I’m really excited about this conversation I’m just going to jump
conversation I’m just going to jump
conversation I’m just going to jump right into it you’ve written about so
right into it you’ve written about so
right into it you’ve written about so many subjects 23 books as far as I know
many subjects 23 books as far as I know
many subjects 23 books as far as I know you’ve ever written about elephants so I
you’ve ever written about elephants so I
you’ve ever written about elephants so I wanted to ask you first of all what was
wanted to ask you first of all what was
wanted to ask you first of all what was the inspiration for leaving time well it
the inspiration for leaving time well it
the inspiration for leaving time well it was had nothing to do with elephants at
was had nothing to do with elephants at
was had nothing to do with elephants at first actually uh so I have three kids
first actually uh so I have three kids
first actually uh so I have three kids and my youngest is a daughter named
and my youngest is a daughter named
and my youngest is a daughter named Sammy and she was getting ready to go
Sammy and she was getting ready to go
Sammy and she was getting ready to go off to college and her brothers had
off to college and her brothers had
off to college and her brothers had already left
already left
already left so I was becoming an empty-nester and it
so I was becoming an empty-nester and it
so I was becoming an empty-nester and it upset me more than I thought it was
upset me more than I thought it was
upset me more than I thought it was going to I was really thinking about
going to I was really thinking about
going to I was really thinking about what it would be like to be left behind
what it would be like to be left behind
what it would be like to be left behind and somewhere in the middle of all that
and somewhere in the middle of all that
and somewhere in the middle of all that thought I read an article probably in a
thought I read an article probably in a
thought I read an article probably in a National Geographic magazine that said
National Geographic magazine that said
National Geographic magazine that said that in the elephant Kingdom in the wild
that in the elephant Kingdom in the wild
that in the elephant Kingdom in the wild a mother and daughter elephant stay
a mother and daughter elephant stay
a mother and daughter elephant stay together their whole lives until one of
together their whole lives until one of
together their whole lives until one of them dies and I read that fact and I
them dies and I read that fact and I
them dies and I read that fact and I thought well why don’t we do it that way
thought well why don’t we do it that way
thought well why don’t we do it that way I mean it’s before Japan you know and it
I mean it’s before Japan you know and it
I mean it’s before Japan you know and it kind of got me thinking and I began to
kind of got me thinking and I began to
kind of got me thinking and I began to do a little background research on
do a little background research on
do a little background research on elephants and in particular how their
elephants and in particular how their
elephants and in particular how their minds work a lot of people love
minds work a lot of people love
minds work a lot of people love elephants or you know collect elephants
elephants or you know collect elephants
elephants or you know collect elephants but don’t necessarily realize the the
but don’t necessarily realize the the
but don’t necessarily realize the the cognitive abilities that elephants have
cognitive abilities that elephants have
cognitive abilities that elephants have they can feel grief and pain and loss
they can feel grief and pain and loss
they can feel grief and pain and loss and they have incredible memories all of
and they have incredible memories all of
and they have incredible memories all of those things are part of the elephant
those things are part of the elephant
those things are part of the elephant brain and the more I learned about that
brain and the more I learned about that
brain and the more I learned about that the more I realized this was a perfect
the more I realized this was a perfect
the more I realized this was a perfect metaphor for the book and that I had a
metaphor for the book and that I had a
metaphor for the book and that I had a profession for one of the main
profession for one of the main
profession for one of the main characters in the book part of the
characters in the book part of the
characters in the book part of the challenge of the book is that you’re
challenge of the book is that you’re
challenge of the book is that you’re writing in different voices you’re
writing in different voices you’re
writing in different voices you’re writing the voice of a scientist was it
writing the voice of a scientist was it
writing the voice of a scientist was it difficult as a writer to to switch your
difficult as a writer to to switch your
difficult as a writer to to switch your brain to do that no um the book is the
brain to do that no um the book is the
brain to do that no um the book is the story of this woman Alice Metcalf who
story of this woman Alice Metcalf who
story of this woman Alice Metcalf who studies elephant grief and cognition and
studies elephant grief and cognition and
studies elephant grief and cognition and she runs the sanctuary with her husband
she runs the sanctuary with her husband
she runs the sanctuary with her husband and one night there’s a horrible tragedy
and one night there’s a horrible tragedy
and one night there’s a horrible tragedy at the sanctuary and a caregivers
at the sanctuary and a caregivers
at the sanctuary and a caregivers trampled by an elephant and that same
trampled by an elephant and that same
trampled by an elephant and that same night Alice disappears off the face of
night Alice disappears off the face of
night Alice disappears off the face of the earth and the only the OEL
the earth and the only the OEL
the earth and the only the OEL person who’s a witness is her
person who’s a witness is her
person who’s a witness is her three-year-old daughter Jenna the
three-year-old daughter Jenna the
three-year-old daughter Jenna the problem is Jenna can remember none of it
problem is Jenna can remember none of it
problem is Jenna can remember none of it and Jenna then begins the book ten years
and Jenna then begins the book ten years
and Jenna then begins the book ten years later believing that her mother never
later believing that her mother never
later believing that her mother never would have left her willingly and that
would have left her willingly and that
would have left her willingly and that she is going to find this woman and she
she is going to find this woman and she
she is going to find this woman and she enlists the help of a failed psychic
enlists the help of a failed psychic
enlists the help of a failed psychic named serenity and an alcoholic
named serenity and an alcoholic
named serenity and an alcoholic detective named Virgil and the three of
detective named Virgil and the three of
detective named Virgil and the three of them are somehow gonna find her mother
them are somehow gonna find her mother
them are somehow gonna find her mother but you also get to hear from Alice and
but you also get to hear from Alice and
but you also get to hear from Alice and the way you get to hear from her is the
the way you get to hear from her is the
the way you get to hear from her is the way Jenna gets to hear from her by
way Jenna gets to hear from her by
way Jenna gets to hear from her by poring over her research entries and her
poring over her research entries and her
poring over her research entries and her journals and that’s what Jenna’s done
