a relationships changing direction.
9. Janet’s husband David has difficulty, at various stages pre and post-transplant, dealing with
her illness. Is David a bad husband? Do you sympathize with him?
He was not supportive of Janet which led me to believe that she might fall in love with Alex. I am always predicting when I read LOL Not a good thing to do. I did not care for David and would not want a husband like him of course. I do not remember how their relationship was before her transplant. I think he was jealous of Alex and that could have led him away from Janet.
10. What do you think of Jasper? What drives him to seek out Alex and Bernice and behave the
way he does? How would you behave if you were so unfortunate as to find yourself in his
position?
Believe it or not, I can understand the character Jasper and I found your portrayal of him to demonstrate all the emotional components that someone might have after acidentally taking another person life.. Besides being creative and showing his feelings loud and clear, you created a major twist in the book which kept me reading while working out on my treadmill. lol Jasper felt awful about what happened to Isabel and that is why he became obsessed to learn more about the entire family. Even though Jasper was crazed to the Max, he showed his feelings a little too well. Jasper was certainly a character (pardon my pun).
2
11. Part 2 of Irreplaceable goes into the past and, in alternating chapters, tells the story of Janet’s
illness and hospitalization, pre-transplant, alongside a contemporaneous account of Alex and
Isabel’s day to day life. Why do you think the author chose to structure this part of the novel in
this way? Did you find it effective?
YES! I was able to easily understand the story and this made for a very interesting read.
12. Do you think Alex’s grieving process ultimately would have been easier if Isabel had not
elected to donate her organs?
I cannot say how someone would grieve if they were not an organ donor. There is always a loss when someone dies. I believe the lesson that Alex learned from Isabel was life changing.
Why or
why not? What about for Bernice? I cannot remember Bernice's opinon on organ donation.
I do believe she was very supportive. She loved Isabel dearly. This is a very difficult question for me. I believe that Bernice would not have been touched the way she was if not for Isabels decision to be an organ donor.
13. One could make the argument that we all have, at one time or another, for a few seconds or
even longer, failed to pay adequate attention to the road while driving. The vast majority of us
never kill anyone. Was Jasper just unlucky? If so, is he a victim, as he claims? How sorry for
him should we feel? Which of the novel’s other characters expresses the most empathy with
him?
Very difficult question. I have mixed feelngs about this. I can understand that anybody can have a car accident and death is the result.. I felt badly that he could not forgive himself as well as he desperately wanted forgiveness from Alex and Bernice. I felt a little bit of peace in knowing that he saved another person's life. When I read this scene, I got the chills. Is Jasper a victim? Yes because he allowed himself to be. The character that expresses the most empathy with him was Janet. It seemed that Alex wanted to try and understand Jasper but he could not help his anger toward him.
14. What do you think of the scene in Janet’s apartment when she lets Alex listen to Isabel’s
heart beating in her chest? What kinds of thoughts go through his mind? How does this event
affect his grieving?
Of course hearing Isabels Heart beating had to be very comforting on one hand. Another possible feeling could lead Alex to be reminded of Isabel and the life they shared together. This was a very touching scene. What does he mean when he thinks “Isabel’s body is incontrovertibly gone. It must be, if this isn’t it.”
He was able to understand and became accepting that Isabel made the right decision to pass life on. He seemed he was always struggling to accept Isabel's decision and at the end of the book, he had a better understasnding of Isabels' wishes.
There was a tiny part of me that was hoping that Janet and Alex would start to date. I know that is not a good move, just had to reveal my thoughts.
15. How do you feel about becoming an organ donor? Has reading IRREPLACEABLE made
you more interested in doing so or less? I was already an organ donor The title of this book was chosen well. If I never thought about becoming an organ donor, I can see how this book would open my eyes to the beautiful possibility.
This book was a fascinating read on many levels.
What Impressed me the most about the book was how Stephen touched on many different aspects on how people think and feel. I remember thinking several times while reading Irreplaceable, "wow! I would never think about it that way:"
© 2008 Voice.
A note from Risa-
I edited my repies a few times after reading what I wrote. This took me a long time to answer these questions.
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Hostess Risa
Board Administrator
Username: Risa
Post Number: 8833
Registered: 05-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, April 30, 2009 - 09:32 pm: |
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Anyone who wants to reply to these questions, a word to the wise, copy your answers in word so you do not make the mistakes that I made. I must have edited my post too many times to mention.
