Question 2: Has Vanessa's experience renewed your curiousity and search for Nessie? Question 3: Why did you not open up to Vanessa earlier? Question 4: Will you now be open about your experience since you are no longer the only one to encounter Nessie?
I thought if I told Alan and Vanessa, they might have thought I made it up because I knew Vanessa's mother was so interested in the Loch Ness creature. They might think that I was trying to build a bond that was not there yet. i did not want Vanessa to think I was "phony" and trying to win her over.
The reason I kept my experience with Nessie a secret from Alan and Vanessa because I still wasn't convinced myself that it actually happened. I was afraid of the way they would feel about me if I told them the story. I felt more comfortable keeping it to myself because it was so unbelievable. I also felt that if I kept it to myself it would be less real and I wasn't ready to accept that it could actually happen.
Question 1: Why did you keep your experience with Nessie a secret from Alan and Vanessa? I chose to not share my experience with Alan because I was a little nervous about what he would think since so many people are skeptical. I was also didn't share with him because I thought it might be a bit uncomfortable for him to know that I had these experiences when his wife had been searching for Nessie for many years prior to her death. I chose not to share my experience with Vanessa for the same reasons but I was really afraid that since I was dating her father she would think that I was trying to take over where her mother left off.
Question 1: Why did you keep your experience with Nessie a secret from Alan and Vanessa?
I kept my experience with Nessie a secret because I was unsure whether or not it really happened. The whole experience seemed so unbelieveable that I was scared to share it with others. The only person I told about my experience was my aunt and she seemed skeptical of the whole situation. I felt that if I opened up to Alan, he would think I was crazy. I did not want to push him away. I also knew that his wife was interested in Nessie and I did not want to bring up sad memories for him. As for Vanessa, I know what it is like to have lost a parent and felt that she just needed time and space to herself. I knew she would come around in her own time.
Question 1: Why did you keep your experience with Nessie a secret from Alan and Vanessa?
I was already aware that Vanessa had serious reservations about my relationship with Alan. If I came out with a story that fantastical, I think it would have created another barrier between Vanessa and me, simply because she wouldn't have believed me. As for Alan, this experience was in the past and I was trying my best to move onto other things. I didn't see the need to bring it up in a relationship still in its early stages. After all, if I wasn't quite sure myself if I believed it, how could I expect others to?
Question 1: Why did you keep your experience with Nessie a secret from Alan and Vanessa?
My experience with Nessie was an experience that I did not share with many people. As it is, I had trouble admitting to Maggie and to myself what had happened. The experience sounded so unbelievable that I kmew if I had trouble believing that this experience had happened, Vanessa would never believe me and Alan would think I was crazy!
Now that I have told Vanessa, I am happy that I finally did. I think my secret visit with Nessie was revealed when it should have been - when both Vanessa and I were ready. I am still not sure if I will ever tell Alan, it is an experience for Vanessa and I to share.
Question 1: Why did you keep your experience with Nessie a secret from Alan and Vanessa?
I decided to keep my experience about Nessie secret because I had a hard time with the reality of it. It just seemed so far fetched, even more so after I tried explaining it to my aunt. Sometimes I think that if I don't think about something, it doesn't exist, but that can be hard to do when it keeps popping up into my dreams.
I also did not want to push Alan away by having him think that I was crazy; especially with a story like this! I didn't want Alan to think that I was trying to be like Marie, in an attempt to "win him over" even more. I also didn't say anything to Vanessa because I did not want it to appear that I was interested in Loch Ness in a fake effort to bond with Vanessa or with Alan.
Now that my secret's out, I am glad that I can share that magical experience with Vanessa. I think it will bring us closer since it is such an unusual experience that not too many people could understand. This is what prevents me from now telling Alan. I think it is best to leave this between Vanessa and I.
Question 2: Has Vanessa's experience renewed your curiousity and search for Nessie?
I have always been a strong believer of Nessie, even before my experience. After reliving through Vanessa's experience, I am even more a strong believer than I was before. I believe since we both have gone through this, there is no doubt that Nessie is still on my mind.
I don't particulary think that this has "renewed" my curiousity of Nessie becuase I always seem to think of Nessie when I go to Loch Ness. If anything, I do believe she is 100% out there.
Question #2: Has Vanessa's experience renewed your curiousity and search for Nessie?
Nessie will always be a special thought to me, but if anything, Vanessa's experience served as closure for me. For all these years I have been dealing with the experience that I never really felt was real and I wasn't able to get over it. Now that it has happened to someone else, I am able to appreciate the experience and move on. I would rather not discuss my experience with Vanessa any further because I feel that we both had such a magical experience and it would be more meaningful to us as individuals if we kept it to ourselves.
Question 2: Has Vanessa's experience renewed your curiousity and search for Nessie?
I don't need to search for her. Vanessa's experience eliminated any shred of doubt I might have had about my own encounter with Nessie. I do know that Vanessa wonders whether Nessie was able to use the map she left her to find her way home. If Vanessa wants to pursue finding out more information, that is something we can do together. In a way, I think I'm the only one in the world who could help her with that. Who knew that we would share such a mystical experience?
Question 2: Has Vanessa's experience renewed your curiousity and search for Nessie?
Until Vanessa's experience, I never truly believed that what happened when I was younger was true. I went through life wondering about Nessie and for that reason went out on the row boat frequently to look for evidence or clues. I never saw anything on my journies, but Vanessa's experience gave me freedom. The freedom to believe in the truth of my experience with Nessie. In a way, Vanessa freed me from my search for Nessie. Now I know the truth about Nessie and no longer need to search.
Question 2: Has Vanessa's experience renewed your curiosity and search for Nessie?