journals and that’s what Jenna’s done
journals and that’s what Jenna’s done for the past ten years is try to find
for the past ten years is try to find
for the past ten years is try to find her mother literally between the lines
her mother literally between the lines
her mother literally between the lines of what she’s left behind but one of the
of what she’s left behind but one of the
of what she’s left behind but one of the things that impressed me so much about
things that impressed me so much about
things that impressed me so much about the book was the beautiful detailed
the book was the beautiful detailed
the book was the beautiful detailed descriptions of elephant behavior and
descriptions of elephant behavior and
descriptions of elephant behavior and just elephants and so you must have done
just elephants and so you must have done
just elephants and so you must have done a lot of research for that and I’m
a lot of research for that and I’m
a lot of research for that and I’m wondering how you went about doing that
wondering how you went about doing that
wondering how you went about doing that research for this book I knew that I
research for this book I knew that I
research for this book I knew that I needed to see both elephants in
needed to see both elephants in
needed to see both elephants in captivity and elephants in the wild
captivity and elephants in the wild
captivity and elephants in the wild because the main character in the book
because the main character in the book
because the main character in the book whose name is Alice Metcalf who is
whose name is Alice Metcalf who is
whose name is Alice Metcalf who is actually missing for most of the book
actually missing for most of the book
actually missing for most of the book she drives the book as her daughter
she drives the book as her daughter
she drives the book as her daughter Jenna tries to find her Alice is an
Jenna tries to find her Alice is an
Jenna tries to find her Alice is an elephant researcher who studies grief
elephant researcher who studies grief
elephant researcher who studies grief and cognition and elephants and she
and cognition and elephants and she
and cognition and elephants and she studies them in the wild in Botswana and
studies them in the wild in Botswana and
studies them in the wild in Botswana and then she runs a sanctuary with her
then she runs a sanctuary with her
then she runs a sanctuary with her husband in New England so I began by
husband in New England so I began by
husband in New England so I began by doing research at a place called the
doing research at a place called the
doing research at a place called the elephant sanctuary which is in Hohenwald
elephant sanctuary which is in Hohenwald
elephant sanctuary which is in Hohenwald Tennessee the elephants who come to live
Tennessee the elephants who come to live
Tennessee the elephants who come to live there are elephants who have been in
there are elephants who have been in
there are elephants who have been in circuses and zoos their entire life and
circuses and zoos their entire life and
circuses and zoos their entire life and in many cases have been very horribly
in many cases have been very horribly
in many cases have been very horribly abused coming to the sanctuary means
abused coming to the sanctuary means
abused coming to the sanctuary means that they have hit the jackpot of
that they have hit the jackpot of
that they have hit the jackpot of retirement homes so I got to see how a
retirement homes so I got to see how a
retirement homes so I got to see how a sanctuary runs which was really
sanctuary runs which was really
sanctuary runs which was really important for the book because a lot of
important for the book because a lot of
important for the book because a lot of the action takes place in a sanctuary
the action takes place in a sanctuary
the action takes place in a sanctuary but I also needed to know what alice’s
but I also needed to know what alice’s
but I also needed to know what alice’s research was about and so I went to
research was about and so I went to
research was about and so I went to Botswana and I worked with an elephant
Botswana and I worked with an elephant
Botswana and I worked with an elephant researcher who studies the migration of
researcher who studies the migration of
researcher who studies the migration of elephants in the thule bloc and you know
elephants in the thule bloc and you know
elephants in the thule bloc and you know I got to observe some incredible
I got to observe some incredible
I got to observe some incredible behaviors of elephants in their natural
behaviors of elephants in their natural
behaviors of elephants in their natural habitat which were phenomenal everything
habitat which were phenomenal everything
habitat which were phenomenal everything that you read in the book is something
that you read in the book is something
that you read in the book is something that either I experienced or that I was
that either I experienced or that I was
that either I experienced or that I was told by someone at the sanctuary or by
told by someone at the sanctuary or by
told by someone at the sanctuary or by this researcher so every story in there
this researcher so every story in there
this researcher so every story in there is true Wow how long were you
is true Wow how long were you
is true Wow how long were you at each place I was in at the elephant
at each place I was in at the elephant
at each place I was in at the elephant sanctuary for just a smattering of days
sanctuary for just a smattering of days
sanctuary for just a smattering of days was a couple of days but it’s you know
was a couple of days but it’s you know
was a couple of days but it’s you know 2700 acres most of which I wouldn’t be
2700 acres most of which I wouldn’t be
2700 acres most of which I wouldn’t be able to access by foot because I’m not
able to access by foot because I’m not
able to access by foot because I’m not an elephant and something that a lot of
an elephant and something that a lot of
an elephant and something that a lot of people don’t realize is that elephants
people don’t realize is that elephants
people don’t realize is that elephants in captivity often die of foot problems
in captivity often die of foot problems
in captivity often die of foot problems because they’ve been standing on
because they’ve been standing on
because they’ve been standing on concrete for so long and if you think
concrete for so long and if you think
concrete for so long and if you think about it in the wild an elephant gets to
about it in the wild an elephant gets to
about it in the wild an elephant gets to walk on top of different terrain so for
walk on top of different terrain so for
walk on top of different terrain so for example there was an elephant at the
example there was an elephant at the
example there was an elephant at the sanctuary that had such severe cracks in
sanctuary that had such severe cracks in
sanctuary that had such severe cracks in her feet that Teva you know the Teva
her feet that Teva you know the Teva
her feet that Teva you know the Teva company that makes sandals they made
company that makes sandals they made
company that makes sandals they made these giant Tevas for her and she wore
these giant Tevas for her and she wore
these giant Tevas for her and she wore these giant Tevas around for a while
these giant Tevas around for a while
these giant Tevas around for a while yeah and then when I was in Botswana I
yeah and then when I was in Botswana I
yeah and then when I was in Botswana I was there for about a week
was there for about a week
was there for about a week it was fantastic cuz you’d get up every
it was fantastic cuz you’d get up every
