Friday, October 31, 2008

Beyond the last page

Have you ever wished the characters you've read about in a book lived on after you turned the last page, that you had a backstage pass to their lives beyond the confines of the book's pages?

Here on The Shape of Mercy blog, Lauren, Abigail, Clarissa, and even Mercy, will live on in posts that will appear on Mondays and Fridays. We begin where the book left off. Don't have the book? Buy it here.

Get the inside story on Lauren's budding relationship with Raul, her newfound insights into her own worldview and the echoes of Mercy that resound within her. "Love, Lauren" will feature Lauren's email correspondence with Raul and his back to her.

In "Mercy's Quill," you can take a step back in time and read one of Mercy's poems and stories saved from the journal that, contrary to belief, was not burned after her trial.

Want to discuss life and love with Clarissa? Join her at the coffee shop for a latte and her unique brand of advice on the things that bring us the most joy and cause the most trouble. "Ask Clarissa" is part advice column and part colorful commentary.

In "Abigail on the Classics," octogenarian Abigail Boyles comments on the classics while giving us glimpses of the past she fought so hard to keep a secret. Want to know more about her childhood? The garden parties she and Dorothea attended? Her romance with Tom Kimura? Sure you do . . .

Abigail's devoted housekeeper will share a recipe now and then from her trove of tried and true favorites on "In the Kitchen with Esperanza." She showed you how to make an omelet. Now she will share a whole lot more.

Each Monday and Friday one of these gals will post on this blog. You are welcome and encouraged to post questions to these ladies or to the people they know and care about - except Mercy of course. She's in heaven . . .

Hope you will come by often!

13 comments:

Mary DeMuth said...

Ah, but hearing from Mercy would be interesting! I wonder what she'd think of the iphone!

Susan Meissner said...

Now that's a great idea. Mercy speaking to us from Paradise. . . Perhaps I need to come up with a Time Machine. Or a flux capacitor . . .

Stormi said...

Very cool idea...loved your book and I was sad when the end came.

Stormi

carla stewart said...

Hi Susan, What a "novel" idea - a book that keeps on living. As do your characters in my mind. This should be fun, and I'll be checking in often.

CherryBlossomMJ said...

This is very exciting. It is like the http://theaugustadams.com/wordpress/ where Matt Bronleewe has kept August Adams alive in between novels. I love it!

MJ
cherryblossommj.blogspot.com

Susan Meissner said...

MJ, Carla, Stormi: Thanks for stopping by. And MJ thanks for the link!

Heidi said...

Susan~
This is awesome! You don't know how many times I've put down a book and thought "hmmm....wonder what happens AFTER the last page?!" Now we know!
I need to subscribe to this blog and keep up with Lauren and co.
Thanks,
Heidi
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/ReviewsbyHeidi

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful idea, Susan! A great way to continue to enjoy getting to know the rich characters in THE SHAPE OF MERCY. I loved the book, as you know, and look forward to reading more.

Anonymous said...

I love this idea! I am always so sad when I finish a book in which I've fallen in love with the characters...

Thanks you for sharing :)

carla stewart said...

Just stopping in to say congratulations on making the Publishers Weekly Top 100 Books of the year. What an amazing honor, and it couldn't have happened to a nicer person. I hope this book reaches to the depths and heights. You go, girl!

Bonnie Grove said...

Ah me, I'd love to hear from Mercy again.

I had a spare flux capacitor in the garage, but I gave it to H.G. Wells when he popped in for tea.

Rats.

Kristen said...

What a great idea for the characters to blog! I just finished the book last night and am looking forward to finding out what happens after the last page. :)

Anonymous said...

I just read The Shape of Mercy, did a search, found this blog and am SOOOOOOOO excited to continue their stories! Thanks! This will be fun!