Now that Vanessa has shared her experience with me, I can validate my own experience with Nessie, despite what others think. I come to the realization that since Vanessa had a similar experience, Nessie must be out there somehwere and I didn't create this subconsciously. I have spent a lot of time out on the Loch looking for any information that would be tangible evidence proving Nessie's existence, but I haven't been very lucky. Vanessa has put my mind at ease in knowing that what I have believed this whole time as true, actually is true.
Question 2: Has Vanessa's experience renewed your curiousity and search for Nessie?
Every time I took the boat out into the Loch I hoped I would catch a glimpse of Nessie again. Vanessa's experience validated what I had hoped was true but would never allow myself to believe until now. My search is over. My questions and doubt have been put to rest.
Question 3: Why did you not open up to Vanessa earlier?
I didn't open up to Vanessa earlier for several reasons. I was afraid she'd think that I was trying to replace her mother since her mother and I had a common interest in Nessie and her father. I also couldn't be sure of my experience until it was confirmed by Vanessa. Perhaps I should have told her that I went missing when I was younger, but I didn't truly believe that what I had thought had happened, did actually happen.
Question #3 Why did you not open up to Vanessa earlier?
The reason that I did not open up to Vanessa earlier is because I knew that she was still grieving over the loss of her mother and she felt that I may be trying to take her place. I know how it feels to have lost my loved ones and how difficult it would be to feel like someone is replacing them. I wanted togive Vanessa her space because I knew she would come around at her own time. I also knew of her interest for Nessie and her mother's interest in Nessie and I didn't want to intrude on that; it was something that kept Vanessa close to her mother and I wanted to keep it that way. Now that Vanessa has had an experience with Nessie like I did, I feel that it is more of an appropriate time to connect with her and share our stories.
Question 3: Why did you not open up to Vanessa earlier?
I decided to keep my distance from Vanessa because I knew how close she was to her mother. I did not want her to feel overwhelmed with me constantly trying to talk with her and "bond." I felt that if I was around a lot and opened up to her, she would feel like I was trying to take the place of her mom. I never wanted her to think or feel in that fashion. Even though I knew we had a connection with our love of Nessie, I knew I needed to wait until she was ready before I could do anything to get closer to her.
Question 3: Why did you not open up to Vanessa earlier? There's probably no position more fraught than being a father's new love interest after the death of his wife (and a child's mother). Given how very close Vanessa was to her mom, I knew the challenges I'd face in getting to know her would be that much harder. Seeing only landmines, I decided to just keep my distance--while keeping fingers crossed. I figured we might find some common ground on which to bond, but I could have never foreseen her encounter with Nessie. I'm happy it all worked out as it did.
Question 3: Why did you not open up to Vanessa earlier?
I did not open up to Vanessa as a new "girlfriend" of any father would most likey not. I knew that her mother passed away not too long ago, so I did not want her to feel overwhelmed that I was going to be "taking" her mother's place. I feel as a teenager, this is how she would feel about me right off the bat. I wanted her to know that I was going to give her space. When she was ready, I was going to let her come and be open with me.
Question 4: Will you now be open about your experience since you are no longer the only one to encounter Nessie?
Since Vanessa and I have both experienced the same situation, I do feel somewhat more free about my experience. I am not exactly to the point where I would right a book about my experience or do anything grand like that, but I do think I am more willing to discuss my experience if the topic arises in conversation. I no longer am worried that people will think I am crazy for my story, but at the same time I don't want to be the one who has to "convince" people that Nessie exists.
Question 4:Will you be open about your experience since you are no longer the only one to encounter Nessie?
Although both Vanessa and I have had this unique encounter with Nessie, I don't think I will be more open about the experience. This is not to say that I would deny my encounter, but I would never intentionally bring it up. I worry that if I publicly talked about my encounter with Nessie I would expose her to the world then who knows what would happen to her! Scientists and Cryptidzoologists would study her and capture her and have her live her life in a lab.
Question 4: Will you now be open about your experience since you are no longer the only one to encounter Nessie?
Although Vanessa and I both had similar experiences in which we both saw Nessie, to open up and be vulnerable to those that are skeptics would not be something I would typically do. With that being said, in all the people in the world, all the people that have searched and believe in Nessie, how many other people have had similar experiences as Vanessa and myself? I have to wonder if I did open up about my experience, would Vanessa and I find others that can shed more light on or add to our experience because they have lived through it as well.
Twelve year old girls have a hard enough time opening up to their own mothers, never mind their father's girlfriend. Being twelve is difficult and I didn't expect Vanessa to open up and I felt that she would always resent me for taking the place of her mother. I never ignored Vanessa, and I would talk with her, we just never had deep conversations.
Now that we have shared this experience I know that Vanessa and I will become closer. I don't expect this to happen overnight but I know it will happen with time.
Question 3: Why did you not open up to Vanessa earlier?
I know that Vanessa and her mother were very close and I felt as though if I told Vanessa about my experience or my searches that she would feel that I was just making this up as a way to bond with her. I don't think that Vanessa would ever feel that I was being truthful; I think a part of her might remain skeptical. Now that I have gained her trust and we share a very special bond, Vanessa and I can be closer than I ever thought possible.
Question 4: Will you now be open about your experience since you are no longer the only one to encounter Nessie?
I don't think so although I can't be certain of how I will feel about this in the future. It's a very rare encounter so I think that I would feel more comfortable if I kept it between myself, Vanessa, and Nessie.
I know that if I did make my experience public knowledge then Nessie might end up in a tank "on display." This would be tragic and I could never do that to her. Nessie bears a deep burden already, with her mother's loss, I would not want to harm her in a anyway.
Question #4 Will you now be open about your experience since you are no longer the only one to encounter Nessie?
