When I visited middle and high schools to talk about writing and books, I was asked more than once if I could rewrite the ending and bring Theo back to life, or somehow put him in a sequel. I explained that it wouldn't be possible for me to change the "fictional reality" of the story. Then I was invited to contribute to an Avon Flare ya anthology called New Year, New Love. And the story that came to me was a Prequel, with one of the characters from Do Angels Sing The Blues?, drummer Keith Finklestein, as the narrator and main character, set during Boog and Theo's junior year in high school. As a writer, it felt wonderful to hang out with Theo's character again, alive and well, in a supporting role.
Longer than a short story, shorter than a novella, "Just Say... falls into the novelette category.
Around 2005, Dr. Joan Kaywell, long-time Professor of English Education at the University of South Florida and past president of the Assembly on Literature for Adolescents (ALAN) of the National Council of Teachers of English, compiled a collection of young adult readers' letters to YA authors and the authors' responses. I was honored to be included in this project of one of my most important mentors, who always says, "Books save lives." DEAR AUTHOR Letters of Hope: top young adult authors respond to kids toughest questions, was published in 2007.
1/3
Copyright © 2025 Do Angels Sing the Blues - All Rights Reserved.