I confused two characters and their roles and just realized this hours after writing.
Enjoy the book!
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Sarah's mom
Member
Username: Sarahs_mom
Post Number: 100
Registered: 02-2009
| | Posted on Saturday, May 02, 2009 - 06:46 pm: |
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FINALLY, my book JUST NOW arrived....It's 5:45 pm Sat. May 2nd. I will try to finish it before the May 4th chat! Ready, set, go!
Sarahs mom, Kristen
Donor family
Florida, near Pensacola.
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Sue H, NY
Member
Username: Shersh21
Post Number: 1
Registered: 05-2009
| | Posted on Sunday, May 03, 2009 - 02:19 pm: |
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Great first novel by Mr Lovely. I enjoyed reading it and found it be captivating.
I'd like to touch on discussion point #2 in the Reading Group Guide.
I thought that it was an interesting angle to allow the reader to see the story from the various viewpoints of the characters. Adding in Jasper's storyline was a surprise and interesting move on the part of the author. I found myself wanting to pull him out of the story, because he was such a disturbing character, but the reality is that this character's actions shaped the lives of the others...so it was interesting to see how his life changed and caused change to others.
Thanks Risa for the opportunity to read a heart-warming story. |
splovely
Member
Username: Splovely
Post Number: 2
Registered: 04-2009
| | Posted on Monday, May 04, 2009 - 10:11 am: |
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Hi everyone,
Good morning! Stephen Lovely here, ready to chat about Irreplaceable. Thanks so much to Risa for posting the Reading Group questions and her great responses, and to all the rest of you who have managed to "drop by" or who do so during the course of the conversation. I'm so grateful for your interested in the novel, and -- to those of you who enjoyed it -- for your support and enthusiam.
Anyway, don't be shy. Fire away!
Stephen Lovely |
Hostess Risa
Board Administrator
Username: Risa
Post Number: 8909
Registered: 05-2003
| | Posted on Monday, May 04, 2009 - 10:14 am: |
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Hi Stephen
What do you think about my answers to the questions (considering I read your book almost eight months ago).
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splovely
Member
Username: Splovely
Post Number: 3
Registered: 04-2009
| | Posted on Monday, May 04, 2009 - 11:22 am: |
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Hi Risa,
I thought your responses were great! Clearly you connected with the book and appreciated many of the things I was trying to do with the subject and the characters. And you obviously gave the book a lot of thought. Bravo!
Stephen |
Sarah's mom
Member
Username: Sarahs_mom
Post Number: 101
Registered: 02-2009
| | Posted on Monday, May 04, 2009 - 11:26 am: |
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Well, I almost made it to the end of the book! I stayed up very late trying. It was difficult for me to read as a donor mom.... I think it's just too soon. It naturally brought up all of the very raw, awful memories.
Am I on the right thread? Don't see much chatting yet......what did everyone else think?
Sarahs mom, Kristen
Donor family
Florida, near Pensacola.
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splovely
Member
Username: Splovely
Post Number: 4
Registered: 04-2009
| | Posted on Monday, May 04, 2009 - 11:29 am: |
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We just started chatting, Kristen. Had some technical difficulties.
I understand that this might have been a very hard book for you to read, and that it might be too soon. I hate to think I've caused you any pain! |
Sarah's mom
Member
Username: Sarahs_mom
Post Number: 102
Registered: 02-2009
| | Posted on Monday, May 04, 2009 - 11:32 am: |
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You didn't cause me any pain....Sarah's dying is the cause. You didn't force me to read anything! I did skip the part about Isabel's organ surgery. But I will probably finish the book today.
How did you decide on this subject for your first book?
Sarahs mom, Kristen
Donor family
Florida, near Pensacola.
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Hostess Risa
Board Administrator
Username: Risa
Post Number: 8910
Registered: 05-2003
| | Posted on Monday, May 04, 2009 - 11:34 am: |
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Thank you Stephen
I am very interested in learning more about your work at the Transplant unit. Did you interview patients, doctors, caregivers for the details for you book? I believe I read that you did. My memory is a bit foggy today. How did you approach these people?
Was there any story that helped to inspire your story line?
Would you ever consider writing another transplant story?
