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Welcome to the group! M.L. Stedman will be answering questions throughout the day on Friday, May 10th in this thread only. In the meantime if you have a question for M.L. Stedman or just want to introduce yourself feel free to do so in this thread.

Hello M.L.,
This is Baltimore poet, Shirley Brewer. I can't recall when I last read a book that moved me as deeply as "The Light Between Oceans." Such beautiful language as well as a poignant story and character study. I would read whole passages aloud just to hear the language. I wonder if you have any background in poetry? Your prose is so musical. I commend you for an exquisite read. Shirley B.

Hi M.L.
I'm an amateur writer and I am in Junior High. I started writing my own book but just don't know how you made your book so moving. Honestly, I'm not a fan of crying during books or movies but your book really got me... it was pure genius. I loved your book and would just like to ask, what inspires you to write? For me, it's my habit of noticing every little detail around me and sometimes random things make me want to write. As a diligent student and avid reader, my teachers have always been impressed with my writing but never could I write something as deep and moving as your book. I have a curious and wandering mind. Annie.

Hello M.L.
I was wondering if there was any significance in using "Janus" to name the island (Roman god of beginnings and endings, and of gates, doors, doorways, endings and time. He is usually a two-faced god since he looks to the future and the past).

Cheers and keep on keeping on!

Laurent

Hi M.L.
I read a lot of books in a year's time, and loved "The Light Between Oceans." I am curious about your inspiration for this moving book, and hope you will write more. I sincerely hope you are enjoying your success! Pat

Hello,
I enjoyed "The Light Between Oceans" very much. Not only the storyline including the tough moral questions the characters faced, but the description of life in Australia. Not big city Australia, but the small town, local experience. Your depictions reminded me of the writing of Nevil Shute. Was his writing an influence on you? Thanks.

Hi M.L.
This book became one of my favorites right away. I love to read and look forward to reading more of your books. I just started my own bookclub and have told all the others about this great story. My question is how do find the topics for your stories. Is it a personal experience or are you fortunate to have a keen imagination? Keep up the great work!
Cindy S

Which comes first: your story idea or a theme you want to explore? Also, your writing is stunning...how do you write so consistently or does it "just come out" that way? Also have you grappled with a moral dilemma such as your characters did or is your perspective as the author more removed? Lastly, when is your next book coming out and can you share any info on it?

Ms. Stedman,

I'm a writer, a teacher, and an historian. Your novel touched me with the beauty of place so well evoked and the development of characters which led to their moral dilemmas. I believed them and I believed their choices were true.

How did you decide to set your novel on the fictional lighthouse island, Janus Rock? Was your character Tom inspired by any real person?

Thank you for writing such a lovely, wrenching book.

Hello M.L.,

I just wanted to commend you on writing an extraordinary novel that really touch many emotions within me. My daughter had recommended your book and I have since told others about it. My question is how did you develop your storyline? Was the topic one you had wondered about? I found myself with mixed feelings about what they did. What was your thought on them keeping the baby? Thanks and look forward to your next one. Andrea

Congratulations on a beautiful, thought provoking book. I read that it is going to be made into a film, will you be involved in that process???
I hope that it will translate into a brilliant film, and not turn out as some "soppy" hollywood movie!!!

Hello,
I was born and bred in Perth, Western Australia, so was thrilled to see this great book set in W.A.
As a mother of a 3 year old daughter, I felt very torn as to who should be Lucy-Grace's "rightful" mother. As the book progressed, I became more aligned with Hannah. Isabel did the wrong thing by keeping the baby to begin with.
I would like to know more about your life growing up in W.A. - whereabouts did you live and grow up, and when did you leave? (If you don't mind sharing!) Thanks.

I loved this book, what attracted me was the title. Moved me to tears. What a great story also liked the people in this story

I am retired, and now working as a part time bookseller. Your book was on our "Discover Great New Authors" shelf, and rightly so. This book proved you are a GREAT new author. My book club read it, and one of our discussion questions was "How do you think the book should have ended?" Everyone agreed that your ending was the only one possible, given there really wasn't a "good" way to conclude. I thought this was an exceptional first novel, and I look forward to your next book.

Lynn Price

My book club selected your book and it was one of the best discussions we have had in quite a while. Most of the discussion was about the characters in the story and their moral dilemmas. What a great discussion.
I just want to say this is the best book I have read in quite a while. I don't usually cry while reading, but by the end, I needed to re-read the last few chapters through my tears.
What authors do you enjoy reading?