The experience I had with Nessie was personal and the same goes for Vanessa. we had individual encounters with Nessie that were meaningful to us. I will not be more open about my experience because I want to keep that chapter of my life closed. Something magical happened to me and i want to keep it as positive as possible. I feel that if I opened up about my experience there would still be those skeptics that criticize and see me differently. I am content knowing what happened and that is good enough for me.
Question 4: Will you now be open about your experience since you are no longer the only one to encounter Nessie?
Seeing as I wasn't even sure what to think about my experience, I can hardly expect others to understand if I were to share it with them. Vanessa might choose to be more open, but I just don't feel the need to have my story scrutinized by the public and the media. That said, there are many parallel experiences that Vanessa and I shared with Nessie, and I can't help but wonder if Nessie touched others' lives as well. If, say, I were to come across a news account of someone who went missing after a boating accident and managed to escape drowning after hours in the ocean, I might reach out to them. Otherwise, I feel my experience was too special--and yes, probably too unbelievable--to share.
It is so interesting that some of our throughts as readers are similar and others are so different. It really shows you that each reader brings to the text their own personal experience to create meaning.
OK- for next week please discuss each question from the point of view of the reader (not the character) Please respond to each other and build off of each other's ideas.
Answering Questions from the readers point of view. I will be away until next Monday, so I am answering all questions now :)
Question 1: Why did you keep your experience with Nessie a secret from Alan and Vanessa? I think Lee kept her secret because she was scared of what they may think of her. She might have felt a feeling of embarrassment because Nessie was never proven to be real. She may not have wanted them to think she was crazy.
Question 2: Has Vanessa's experience renewed your curiosity and search for Nessie? I think when Lee heard about Vanessa's experience she definitely had a feeling of renewal. It probably made her reevaluate what had happened to her and see if they had any similarities about their experiences.
Question 3: Why did you not open up to Vanessa earlier? I think that Lee didn't open up to Vanessa because she didn't want to "invade" her space and take over the role of her mother. I think she was giving Vanessa respect by not forcing a relationship right away.
Question 4: Will you now be open about your experience since you are no longer the only one to encounter Nessie? I think that Lee and Vanessa will keep it to themselves and have it be their little secret. By keeping this a secret between themselves, they are building this bond that they don't have with anyone else. I think this will help them to become closer and build their relationship.
Question 1: Why did you keep your experience with Nessie a secret from Alan and Vanessa?
I suspect Lee kept her experience from Alan and Vanessa because it was more than a little ironic that both she and Alan's late wife had Nessie in common. I suspect she thought she might scare Alan off so early in the relationship and she wouldn't truly get to know Vanessa if all their relationship revolved around was Nessie.
Question 1: Why did you keep your experience with Nessie a secret from Alan and Vanessa? I agree with hilldailey (above). It is exceptional that both Alan's late wife and current girlfriend share an interest in Nessie. As an adult reader, I actually find this a bit improbable. A lot of the book, come to think of it, is a little too tidy as far as coincidences go: Alan's new love interest happens to have a house right near Loch Ness, she happens to have had an encounter with Nessie, and so on. But I do think these plot devices work for the younger readership. I can see YA readers finding this completely believable.
Question #1: Why did you keep your experience with Nessie a secret from Alan and Vanessa?
I think that Lee kept her experience a secret because she wasn't convinced herself that it really happened and she didn't want to jeopardize her relationship with Alan and make things worse with Vanessa by sharing a possibly "unreal" experience. I think if the situation was different and Vanessa's mother was not such a Nessie fanatic, Lee would have been more apt to share her story. She wanted to make Vanessa feel comfortable with her and didn't want her to think she was trying to take the place of her mother. Looking at it from Vanessa's point of view, I would not want to share secret experiences with someone that I was angry with and felt resentment towards.
Question #2: Has Vanessa's experience renewed your curiousity and search for Nessie?
I think that Lee wanted closure and Vanessa's experience gave her closure. For years she was uncertain about her experience with Nessie and this brought her certainty, giving her no reason to renew her curiosity and/or search. I think that deep down she is glad that Vanessa had this experience because she knows it will eventually bring them closer together, which is what she wants, not to keep searching for something that may not even exist.
Vanessa's experience renewed your curiousity and search for Nessie?
I agree with Amelia. I too think that Lee prefers closure from the experience and is ready to move on and do good work with Green Peace, and have a relationship with Alan and his family.
Question #1: Why did you keep your experience with Nessie a secret from Alan and Vanessa?
I agree with Hillary, Amelia, and Jennifer. I feel that Lee kept her experience a secret because she did not want to scare off Alan or Vanessa. I also think that Lee's similiar love of Nessie with Vanessa's mother was something that Vanessa might view as someone trying to take her mother's place. I think that Lee was trying to avoid all controversy and playing it safe.
Question #2: Has Vanessa's experience renewed your curiousity and search for Nessie?
I agree with Hillary and Amelia that Lee is happy to have closure due to Vanessa's experience. She now knows the truth of her experience and can bond with Vanessa (when she is ready). Everything ends happily ever after.
Question #3: Why did you not open up to Vanessa earlier?
Why would Lee try to open up to Vanessa? She understands first hand how difficult it is to lose loved ones and she wasn't going to try to win Vanessa over by sharing her secret or trying to connect with her. Lee was being respectful in giving Vanessa her space to deal with her grief. Vanessa needed to come around in her own time. Also, with Vanessa being really interested in Nessie, i think it was kind of Lee to keep quiet because it gave Vanessa her own individual opportunity to pursue her interest and passion for Nessie.
Question #4 :Will you now be open about your experience since you are no longer the only one to encounter Nessie?
I agree with Lindsay and think that Lee and Vanessa will keep quiet about their encounters with Nessie and hold their own experiences close to their hearts. Eventually this secret they share will open up the doors to building a strong relationship. Sometimes things are better left unsaid and it will be more beneficial in the end for everyone.