it was fantastic cuz you’d get up every morning and you could basically go on
morning and you could basically go on
morning and you could basically go on safari and I got to see this fantastic
safari and I got to see this fantastic
safari and I got to see this fantastic matriarch the matriarch is the female
matriarch the matriarch is the female
matriarch the matriarch is the female head of the herd who runs the herd she’s
head of the herd who runs the herd she’s
head of the herd who runs the herd she’s usually the biggest elephant and the one
usually the biggest elephant and the one
usually the biggest elephant and the one who has the most collective knowledge
who has the most collective knowledge
who has the most collective knowledge often the oldest elephant and she was
often the oldest elephant and she was
often the oldest elephant and she was leaving her herd up this little incline
leaving her herd up this little incline
leaving her herd up this little incline and sliding down on her butt over I
and sliding down on her butt over I
and sliding down on her butt over I don’t her like it was a little
don’t her like it was a little
don’t her like it was a little playground slide and it was so fun to
playground slide and it was so fun to
playground slide and it was so fun to watch this whole herd just keep doing it
watch this whole herd just keep doing it
watch this whole herd just keep doing it um and then we came across two young
um and then we came across two young
um and then we came across two young males they had this giant dung ball
males they had this giant dung ball
males they had this giant dung ball which is kind of gross but they were
which is kind of gross but they were
which is kind of gross but they were kicking it back and forth like it was
kicking it back and forth like it was
kicking it back and forth like it was soccer
soccer
soccer just back before it was totally played
just back before it was totally played
just back before it was totally played there was no other reason for them you
there was no other reason for them you
there was no other reason for them you know it was really fun to be able to see
know it was really fun to be able to see
know it was really fun to be able to see behaviors like that that’s really really
behaviors like that that’s really really
behaviors like that that’s really really rare
rare
rare actually so one of the behaviors that
actually so one of the behaviors that
actually so one of the behaviors that fascinated me because it’s so
fascinated me because it’s so
fascinated me because it’s so interesting is elephants grieving
interesting is elephants grieving
interesting is elephants grieving there’s a lot of elephant grieving in
there’s a lot of elephant grieving in
there’s a lot of elephant grieving in the book because Alice Metcalf who is
the book because Alice Metcalf who is
the book because Alice Metcalf who is this missing mom that her daughter Jenna
this missing mom that her daughter Jenna
this missing mom that her daughter Jenna is trying to find throughout the book
is trying to find throughout the book
is trying to find throughout the book she studied elephant grief and that was
she studied elephant grief and that was
she studied elephant grief and that was what really amazed me the most and
what really amazed me the most and
what really amazed me the most and people say well what’s the coolest thing
people say well what’s the coolest thing
people say well what’s the coolest thing you learned about elephants and it’s
you learned about elephants and it’s
you learned about elephants and it’s that they do have this depth of
that they do have this depth of
that they do have this depth of understanding for loss that I would not
understanding for loss that I would not
understanding for loss that I would not have been able prior to this to
have been able prior to this to
have been able prior to this to attribute to an animal elephants that
attribute to an animal elephants that
attribute to an animal elephants that come across the bones of another
come across the bones of another
come across the bones of another elephant will get very somber their ears
elephant will get very somber their ears
elephant will get very somber their ears droop their tails droop they have a
droop their tails droop they have a
droop their tails droop they have a complete behavioral change and what’s
complete behavioral change and what’s
complete behavioral change and what’s really interesting is that they don’t
really interesting is that they don’t
really interesting is that they don’t act this way around any
act this way around any
act this way around any their bones just the bones of elephants
their bones just the bones of elephants
their bones just the bones of elephants they have been known and very often
they have been known and very often
they have been known and very often returned to the site where an elephant
returned to the site where an elephant
returned to the site where an elephant has died for years afterward as if
has died for years afterward as if
has died for years afterward as if they’re paying respects like they’re
they’re paying respects like they’re
they’re paying respects like they’re going to a grave site and again when
going to a grave site and again when
going to a grave site and again when they get there they get very quiet
they get there they get very quiet
they get there they get very quiet somber reverential they stay for a few
somber reverential they stay for a few
somber reverential they stay for a few hours and then they move on they’ve been
hours and then they move on they’ve been
hours and then they move on they’ve been known to break into research facilities
known to break into research facilities
known to break into research facilities in the middle of the night and steal a
in the middle of the night and steal a
in the middle of the night and steal a bone that a research was working with
bone that a research was working with
bone that a research was working with and bring it back to the site of that
and bring it back to the site of that
and bring it back to the site of that elephant’s death and at the Elephant
elephant’s death and at the Elephant
elephant’s death and at the Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee there’s this
Sanctuary in Tennessee there’s this
Sanctuary in Tennessee there’s this great story about an elephant named
great story about an elephant named
great story about an elephant named sissy sissy survived the 1981 floods in
sissy sissy survived the 1981 floods in
sissy sissy survived the 1981 floods in Gainesville Gainesville by basically
Gainesville Gainesville by basically
Gainesville Gainesville by basically being submerged for 24 hours with just
being submerged for 24 hours with just
being submerged for 24 hours with just her trunk up like a little periscope so
her trunk up like a little periscope so
her trunk up like a little periscope so she was really traumatized by the time
she was really traumatized by the time
she was really traumatized by the time she came to the sanctuary and it took
she came to the sanctuary and it took
she came to the sanctuary and it took her very long time to bond with other
her very long time to bond with other
her very long time to bond with other elephants which they let they let happen
elephants which they let they let happen
elephants which they let they let happen naturally which of course is one of the
naturally which of course is one of the
naturally which of course is one of the issues with zoos because you know you
issues with zoos because you know you
issues with zoos because you know you can’t just stick two elephants together
can’t just stick two elephants together
