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December 23, 2017
Maggie Darton
13 Watch Hill
East Greenwich, RI 02818
Dear Miss Maggie Darton,
Let me begin by wishing you a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year (this is the part where I pray you celebrate Christmas and will not hate me if you do not).
I have mixed feelings (as I do with every fan) about your enjoyment, or perhaps a better word, affection for my book. As I am sure you understand, mine is not a happy tale. So whenever I am faced with praise from a reader or some sort of connection, I feel more than slightly uncomfortable.
In your letter, you asked me where I got my story, if I drew from my own life or the lives of others. To say I drew from my own life is an understatement, well actually it’s bigger than that but I cannot think of a word that aptly describes it. The book you read is my entire recollection of that time in my life. I have changed nothing from what actually occurred. I did not exaggerate or edit the facts. Sure I took some poetic liberties with my descriptions, but other than that my story is entirely true to my memory. You see it is this reason alone that makes me uncomfortable with the praise I receive for my writing. I do not seek to be praised for publishing my memories. I do not feel as if I deserve such praise because in truth I have done nothing to deserve it. I have not created an original story or breathed life into a work of art. Instead I gave the world insight into a time of my life I both never want to forget and remember.
Please do not misunderstand this letter. I appreciate your support and am happy that you found something within my book that you could connect to. But perhaps now, knowing that I have actually lived through it, you may understand why I wish people would not connect with it. I would never wish that grief and trauma upon anyone, or any sort of either on someone.
Best wishes,
Daniel B.
