TM : Something else that people respond to is the draw of family . You ’ ve been writing about this since 1996 . The relationship between Tanner and his grandparents , the young boy Mitch and Jasper , Kaitlyn and her parents , they ’ re all those are very deep and fulfilling relationships — even if they don ’ t always listen to their elders . Kaitlyn at one point even says in the novel she wishes she could dump all of her knowledge and experience into her daughter ’ s head , right ? Why is this something you ’ ve carried through 24 novels now in one form or another ?
NS : It ’ s a resonant theme and its one that strikes people as universal and which makes it feel as if it could be happening to them — or they know someone going through the same type of thing . You know , that ’ s very important . … Why does Kaitlyn volunteer ( her medical services )? Because that ’ s what she grew up with . … Certainly , I try to do what I can to make the world a better place , both in volunteering my time and my money and donating money to make the world a better place . And , you know , I think that builds a very valuable role ( model ). It ’ s funny , on the other part of your question , about which you mentioned the wisdom of elders . Yes , I ’ ve been talking about this . If you asked any of my characters , whether it ’ s Noah ( in “ The Notebook ) or Ira in “ The Longest Ride ,” or Jasper , if you ask those characters , or you had another character in the novel say , are you wise ? None of them would say yes . They would just say they ’ ve been through more .
TM : In the novel , Casey is going through something … teenage angst . You write as if you ’ ve had some experience with this .
NS : I had teenage girls , and there ’ s often a period where they suddenly realize they know pretty much everything there is to know , especially compared to you . … I generally , unlike many people who complain about teenagers , I find it very humorous , and I tend to enjoy it and say , OK , well , go ahead . You know , that ’ s what you want to do . It ’ s your life , and we ’ ll see how it goes . And of course , I am fully able to contrast that with how they were just a few years prior to that : Just everything is wonderful and awesome and amazing . You know , every birthday cake is the very best . And , everything is just great ; they ’ re full of excitement and wonder about the world . And that ’ s not every child , but it was the child I chose to create for this particular novel . When we ’ re talking about Mitch ( Casey ’ s younger brother ) — because there were so many other heavy things — I also didn ’ t want to throw in , oh , I ’ ve got a gloomy child . Or he also has a special need . Not as though I shy away from that . It ’ s just that for this particular novel there was already enough darkness in this particular area . Tanner ’ s grandmother has just died . His buddies are committing suicide . We know all about Jasper ’ s life . Kaitlyn ’ s coming off a divorce . Her older teenage daughter knows everything , and even calls her on it . Someone ’ s got to be chipper and cheerful , otherwise , the book is gloomy .
TM : I really did appreciate the joy in Mitch ’ s character , his love for the North Carolina Zoo — which is both in real-life and the novel situated where the story is set , Asheboro , North Carolina — but mostly for how important family , both blood and “ adopted ,” is for him .
NS : It certainly goes to my belief that , in the end , the things that matter most in life are the relationships that we ’ ve had with others , and especially with those we love . That falls , I suppose , into that wisdom category , or just that ( I ’ ve been ) around long enough , but it ’ s important to me . I think it ’ s a truism , and I think a simple way to illustrate that is , there ’ s something different between watching a sunset alone , a glorious sunset alone , and watching that same glorious sunset with someone that you love , whether it ’ s a child or a sister or your romantic partner or your parents or a friend . There ’ s something ( in how the ) moments are heightened for good and bad in the presence of those we care about . And I certainly try to capture that reality , that simple truism in all of my novels , because I want my novels to feel real , as if they could happen ( to you ), as if you know people just like the characters in your own life that had been in the book .
TM : Which is exactly how many readers will feel reading the new novel .
Nicholas , thank you for your time today . Anything you want to add we didn ’ t touch on today ?
NS : Well , Tom , we ’ ve got a Broadway show up in New York that ’ s doing great ; that ’ s just extended it ’ s run through the end of the year .
TM : That ’ s the musical for “ The Notebook ,” and it ’ s gotten great reviews . On a personal level , though , I also bet that a fairly new addition to your family , a granddaughter , gets similar reviews from you .
NS : My oldest son ( Miles ) had a daughter … and she is about a year and a half old . And just wonderful . It is great being a grandparent , and it ’ s wonderful watching your own children grow up and moving into all these new life experiences . It ’ s been a real treat for me . M
Tom Mayer is the editor and general manager of The Cullman Times in Cullman , Alabama . He can be reached at tmayer @ cullmantimes . com .
34 • MERIDIAN LIFE