"Writing Pain, Writing Loss: Qualities of a Healing Narrative"
These 32 pages of manuscript writings of Louise DeSalvo, comprise the table of contents to her book, <em>Writing as a Way of Healing</em>, and chapter 4, "Writing Pain, Writing Loss..." in which her correspondence with Robert Cormier is referenced, and for which she sought and received his permission to include. The first few pages feature prominently her interactions with Cormier and his own acknowledgment that writing did seem therapeutic when he wrote his first novel <em>Now and at the Hour</em> near the time of his father's death. She also discusses her creative writing students and characterizes what is a healing narrative after explicating the work of thinkers including Elaine Scarry and Sigmund Freud.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Louise+DeSalvo">Louise DeSalvo</a>
<a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=AogZ_MlbSnYC&pg=PA47&lpg=PA47&dq=writing+pain,+writing+loss&source=bl&ots=7QEk15Rjr7&sig=PxmtT6BLVDLsNjsOnR2e0ZicmxA&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiv64Gs8Y7NAhXFPCYKHdLXD-sQ6AEINzAH#v=onepage&q=writing%20pain%2C%20writing%20loss&f=false">Writing as a Way of Healing</a>
Robert Cormier Collection at Fitchburg State University's Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library
Elise Takehana, Anna Consalvo
<p><a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/51" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Louise DeSalvo's letter to Robert Cormier</a></p>
<p><a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/52" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Robert Cormier's Response to Louise DeSalvo</a></p>
JPG, 8.5 x 11 paper
English
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Book+chapter+typescript">Book chapter typescript</a>
Brooke Hausman and Carly Meltzer's letter to Robert Cormier
Two seventh-grade girls wrote to Robert Cormier expressing admiration for his work, and some of their early confusion in reading his works, <em>In the Middle of the Night</em>, and<em> We All Fall Down</em>, especially his use of non-chronological narrative structure. They also ask questions that attempt to connect their observations of his writing with his personal life.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Brooke+Hausman+and+Carly+Meltzer">Brooke Hausman and Carly Meltzer</a>
Robert Cormier Collection at Fitchburg State University's Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library
10 March 1998
Elise Takehana, Anna Consalvo
<a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/61" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Robert Cormier's response to Brooke Hausman and Carly Meltzer</a>
JPG, 8.5 x 11 paper
English
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Letter">Letter</a>
Interview on <em>After the First Death</em>
Three pages of typed, and in places, typed-over, text appears to be Robert Cormier constructing interview responses and possibly even questions to which to reply about his audience, topic, research, and writing processes for <em>After the First Death</em>. He sympathizes with adolescents as he viewed that phase of life as "lacerating" and challenging. He shares how he conducted what research he could on a terroristic act and he explains how his characters unfold themselves to him through diligence and his telling of their truths.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Robert+Cormier">Robert Cormier</a>
Robert Cormier Collection at Fitchburg State University's Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library
Elise Takehana, Anna Consalvo
JPG, 8.5 x 11 onion skin paper
English
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Interview+typescript">Interview typescript</a>
Jared Turgeon's letter to Robert Cormier
In this one-page word-processed letter by Jared Turgeon's to Robert Cormier dated 18 October 2000, he asks Cormier about his use of "symbol titles." He references specifically <em>Tunes for Bears to Dance To</em>. Then, he shares that he did something similar when writing fiction based on a tough experience he had had in sixth grade. It's not clear what grade Jared is in, though he does mention his classmates.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Jared+Turgeon">Jared Turgeon</a>
Robert Cormier Collection at Fitchburg State University's Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library
18 October 2000
Elise Takehana, Anna Consalvo
JPG, 8.5 x 11 paper
English
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Letter">Letter</a>
Khaled Khalaf's letter to Robert Cormier
High school freshman, Khaled Khalaf wrote this handwritten, undated, two-page letter to Robert Cormier from Houston, Texas. He writes that he has read <em>Tunes for Bears to Dance To</em>, and found it enthralling as it took him "to another world." He asked Cormier about his day-to-day writing habits and said he planned to next read <em>The Chocolate War</em>.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Khaled+Khalaf">Khaled Khalaf</a>
Robert Cormier Collection at Fitchburg State University's Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library
Elise Takehana, Anna Consalvo
<a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/84" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Robert Cormier's response to Khaled Khalaf</a>
JPG, 8.5 x 11 paper
English
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Letter">Letter</a>
Robert Cormier's reply to Betsy Larsen
Robert Cormier's letter to Betsy Larsen, answered only three weeks after her letter was written, thanks her for writing. In it, he explains one detail she picked up on: the fallen hammer in <em>Tunes for Bears to Dance To</em>. He gives her a glimpse into his writing life sharing that he started writing poems when he was 12.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Robert+Cormier">Robert Cormier</a>