can’t just stick two elephants together and expect them to be friends so she
and expect them to be friends so she
and expect them to be friends so she instead of bonding with an elephant
instead of bonding with an elephant
instead of bonding with an elephant began to carry around a tire like
began to carry around a tire like
began to carry around a tire like everywhere she went it was like a
everywhere she went it was like a
everywhere she went it was like a security blanket like a little pacifier
security blanket like a little pacifier
security blanket like a little pacifier and for years she carried this tire
and for years she carried this tire
and for years she carried this tire around and then finally she bonded with
around and then finally she bonded with
around and then finally she bonded with an elephant named Tina for years they
an elephant named Tina for years they
an elephant named Tina for years they were inseparable and then one day Tina
were inseparable and then one day Tina
were inseparable and then one day Tina got ill and she died when she died sissy
got ill and she died when she died sissy
got ill and she died when she died sissy stayed with her the whole time she was
stayed with her the whole time she was
stayed with her the whole time she was dying stayed by her grave for a day
dying stayed by her grave for a day
dying stayed by her grave for a day after she died and then very carefully
after she died and then very carefully
after she died and then very carefully they watched her take that tire and lay
they watched her take that tire and lay
they watched her take that tire and lay it on the grave kind of like Wade placed
it on the grave kind of like Wade placed
it on the grave kind of like Wade placed a wreath and she left it there for her
a wreath and she left it there for her
a wreath and she left it there for her friend as if she knew her friend needed
friend as if she knew her friend needed
friend as if she knew her friend needed it more now Wow right no amazing that’s
it more now Wow right no amazing that’s
it more now Wow right no amazing that’s really amazing maybe we should watch the
really amazing maybe we should watch the
really amazing maybe we should watch the clip on the elephant behavior we have a
clip on the elephant behavior we have a
clip on the elephant behavior we have a link we have an amazing wonderful clip
link we have an amazing wonderful clip
link we have an amazing wonderful clip about elephant behavior that we would
about elephant behavior that we would
about elephant behavior that we would like to share with you all tonight this
like to share with you all tonight this
like to share with you all tonight this is a large adult male named Stoney and
is a large adult male named Stoney and
is a large adult male named Stoney and he’s doing what we call tough ground or
he’s doing what we call tough ground or
he’s doing what we call tough ground or tufting the ground it’s look at him he
tufting the ground it’s look at him he
tufting the ground it’s look at him he is so silly look how he’s right down on
is so silly look how he’s right down on
is so silly look how he’s right down on the ground must males do this when
the ground must males do this when
the ground must males do this when they’re threatening another male and
they’re threatening another male and
they’re threatening another male and it’s kind of a way of saying this is
it’s kind of a way of saying this is
it’s kind of a way of saying this is what I’m going to do with you if I get
what I’m going to do with you if I get
what I’m going to do with you if I get hold of you now he’s just looking
hold of you now he’s just looking
hold of you now he’s just looking me and he’s now starting to shake his
me and he’s now starting to shake his
me and he’s now starting to shake his head and doing what I call a head waggle
head and doing what I call a head waggle
head and doing what I call a head waggle now that’s an invitation to play this is
now that’s an invitation to play this is
now that’s an invitation to play this is just a really cute video of two young
just a really cute video of two young
just a really cute video of two young elephants two juveniles doing what we
elephants two juveniles doing what we
elephants two juveniles doing what we call play social rub they’re lying on
call play social rub they’re lying on
call play social rub they’re lying on the ground and just wiggling against
the ground and just wiggling against
the ground and just wiggling against each other elephants love to do this
each other elephants love to do this
each other elephants love to do this especially kind of in the late afternoon
especially kind of in the late afternoon
especially kind of in the late afternoon when they’ve had a lot to eat and
when they’ve had a lot to eat and
when they’ve had a lot to eat and they’re feeling good this was filmed in
they’re feeling good this was filmed in
they’re feeling good this was filmed in the evening it was about an 11-year old
the evening it was about an 11-year old
the evening it was about an 11-year old female and two infant tabs that she was
female and two infant tabs that she was
female and two infant tabs that she was looking after and she was so cute with
looking after and she was so cute with
looking after and she was so cute with them she just lay down in this sort of
them she just lay down in this sort of
them she just lay down in this sort of dust wallow here and allowed them to
dust wallow here and allowed them to
dust wallow here and allowed them to clamber all over her look watch this
clamber all over her look watch this
clamber all over her look watch this balancing act here where he he tries to
balancing act here where he he tries to
balancing act here where he he tries to step on her on her trunk but it’s a
step on her on her trunk but it’s a
step on her on her trunk but it’s a little bit too Wiggly so then he decides
little bit too Wiggly so then he decides
little bit too Wiggly so then he decides okay he’ll just step right on her face
okay he’ll just step right on her face
okay he’ll just step right on her face instead she doesn’t mind great that’s so
instead she doesn’t mind great that’s so
instead she doesn’t mind great that’s so wonderful and poaching we haven’t really
wonderful and poaching we haven’t really
wonderful and poaching we haven’t really touched on yet and that’s the sad thing
touched on yet and that’s the sad thing
touched on yet and that’s the sad thing about elephants that when you fall in
about elephants that when you fall in
about elephants that when you fall in love with them then you begin to realize
love with them then you begin to realize
love with them then you begin to realize that they are being killed at a rate of
that they are being killed at a rate of
that they are being killed at a rate of thirty eight thousand elephants a year
thirty eight thousand elephants a year
thirty eight thousand elephants a year and by that estimate they’ll be gone in
and by that estimate they’ll be gone in
and by that estimate they’ll be gone in the wild in Africa in ten years and I
the wild in Africa in ten years and I
the wild in Africa in ten years and I don’t know about you but I want my
don’t know about you but I want my
don’t know about you but I want my grandkids to be able to see elephants
grandkids to be able to see elephants
grandkids to be able to see elephants you know so it became very important for
you know so it became very important for
you know so it became very important for me to learn about poaching which I
me to learn about poaching which I
me to learn about poaching which I really didn’t know much about and to to
really didn’t know much about and to to
