Excavating Evan

Evan Galloway, the protagonist of The Namesake, has been a part of my life for over ten years. At times, he was my primary focus, pushing aside flesh-and-blood folks, demanding to be heard. There were also dormant stretches when I was unable – or perhaps unwilling – to listen. His has not been an easy story to tell, but it is one I knew I had to attempt. Creating The Namesake has taken me to places both unexpected and familiar.

The story began taking shape in my first graduate class at Wesleyan University. It was a leap of faith, after writing papers about young adult novels, to imagine I could write a novel of my own. I’ve been fortunate in that leap to have had the support of incredible teachers, friends and family.

In his book, On Writing, Stephen King likens stories to “found things, like fossils in the ground,” defining “writing as excavation.” I’ve found this to be true, and there were definitely times I doubted my agility in digging carefully enough to unearth the thing unharmed. As Evan’s story deepened, taking dark and surprising twists, I’ve felt at times it was my job just to hang on and listen.

Through his struggle to know his lost father, Evan learns an awful lot about himself. For me, creating Evan has been a learning experience as well. I’ve discovered how poetry can inform my fiction, how the tiniest detail can make all the difference, and how faith truly can sustain us. My faith in this story grew slowly, nurtured by that early support I mentioned.

Recently, The Namesake has garnered pre-release attention and praise, winning the Young Adult category of the 2011 Tassy Walden Awards for New Voices in Children’s Literature. When I read an excerpt at the awards ceremony, someone compared my book to The Catcher in the Rye; my agent, Victoria Marini, has likened it to the work of the supremely talented John Green; and my editor, the amazing Jacquelyn Mitchard, referred to my writing as “masterful.” All this acclaim is, of course, wonderful as I prepare for the release of my debut novel. At its heart, though, this book is simply Evan’s chance to share his story, to relate his painful journey with truth and humor.

The Namesake is an important work for me on so many levels, and I’m truly honored and humbled to share it with you. I hope you’ll enjoy it.

Comments

  1. You have captured my heart even with the description of the process. This is a miraculous new birth and I rejoice with you. Bravo! You have always impressed me creatively and I have always thought you were one of the most brilliant artists I have ever met – and I cannot wait to see how you apply the creativity to words on the page. The comparisons to The Catcher in The Rye – tell me what I have always known. Many people have talent, but you are a voice. No matter what creative pursuit you follow, you are a true voice – and, to me, there is no greater compliment than that.

    • Thanks so much, Deb! That means the world coming from a pure and honest heart such as yours. It is a HUGE compliment, and one that I treasure.

      Best,
      Steve

  2. Sue Pierpont says

    Steve:
    I was delighted to read the article in the Sunday newspaper. Well-deserved congratulations!
    Best regards,
    s.

  3. SUE!! How great to hear from you. Thanks for the congratulations; I was actually trying to figure out whether I had a way to contact you to invite you to the book launch at John Bale Books in Waterbury, this Friday from 6-8. If you’re able, it’d be great to see you! If not, hope to catch up one of these days. And if you get your hands on a copy, pay special attention to the part where Evan visits the hospital. There’s an elevator with a familiar name.

    All best,
    Steve

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