I think it would be a good idea for Jean Flitcroft to write a follow-up book to Loch Ness. I would love to know where the characters go from here and what the the relationship between Vanessa and Lee looks like in the future.
I would love to know how the relationship between Lee and Vanessa evolves. The plot was tied up pretty neatly in this book, but I'm sure that a sequel could have these two tackling some sort of mystery together in the future.
Question #3: Why did you not open up to Vanessa earlier? Lee understands what it is like to lose someone and how the healing process works. She knows that if she opens up too quickly, Vanessa would be scared away and therefore reject her even more. Lee knew Vanessa would come around in her own time, as Amelia stated.
Question #4 :Will you now be open about your experience since you are no longer the only one to encounter Nessie?
I couldn't agree more with Amelia and Lindsay. I think the two of them answered this question perfectly. Amelia, I love how you stated that these experiences will open up doors to a stronger relationship.
I also agree with Jennifer and Amelia that a sequel would be very interesting to read. Even if an epilogue is just written and posted on Jean Flitcroft's website.
Jennifer-I would like to see Lee and Vanessa teaming up together to go on some sort of adventure in another book. I could see them becoming famous researchers of other cryptids. There next mystery could be that of bigfoot.
Question 1: Why did you keep your experience with Nessie a secret from Alan and Vanessa?
I agree with Lindsay S. that Lee most likely kept her experience with Nessie a secret because she did not want to be judged by Alan and Vanessa as "trying" too hard.
I also agree with Jennifer that it is very unlikely for both of Alan's love interests to share an interest in Nessie, but maybe I feel that way because of my own personal experiences. Here in the US, I do not know anyone, outside of our class, that has a big interest in Nessie. It's never even come up in casual conversation with friends and family. However, if I lived in Scotland, where Loch Ness is, I'm sure many people may have an interest in Nessie; it's just a part of their culture.
Question #2: Has Vanessa's experience renewed your curiousity and search for Nessie?
I agree with Hillary and Amelia that Lee is happy to have closure of her experience with Nessie. I think that with Vanessa telling Lee what happened to her, Lee can now validate her own experience and move forward now that she has the validation that it DID happen.
Question #3: Why did you not open up to Vanessa earlier?
Amelia, I like how you stated, " With Vanessa being really interested in Nessie, I think it was kind of Lee to keep quiet because it gave Vanessa her own individual opportunity to pursue her interest and passion for Nessie."
With Lee giving Vanessa her own space, Vanessa had the opportunity to purser her interest for Nessie without anyone's input, advice, or judgement. Many times children are hindered because of the judgements of adults on whether something is real or not. Vanessa was allowed the freedom to experience Nessie on her own and as a result, she was able to from her own opinions.
Question #4 :Will you now be open about your experience since you are no longer the only one to encounter Nessie?
I feel that both Vanessa and Lee will keep their experience with Nessie a secret. By doing so, this will build a special bond between the two of them, just like Lindsay S. previously stated.
I think an epilogue would be interesting to read in order for the reader to find out what happens next with Lee and Vanessa's relationship.
Question 3: Why did you not open up to Vanessa earlier?
I continue to think that Lee didn't open up to Vanessa because there were too many similarities between she and Vanessa's mother. Too many coincidences.
Question 4: Will you now be open about your experience since you are no longer the only one to encounter Nessie?
There would be no reason for Lee to continue digging for information on Nessie. I also think that it could possibly question her credibility on her work with Green Peace due to the scepticism surrounding Nessie.
I too think a sequel would be interesting. Perhaps Vanessa and Lee working together for Green Peace.
As many of you said Lee entirely suppressed and submerged her experience with Nessie as a child and relegated the memories to a place in her dreams. While she did paintings of Nessie, she also allowed herself to forget that it really happened as she grew up, because it was too strange. There was no possibility that she would have told Alan and it was not until Vanessa experienced it as well and challenged Lee to remember the truth that she was forced to face it herself and finally believe it. The fact that they do it together (even though the experiences are decades apart) validates the experience for each other and I think strengthens the readers belief in it.
When I ask groups of children at readings who their favorite character is, I confess I am surprised at how many pick Lee (probably 1 in 4/5). It surprises me because Lee is an adult in the story and therefore I imagine not as as easily identified with. But most say that they like the way she is so kind to Vanessa, by not trying to make her a friend straight away, by understanding how she feels because her mum died too. These are ten to twelve year olds and really quite sophisticated in their thinking I believe.
I am very glad to think that you would like to imagine further adventures and Vanessa's attic is full of cryptid files of course. I have recenly already finished second book. It's set in Mexico and the cryptid is the Chupracabra. Vanessa goes with her friend Grace to her aunt's ranch in Mexico. Lee is in the story and helps her at a distance, but doesn't go to the ranch. It's been great fun researching the chupracabra and exploring the cultural significance of its blood sucking nature with the Nahual people who date back to the Aztecs. Similarly the Kelpie or water horse myth is a very important aspect of the Scottish culture and resonates with the story of Nessie.
Question 1: Why did you keep your experience with Nessie a secret from Alan and Vanessa?
ReplyDeleteQuestion 2: Has Vanessa's experience renewed your curiousity and search for Nessie?
ReplyDeleteQuestion 3: Why did you not open up to Vanessa earlier?
Question 4: Will you now be open about your experience since you are no longer the only one to encounter Nessie?
I thought if I told Alan and Vanessa, they might have thought I made it up because I knew Vanessa's mother was so interested in the Loch Ness creature. They might think that I was trying to build a bond that was not there yet. i did not want Vanessa to think I was "phony" and trying to win her over.
