As a writer, I not only read books for enjoyment and to get ideas, but also to study the author’s writing techniques. But something extra for me is that I like to see how many books have characters with disabilities in them, where the disability isn’t emphasised. And boy, have I found that book.
Elaine Forrestal is a well-known children’s author. I picked up one of her books the other day – ‘Someone Like Me’. I loved her style and got immersed in the story told from the point of view of Tas, or Thomas, a boy about ten years old. Throughout the book, there were hints that Tas was different, but I couldn’t pick it. Forrestal revealed what this difference was in the last line. Tas was blind.
I had to re-read the book, then, to find out why I hadn’t picked it, and to see if I could fault her in any way – ie where she might have shown Tas as being able to see. Remember, it was written from his point of view, so he couldn’t describe scenes or people. Well, she didn’t slip up at all. In fact, the book lacked visual descriptions and the story didn’t suffer one bit.
This has taught me an invaluable lesson. It is possible to tell a story without referring to what is seen. Our other senses can fill in the gaps. In my young adult novel, I’ve got a blind character, and we get her point of view in certain scenes. Before I read this book, I thought I’d have to limit her point of view scenes, because how could she possibly give the reader a view of what was happening around her. It was Elaine Forrestal who reminded me that blind people can see. This is what I do all the time. Why did I need reminding? Well, I don’t need any further evidence. Thanks Elaine and Tas.
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