FAQ
SO I was asked to do this by a PM so well….I recruited my friend, had them read the story, and they asked questions (about me being bullied and Emily)
When did the bullying all start?
It started when I moved here in 3rd grade. I just transferred from a different school AGAIN and I didn't quite fit in with the rest of the class. A girl picked up on that and started to use it against me.
How many people bullied you?
8 people. Boys and girls.
What grade are you in now?
8th.
Right, so who was Rozey and Valley?
Rebecca and Roxy.
Any of these made up characters based on someone in real life?
Well Bree is sort of (except I wasn't anorexic but she encouraged me to ignore them) I have a best friend who is considered my sister. We are really close and we are the exact same age and really are related. As for the bullies I didn't want to base it on anyone because if I did that means I am sort of bullying them.
Right, So why facebook?
Well, I wanted to show that because Emily is away bullying can follow and there is such thing as bullying through social media. (I sound like a professor of some sort)
I know you made other stories about Newtown and have tried to make people shred tears, and you even did yourself when you re-read it, did you try to make people cry while writing this?
Not so much. I wanted to basically get the point across that bullying does hurt. I wasn't aiming for tears for this one.
Have you ever bullied anyone?
There are times when I feel like punching someone (come on, we all want to every once in a while) but I can never do it.
Do you think Emily tried to get help?
I think she would have sat there and played her flute but I don't play flute so I don't really know the chords or anything so I couldn't place it in.
Why Emily? Why not Mia, or Jayden, Or Kevin, Or Mike?
Well Emily is the youngest so I can relate to her more. Plus Jayden has been sheltered for his whole life, so he has no enemies besides Nighloks. Kevin didn't have any evidence of bullying and same with Mia. Mike is just too cool to be bullied (and probably wouldn't care)
Why less Nighlok?
Because Nighlok don't really exist (or so we think) and I wanted to show that bullying isn't some mythological creature who learns our deepest darkest secrets.
What would you get from Emily's story if you weren't bullied?
Well that sometimes bullying can bring out the real side of people (like Jayden and the others didn't stop when she blocked them out, they tried to get deeper and Bree wanted to help and protect her.) and sometimes you learn who your true friends are.
If you could do one thing about bullying what would it be?
Well since there would always be mean kids out there, I would make a movie, or like I did, write a story about bullying and try to get it as great as I can to get awareness. Either that or start a bullying victims club to help healing and to prevent suicide and stuff like that.
Anything you regret in this book?
Not really….In my mind I feel like I captivated the emotions of bullying and the thoughts.
Was this tough for you to write?
No, I was bullied before. It hurt to think back then and thinking of what I thought. I had to replay scenes in my mind so I did shed a few tears(what, a 9 year old girl not being able to play tag with the other kids is kind of sad, especially when you asked and been excluded and much more happened.) so yeah, but eventually I didn't mind. If I didn't confront what happened I wouldn't have gotten over it. Besides, I am perfectly happy because I have many readers, I been told many times (by teachers, classmates, many websites…., my parents, and many other people) that I have a natural talent with writing. So I think I am really lucky to have that expirence or book would be horrible.
In your words do you think bullying made Emily a stronger better person or weak?
First! A victim of bullying is NEVER weak. I don't consider those who have committed suicide due to bullying weak either. It's the bully who is weak (that may seem harsh but it is what it is) because they find joy in harassing and being a jerk to the person. So therefore, Emily is not weak and she is strong.
Any symbolism?
Sort of….. First Facebook, it represented that we are not protected from bullying at home. It follows us through Media.
Second, The hoodie she never took off, she was trying to fit in, changing herself to be accepted. It was keeping the real Emily inside and keeping others from knowing the real her.
How does bullying change one's life? Do you think life would change for Emily?
Well, (from expirence) once a rumor or 2 starts no one really wants to be your friend so you started to grow distant till the rope snaps and your all alone. You will get closer and closer to friends but eventually fall into darkness. It doesn't help that there are social groups either. Like for me in school I am always sitting by myself at lunch because of bullying. Luckily it's for only 23 minutes. I hate parternering up for a class project or something due to bullying because I know I am not to be scared but I can't help but be scared. SO Emily would have trouble trusting her team and anyone.
