The Twitter Chat with E. K. Johnston, author of EXIT, PURSUED BY A BEAR

Here's What Happened When We Had a Twitter Chat with EXIT, PURSUED BY A BEAR Author E. K. Johnston// Storify by TeenLibrarianToolbox Fri, Apr 01 2016 00:22:46 Edit Here's What Happened When We Had a Twitter Chat with EXIT, PURSUED BY A BEAR Author E. K. Johnston TeenLibrarianToolbox@TLT16 So @ek_johnston, how did this story come […]

Here's What Happened When We Had a Twitter Chat with EXIT, PURSUED BY A BEAR Author E. K. Johnston//


Here's What Happened When We Had a Twitter Chat with EXIT, PURSUED BY A BEAR Author E. K. Johnston




  1. In a few pieces! I wanted framework for contemporary, and Shakespeare seemed like a good start. #TLTExitBear 🏃💨🐻  https://twitter.com/TLT16/status/715676551958831105 


  2. Then I got angry at a local politician, and, well, I was off to the races. #TLTExitBear 🏃💨🐻



  3. There has been a lot to be angry about in the news lately regarding sexual violence for sure! #TLTExitBear  https://twitter.com/ek_johnston/status/715677086908813313 


  4. .@TLT16 It was 2012! #TLTExitBear 🏃💨🐻 And specifically, it was about abortion.



  5. @ek_johnston When I got to the end I wondered if you considered an ending where Hermione never finds out who her attacker was. #TLTExitBear



  6. @ek_johnston Victims don't often get a lot of justice, in real world or in lit. This ending is hopeful I feel. #TLTExitBear


  7. @ek_johnston I was v glad to have resolution in the bk, but so frustrated to think how many ppl don't get justice in real life #TLTExitBear



  8. Let's talk about Hermione & Polly. Best BFFs ever. How did they come to you? #TLTExitBear


  9. @TLT16 @ek_johnston Have you gotten an criticism for having a main character get an abortion? #TLTExitBear



  10. Some have said that H is unlikeable because the abortion doesn't wreck her emotionally, which, well, I obviously disagree. #TLTExitBear 🏃💨🐻


  11. @TLT16 One of the most affecting scenes for me when Polly cries after they call Officer Plummer abt the pregnancy #TLTExitBear


  12. @ek_johnston So, are they like the abortion should wreck her more than being raped? #TLTExitBear


  13. I stole them! Hermione & Paulina are queen/handmaiden in the play. P keeps H alive for almost 20yrs. #TLTExitBear🏃💨🐻  https://twitter.com/TLT16/status/715678947338375169 




  14. .@TLT16 I also get a lot of "That's really unrealistic" which, to be fair, is the entire point. #TLTExitBear 🏃💨🐻




  15. Why cheerleaders? Why not soccer players or field hockey? #TLTExitBear


  16. @TLT16 And parents and friends . . . that is one of the strengths of this book. How H is supported by many #TLTExitBear


  17. I wanted the most stereo-typical girls possible, so I could readers on their heads. :) #TLTExitBear 🏃💨🐻  https://twitter.com/sashikaufman/status/715680615337758721 


  18. That she can deal with what has happened to her privately. I found that profound. @ek_johnston #TLTExitBear


  19. I loved how respectful you were to cheerleaders, how you demonstrated the sport of cheerleading #TLTExitBear  https://twitter.com/ek_johnston/status/715681037821591552 






  20. @TLT16 @ek_johnston there was an entire day of competitive cheer videos during one of my editorial passes. It was great. #tltexitbear


  21. .@andrewkarre @TLT16 Whereas I watched one episode of LEVERAGE a lot, and went from there. #TLTExitBear 🏃💨🐻





  22. @TLT16 @librarianishly @ek_johnston Agreed. Troubling though that a pastor doing solid pastoral care is so unusual. #tltexitbear



  23. @kris_morahan Yes, and he just treated her with compassion above all else. #TLTExitBear



  24. .@katieEcarson The scene with the Minister was one of my "deal breakers". If I couldn't have it, I didn't want the book. #TLTExitBear 🏃💨🐻




  25. @TLT16 Yes, this was something that stood out to me--acknowledgment that religious actions are still community participation #TLTExitBear


  26. I've been lucky to grow up with a lot of really great Anglicans, so I put them in as good guys. #TLTExitBear 🏃💨🐻  https://twitter.com/librarianishly/status/715682383995908096 


  27. @andrewkarre @ek_johnston That support is so invaluable! So glad you guys were able to bring this book to life. ^^ #TLTExitBear