ReplyDeleteThe reason I kept my experience with Nessie a secret from Alan and Vanessa because I still wasn't convinced myself that it actually happened. I was afraid of the way they would feel about me if I told them the story. I felt more comfortable keeping it to myself because it was so unbelievable. I also felt that if I kept it to myself it would be less real and I wasn't ready to accept that it could actually happen.
ReplyDeleteQuestion 1: Why did you keep your experience with Nessie a secret from Alan and Vanessa?
ReplyDeleteI chose to not share my experience with Alan because I was a little nervous about what he would think since so many people are skeptical. I was also didn't share with him because I thought it might be a bit uncomfortable for him to know that I had these experiences when his wife had been searching for Nessie for many years prior to her death. I chose not to share my experience with Vanessa for the same reasons but I was really afraid that since I was dating her father she would think that I was trying to take over where her mother left off.
Question 1: Why did you keep your experience with Nessie a secret from Alan and Vanessa?
ReplyDeleteI kept my experience with Nessie a secret because I was unsure whether or not it really happened. The whole experience seemed so unbelieveable that I was scared to share it with others. The only person I told about my experience was my aunt and she seemed skeptical of the whole situation. I felt that if I opened up to Alan, he would think I was crazy. I did not want to push him away. I also knew that his wife was interested in Nessie and I did not want to bring up sad memories for him. As for Vanessa, I know what it is like to have lost a parent and felt that she just needed time and space to herself. I knew she would come around in her own time.
Question 1: Why did you keep your experience with Nessie a secret from Alan and Vanessa?
ReplyDeleteI was already aware that Vanessa had serious reservations about my relationship with Alan. If I came out with a story that fantastical, I think it would have created another barrier between Vanessa and me, simply because she wouldn't have believed me. As for Alan, this experience was in the past and I was trying my best to move onto other things. I didn't see the need to bring it up in a relationship still in its early stages. After all, if I wasn't quite sure myself if I believed it, how could I expect others to?
Question 1: Why did you keep your experience with Nessie a secret from Alan and Vanessa?
ReplyDeleteMy experience with Nessie was an experience that I did not share with many people. As it is, I had trouble admitting to Maggie and to myself what had happened. The experience sounded so unbelievable that I kmew if I had trouble believing that this experience had happened, Vanessa would never believe me and Alan would think I was crazy!
Now that I have told Vanessa, I am happy that I finally did. I think my secret visit with Nessie was revealed when it should have been - when both Vanessa and I were ready. I am still not sure if I will ever tell Alan, it is an experience for Vanessa and I to share.
Question 1: Why did you keep your experience with Nessie a secret from Alan and Vanessa?
ReplyDeleteI decided to keep my experience about Nessie secret because I had a hard time with the reality of it. It just seemed so far fetched, even more so after I tried explaining it to my aunt. Sometimes I think that if I don't think about something, it doesn't exist, but that can be hard to do when it keeps popping up into my dreams.
I also did not want to push Alan away by having him think that I was crazy; especially with a story like this! I didn't want Alan to think that I was trying to be like Marie, in an attempt to "win him over" even more.
I also didn't say anything to Vanessa because I did not want it to appear that I was interested in Loch Ness in a fake effort to bond with Vanessa or with Alan.
Now that my secret's out, I am glad that I can share that magical experience with Vanessa. I think it will bring us closer since it is such an unusual experience that not too many people could understand. This is what prevents me from now telling Alan. I think it is best to leave this between Vanessa and I.
Question 2: Has Vanessa's experience renewed your curiousity and search for Nessie?
ReplyDeleteI have always been a strong believer of Nessie, even before my experience. After reliving through Vanessa's experience, I am even more a strong believer than I was before. I believe since we both have gone through this, there is no doubt that Nessie is still on my mind.
I don't particulary think that this has "renewed" my curiousity of Nessie becuase I always seem to think of Nessie when I go to Loch Ness. If anything, I do believe she is 100% out there.
Question #2: Has Vanessa's experience renewed your curiousity and search for Nessie?
ReplyDeleteNessie will always be a special thought to me, but if anything, Vanessa's experience served as closure for me. For all these years I have been dealing with the experience that I never really felt was real and I wasn't able to get over it. Now that it has happened to someone else, I am able to appreciate the experience and move on. I would rather not discuss my experience with Vanessa any further because I feel that we both had such a magical experience and it would be more meaningful to us as individuals if we kept it to ourselves.
Question 2: Has Vanessa's experience renewed your curiousity and search for Nessie?
ReplyDeleteI don't need to search for her. Vanessa's experience eliminated any shred of doubt I might have had about my own encounter with Nessie. I do know that Vanessa wonders whether Nessie was able to use the map she left her to find her way home. If Vanessa wants to pursue finding out more information, that is something we can do together. In a way, I think I'm the only one in the world who could help her with that. Who knew that we would share such a mystical experience?
Question 2: Has Vanessa's experience renewed your curiousity and search for Nessie?
ReplyDeleteUntil Vanessa's experience, I never truly believed that what happened when I was younger was true. I went through life wondering about Nessie and for that reason went out on the row boat frequently to look for evidence or clues. I never saw anything on my journies, but Vanessa's experience gave me freedom. The freedom to believe in the truth of my experience with Nessie. In a way, Vanessa freed me from my search for Nessie. Now I know the truth about Nessie and no longer need to search.
Question 2: Has Vanessa's experience renewed your curiosity and search for Nessie?
ReplyDeleteNow that Vanessa has shared her experience with me, I can validate my own experience with Nessie, despite what others think. I come to the realization that since Vanessa had a similar experience, Nessie must be out there somehwere and I didn't create this subconsciously. I have spent a lot of time out on the Loch looking for any information that would be tangible evidence proving Nessie's existence, but I haven't been very lucky.
Vanessa has put my mind at ease in knowing that what I have believed this whole time as true, actually is true.