One of my favorite books of all time and for all of the reasons listed above. It lived with me a long time. Are you working on another? How much time do you spend writing each day? How long have you been writing? Thank you.

Hello Bruce in Texas one question

when is your next book coming out?

don't make us suffer to long

This has been one of the best books I have read! I simply couldn't put it down. I was wondering how historically accurate it is? Thanks and I Look
forward to your next book.

I was so excited to read something so original. The words were melodic and the theme left me thinking about choices, morals and desire. I am 39 and cannot have children. Obviously, I spent a lot of time thinking on this plot. I'm curious: I have decided what I would have done. What would you have done?

And if you don't mind...please keep on writing. :)

I chose your book for my book club because I found it to be such a wonderfully written classic yet modern example of what I taught my students about tragedy as a high school English teacher -- it's all there: harmatia, hubris, catharthis, and redemption. The reader understands each character's downfall and flaw. Your heart breaks for each, even when you disagree with the choices made. Several readers in my book club wanted a "happy" ending -- but I argued that it was a perfect mix of redemption and reconciliation -- much more hopeful and peaceful than Sophocles! I, too, can't wait for your next work. (No pressure! lol)

Were you influenced by Aristotle? Sophocles? Shakespeare? All of the above? Did you intend to pull out threads of classic tragedy?

You have reached "the Tipping Point"- your book evokes chords that the classics have all struck. It is a masterful piece of artwork. Congratulations.

Ms. Stedman,

How much research did you do about war veterans and time spent on the Western Front to develop Tom Sherbourne's character? Did you have any family members who fought in WWI?

Thank you for your time.

I live near Albany and love your descriptions of the countryside around here. I am wondering if you have been to any of the lighthouses in the area and spent a bit of time there, eg Breaksea Island - or talked to / read accounts of past lighthousekeepers in the area.
Loved your novel and its moral dilemmas really moved me. Looking forward to your next book!

In my GR review of your wonderful debut novel, I wrote:

"It will test your ability to empathize when a moral bridge has been crossed. In the end, this novel reminds us not to judge too harshly, unless you have truly walked in another persons shoes. And finally, that forgiveness is easier than revenge or anger".

Can you comment on whether you were writing your story with a message, and if so, what you most hoped to communicate.

I absolutely loved Light Between the Oceans! It was one of my favorite books last year and have highly recommended it to others.

I love forward to reading your next work!

PacaLipstick Gramma aka Toni

First of all congrats on your passionate, human and challenging first novel. Is that true that TLBO will be a movie adaptation? What it is your opinion about the instant deal thats something happens after a book is release specially a talk about one.

So funny how two different mothers could have two different reactions to the story...as the book progressed, I became more aligned with Isabel a I imagined having "my" baby taken away from me after such a bond developed. But I think that is because the story started with Isabel and not Hannah, so perhaps I would have felt differently if the story started from Hannah's perspective.

So excited for the opportunity to join this discussion on Light Between Oceans....my favorite read of the year thus far!! I am a debut author of a novel titled Entrusted that was released in January. I was so impressed because your novel incorporated impeccable writing, moral dilemma and intrigue. Bravo!! Thanks for a great read! I actually sent it to my Mom for Mother’s day and am recommending it to all my reader friends! So my question: Did you know the impact that your writing would have on readers before the novel was released AND how many edit’s did you go through before final manuscript? (Do you write until finish and then edit or do you edit as you go?) Blessings!

Megan wrote: "So funny how two different mothers could have two different reactions to the story...as the book progressed, I became more aligned with Isabel a I imagined having "my" baby taken away from me after..."


Great observation. Why is this more Isabel's story than Hannah's? Writers must make so many decisions.

M.L. ~ Congrats on the success of your book. I have added it to my all-time favorites and, in fact, just recommended it to my sister-in-law to read last weekend! The storyline and characters were so well-developed that I found myself not being able to put down the book. This is highly unusual for me! Again, congrats on such a wonderful book. I look forward to reading your next book and wish you continued success!

Really? It's going to be made into a film? Wonderful news. I can just imagine the cinematography, it would be beautiful!!

Thanks for the info.

My book club is reading your amazing book right now. Who do you see as playing Tom in the movie?

I love historical fiction, and I love the 1920s. Why did you choose this era as the perfect background for the story?

Another question:
I loved the metaphore of the two oceans symbolizing the two mothers both trying to reach Lucy Grace (the lighthouse).
What is your favourite metaphore in the book?

