Dear Reader, When I was fourteen, I visited a palm reader with my best friend, Evie. The reader told me that I would have an exciting career, a handful of serious relationships, and one true love. She then predicted that Evie would experience incredible success in business but never marry nor have children. All of those predictions came true. I’ve always wondered why. Are we shaped by the stories we’re told about ourselves, or the ones we recall through the haze of memories? Did that palm reader create a self-fulfilling prophecy, or was her prediction something more? My fascination with psychics, tarot readers, and mediums is the seed that led to writing Some of It Was Real. It’s the story of a psychic-medium named Sylvie, who is on the cusp of great success but unsure of her gifts, and Thomas, a journalist determined to prove she’s a fraud for very personal reasons. They’re first brought together in a game of cat and mouse, but join forces to unearth a deadly secret that may tear their lives apart . . . unless they can discover what’s real. As I immersed myself in the supernatural world, I wanted to discover what I truly believe about psychics, but instead the story evolved into an exploration of identity, trauma, and transcending the past. That’s what happens sometimes— characters take over and then it’s my job to do their journey justice. Sylvie and Thomas’s search for identity, their struggle with imposter syndrome, and finding their raison d’etre is intertwined with my own, as is the case for many authors and their characters. I can’t recall ever feeling comfortable in my own skin. As a kid I skirted every clique, unsure where I belonged. Driven students in college surrounded me, but I was uncertain of my purpose. In my twenties, I went from being a traveling writer for Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus to a ski bum and cocktail
waitress to a position as a senior campaign writer for the University of California, San Francisco. I wrote a middle grade Star Wars trilogy for Lucasfilm and cowrote sport autobiographies for elite athletes like Monica Seles and Apolo Anton Ohno . . . but none of those jobs fit. Like Sylvie and Thomas, I felt pressure to live up to others’ dreams and allowed memories seen through the eyes of a child and false narratives to define me. It wasn’t until I began to write my own fiction that I finally found my place in this world. I’m so honored and grateful that you’ve chosen to read Some of It Was Real and hope that as you discuss it with your friends it leads to fun conversations about your love of animals (there are two incredible pets in this story) and your experiences with psychics, mediums, and tarot card readers. A little secret is that my own dog (Boone) shows up in every novel I write—he’s part of my heart. And I’ve had several interactions with psychics that have made me realize what a strong hand I have in my own destiny! I also hope that Some of It Was Real leads to deeper conversations about how you choose to define yourself based on family pressure and past experiences, even memories that might be misconstrued, and that you share the moments of imposter syndrome that have threatened your dreams, and your ongoing quest to discover your true passion and identity. My wish for every one of you is that you find the path to live authentically and shine bright!
Warmly,
Nan
Discussion Questions 1.
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Sylvie and Thomas both struggle with impostor syndrome—the persistent inability to believe that one’s success is deserved or has been legitimately achieved. Have you ever suffered from impostor syndrome? If so, how did you overcome your fears and embrace your abilities? Early in the novel, Sylvie calls Thomas “Doubting Thomas” because he only believes what he can see, touch, and prove. Do you require proof to believe things, or can you rely on faith? Sylvie has no memories before the age of six until she unlocks her past. What is the earliest memory you have? Have your first memories shaped your perception of who you are in the world? Have you ever visited with a psychic, tarot card reader, or palm reader? What was that experience like, and did you leave with answers or more questions? Where does the tension between Thomas and Sylvie stem from, beyond Thomas’s desire to prove she’s a fraud? At the start of the novel, Sylvie is unsure about her psychic abilities. What was your perception of her gift at the beginning of the story? Did it change by the last chapter?
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Sylvie convinces herself that she’s still a good person because even when she researches audience members, she’s helping them overcome their grief. Do you believe Sylvie’s intentions make her actions ethically good, or did you disapprove because of her ulterior motives? Sylvie discovers a massive lie that changes the way she remembers her upbringing. If you had a happy childhood and learned as an adult that you were told a lie that might change your perception of your life, would you want to know the truth? Or would you choose to preserve your memories at any cost? If you had the chance to sit in Sylvie’s audience and she called on you for the final reading of her show, whom would you want to connect with? Thomas realizes at the end of the novel that believing in Sylvie and her gift is a choice. Do you agree? How has this novel influenced your thoughts on whether or not psychics are legitimate?