really didn’t know much about and to to figure out why it’s important for us in
figure out why it’s important for us in
figure out why it’s important for us in this country where we don’t have
this country where we don’t have
this country where we don’t have elephants to really support the
elephants to really support the
elephants to really support the initiatives to take care of elephants
initiatives to take care of elephants
initiatives to take care of elephants that are being threatened we know that
that are being threatened we know that
that are being threatened we know that poaching is more than just a wildlife
poaching is more than just a wildlife
poaching is more than just a wildlife concern it’s a humanitarian concern
concern it’s a humanitarian concern
concern it’s a humanitarian concern they’ve linked the money from poaching
they’ve linked the money from poaching
they’ve linked the money from poaching to Joseph Kony’s Lord’s Resistance Army
to Joseph Kony’s Lord’s Resistance Army
to Joseph Kony’s Lord’s Resistance Army we know that al-shabaab poaches one two
we know that al-shabaab poaches one two
we know that al-shabaab poaches one two three tons of ivory every month in
three tons of ivory every month in
three tons of ivory every month in Somalia raising five hundred thousand
Somalia raising five hundred thousand
Somalia raising five hundred thousand dollars a month that goes a really long
dollars a month that goes a really long
dollars a month that goes a really long way in Somalia and al-shabaab has ties
way in Somalia and al-shabaab has ties
way in Somalia and al-shabaab has ties to al-qaeda and that’s why it matters in
to al-qaeda and that’s why it matters in
to al-qaeda and that’s why it matters in this
this
this country without you or someone like you
country without you or someone like you
country without you or someone like you writing about this there’s a small
writing about this there’s a small
writing about this there’s a small fraction of people in the world who
fraction of people in the world who
fraction of people in the world who would be aware of it and especially in
would be aware of it and especially in
would be aware of it and especially in the United States but everywhere that
the United States but everywhere that
the United States but everywhere that your books are being sold I just kind of
your books are being sold I just kind of
your books are being sold I just kind of felt like saying on behalf of the planet
felt like saying on behalf of the planet
felt like saying on behalf of the planet thank you for them it’s really you know
thank you for them it’s really you know
thank you for them it’s really you know what they’re there are a lot of reasons
what they’re there are a lot of reasons
what they’re there are a lot of reasons that people become writers I am really
that people become writers I am really
that people become writers I am really really fortunate because I go to my
really fortunate because I go to my
really fortunate because I go to my office every day and I have the the
office every day and I have the the
office every day and I have the the opportunity to entertain everyone but I
opportunity to entertain everyone but I
opportunity to entertain everyone but I also have this potential to educate a
also have this potential to educate a
also have this potential to educate a little and I think if you can leave the
little and I think if you can leave the
little and I think if you can leave the world a better place in some small way
world a better place in some small way
world a better place in some small way that’s really important um hopefully
that’s really important um hopefully
that’s really important um hopefully that’s what my books can do they can
that’s what my books can do they can
that’s what my books can do they can teach you something you didn’t know and
teach you something you didn’t know and
teach you something you didn’t know and maybe open your mind up a little in a
maybe open your mind up a little in a
maybe open your mind up a little in a direction that you didn’t think you were
direction that you didn’t think you were
direction that you didn’t think you were gonna have to go yeah absolutely and
gonna have to go yeah absolutely and
gonna have to go yeah absolutely and it’s it’s wonderful yeah thank you
it’s it’s wonderful yeah thank you
it’s it’s wonderful yeah thank you so I was thinking is a writer reading
so I was thinking is a writer reading
so I was thinking is a writer reading this it’s a fascinating journey for you
this it’s a fascinating journey for you
this it’s a fascinating journey for you because on the one hand you get to
because on the one hand you get to
because on the one hand you get to become a scientist you get to become a
become a scientist you get to become a
become a scientist you get to become a psychic you get to become a detective do
psychic you get to become a detective do
psychic you get to become a detective do you feel enriched and do you feel
you feel enriched and do you feel
you feel enriched and do you feel exhausted you feel enriched do you how
exhausted you feel enriched do you how
exhausted you feel enriched do you how because you’re becoming all these
because you’re becoming all these
because you’re becoming all these different people in the course of
different people in the course of
different people in the course of writing your book how does that I
writing your book how does that I
writing your book how does that I actually feel lucky yeah I feel really
actually feel lucky yeah I feel really
actually feel lucky yeah I feel really lucky because I get to go to work and
lucky because I get to go to work and
lucky because I get to go to work and I’m someone different
I’m someone different
I’m someone different every day I do not feel as if I have
every day I do not feel as if I have
every day I do not feel as if I have created serenity or Virgil or Alice or
created serenity or Virgil or Alice or
created serenity or Virgil or Alice or Jenna I feel like they’re speaking
Jenna I feel like they’re speaking
Jenna I feel like they’re speaking through me and I hear them I hear them
through me and I hear them I hear them
through me and I hear them I hear them very clearly in my head they talk to me
very clearly in my head they talk to me
very clearly in my head they talk to me they sometimes wake me up at night
they sometimes wake me up at night
they sometimes wake me up at night because they are annoying and and
because they are annoying and and
because they are annoying and and honestly you know they long said my joke
honestly you know they long said my joke
honestly you know they long said my joke is that writing is successful
is that writing is successful
is that writing is successful schizophrenia I get paid to hear voices
schizophrenia I get paid to hear voices
schizophrenia I get paid to hear voices right there you go that’s really I hear
right there you go that’s really I hear
right there you go that’s really I hear their voices and I feel as if you guys
their voices and I feel as if you guys
their voices and I feel as if you guys are you know you can’t see the movie you
are you know you can’t see the movie you
are you know you can’t see the movie you can’t hear the movie so it’s my job to
can’t hear the movie so it’s my job to
can’t hear the movie so it’s my job to tell you what’s being said when I’m I
tell you what’s being said when I’m I
tell you what’s being said when I’m I know I’m close to finishing a draft I
know I’m close to finishing a draft I
know I’m close to finishing a draft I can already hear other people whispering
can already hear other people whispering
can already hear other people whispering like ready really yeah really Wow I’m