Now that I can be at peace with knowing that my experience was real, I do not feel the need to search for Nessie.
ReplyDeleteQuestion 2: Has Vanessa's experience renewed your curiousity and search for Nessie?
ReplyDeleteEvery time I took the boat out into the Loch I hoped I would catch a glimpse of Nessie again. Vanessa's experience validated what I had hoped was true but would never allow myself to believe until now. My search is over. My questions and doubt have been put to rest.
Question 3: Why did you not open up to Vanessa earlier?
ReplyDeleteI didn't open up to Vanessa earlier for several reasons. I was afraid she'd think that I was trying to replace her mother since her mother and I had a common interest in Nessie and her father. I also couldn't be sure of my experience until it was confirmed by Vanessa. Perhaps I should have told her that I went missing when I was younger, but I didn't truly believe that what I had thought had happened, did actually happen.
Question #3 Why did you not open up to Vanessa earlier?
ReplyDeleteThe reason that I did not open up to Vanessa earlier is because I knew that she was still grieving over the loss of her mother and she felt that I may be trying to take her place. I know how it feels to have lost my loved ones and how difficult it would be to feel like someone is replacing them. I wanted togive Vanessa her space because I knew she would come around at her own time. I also knew of her interest for Nessie and her mother's interest in Nessie and I didn't want to intrude on that; it was something that kept Vanessa close to her mother and I wanted to keep it that way. Now that Vanessa has had an experience with Nessie like I did, I feel that it is more of an appropriate time to connect with her and share our stories.
Question 3: Why did you not open up to Vanessa earlier?
ReplyDeleteI decided to keep my distance from Vanessa because I knew how close she was to her mother. I did not want her to feel overwhelmed with me constantly trying to talk with her and "bond." I felt that if I was around a lot and opened up to her, she would feel like I was trying to take the place of her mom. I never wanted her to think or feel in that fashion. Even though I knew we had a connection with our love of Nessie, I knew I needed to wait until she was ready before I could do anything to get closer to her.
Question 3: Why did you not open up to Vanessa earlier?
ReplyDeleteThere's probably no position more fraught than being a father's new love interest after the death of his wife (and a child's mother). Given how very close Vanessa was to her mom, I knew the challenges I'd face in getting to know her would be that much harder. Seeing only landmines, I decided to just keep my distance--while keeping fingers crossed. I figured we might find some common ground on which to bond, but I could have never foreseen her encounter with Nessie. I'm happy it all worked out as it did.
Question 3: Why did you not open up to Vanessa earlier?
ReplyDeleteI did not open up to Vanessa as a new "girlfriend" of any father would most likey not. I knew that her mother passed away not too long ago, so I did not want her to feel overwhelmed that I was going to be "taking" her mother's place. I feel as a teenager, this is how she would feel about me right off the bat. I wanted her to know that I was going to give her space. When she was ready, I was going to let her come and be open with me.
Question 4: Will you now be open about your experience since you are no longer the only one to encounter Nessie?
ReplyDeleteSince Vanessa and I have both experienced the same situation, I do feel somewhat more free about my experience. I am not exactly to the point where I would right a book about my experience or do anything grand like that, but I do think I am more willing to discuss my experience if the topic arises in conversation. I no longer am worried that people will think I am crazy for my story, but at the same time I don't want to be the one who has to "convince" people that Nessie exists.
Question 4:Will you be open about your experience since you are no longer the only one to encounter Nessie?
ReplyDeleteAlthough both Vanessa and I have had this unique encounter with Nessie, I don't think I will be more open about the experience. This is not to say that I would deny my encounter, but I would never intentionally bring it up. I worry that if I publicly talked about my encounter with Nessie I would expose her to the world then who knows what would happen to her! Scientists and Cryptidzoologists would study her and capture her and have her live her life in a lab.
Question 4: Will you now be open about your experience since you are no longer the only one to encounter Nessie?
ReplyDeleteAlthough Vanessa and I both had similar experiences in which we both saw Nessie, to open up and be vulnerable to those that are skeptics would not be something I would typically do. With that being said, in all the people in the world, all the people that have searched and believe in Nessie, how many other people have had similar experiences as Vanessa and myself? I have to wonder if I did open up about my experience, would Vanessa and I find others that can shed more light on or add to our experience because they have lived through it as well.
Why did you not open up to Vanessa earlier?
ReplyDeleteTwelve year old girls have a hard enough time opening up to their own mothers, never mind their father's girlfriend. Being twelve is difficult and I didn't expect Vanessa to open up and I felt that she would always resent me for taking the place of her mother. I never ignored Vanessa, and I would talk with her, we just never had deep conversations.
Now that we have shared this experience I know that Vanessa and I will become closer. I don't expect this to happen overnight but I know it will happen with time.
Question 3: Why did you not open up to Vanessa earlier?
ReplyDeleteI know that Vanessa and her mother were very close and I felt as though if I told Vanessa about my experience or my searches that she would feel that I was just making this up as a way to bond with her. I don't think that Vanessa would ever feel that I was being truthful; I think a part of her might remain skeptical.
Now that I have gained her trust and we share a very special bond, Vanessa and I can be closer than I ever thought possible.
Question 4: Will you now be open about your experience since you are no longer the only one to encounter Nessie?
ReplyDeleteI don't think so although I can't be certain of how I will feel about this in the future. It's a very rare encounter so I think that I would feel more comfortable if I kept it between myself, Vanessa, and Nessie.
I know that if I did make my experience public knowledge then Nessie might end up in a tank "on display." This would be tragic and I could never do that to her. Nessie bears a deep burden already, with her mother's loss, I would not want to harm her in a anyway.
Question #4 Will you now be open about your experience since you are no longer the only one to encounter Nessie?
