Author Melody Carlson shares
the real story behind one of the
characters in her latest novel:
“When I started writing The Prom
Queen (Revell Books), it was simply
the final book in the Life at
Kingston High series. But after a
girl named Bethany Bridgewater
(from Houston) used her Make-a-Wish to spend time with me at my
home, I decided to do something
a little different. Bethany was diagnosed
with Ewing’s Sarcoma
shortly before her prom and she
shared a touching story of how her
boyfriend Michael carried her out
to the dance floor since she was
unable to walk. While Bethany,
who wants to be a writer, was visiting,
I was in final edits of Prom
Queen. So I asked if she wanted
me to write her into the story as
a “real” character. She was elated
about the idea. And so I added
her into the mix. It made the book
really special to both Bethany
and me. Bethany finished her treatments and is
making a great recovery and hopes to write her
memoir someday.”