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splovely
Member
Username: Splovely
Post Number: 5
Registered: 04-2009
| | Posted on Monday, May 04, 2009 - 11:35 am: |
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I was working as a unit clerk at the University of Iowa Hospitals and clinics in Iowa City, and one night a boy came in who had been killed in a car accident. His parents decided to donate his organs. I was impressed by the bravery of these parents and the nobility of the act and how they could make such a huge decision in such a terrible moment. Then I began to think about where the boy's organs would go -- specifically the heart -- and who would receive them, and what might ensue if the recipient tried to contact the donor family. i imagined that the husband of the donor might resist such overtures but that maybe the mother of the donor would not, and that this could create an interesting conflict. |
splovely
Member
Username: Splovely
Post Number: 6
Registered: 04-2009
| | Posted on Monday, May 04, 2009 - 11:40 am: |
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Risa, to answer your question, I did interview many doctors and patients and nurses involved in transplantation and in caring for pre and post transplant patients. I had some contacts from Ui hospitals and clinics, since I worked there so long, so I was able to find the people I needed to speak with. I also spoke with many heart recipients about their lives pre and post transplant. These were probably the most interesting intreviews of all. i heard so many amazing stories. i'll never forget one woman who told me that while she was in the hospital waiting for a heart, just lying there day after day with no energy, in the dark, she felt like a mushroom! |
Sarah's mom
Member
Username: Sarahs_mom
Post Number: 103
Registered: 02-2009
| | Posted on Monday, May 04, 2009 - 11:44 am: |
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I think you are a wonderful writer. The characters were well developed and kept my interest. Of course it was the subject matter that grabbed my attention, but now that I know that I like your writing style, I'll buy the next book regardless of what it's about. Loved the cover, too....it's got a very appealing look.
Have you started working on anything new? Or just basking in the glow of your success at the moment?
Sarahs mom, Kristen
Donor family
Florida, near Pensacola.
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Hostess Risa
Board Administrator
Username: Risa
Post Number: 8912
Registered: 05-2003
| | Posted on Monday, May 04, 2009 - 11:45 am: |
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Thank you for your reply- very interesting. Where there more cases that inspired you and did some of the doctors or nurses warn you not to get close to these patients and their families when you would interview them or was this purely observation on your part?
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splovely
Member
Username: Splovely
Post Number: 7
Registered: 04-2009
| | Posted on Monday, May 04, 2009 - 11:46 am: |
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I'm not sure I'd write another transplant story. I really feel like I've delved into the subject deeply and given it everything I had. I have friends who say I should go on to write novels about the other organs--kidney, liver, lungs, etc--and give them titles like "Irresistible" and "Irreversible" so that they form a kind of series.... |
splovely
Member
Username: Splovely
Post Number: 8
Registered: 04-2009
| | Posted on Monday, May 04, 2009 - 11:48 am: |
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I have started working on a new novel, but it's hard. The basic idea for Irreplaceable came to me all in one night -- the night at the hospital when the boy was admitted -- and so far this hasn't happened for a second idea! I think I may just have to wade into one of the ideas that's been kicking around my head and see where it goes. |
splovely
Member
Username: Splovely
Post Number: 9
Registered: 04-2009
| | Posted on Monday, May 04, 2009 - 11:51 am: |
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As for inspiring cases, many cases did inspire me, yes. I'd say more specifically that certain people were so interesting to me, and had had such interesting and difficult experiences, that I was inspired to take details from their stories (with permission) and use them in the book. for instance, I remember a guy telling me that when his ICD fired -- this was back before his transplant -- it felt like Mike Tyson had punched him in the chest, or that he'd been shot in the chest by a cannon. So many details I could never have known about otherwise.
I only interviewed people who were interested in talking to me. And many were! |
Karen R.
Member
Username: Relivkaren
Post Number: 2907
Registered: 07-2007
| | Posted on Monday, May 04, 2009 - 11:58 am: |
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Hi Stephen!
I just wanted to drop in to let you know that I really enjoyed your book. It was a page turner for me. In fact, I stayed up many nights reading with a flashlight while my husband was asleep. Like Risa I read the book 8 months or so ago, but I still remember many parts of the book.
As a person waiting for a double lung transplant, the subject of your book was very appealing to me.
