(from Old English: understanding from a distance)

Dear Readers,

SEVEN TEARS INTO THE SEA has stirred up a ton of questions & that makes sense. After all, I transplanted an ancient Celtic story to today's California coast, then plopped in a handful of eenagers instead of grizzled Irish fishermen or wise women in swirling cloaks (although Gwen's grandmother might qualify!).

Before I answer some of my readers most questions, I must warn you.: SEVEN TEARS is a fantasy -- based on a story which pre-dates Christianity. The Old Ones didn't deal in absolutes. They scorned YES/NO, BLACK/WHITE answers, but you're welcome to peer at my answers through a fog and make out truths for yourselves.

Q: "Will there be a sequel?"

A: I'm flattered that you liked my characters and setting enough that you want to return to them, but probably not. As I was writing, I felt my fingers typing slower and slower and I'd stare out the window and wonder if the power of the old tale was dragging my story back out to sea -- not necessarily where I wanted it to go. But when I reached the end, I knew it was right.

I'm not saying it's impossible that I'd write a sequel. For now, though, even if the ending isn't turning-cartwheels-happy, it feels satisfying.

Q: (actually multiple Qs)
"What did Gwen's jumping off the cliff signify?"
"For my book report, I need to know the theme of SEVEN TEARS INTO THE SEA?"
"This book feels like it has symbolism, but I don't like to worry about that stuff, do I have to?"

A: (multiple, too)

One of the best teachers I know asked a class -- "If it's important enough to write a whole book, play or poem about, why would an author hide the theme?"

I don't think most authors do. I DO think students and teachers (that would be partly me, since I taught middle & high school English for 20 years) crave easy insight into an author's mind, so they decide on a single theme.

HOWEVER -- readers see stories through the magnifying glass of their own experiences and I believe there are many "correct" ways to see SEVEN TEARS' theme. Here are a few my readers have offered. Eve thinks Gwen jumps off the cliff to show she's independent.

Clint says Gwen's trying to merge with Jesse's world

Kate believes Gwen's got nothing left to lose & is asking the sea to decide her fate.

Olivia thinks Gwen's dive is a "leap of faith" showing she's willing to accept what life hands her, without fear.

Who's right?

I'll veer off on a teeny tangent and tell you my favorite theme is: There is no safety at the edge of the frontier. That frontier could be falling in love with a shape-shifter or seeking a lost horse, despite the physical danger of storms or rattlesnakes. And that theme doesn't rule out Eve, Clint, Olivia or Kate's interpretation of Gwen's act.

Okay, so who's right? Here's the thing -- Maybe all of them, maybe none. Maybe it's not symbolic at all...maybe Gwen's practicing a mega-plunge before getting back on the diving team. You get to decide. That's what makes reading such an adventure!

Q: SEVEN TEARS' cover is kind of dreamlike, what is it supposed to show?

A: As you may know, Gwen has a history of sleepwalking and I've always thought this cover shows how it might feel if you'd walked in your sleep, right down to the edge of the sea. If you'd like to see the original artwork considered for SEVEN TEARS' cover, you can! This artist's work is wonderful and though I'm very happy with the cover SEVEN TEARS has now, I know you'll enjoy this, too! Just go to the page, look down on the right and you'll see the caption SEVEN TEARS INTO THE SEA under a magical picture. Click, go and sigh! http://art.webesteem.pl/6/pham_en.php

Q: Do people outside the U.S. like SEVEN TEARS?

A: They seem to (she says, blushing), and this is a note I received from a reader living far from my Nevada home:

Hi, I'm Sitta from Indonesia, a tropical country stretched in South-East Asia. I just read your latest book, Seven Tears Into The Sea, and it was a captivating book --theme, setting, story, CHARACTERS -- to read. I find it sooooo thrilling, romantic,mysterious, and exotic in the same jolt of feeling. How could you possibly create such mood? Since I'm an author in my country, I praise you for this work, and SURELY will wait for your next piece.
Much love,
Sitta K Satyakarma

Next, I learned Indonesian author Sitta Karina had chosen SEVEN TEARS INTO THE SEA as her foreign book of the month!

You can look it up here: http://www.sittakarina.com/choice.htm