C van D (imported) wrote: Thu May 31, 2012 4:55 am
Dear Cainanite,
This is really a reply to a private message you sent me, oh, a long time ago. I don't seem to have the facility for replying to private messages - don't know why.
Anyway, I'm still in the land of the living, tho' nearly 80, and would be delighted for you to make whatever use you wish, of characters/events/locations in the "Simon" series. I see you've already borrowed Melanie and the Lemon Tree cafe. Shall enjoy reading your version.
C van D
Hey C van D,
That's terrific to know.
Yes, I stole Melanie, the Lemon Tree Cafe, and the name of a certain baseball team (I mention the ball team in passing in a middle chapter.). Melanie, and the Cafe show up in the epilogue of my novel. From the moment I started writing, I knew that she had to be there. Her ability to spot a boy-eunuch from a mile off was indispensable. If it wasn't Melanie, it would have had to be someone exactly like her.
I'd have loved to be able to communicate with you before I wrote it. I had wondered what Melanie's last name was. It took a lot of digging through your writing to come up with it. It came down to either Melanie Scott-Swanson, or just Melanie Swanson. I chose the latter, because it was easier to write.
I hope I was true to your character. I sort-of like to think my stories and yours exist in a similar universe.
When I first started writing, I had the idea to use old Doctor Gellar again, but you and Paolo had already completed her story, better than I ever could. Instead, I split Gellar into two characters, and resolved them separately. It was a bit of inspiration I couldn't have had without you.
Thank-you for that.
Incidentally, I love your latest contribution. "Ricky Takes Charge". You never fail to impress.
Cheers,
Cainanite