Although, I know it was fiction I think you brought up some very valid emotions and situations in the whole transplantation process. I think the most interesting to me was Jasper. I really did not like him and wished he would just go away. I realized that there are probably many people out there that may have caused fatal accidents that have no way of making things right. It probably does cause them to feel helpless and alone. It's not like they went out there to purposely cause harm to someone. I think Jasper's desire to see something good come out of his terrible mistake was interesting. I think he took things too far, but it does make you stop to think about those people in the whole Organ Donation process. I also realize that not all Organ Donors have been in fatal accidents caused by another person.
My favorite character was Janet. I obviously had the most in common with her because she is a recipient. I didn't really agree with her method of contacting Alex, but understood her desire to want to connect with him. I liked how strong she was and how much she appreciated her new heart. Her husband was a jerk though. Sorry, but he was out apartment shopping when his wife and kids needed him the most. Sad, but in real life things like this happen too.
I liked Bernice a lot but felt that her relationship with Alex was a bit to close. Especially their intimate evening. I realize that they were connected by their grief for Isabel, but that was a bit over the top. I think that was the only part of the book that I found a little bit too fictional.
I loved Alex's devotion to his wife, but I wanted him to warm up to Janet sooner than he did. I have never lost anyone that close to me so I don't know how long it takes to even start to feel human again. I can't judge Alex for not wanting to move on, but I am glad that he eventually did warm up to Janet and start moving on with his life.
The ending was good. It showed that people do go on with their lives. It's not easy and tragedy changes everyone involved, but I would like to think that it changes people for the better.
Thank you for writing about Organ Donation and Transplantation. I hope that many people read your book and make the decision to become donors. I wish you the best and thank you for taking your time to be here today.
God Bless!
Karen
Dx: BOOP - May 2006. Rediagnosed with Bronchiolitis Obliterans Nov. 2006
Listed Feb 2008 - Double Lung at Cleveland Clinic
Ohio, USA
Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle. |
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splovely
Member
Username: Splovely
Post Number: 10
Registered: 04-2009
| | Posted on Monday, May 04, 2009 - 12:03 pm: |
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The thing that got me most interested in writing this novel -- which took about 13 years to finish! akk! -- was the idea of a young man whose wife has been killed, and who donated her organs, and how his path through grief might be lighted by the transplanted heart, as though the heart were a kind of beacon, and that he might resist it at first, thinking the path through his grief lay in another direction, but then, over time, be drawn to it.
I also felt that the relationships surrounding transplantation -- the relationship between an organ recipient and the donor's husband or mother or father -- were so interesting and fraught with complexity and possibility, and were also completely NEW in human history, since none of these relationships existed prior to the advent of (successful and relatively routine) organ transplantation. So I felt in effect that I had stumbled upon a set of human relationships that had never been explored before in fiction -- or not very often, anyway. So in a strange way I felt that the idea for the book was an extraordinary gift that I had been given by the boy's death (the boy who donated his organs that night in the PICU when I was working there) and that I owed it to him to fulfill it in every way possible. That's why the book is dedicated to him. |
Sarah's mom
Member
Username: Sarahs_mom
Post Number: 104
Registered: 02-2009
| | Posted on Monday, May 04, 2009 - 12:08 pm: |
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So the boy's family knows then, about the book?
Sarahs mom, Kristen
Donor family
Florida, near Pensacola.
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Hostess Risa
Board Administrator
Username: Risa
Post Number: 8914
Registered: 05-2003
| | Posted on Monday, May 04, 2009 - 12:10 pm: |
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I got the Chills! Very moving Stephen.
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splovely
Member
Username: Splovely
Post Number: 11
Registered: 04-2009
| | Posted on Monday, May 04, 2009 - 12:12 pm: |
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Thanks for dropping by, Karen! I'm glad you enjoyed the novel, and I do understand your reservations about Jasper, about the relationship between Alex and Bernice, and about David. I don't like Jasper either but felt like in this particular situation, in which the donor was killed in a car accident, the driver of the vehicle should be involved in the story. I tried to make him a better person at first, but I really did want him to have contact with Alex and Bernice and eventually with Janet, and I realized that only a creepy narcissist with no respect for personal boundaries would intrude on other peoples' lives and grief like he does, so I had to make him more unlikeable.
