Kennedy's Novel: The Creative Process and Inspirations
Every great work of fiction begins with a spark of inspiration and a series of deliberate creative choices. For Kennedy, the journey of writing her novel began in 2010 at a writer's retreat, where she penned the first thirty pages of a story that would eventually challenge societal perceptions of intellectual disability.
The Inspiration Behind the Protagonist
Creating a character with an intellectual disability—a condition characterized by significant limitations in both intellectual functioning and adaptive behavior—presented an initial ethical and creative dilemma for Kennedy. As someone who is not intellectually disabled, she questioned her ability to authentically represent such an experience.
Her resolve grew after discovering that Mark Haddon, the author of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, successfully wrote from the perspective of an autistic boy despite not being autistic himself. This realization encouraged Kennedy to move forward with her protagonist, Denny.
To ensure authenticity, Kennedy drew influence from a relative who is intellectually disabled. Her primary goal was to challenge the harmful stereotype that individuals with intellectual disabilities merely drain societal resources without contributing anything of value.
Setting and Character Details
Although Kennedy is Canadian, she made the strategic decision to set the novel in Minnesota. This choice was driven by her desire to incorporate the specific context of gun violence in the United States into the narrative.
The details of the characters' companions also evolved during the writing process. Denny's dog, George, was originally envisioned as a Newfoundland dog, a breed Kennedy's family had adopted for thirty years. However, after her family adopted a deafblind St. Bernard, she changed George's breed to reflect this new experience.
From a technical standpoint, this novel marks a significant milestone in Kennedy's career as the first book she has written using a first-person narrative, allowing the reader to experience the story directly through the protagonist's eyes.
Key Facts
- Start Date: The first thirty pages were written in 2010 at a writer's retreat.
- Literary Influence: Mark Haddon's approach to writing about autism inspired Kennedy's approach to intellectual disability.
- Setting: Situated in Minnesota to address the theme of U.S. gun violence.
- Narrative Style: The author's first use of first-person perspective.
- Character Detail: George the dog was changed from a Newfoundland to a St. Bernard.
| Element | Detail |
|---|---|
| Protagonist | Denny (Intellectually disabled) |
| Setting | Minnesota, USA |
| Narrative Voice | First-person |
| Primary Theme | Challenging stereotypes of intellectual disability |
Frequently Asked Questions
What inspired Kennedy to write about an intellectually disabled character?
Kennedy was inspired by a relative who is intellectually disabled and was encouraged by Mark Haddon's ability to write The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time without being autistic himself.
Why is the novel set in Minnesota instead of Canada?
Despite being Canadian, Kennedy chose Minnesota to reflect the realities of gun violence in the United States.
What is the significance of Denny's dog, George?
George's breed was changed from a Newfoundland to a St. Bernard after Kennedy's family adopted a deafblind dog of that breed.
How does this novel differ from Kennedy's previous works?
This is the first book that Kennedy has written using a first-person point of view.
What societal stereotype did Kennedy aim to challenge?
She wanted to combat the idea that people with intellectual disabilities are only a drain on resources and have nothing to contribute to society.