I like the fact that you didn't take side which mother you favour, they both have lost and suffered. Readers can feel both of their grieves. Did you originally have it in mind that whom you'd like the audience to sympathize more?

I favoured Hannah because Isabel, in effect, stole Hannah's baby! Doesn't matter if her intentions were good (which they weren't - they were selfish). When the boat washed up, Grace should have been given back to Hannah. But then of course, that would be the end of the story :)

Many reviews I have read about your book say that the way it was resolved was too sad for some. Yet I thought it was realistic and probably the only way things could turn out. I loved Isabel's roller coaster of emotions and the twists and turns of her decisions. Nothing too predictable. Thank you.

Did you ever have a different outcome planned for Lucy? Did you consider her actually being able to meet Isabel in the end?

Hi M. l.,

I love your book and read it because the title caught my interest. I had no idea it was going to be such an incredible and inspiring, and heartwretching book. I have recommended it to my friends. What inspires you to write?
I am a writer and am curious how you came up with this premise.
Looking forward to your next book.

Good luck with your success and the upcoming movie version of your book. Exciting!
Janice

I love being pulled into a story and trying to imagine what I would do in the same situation. Your story created doubt within me, would I send the baby back? Books like yours are the reason we keep reading, hoping to find a title that forces us to think beyond what we have experienced. What did/do you read, who are some contemporary authors that you enjoy? What was the drive for you, you want to write or you had a story to tell?

Question: Do you have feelings toward your characters or do you write as more of an observer?

I ask this because at different spots in the story, I felt quite hateful toward Isabel. While I certainly felt compassion for the inability for her children to survive, I had a hard time looking past her deep selfishness. My alliance was with Hannah.

It was very sad that Isabel never again saw the child, but to me, that was her penance for her selfishness and for all the angst and emptiness felt by Hannah, believing she had lost both her husband and daughter. Both women's situations did make me cry, however.

I have recommended this magnificent book to many people. I was torn by the emotions of the people who lost the baby as well as the people who found her, including the grandparents, whose hearts would also have been wrenched apart. Did you need long breaks while you were writing it? I read and re-read many of the lovely passages, but I also took long breaks from it because it was such an emotionally draining story.

I really enjoyed this book. Where did the inspiration for the book come from? Also, I was dismayed that the thugs that set the events in motion were never questioned and barely mentioned afterward.
I also was reminded of Bible stories, particularly when two women came before King Solomon each claiming a baby was hers. King Solomon said to cut the baby in half and give each woman a half. The real mother quickly spoke up and said let the other woman have the baby. Did Bible stories play a part in "The Light Between Oceans"?

I enjoyed this book immensely and as a fellow antipodean, so much had a sense of familiarity for me.
Your book posed a deeply emotional and complex dilemma - did you know, from the beginning, how you would resolve it or was the solution played out by the characters? It is a book I treasure not only for the story but for the excellence of the prose.

I found your book quietly powerful and I sided very easily with Isabel. When Lucy arrived it was hard to see how not to do the right thing but the insight into Isabel's head was very convincing and I could have seen doing the same things. This doesn't just happen it is is your writing that moulds the dilemmas/betrayals.
Did you start with the setting, the period or the core story? Which came first?
It would be interesting to know as the story wouldn't fit so easily in modern day for all sorts of obvious reasons...yet to set it not only remotely geographically but even more remotely into a world of where the intensity of the relationships would be tested under any circumstances just adds an underlying tension there because of your keen description of people, place, time and character.

I literally held my breath chapter after chapter....anticipating how certain scenarios would unfold...in the final chapters I was so moved as the events began to show themselves and the moral issues integrated throughout the book... and, yes, I cried. How does an author construct such emotional prose...I know it comes from the heart and the mind (not to mention the talent) but what kind of mind-set does one enter into in order to paint such an emotional picture. (from a wanna-be-writer) Kate

I absolutely loved your book - right or wrong? A very complex moral dilemma, it is difficult to decide which side to take. What a pleasure to read such an exquisitely written book, I will read it again.
Thank you,
Jean

My husband and I read by audiobook in the car. We took extra rides for this one! ... One question remains in our discussion: Do you feel you addressed the town's discrimination against Lucy's German father through the transformation of her grandfather?

I enjoyed this book, it was very evocative and made me question what I would have done if in a similar situation. My question will be, did you start the characters before the plot or vice versa?

M.L.
Loved the book!!!! The themes within the book were great and the ending I did not see coming.

Also meant to say, I found the story extremely traumatic.
Jean