The Alex and Bernice thing was tricky. I had the idea from the very beginning that they would be very close and tried to use my judgement about how far to go.
i'm glad you appreciated Janet. She is a little stubborn and doesn't always stop to really sort through other peoples' feelings at all times, but I think that makes her interesting and flawed. I really didn't want her to just be a perfect, nice, considerate person -- it wouldn't have been very interesting.
David is a jerk! It was so hard for me to write him that way -- inconsiderate, selfish, etc -- but while working in the hospital I saw many husbands "drop out" when their children became seriously ill and I wanted to write about that, instead of just having him be a stand-up supportive guy.
i'm so glad you engaged so thoroughly with the novel and its characters, Karen! It's exactly what a writer hopes for. |
splovely
Member
Username: Splovely
Post Number: 12
Registered: 04-2009
| | Posted on Monday, May 04, 2009 - 12:28 pm: |
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Kristen, the boy's family doesn't know. The boy was killed in the summer of 1993, and when I went to try to determine his identity a year or so ago I realized that I couldn't with 100% accuracy. I really wish I'd made a note at the time, but I had no idea a novel would come of it. Actually, even if I did know who he was, I'd be reluctant ton contact the parents after so much time has gone by. True, they may be glad to know that their boy's organ donation inspired a novel, but they might also be dragged back into a tragedy that they'd worked hard to process and accommodate in their lives. I didn't want to cause them any pain. So the dedication, though it is to a specific boy and his parents, is kept deliberately unspecific. |
Diane
Member
Username: Mary_diane
Post Number: 100
Registered: 02-2009
| | Posted on Monday, May 04, 2009 - 01:08 pm: |
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Hi Stephen,
I am probably too late to join in the discussion as it is 9:40 PST, and you are likely finished for the day.
I am half way through your book, and have found it very compelling. You have done an excellent job developing your characters, and I think you have done really well in describing the tension and conflict of all involved in a transplant....both the positive and the negative. I also think it was creative to bring in Jasper's character. I had honestly not even considered this person. I do not know how my donor died, but it was a bit of a wakeup to think that possibly there is a whole other family grieving over the loss of life. In my case if there was a person that caused the death of the donor, chances are he or she would not even know that he has also saved at least one life.
I think that it was very real to develop characters in the book who were not likeable, or who did not cope particularly well. Sadly, it's real life, and it makes your story more realistic. Likely it brings up conflicting emotions for your readers, but to be able to evoke emotions like this to me is the sign of a good writer.
In Canada we do not ever know the identification of our donors. I do understand why, but I think for most of us, we really want to know a little about our donors, and to have the ability to thank the family. We are able to send a note of thanks to the family, but with no identifying features.
I've also been interested in writing a book myself although have never done so. I am always interested in the process. Congratulations on a first novel. Had you done a lot of writing before you attempted a novel? How long did you take to actually do the writing? I see from the previous posts that your inspiration comes from the death of a boy in 1993, so sounds like you have been thinking about it for some time.
I'd also like to take the time to thank you for writing a book that might appeal to mainstream people, but also plants a seed about the need for transplant and organ donation. Although I worked as a nurse, my specialty area has been chronic pain, and I have never looked after a person who has had a transplant. Honestly, I don't think I had ever really spent much time thinking about transplants until I suddenly had to go through my own.
Suddenly I am seeing more and more transplant information in the media. Perhaps it has been there all along, but didn't touch my life personally, so I tuned it out. Now it is those people that I would like to connect with.....the people who have never considered transplant. Those people who have never thought to become donors, or have never considered that they themselves might one day be in need of transplant.
Your book also brought back some of my own raw emotions from my transplant (Nov 08) but I think that is a helpful thing in processing emotions and moving on.
So to end, I just want to say that I am very impressed and inspired by your book. I have lots of questions which may not be suitable for this forum...such as how you go about getting a publisher, an editor, the discipline to write daily, etc.
Good Luck with your next novel. I am sure your inspiration will come. Keep us posted.
Diane
Diane
Liver Transplant Nov 20, 2008
Vancouver General, BC
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Jim Gleason TRIO
Member
Username: Gleasonjim
Post Number: 9
Registered: 02-2009
| | Posted on Monday, May 04, 2009 - 01:53 pm: |
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Steven, thanks for taking time to allow this very interesting conversation with an author like this. I know you were only to be here for the morning, but are you still here for continuing the conversation?