  28. Why did you choose "Exit, Pursued by a Bear"? Other than the Shakespeare reference? Were their other contenders for the title? #TLTExitBear


  29. I have an amazing bff, wondering if Polly was inspired by anyone in RL. Love this depiction of female friendship @ek_johnston #TLTExitBear



  30. I picked it because I thought it sounds cool, and because I knew the mascot was a bear. #TLTExitBear 🏃💨🐻


  31. @ek_johnston @booksthathook Whereas I always have title anxiety. Fortunately @jsgabel told me not to be an idiot. #tltexitbear


  32. And because we are also doing #MHYALIt, I want to make sure we give a shout out to the therapist as well #TLTExitBear




  33. I LOVE DOCTOR HUTT SO MUCH. He's played by Canadian Actor William Hutt in my head. #TLTExitBear 🏃💨🐻  https://twitter.com/TLT16/status/715684386557964288 



  34. No. But he's close to retirement & wants the job & doesn't mind the drive as much as he pretends. #TLTExitBear 🏃💨🐻  https://twitter.com/TLT16/status/715684891430522882 


  35. Time is moving too quickly - we haven't talked about so many interesting characters/dynamics - Tig, Amy, Dion, LEO! #TLTExitBear


  36. @librarianishly Her parents! Arguably the best parents in #yalit. Though possibly maybe the only ones (I kid). #TLTExitBear


  37. @ek_johnston Follow up question - are there towns left in Canada without a Tims? (j/k I grew up in rural Northern Ontario) #TLTExitBear




  38. When I wrote the book, my town did not have one. When the book was published, we did! #TLTExitBear 🏃💨🐻  https://twitter.com/librarianishly/status/715685654022193153 


  39. @ek_johnston And I just realized what they meant by Tim's - not so prevalent in America #TLTExitBear


  40. I think I read @ek_johnston said this title is more fantasy than any of her fantasy titles. Was your goal to provide more hope? #TLTExitBear


  41. Weird as it is to say, I wanted to write a book about rape that didn't trigger me too badly. So...yes. #TLTExitBear  https://twitter.com/jen_cyr/status/715686428999610368 



  42. "Exit" is quite different from A Thousand Nights. Do you prefer writing contemp? Was the writing process different at all? #TLTExitBear


  43. Can you talk a bit about how you developed the character of Leo and his role in the story? @ek_johnston #TLTExitBear


  44. But also: the politician who made me angry didn't get re-elected last October. So. Hope works out. #TLTExitBear 🏃💨🐻


  45. It's hard because you can't use dragons as plot points! But at the same time, you can use contractions. #TLTExitBear  https://twitter.com/booksthathook/status/715686802875629569 



  46. I like them both, though. I have no idea if I'll ever write another contemp, but it was fun to try! #TLTExitBear 🏃💨🐻


  47. @ek_johnston In my head, I just call him the condom asshole tbh #TLTExitBear (he was the boyfriend, right?)


  48. He was! Leontes is the king in the play. He tells H to be nice to his friends, accuses her of cheating. #TLTExitBear  https://twitter.com/TLT16/status/715687728461914112 


  49. When did you read the play? How long had you been wanting to write something inspired by it? @ek_johnston #TLTExitBear


  50. Very much! In his head, he could've kept her "safe", only she strayed. He really needs to dial back. #TLTExitBear  https://twitter.com/kris_morahan/status/715687559980933121 


  51. I think I was six or seven the first time? But I've wanted to "book" it since 2009. #TLTExitBear 🏃💨🐻  https://twitter.com/TLT16/status/715688429749538817 


  52. I keep thinking abt H after the book. So many stories lately abt victims being revictimized by media/social media during trial #TLTExitBear



  53. @jen_cyr @ek_johnston I view it as all the support H gets from everyone is the fantasy compared to what we know happens IRL #TLTExitBear



  54. You guys, I'm so glad you joined us! Great questions. And again, I am so thankful to @ek_johnston for her time! #TLTExitBear


  55. Leo's main problem is that he constantly underestimates how important Polly is. #TLTExitBear 🏃💨🐻


  56. Basically, I think everyone everyone everyone should read EXIT, PURSUED BY A BEAR by @ek_johnston #TLTExitBear



  57. @ek_johnston Lots of males don't understand how important a girl's BFF is to her! #TLTExitBear


  58. @kris_morahan @ek_johnston Or how important self can be or her passions (in this case, cheerleading) #TLTExitBear


  59. Thanks for the chat @ek_johnston 💕 And thank you for writing such a compelling, powerful novel! I look forward to your SW book! #TLTExitBear


 

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