ReplyDeleteThe experience I had with Nessie was personal and the same goes for Vanessa. we had individual encounters with Nessie that were meaningful to us. I will not be more open about my experience because I want to keep that chapter of my life closed. Something magical happened to me and i want to keep it as positive as possible. I feel that if I opened up about my experience there would still be those skeptics that criticize and see me differently. I am content knowing what happened and that is good enough for me.
Question 4: Will you now be open about your experience since you are no longer the only one to encounter Nessie?
ReplyDeleteSeeing as I wasn't even sure what to think about my experience, I can hardly expect others to understand if I were to share it with them. Vanessa might choose to be more open, but I just don't feel the need to have my story scrutinized by the public and the media. That said, there are many parallel experiences that Vanessa and I shared with Nessie, and I can't help but wonder if Nessie touched others' lives as well. If, say, I were to come across a news account of someone who went missing after a boating accident and managed to escape drowning after hours in the ocean, I might reach out to them. Otherwise, I feel my experience was too special--and yes, probably too unbelievable--to share.
It is so interesting that some of our throughts as readers are similar and others are so different. It really shows you that each reader brings to the text their own personal experience to create meaning.
ReplyDeletewonderful observation about how we construct ideas when we read!
ReplyDeleteOK- for next week please discuss each question from the point of view of the reader (not the character) Please respond to each other and build off of each other's ideas.
ReplyDeleteAnswering Questions from the readers point of view. I will be away until next Monday, so I am answering all questions now :)
ReplyDeleteQuestion 1: Why did you keep your experience with Nessie a secret from Alan and Vanessa?
I think Lee kept her secret because she was scared of what they may think of her. She might have felt a feeling of embarrassment because Nessie was never proven to be real. She may not have wanted them to think she was crazy.
Question 2: Has Vanessa's experience renewed your curiosity and search for Nessie?
I think when Lee heard about Vanessa's experience she definitely had a feeling of renewal. It probably made her reevaluate what had happened to her and see if they had any similarities about their experiences.
Question 3: Why did you not open up to Vanessa earlier?
I think that Lee didn't open up to Vanessa because she didn't want to "invade" her space and take over the role of her mother. I think she was giving Vanessa respect by not forcing a relationship right away.
Question 4: Will you now be open about your experience since you are no longer the only one to encounter Nessie?
I think that Lee and Vanessa will keep it to themselves and have it be their little secret. By keeping this a secret between themselves, they are building this bond that they don't have with anyone else. I think this will help them to become closer and build their relationship.
Question 1: Why did you keep your experience with Nessie a secret from Alan and Vanessa?
ReplyDeleteI suspect Lee kept her experience from Alan and Vanessa because it was more than a little ironic that both she and Alan's late wife had Nessie in common. I suspect she thought she might scare Alan off so early in the relationship and she wouldn't truly get to know Vanessa if all their relationship revolved around was Nessie.
Question 1: Why did you keep your experience with Nessie a secret from Alan and Vanessa?
ReplyDeleteI agree with hilldailey (above). It is exceptional that both Alan's late wife and current girlfriend share an interest in Nessie. As an adult reader, I actually find this a bit improbable. A lot of the book, come to think of it, is a little too tidy as far as coincidences go: Alan's new love interest happens to have a house right near Loch Ness, she happens to have had an encounter with Nessie, and so on. But I do think these plot devices work for the younger readership. I can see YA readers finding this completely believable.
Question #1: Why did you keep your experience with Nessie a secret from Alan and Vanessa?
ReplyDeleteI think that Lee kept her experience a secret because she wasn't convinced herself that it really happened and she didn't want to jeopardize her relationship with Alan and make things worse with Vanessa by sharing a possibly "unreal" experience. I think if the situation was different and Vanessa's mother was not such a Nessie fanatic, Lee would have been more apt to share her story. She wanted to make Vanessa feel comfortable with her and didn't want her to think she was trying to take the place of her mother. Looking at it from Vanessa's point of view, I would not want to share secret experiences with someone that I was angry with and felt resentment towards.
Question #2: Has Vanessa's experience renewed your curiousity and search for Nessie?
ReplyDeleteI think that Lee wanted closure and Vanessa's experience gave her closure. For years she was uncertain about her experience with Nessie and this brought her certainty, giving her no reason to renew her curiosity and/or search. I think that deep down she is glad that Vanessa had this experience because she knows it will eventually bring them closer together, which is what she wants, not to keep searching for something that may not even exist.
Vanessa's experience renewed your curiousity and search for Nessie?
ReplyDeleteI agree with Amelia. I too think that Lee prefers closure from the experience and is ready to move on and do good work with Green Peace, and have a relationship with Alan and his family.
Question #1: Why did you keep your experience with Nessie a secret from Alan and Vanessa?
ReplyDeleteI agree with Hillary, Amelia, and Jennifer. I feel that Lee kept her experience a secret because she did not want to scare off Alan or Vanessa. I also think that Lee's similiar love of Nessie with Vanessa's mother was something that Vanessa might view as someone trying to take her mother's place. I think that Lee was trying to avoid all controversy and playing it safe.
Question #2: Has Vanessa's experience renewed your curiousity and search for Nessie?
ReplyDeleteI agree with Hillary and Amelia that Lee is happy to have closure due to Vanessa's experience. She now knows the truth of her experience and can bond with Vanessa (when she is ready). Everything ends happily ever after.
Question #3: Why did you not open up to Vanessa earlier?
ReplyDeleteWhy would Lee try to open up to Vanessa? She understands first hand how difficult it is to lose loved ones and she wasn't going to try to win Vanessa over by sharing her secret or trying to connect with her. Lee was being respectful in giving Vanessa her space to deal with her grief. Vanessa needed to come around in her own time. Also, with Vanessa being really interested in Nessie, i think it was kind of Lee to keep quiet because it gave Vanessa her own individual opportunity to pursue her interest and passion for Nessie.
