About the Piano...

Back in the day, when I first wrote Poughkeepsie, the image of a handsome man playing a piece of cardboard like a piano captured me. As the story developed, the cardboard even developed its own back story. It was also a part of one of the hardest chapters I ever wrote. (And Mouse's chapter, of course.) 


 I still remember writing with tears rolling down my face when Blake made a huge decision involving the piano.


So when I was arranging pictures for the book's trailer, I tried and tried to find an image of a keyboard sketched on cardboard. Finally I broke down and drew it myself. I was at my in law's house and my husband and I were going to stop at the Poughkeepsie station for some pictures. I went down to my in law's basement and found a fairly beat up cardboard box. I ripped off a piece, grabbed a Sharpie, and went to town. I sucked at it. I went downstairs and tore at that poor box again and handed the marker to my husband. 


 "You need to draw this. Pretend to be a teenager. And write manly." He did a good job (he always writes manly - I was just busting his chops). Then I spent a few minutes adding age to it by sandpapering warn spots on the cardboard, imagining Blake's repetitive touch at the station. Then I rolled and unrolled it a million times.


 Next, it was time for the piano's photo shoot. It was a liquid hot day in New York. (We come visiting up from Maryland twice a year.) My husband was the photographer and I was in charge of the model. To get the shots I wanted, I found myself crawling over metal guardrails that had been baking all day. I could almost hear my pale, wimpy skin sizzling.


We took some dumb pictures. And we took some that worked. Here are some of both types. I was very pleased that we weren't arrested. 

 

So now I'm letting this baby out into the world. I'm so very excited to see the piano with you! Please take a picture of it in your town or by something you love. Email me when you get it and I will provide you with the next stop. There should be temporary tattoos in the package for you to enjoy as well. If you would like to be a stop, please join in! Email me at Debra.anastasia@gmail.com and I will hook you up with a spot on the list. You must agree to keep the piano moving. I'm imagining it might take a while to make the rounds, so please be patient!

Thanks again for being a part of the fun. 

<3 Debra

P.S. here's the videos with the piano