like ready really yeah really Wow I’m
like ready really yeah really Wow I’m sure there are people in the audience
sure there are people in the audience
sure there are people in the audience who have questions that they brought
who have questions that they brought
who have questions that they brought with them tonight right so there’s only
with them tonight right so there’s only
with them tonight right so there’s only one rule which is if you give away the
one rule which is if you give away the
one rule which is if you give away the ending of any of my books I’m gonna kill
ending of any of my books I’m gonna kill
ending of any of my books I’m gonna kill you right
you right
you right right keep that in mind yes you don’t
right keep that in mind yes you don’t
right keep that in mind yes you don’t want to do that really there was a
want to do that really there was a
want to do that really there was a question right there
question right there
question right there hi I’m what is what was the hardest and
hi I’m what is what was the hardest and
hi I’m what is what was the hardest and easiest part of getting started as a
easiest part of getting started as a
easiest part of getting started as a writer with your very first book the
writer with your very first book the
writer with your very first book the easiest part about getting to be a
easiest part about getting to be a
easiest part about getting to be a writer
writer
writer honestly was having the great good
honestly was having the great good
honestly was having the great good fortune and the grades to get into
fortune and the grades to get into
fortune and the grades to get into Princeton because at the time in the 80s
Princeton because at the time in the 80s
Princeton because at the time in the 80s there were not many undergraduate
there were not many undergraduate
there were not many undergraduate creative writing programs there were a
creative writing programs there were a
creative writing programs there were a lot of graduate schools but not
lot of graduate schools but not
lot of graduate schools but not undergrad and I had the opportunity to
undergrad and I had the opportunity to
undergrad and I had the opportunity to work with living breathing writers in
work with living breathing writers in
work with living breathing writers in particular one who really shepherded me
particular one who really shepherded me
particular one who really shepherded me into becoming my own best editor which i
into becoming my own best editor which i
into becoming my own best editor which i think is the most essential tool for a
think is the most essential tool for a
think is the most essential tool for a writer I actually spent a two-year
writer I actually spent a two-year
writer I actually spent a two-year period and this is the hardest part
period and this is the hardest part
period and this is the hardest part trying to find an agent I had over 100
trying to find an agent I had over 100
trying to find an agent I had over 100 rejections from agents a lot of people
rejections from agents a lot of people
rejections from agents a lot of people will write me and they’re like yeah you
will write me and they’re like yeah you
will write me and they’re like yeah you know I just got back my third rejection
know I just got back my third rejection
know I just got back my third rejection I don’t know if I can do this and I just
I don’t know if I can do this and I just
I don’t know if I can do this and I just go yeah okay whatever okay you know that
go yeah okay whatever okay you know that
go yeah okay whatever okay you know that is the hardest part honestly of being a
is the hardest part honestly of being a
is the hardest part honestly of being a writer I think believing in yourself
writer I think believing in yourself
writer I think believing in yourself enough that somebody eventually takes a
enough that somebody eventually takes a
enough that somebody eventually takes a second look one person has to really
second look one person has to really
second look one person has to really fall for it you know and that’s that
fall for it you know and that’s that
fall for it you know and that’s that kind of makes the odds feel a little bit
kind of makes the odds feel a little bit
kind of makes the odds feel a little bit better let’s come down to the front
better let’s come down to the front
better let’s come down to the front please
please
please so I have a question about my sister’s
so I have a question about my sister’s
so I have a question about my sister’s keeper now how did I know that it was
keeper now how did I know that it was
keeper now how did I know that it was the first book I read and totally got me
the first book I read and totally got me
the first book I read and totally got me hooked on you but um when I was so
hooked on you but um when I was so
hooked on you but um when I was so excited for the movie after seeing it I
excited for the movie after seeing it I
excited for the movie after seeing it I wondered what your opinion was on the
wondered what your opinion was on the
wondered what your opinion was on the change yeah that was so tactfully
change yeah that was so tactfully
change yeah that was so tactfully Celotex
Celotex
Celotex um so here’s the thing about about
um so here’s the thing about about
um so here’s the thing about about selling books form into movies what most
selling books form into movies what most
selling books form into movies what most of you don’t realize is that the writer
of you don’t realize is that the writer
of you don’t realize is that the writer does not have any say over what happens
does not have any say over what happens
does not have any say over what happens there are exceptions but in the vast
there are exceptions but in the vast
there are exceptions but in the vast majority of cases you sell your property
majority of cases you sell your property
majority of cases you sell your property to a studio and then they do with it
to a studio and then they do with it
to a studio and then they do with it whatever they want to do and you are not
whatever they want to do and you are not
whatever they want to do and you are not asked for any you know any contributions
asked for any you know any contributions
asked for any you know any contributions whatsoever it’s like giving a baby up
whatsoever it’s like giving a baby up
whatsoever it’s like giving a baby up for adoption and we writers try really
for adoption and we writers try really
for adoption and we writers try really hard to to find a good home for a baby
hard to to find a good home for a baby
hard to to find a good home for a baby but sometimes it doesn’t work out
but sometimes it doesn’t work out
but sometimes it doesn’t work out and in my case you know I had I was
and in my case you know I had I was
and in my case you know I had I was actually asked to try and and interview
actually asked to try and and interview
actually asked to try and and interview nick cassavetes the director before he
nick cassavetes the director before he
nick cassavetes the director before he was hired and I said to him that what
was hired and I said to him that what
was hired and I said to him that what was the only thing that was really
was the only thing that was really
was the only thing that was really important to me in the book that should
important to me in the book that should
important to me in the book that should stay the same was the ending and I
stay the same was the ending and I
stay the same was the ending and I explained that it was what had sold all
explained that it was what had sold all
explained that it was what had sold all these copies of the book people going I