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splovely
Member
Username: Splovely
Post Number: 13
Registered: 04-2009
| | Posted on Monday, May 04, 2009 - 02:01 pm: |
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Welcome Diane and Jim, thanks for stopping by.
Yes, I'm still here and will be as long as the conversation continues.
Diane, I'm really glad you are enjoying my novel and connecting with it. It sounds like you've had a very interesting transplant experience yourself. I didn't realize that in Canada there is no contact between recipients and donor families. This must be hard for recipients, in some ways, and even for some donor families. |
splovely
Member
Username: Splovely
Post Number: 14
Registered: 04-2009
| | Posted on Monday, May 04, 2009 - 02:02 pm: |
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I'd be happy to answer questions about anything -- just let me know which one you'd like addressed first! |
Jim Gleason TRIO
Member
Username: Gleasonjim
Post Number: 10
Registered: 02-2009
| | Posted on Monday, May 04, 2009 - 02:09 pm: |
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Having written a review that wasn't all positive (assume you may have seen it in the opening of this thread), let me ask a very different question. How do you as an author feel when a review isn't a glowing one. I enjoyed the read, but in contrast to about 50 others (very few are novels) about organ transplant and writing reviews of them, had some issues as I mentioned in that review. Do you feel, well at least he read the book and had his opinions on it, or do you feel slighted in such a review, even if it raises awareness of your book being out there to a different audience (since most of my reviews go out to transplant audiences)?
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Jim Gleason TRIO
Member
Username: Gleasonjim
Post Number: 11
Registered: 02-2009
| | Posted on Monday, May 04, 2009 - 02:13 pm: |
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Personally I liked the Bernice and Alex scene of finally getting together that way - you had created such electricity throughout that I had anticipated it and felt it very natural. The way you moved past it was perfect, since a long term romance just wouldn't have fit, while that one night of coming together did.
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splovely
Member
Username: Splovely
Post Number: 15
Registered: 04-2009
| | Posted on Monday, May 04, 2009 - 02:16 pm: |
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Jim, I don't feel slighted at all. Many people feel different things about the novel and have different opinions about it. Fiction is a highly subjective thing. I guess what I usually feel when someone doesn't connect with the book is just sorry that they didn't -- there's not any animosity unless I feel they really set out to trash it. But your review was very even-tempered and intelligent and not vitriolic. |
splovely
Member
Username: Splovely
Post Number: 16
Registered: 04-2009
| | Posted on Monday, May 04, 2009 - 02:18 pm: |
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Glad you liked the Alex and Bernice dynamic. Many did not! I feel it made sense in the context of the situation, and in the context of their mutual loneliness, but of course it would not have been OK if it continued or went further. |
Jim Gleason TRIO
Member
Username: Gleasonjim
Post Number: 12
Registered: 02-2009
| | Posted on Monday, May 04, 2009 - 02:22 pm: |
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As a long term heart transplant recipient myself (15 years out now) I did relate to a lot of your storyline, especially since we have been blessed locally (PA/NJ/DE area of the US) with lots of interactions with donor families and even have met my own donor family - and have the unique experience of marrying a "donor mom" (lost her 13 yr old son who became an organ donor in that process) so have even more insights that validate your portrayal. You got a lot of the emotions "right" - not in the sense that everyone goes through the same ones - but in the sense that I have met many a family who had the same as your characters, obviously a product of your research and interviews. How have your own feelings about organ donation been affected by those interviews and extensive direct contact, not only with that boy back in '93, but with so many in putting this book together?
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Jim Gleason TRIO
Member
Username: Gleasonjim
Post Number: 13
Registered: 02-2009
| | Posted on Monday, May 04, 2009 - 02:30 pm: |
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I can see how some wouldn't like the B/A encounter, but it sure did seem so natural and irresistible. As you said, we are all different and that is what makes life so interesting.
I have read the thread from the beginning, but don't recall if you answered the question, from the time you first put pen to paper, how long did it take to get a draft of the completed (pre-edit) book done? And how long from then did it take to get it published - self-published or did you get a publisher to back you on this first author work (I know that's a very tough thing to do)?