Question #4 :Will you now be open about your experience since you are no longer the only one to encounter Nessie?
ReplyDeleteI agree with Lindsay and think that Lee and Vanessa will keep quiet about their encounters with Nessie and hold their own experiences close to their hearts. Eventually this secret they share will open up the doors to building a strong relationship. Sometimes things are better left unsaid and it will be more beneficial in the end for everyone.
I think it would be a good idea for Jean Flitcroft to write a follow-up book to Loch Ness. I would love to know where the characters go from here and what the the relationship between Vanessa and Lee looks like in the future.
ReplyDeleteI would love to know how the relationship between Lee and Vanessa evolves. The plot was tied up pretty neatly in this book, but I'm sure that a sequel could have these two tackling some sort of mystery together in the future.
ReplyDeleteQuestion #3: Why did you not open up to Vanessa earlier?
ReplyDeleteLee understands what it is like to lose someone and how the healing process works. She knows that if she opens up too quickly, Vanessa would be scared away and therefore reject her even more. Lee knew Vanessa would come around in her own time, as Amelia stated.
Question #4 :Will you now be open about your experience since you are no longer the only one to encounter Nessie?
I couldn't agree more with Amelia and Lindsay. I think the two of them answered this question perfectly. Amelia, I love how you stated that these experiences will open up doors to a stronger relationship.
I also agree with Jennifer and Amelia that a sequel would be very interesting to read. Even if an epilogue is just written and posted on Jean Flitcroft's website.
Jennifer-I would like to see Lee and Vanessa teaming up together to go on some sort of adventure in another book. I could see them becoming famous researchers of other cryptids. There next mystery could be that of bigfoot.
ReplyDeleteQuestion 1: Why did you keep your experience with Nessie a secret from Alan and Vanessa?
ReplyDeleteI agree with Lindsay S. that Lee most likely kept her experience with Nessie a secret because she did not want to be judged by Alan and Vanessa as "trying" too hard.
I also agree with Jennifer that it is very unlikely for both of Alan's love interests to share an interest in Nessie, but maybe I feel that way because of my own personal experiences. Here in the US, I do not know anyone, outside of our class, that has a big interest in Nessie. It's never even come up in casual conversation with friends and family. However, if I lived in Scotland, where Loch Ness is, I'm sure many people may have an interest in Nessie; it's just a part of their culture.
Question #2: Has Vanessa's experience renewed your curiousity and search for Nessie?
ReplyDeleteI agree with Hillary and Amelia that Lee is happy to have closure of her experience with Nessie. I think that with Vanessa telling Lee what happened to her, Lee can now validate her own experience and move forward now that she has the validation that it DID happen.
Question #3: Why did you not open up to Vanessa earlier?
ReplyDeleteAmelia, I like how you stated, " With Vanessa being really interested in Nessie, I think it was kind of Lee to keep quiet because it gave Vanessa her own individual opportunity to pursue her interest and passion for Nessie."
With Lee giving Vanessa her own space, Vanessa had the opportunity to purser her interest for Nessie without anyone's input, advice, or judgement. Many times children are hindered because of the judgements of adults on whether something is real or not. Vanessa was allowed the freedom to experience Nessie on her own and as a result, she was able to from her own opinions.
Question #4 :Will you now be open about your experience since you are no longer the only one to encounter Nessie?
ReplyDeleteI feel that both Vanessa and Lee will keep their experience with Nessie a secret. By doing so, this will build a special bond between the two of them, just like Lindsay S. previously stated.
I think an epilogue would be interesting to read in order for the reader to find out what happens next with Lee and Vanessa's relationship.
Question 3: Why did you not open up to Vanessa earlier?
ReplyDeleteI continue to think that Lee didn't open up to Vanessa because there were too many similarities between she and Vanessa's mother. Too many coincidences.
Question 4: Will you now be open about your experience since you are no longer the only one to encounter Nessie?
There would be no reason for Lee to continue digging for information on Nessie. I also think that it could possibly question her credibility on her work with Green Peace due to the scepticism surrounding Nessie.
I too think a sequel would be interesting. Perhaps Vanessa and Lee working together for Green Peace.
As many of you said Lee entirely suppressed and submerged her experience with Nessie as a child and relegated the memories to a place in her dreams. While she did paintings of Nessie, she also allowed herself to forget that it really happened as she grew up, because it was too strange. There was no possibility that she would have told Alan and it was not until Vanessa experienced it as well and challenged Lee to remember the truth that she was forced to face it herself and finally believe it. The fact that they do it together (even though the experiences are decades apart) validates the experience for each other and I think strengthens the readers belief in it.
ReplyDeleteWhen I ask groups of children at readings who their favorite character is, I confess I am surprised at how many pick Lee (probably 1 in 4/5). It surprises me because Lee is an adult in the story and therefore I imagine not as as easily identified with. But most say that they like the way she is so kind to Vanessa, by not trying to make her a friend straight away, by understanding how she feels because her mum died too. These are ten to twelve year olds and really quite sophisticated in their thinking I believe.
ReplyDeleteI am very glad to think that you would like to imagine further adventures and Vanessa's attic is full of cryptid files of course. I have recenly already finished second book. It's set in Mexico and the cryptid is the Chupracabra. Vanessa goes with her friend Grace to her aunt's ranch in Mexico. Lee is in the story and helps her at a distance, but doesn't go to the ranch. It's been great fun researching the chupracabra and exploring the cultural significance of its blood sucking nature with the Nahual people who date back to the Aztecs. Similarly the Kelpie or water horse myth is a very important aspect of the Scottish culture and resonates with the story of Nessie.
ReplyDelete