these copies of the book people going I
these copies of the book people going I can’t tell you what happened just read
can’t tell you what happened just read
can’t tell you what happened just read it so we could talk you know and so he
it so we could talk you know and so he
it so we could talk you know and so he read the book and he said you’re right
read the book and he said you’re right
read the book and he said you’re right that’s the only ending for this story
that’s the only ending for this story
that’s the only ending for this story I’m not gonna change it if anyone else
I’m not gonna change it if anyone else
I’m not gonna change it if anyone else does I’m gonna tell you why and I’m
does I’m gonna tell you why and I’m
does I’m gonna tell you why and I’m gonna tell you myself and I thought
gonna tell you myself and I thought
gonna tell you myself and I thought that’s fair and he spent two years
that’s fair and he spent two years
that’s fair and he spent two years writing a script he would call me weekly
writing a script he would call me weekly
writing a script he would call me weekly I would help him whenever he asked with
I would help him whenever he asked with
I would help him whenever he asked with character with dialogue with scenes
character with dialogue with scenes
character with dialogue with scenes whatever um he would read me stuff and
whatever um he would read me stuff and
whatever um he would read me stuff and then at the end of that process a fan
then at the end of that process a fan
then at the end of that process a fan wrote me an email saying they’ve gotten
wrote me an email saying they’ve gotten
wrote me an email saying they’ve gotten the script of My Sister’s Keeper and did
the script of My Sister’s Keeper and did
the script of My Sister’s Keeper and did she worked at a casting agency and did I
she worked at a casting agency and did I
she worked at a casting agency and did I know that they had changed the ending so
know that they had changed the ending so
know that they had changed the ending so I called Nick at home and he wouldn’t
I called Nick at home and he wouldn’t
I called Nick at home and he wouldn’t take my call I went to the movie set and
take my call I went to the movie set and
take my call I went to the movie set and he threw me off the set I went to New
he threw me off the set I went to New
he threw me off the set I went to New Line Cinema and I spoke to the head Toby
Line Cinema and I spoke to the head Toby
Line Cinema and I spoke to the head Toby Emmerich and I said you guys are gonna
Emmerich and I said you guys are gonna
Emmerich and I said you guys are gonna lose money on this film because I have
lose money on this film because I have
lose money on this film because I have the best chance in the world and they
the best chance in the world and they
the best chance in the world and they are not going to be happy with what you
are not going to be happy with what you
are not going to be happy with what you did and he said no no you know we really
did and he said no no you know we really
did and he said no no you know we really trust Nick he did the notebook for us he
trust Nick he did the notebook for us he
trust Nick he did the notebook for us he knows what he’s doing and I said okay
knows what he’s doing and I said okay
knows what he’s doing and I said okay and I walked away and of course the
and I walked away and of course the
and I walked away and of course the movie was not successful it’s a
movie was not successful it’s a
movie was not successful it’s a beautiful movie
beautiful movie
beautiful movie Nick Nick filmed a beautiful movie with
Nick Nick filmed a beautiful movie with
Nick Nick filmed a beautiful movie with wonderful acting performances about
wonderful acting performances about
wonderful acting performances about dying with dignity that is not what the
dying with dignity that is not what the
dying with dignity that is not what the book is about
book is about
book is about that’s his interpretation but it’s not
that’s his interpretation but it’s not
that’s his interpretation but it’s not what I thought the book should be about
what I thought the book should be about
what I thought the book should be about and many of my wonderful fans agreed and
and many of my wonderful fans agreed and
and many of my wonderful fans agreed and the movie lost money and the really cool
the movie lost money and the really cool
the movie lost money and the really cool silver lining here is that ever since
silver lining here is that ever since
silver lining here is that ever since then I have had more clout in Hollywood
then I have had more clout in Hollywood
then I have had more clout in Hollywood because I apparently am psychic and I
because I apparently am psychic and I
because I apparently am psychic and I told them they were gonna lose money oh
told them they were gonna lose money oh
told them they were gonna lose money oh that’s kind of cool but it was not a
that’s kind of cool but it was not a
that’s kind of cool but it was not a pleasant experience would it would it
pleasant experience would it would it
pleasant experience would it would it mean that I wouldn’t do it again
mean that I wouldn’t do it again
mean that I wouldn’t do it again no because ultimately let’s be real in
no because ultimately let’s be real in
no because ultimately let’s be real in most cases the book is always better
most cases the book is always better
most cases the book is always better than the film right and for those of you
than the film right and for those of you
than the film right and for those of you who went to go see my sister’s keeper
who went to go see my sister’s keeper
who went to go see my sister’s keeper and were as disappointed as I was the
and were as disappointed as I was the
and were as disappointed as I was the good news is that you get to go home and
good news is that you get to go home and
good news is that you get to go home and pull that book off the shelf and read
pull that book off the shelf and read
pull that book off the shelf and read the story the way it should be right
the story the way it should be right
the story the way it should be right yeah
um gentleman in the blue shirt here
um gentleman in the blue shirt here hi I’m my wife and I are both the oldest
hi I’m my wife and I are both the oldest
hi I’m my wife and I are both the oldest of four and I’ve had a lot of
of four and I’ve had a lot of
of four and I’ve had a lot of discussions and hardship with my
discussions and hardship with my
discussions and hardship with my relationship with my mother because I
relationship with my mother because I
relationship with my mother because I was the one who started everyone leaving
was the one who started everyone leaving
was the one who started everyone leaving yeah so you really said that this was a
yeah so you really said that this was a
yeah so you really said that this was a core for the walk well how did this and
core for the walk well how did this and
core for the walk well how did this and this journey of writing it help you with
this journey of writing it help you with
this journey of writing it help you with what you were going through mmm that’s a
what you were going through mmm that’s a
what you were going through mmm that’s a great question um it really did help me
great question um it really did help me
great question um it really did help me most of my books are really my therapy
most of my books are really my therapy
most of my books are really my therapy session for all of you to watch you know
session for all of you to watch you know
session for all of you to watch you know it’s something that I’m really
it’s something that I’m really
it’s something that I’m really struggling with and and I wrestle it out