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Jim Gleason TRIO
Member
Username: Gleasonjim
Post Number: 14
Registered: 02-2009
| | Posted on Monday, May 04, 2009 - 02:32 pm: |
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and how did you go about writing a book - your process? Did your build a full book outline, chapter by chapter, and then flush each out with the dialogue, or is it a continuous process of just story telling?
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splovely
Member
Username: Splovely
Post Number: 17
Registered: 04-2009
| | Posted on Monday, May 04, 2009 - 02:49 pm: |
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All great questions, Jim. Let me work last to first.
When I first got the idea for the book I had a sense of the beginning and the ending but not so much the in between. I basically just started writing, without an outline, from the point of view of the main character, Alex. Soon I realized that the other characters were interesting enough and important enough to merit their own points of view, which made writing the novel more complicated. But I just sort of felt my way along, backtracking when I hit dead ends, until I had a draft. That took many, many years -- about 10. |
splovely
Member
Username: Splovely
Post Number: 18
Registered: 04-2009
| | Posted on Monday, May 04, 2009 - 02:54 pm: |
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After I had a draft, I sent the book to a writer who had a been a teacher of mine at Iowa, and she read the novel and suggested many revisions and cuts. I spent about a year doing that and then sent it to another writer who did likewise. I made the succeeding revisions more quickly and sent the novel out to 3 agents in April 2007. 2 of the 3 liked the book, and 1 of them ending up agreeing to represent me. She sold the novel to Hyperion in May, 2007. As you can see I had an incredibly blessed publishing experience. I attribute to this to all those years polishing the book and making as finished as possible before trying to sell it. |
Jim Gleason TRIO
Member
Username: Gleasonjim
Post Number: 15
Registered: 02-2009
| | Posted on Monday, May 04, 2009 - 02:58 pm: |
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Wow, ten years! Talk about dedication.... I have my own very different book out there - on-line and free - A Gift from the Heart - not a novel, but based on my real-life experiences. I offer a full version (about 95% is on-line) on a CD (also free for the asking) and at last count it has been read by well more than 10,000 around the world. I confess I am still writing it, but in that virtual publishing mode, you can publish it and still keep adding and tweaking it as time goes on. Its at 110 chapters and if printed out (but several chapters are now multi-media - a benefit of the CD format vs the original printed versions I offered those first 6 years) takes over 1100 full 8-1/2 x 11 pages, single spaced.
So yes, I do understand the 10 years of work you put into that book.
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splovely
Member
Username: Splovely
Post Number: 19
Registered: 04-2009
| | Posted on Monday, May 04, 2009 - 03:03 pm: |
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Jim, that's so interesting that you married a donor Mom. There's a novel right there! Was it the mother of your donor? My intrepretation of your post was that it was not. I am glad to hear you're still going after 15 years and I wish you the best health going forward.
I'm not sure how my feelings have changed. I've always felt that pledging to donate one's organs is a noble thing to do, especially since one must come to terms with one's own mortality and the fact that the world, and other people, will go on without us. I do wish there were some way to increase the organ supply, though, without increasing the frequency of some of the means by which those organs are provided -- car accidents, especially. |
Jim Gleason TRIO
Member
Username: Gleasonjim
Post Number: 16
Registered: 02-2009
| | Posted on Monday, May 04, 2009 - 03:04 pm: |
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Your final published version certainly is a polished one - well done! I go for the "natural" style, appealing to the average patient, and doubt I could ever personally survive the editing process of everyone having their own way of doing things. Mine is meant to be conversational, hoping the patient reading it can identify with it as opposed to a polished medical professional writing that often turns patients off given their condition and own life experience with transplant.
What did you feel when editors wanted you to write something differently? Something that you might not have felt was your "style" as I am sure that anyone, given the opportunity, would suggest edits no matter how well you had it when submitted to them.
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Jim Gleason TRIO
Member
Username: Gleasonjim
Post Number: 17
Registered: 02-2009
| | Posted on Monday, May 04, 2009 - 03:10 pm: |
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You interpreted my story correctly in that my wife's son, Christopher, was an organ donor many years after I became a recipient, but in the telling as we so often do in promoting organ donation speaking as a two-person team, many in the audience do anticipate that the romantic story will be that I received his heart, obviously not true given the time frames told in our stories. But they recover when I share a the end that I "donated my heart back to a donor family" when I married Pam in 2005, a true fairy tale ending unlike the more common ending of real life in your book.