Robert Cormier Collection at Fitchburg State University's Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library
26 January 1996
Elise Takehana, Anna Consalvo
<a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/59" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Betsy Larsen's letter to Robert Cormier</a>
JPG, 8.5 x 11 paper
English
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Letter">Letter</a>
Robert Cormier's response to Alyssa
Robert Cormier wrote a rather long, two-page letter in response to Alyssa O'Brien's letter to him. He encouraged her in her quest to be a writer and mentioned that he found her writing to be very clear. He was touched that she had read so many of his books, unusual for someone so young.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Robert+Cormier">Robert Cormier</a>
Robert Cormier Collection at Fitchburg State University's Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library
13 May 1985
Elise Takehana, Anna Consalvo
<a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/98" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Alyssa O'Brien's letter to Robert Cormier</a>
JPG, 8.5 x 11 onion skin paper
English
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Letter">Letter</a>
Robert Cormier's response to Brooke Hausman and Carly Meltzer
In this one-page typed letter dated April 14, 1998, from Robert Cormier to Brooke Hausman and Carly Meltzer, he shares his writing technique of "gradual release," that it takes him 1.5 to 2 years to write a book, and that emotions are the engine for him. He advises here that would-be writers must "read, read, read" and write daily because "practice makes perfect." He says that he thinks he has received a lot of correspondence from students at their school, but "evidently" had misplaced it. He asked the girls to convey his best to classmates and that he would reply when the letters turn up.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Robert+Cormier">Robert Cormier</a>
Robert Cormier Collection at Fitchburg State University's Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library
14 April 1998
Elise Takehana, Anna Consalvo
<p><a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/62" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Brooke Hausman and Carly Meltzer's letter to Robert Cormier</a></p>
JPG, 8.5 x 11 paper
English
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Letter">Letter</a>
Robert Cormier's response to Daniel Lowe, Jonathan Osborne, and Ryan Dvorak
In this two-page typed letter by Robert Cormier to three Alabama middle school students, Daniel Lowe, Jonathan Osborne, and Ryan Dvorak, Cormier apologizes for combining his responses but answers each query in turn. He shares that, yes, he was bullied and describes what that was like. Cormier also addresses his early concerns with the similarities between Harry Flowers and Archie Costello and briefly mentions why he writes about teenagers.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Robert+Cormier">Robert Cormier</a>
Robert Cormier Collection at Fitchburg State University's Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library
5 May 2000
Elise Takehana, Anna Consalvo
<p><a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/141" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Daniel Lowe's letter to Robert Cormier 20 April 2000</a></p>
<p><a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/68" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ryan Dvorak's letter to Robert Cormier</a></p>
<p><a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/67" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jonathan Osborne's letter to Robert Cormier</a></p>
JPG, 8.5 x 11 paper
English
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Letter">Letter</a>
Robert Cormier's response to Hall Alexander
<p>In this one-page, typed response to Hall Alexander, dated May 7, 2000, Robert Cormier explains one of the plot knots that Hall had queried him about regarding <em>We All Fall Down</em><em>.</em> Cormier describes a trail of consistent characters' reactions given the circumstances in which he put them. Always an advocate for an active reading life, Cormier encourages Hall's continued enjoyment and deep consideration of books.</p>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Robert+Cormier">Robert Cormier</a>
Robert Cormier Collection at Fitchburg State University's Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library
7 May 2000
Elise Takehana, Anna Consalvo
<a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/74" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hall Alexander's letter to Robert Cormier</a>
JPG, 8.5 x 11 paper
English
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Letter">Letter</a>
Robert Cormier's Response to Louise DeSalvo
Robert Cormier's warm response in the form of a two-page typed letter to Louise DeSalvo, dated August 9, 1998, gives her the permission she sought from him in her original letter of July 28, 1998. He responds with admiration for the scholarship exhibited by her in the chapter she sent him. In this letter, Cormier refers to his and his wife Connie's June-July-August summer home: a house on a "pond" about a half-hour from Leominster. He describes the idyllic sounds of the place and Connie's delight in it.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Robert+Cormier">Robert Cormier</a>
Robert Cormier Collection at Fitchburg State University's Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library
9 August 1998
Elise Takehana, Anna Consalvo
<p><a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/51" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Louise DeSalvo's letter to Robert Cormier</a></p>
<a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/53" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">"Writing Pain, Writing Loss: Qualities of a Healing Narrative"</a>
JPG, 8.5 x 11 paper
English
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Letter">Letter</a>