struggling with and and I wrestle it out
struggling with and and I wrestle it out and throw it at other characters but
and throw it at other characters but
and throw it at other characters but really I’m talking about something
really I’m talking about something
really I’m talking about something that’s upsetting to me and you know for
that’s upsetting to me and you know for
that’s upsetting to me and you know for me it really was that that sense okay
me it really was that that sense okay
me it really was that that sense okay elephants and and elephants moms and
elephants and and elephants moms and
elephants and and elephants moms and daughters they stay together forever so
daughters they stay together forever so
daughters they stay together forever so what does that really mean for humans
what does that really mean for humans
what does that really mean for humans when people leave us do they ever really
when people leave us do they ever really
when people leave us do they ever really leave and I think that was really that
leave and I think that was really that
leave and I think that was really that was really the end point that I came to
was really the end point that I came to
was really the end point that I came to physical distance means nothing that’s
physical distance means nothing that’s
physical distance means nothing that’s details that when you love someone
details that when you love someone
details that when you love someone they’re always with you
they’re always with you
they’re always with you so we have up this skirt a wonderful
so we have up this skirt a wonderful
so we have up this skirt a wonderful woman in the front in purple and black
woman in the front in purple and black
woman in the front in purple and black what kind of events inspire you to write
what kind of events inspire you to write
what kind of events inspire you to write cuz it like in your book 19 minutes um
cuz it like in your book 19 minutes um
cuz it like in your book 19 minutes um Peter Hughton goes on a school shooting
Peter Hughton goes on a school shooting
Peter Hughton goes on a school shooting rampage in his school so as it vents
rampage in his school so as it vents
rampage in his school so as it vents like doesn’t inspire you to write I
like doesn’t inspire you to write I
like doesn’t inspire you to write I could write about any number of really
could write about any number of really
could write about any number of really devastating topics or things that are
devastating topics or things that are
devastating topics or things that are very upsetting but I think there’s more
very upsetting but I think there’s more
very upsetting but I think there’s more to it than that I don’t rip things out
to it than that I don’t rip things out
to it than that I don’t rip things out of the headlines what I need to do is to
of the headlines what I need to do is to
of the headlines what I need to do is to find something that has intersected in
find something that has intersected in
find something that has intersected in my life at that moment in a way that
my life at that moment in a way that
my life at that moment in a way that really moves me deeply and what moves me
really moves me deeply and what moves me
really moves me deeply and what moves me today might not be what moves me in five
today might not be what moves me in five
today might not be what moves me in five years so a book that I think that’s
years so a book that I think that’s
years so a book that I think that’s interesting but not that interesting
interesting but not that interesting
interesting but not that interesting right now could completely change five
right now could completely change five
right now could completely change five years from now I could be dying to write
years from now I could be dying to write
years from now I could be dying to write that book so there is this it’s a dual
that book so there is this it’s a dual
that book so there is this it’s a dual feed part of it is things that I hear
feed part of it is things that I hear
feed part of it is things that I hear about things that I read about in the
about things that I read about in the
about things that I read about in the world that that I have a curiosity about
world that that I have a curiosity about
world that that I have a curiosity about and the other part of it is where I am
and the other part of it is where I am
and the other part of it is where I am in my own life it’s funny because
in my own life it’s funny because
in my own life it’s funny because sometimes think you know very
sometimes think you know very
sometimes think you know very self-serving ly about Jody Pico 101
self-serving ly about Jody Pico 101
self-serving ly about Jody Pico 101 which is gonna be taught clearly one day
which is gonna be taught clearly one day
which is gonna be taught clearly one day you know and if you look at the
you know and if you look at the
you know and if you look at the trajectory of my career my very first
trajectory of my career my very first
trajectory of my career my very first book was about a mother and a daughter
book was about a mother and a daughter
book was about a mother and a daughter this book is about a mother and a
this book is about a mother and a
this book is about a mother and a daughter again what’s the difference
daughter again what’s the difference
daughter again what’s the difference when I wrote my first book I was closer
when I wrote my first book I was closer
when I wrote my first book I was closer in age to the daughter now I’m closer in
in age to the daughter now I’m closer in
in age to the daughter now I’m closer in age to the mother and in between I wrote
age to the mother and in between I wrote
age to the mother and in between I wrote about the relationships between men and
about the relationships between men and
about the relationships between men and women because I got married then I wrote
women because I got married then I wrote
women because I got married then I wrote about all the really scary things that
about all the really scary things that
about all the really scary things that can happen to your children because I
can happen to your children because I
can happen to your children because I had children it was like a whole run of
had children it was like a whole run of
had children it was like a whole run of that for many years and now you know I’m
that for many years and now you know I’m
that for many years and now you know I’m moving into more theoretical stuff the
moving into more theoretical stuff the
moving into more theoretical stuff the nature of good and evil you know and and
nature of good and evil you know and and
nature of good and evil you know and and race for example things that are bigger
race for example things that are bigger
race for example things that are bigger because that’s I have the luxury of
because that’s I have the luxury of
because that’s I have the luxury of worrying about those things and not just
worrying about those things and not just
worrying about those things and not just worrying about my kids anymore I keep
worrying about my kids anymore I keep
worrying about my kids anymore I keep telling my mom that one day I’m gonna
telling my mom that one day I’m gonna
telling my mom that one day I’m gonna write about putting your parents in a
write about putting your parents in a
write about putting your parents in a nursing home she’s really happy to hear
that’s great well on behalf of all of us
that’s great well on behalf of all of us thank you so much for sharing thank you
thank you so much for sharing thank you
thank you so much for sharing thank you thank you
”
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