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Sarah's mom
Member
Username: Sarahs_mom
Post Number: 105
Registered: 02-2009
| | Posted on Monday, May 04, 2009 - 03:16 pm: |
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Steven, I forgot to mention earlier to you that the boy's name who got Sarah's heart is.....Alex!
Sarahs mom, Kristen
Donor family
Florida, near Pensacola.
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splovely
Member
Username: Splovely
Post Number: 20
Registered: 04-2009
| | Posted on Monday, May 04, 2009 - 04:04 pm: |
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Your book sounds great, Jim. I'll be sure to take a look at it. And I love the idea that you donated your heart back to a donor family -- that's a great thing.
As far as edits go, most of the ones in my novel involved questions of whether to cut or add sections, and only rarely involved language. I was lucky enough to have editors who let me have my way when I could make a good case for my point of view, and I was careful to pick my battles. My editors at Hyperion/Voice also had ideas for the book that ended up making it much better. Also, they were publishing my novel, a dream of mine, so I was happy to be as flexible and accommodating as I could without compromising the novel's integrity. |
splovely
Member
Username: Splovely
Post Number: 21
Registered: 04-2009
| | Posted on Monday, May 04, 2009 - 04:05 pm: |
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Kristen, that is odd! |
Jim Gleason TRIO
Member
Username: Gleasonjim
Post Number: 18
Registered: 02-2009
| | Posted on Monday, May 04, 2009 - 04:54 pm: |
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Steven, thanks so much for being here with us today. I very much enjoyed our conversations and your insights shared with our members as you did.
I look forward to your next "inspired" story (but confess I really thought that earlier suggestion of a series based on the different organs was a really good one).
Until we meet again....
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Happy2Bhere
Member
Username: Happy2bhere
Post Number: 2169
Registered: 02-2008
| | Posted on Monday, May 04, 2009 - 05:06 pm: |
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I too enjoyed your book very much, Steven. I just this moment arrived back home. 4pm Texas time.
Ol' Bob
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Hostess Risa
Board Administrator
Username: Risa
Post Number: 8915
Registered: 05-2003
| | Posted on Monday, May 04, 2009 - 06:17 pm: |
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Stephen
I also want to say a special thank you for allowing us to comment on your wonderful book. I believe I have the copy of your radio interview on this forum.
If you have that radio interview, can you please post it on this thread please. I wanted others to hear your interview.
If I do not see it posted, I will search for this tomorrow. Time for dinner
PS: If you do decide to write a book about transplanted organs, you know where you can visit and find many to contribute
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splovely
Member
Username: Splovely
Post Number: 22
Registered: 04-2009
| | Posted on Monday, May 04, 2009 - 11:26 pm: |
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Thanks to all of you, too, for your questions and insights, and for sharing your stories. It was a pleasure!
I'll check back from time to time if you have any late-breaking things you'd like to discuss.
Stephen |
Hostess Risa
Board Administrator
Username: Risa
Post Number: 8935
Registered: 05-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 06, 2009 - 08:20 am: |
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Here is an older thread from our other members who read "Irreplaceable"
http://www.transplantbuddies.org/tbx/messages/12043/28401.html?1236212053
I am now going to search for the Radio interview. It no longer appears on the link page that was sent. Leave it to me to find it........ I might have to make a phone call or write an email, Risa will be in search mode today.
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Hostess Risa
Board Administrator
Username: Risa
Post Number: 9017
Registered: 05-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, May 09, 2009 - 09:35 am: |
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I found this on Amazon review for the book Irreplaceable. I thought you all would appreciate this man's review (read what he writes at the end).
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A powerful and challenging book, March 1, 2009
By Daniel Gerwin - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)
Irreplaceable is a gripping and challenging book that I could not put down - I spent my weekend reading it late into the night and first thing in the morning. It is a painful meditation on loss, mourning, and survival, and presents people behaving somewhat poorly in the depths of their suffering and confusion. Lovely writes with a deep sympathy for his characters; he knows them well, cares for them, and so he makes their choices understandable. I felt roughed-up by the book, but it is nonetheless an eloquent story that leaves me interested in becoming an organ donor myself. As the novel comes to a close Lovely gives small gestures enormous weight and significance. I have been left with a lot to think about and highly recommend this book.
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