Robert Cormier's letter to Ashley Hardiman
In this brief letter, Cormier points to <em>Tenderness</em> as a reflection of rampant violence in the real world and expresses hope that even monsters like Eric Poole can be saved.
<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 E. Cormier Collection at Fitchburg State University's Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library
14 April 1998
AnnaMary L. Consalvo
Katharine Covino
Elise Takehana
JPG, 8.5x11
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 letter to Trenton Keim 5 May 2000
In this letter, presumably responding to a student, Robert Cormier shares his sources of inspiration for <em>Tenderness</em> that came from the news and his adolescence. He shares that Wickburg is a fictionalized version of Worcester, MA and encourages the recipient to keep reading.
<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 E. Cormier Collection at Fitchburg State University's Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library
5 May 2000
AnnaMary L. Consalvo
Katharine Covino
Elise Takehana
JPG, 8.5x11
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 letter to Debra Bunn 6 March 1999
In this short half-page letter, Cormier thanks Debra for choosing <em>Tenderness</em> as her senior thesis. He reveals that one inspiration for this character Lori came from a girl he knew whose life he pitied. He was also interested in the humanity of serial killers.
<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 E. Cormier Collection at Fitchburg State University's Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library
6 March 1999
Annamary L. Consalvo
Katharine Covino
Elise Takehana
JPG, 8.5x11
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>
<em>Tenderness</em> draft with Robert Cormier's markings
These six-page non-consecutive typed draft of <em>Tenderness</em> sections shows both handwritten and typed revisions with XXXX over previously typed words. One page includes notes to himself about reframing Lori's parent's situations. The other pages are of Lori compelled to kiss a rock singer and the scene of her hitchhiking and inviting the driver to grope and kiss her for money.
<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 E. Cormier Collection at Fitchburg State University's Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library
Annamary L. Consalvo
Katharine Covino
Elise Takehana
<a href="https://robertcormiertwistedintimacy.omeka.net/items/show/17" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tenderness draft with editor's comment</a>
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English
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Typescript+draft">Typescript draft</a>
<em>Tenderness</em> draft with editor's comment
Twenty pages of typescript of <em>Tenderness</em> show extensive commenting and editorial markings. Pages are numbered in pencil but not all pages are consecutive. Editorial comments, presumably from Karen Wojtyla, discuss issues of continuity, suspense, perspective, and characters' behavior, motives, backstory and depth of internal thought. Comments also show an interest in the possibility of Eric redeeming himself and encouraging moments of increased ambiguity. The markings suggest making Lori more frightened and innocent and Eric more socially adept, confident and less monstrous as the novel comes to an end.<br /><br />The nonconsecutive pages of the novel include scenes of disposing of Alicia's body, ejecting Lori from Harmony House, a phone call between Eric and Maria to arrange a meeting, feeding the swans, and Lori and Eric's drive to a motel where Eric begins an attempt at killing Lori. Also included is a section of the fairground scene, the incident at Mirror Lake, and Walter Clayton committing suicide.
<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 E. Cormier Collection at Fitchburg State University's Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library
Annamary L. Consalvo
Katharine Covino
Elise Takehana
<a href="https://robertcormiertwistedintimacy.omeka.net/items/show/22" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Karen Wojtyla's letter to Robert Cormier 9 April 1996</a><br /><a href="https://robertcormiertwistedintimacy.omeka.net/items/show/20" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Robert Cormier's letter to Karen 20 May 1996</a><br /><a href="https://robertcormiertwistedintimacy.omeka.net/items/show/19" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Robert Cormier's letter to Karen 9 April 1996</a><br /><a href="https://robertcormiertwistedintimacy.omeka.net/items/show/18" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Karen Wojtyla's letter to Robert Cormier 12 March 1996</a>
JPG, 8.5x11
English
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Typescript+draft">Typescript draft</a>
Karen Wojtyla's letter to Robert Cormier 12 March 1996
This five-page, single-spaced editorial letter concerning <em>Tenderness</em> from the editor, Karen Wojtyla (Bantam Doubleday Dell), constructively critiques the work in progress. She asks him to mention "monster" only sparingly, to reconsider how much backstory Jake is given, increase Lori's ambivalence rather than cast her as a willing accomplice to murder and reconsider his choice to close the book with Walter Clayton's suicide. Karen also mentions Craig Virden, Cormier's former editor, in redemptive ways and reveals that he had read and communicated with Cormier about <em>Tenderness </em>previously. Karen agrees with Craig on certain points, including removing Miss Kentall's lesbianism.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Karen+Wojtyla">Karen Wojtyla</a>
Robert E. Cormier Collection at Fitchburg State University's Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library
12 March 1996
AnnaMary L. Consalvo
Katharine Covino
Elise Takehana
<a href="https://robertcormiertwistedintimacy.omeka.net/items/show/23" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Craig letter to Robert Cormier 16 February 1996</a><br /><a href="https://robertcormiertwistedintimacy.omeka.net/items/show/21" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Robert Cormier's letter to Craig 28 February 1996</a><br /><a href="https://robertcormiertwistedintimacy.omeka.net/items/show/19" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Robert Cormier's letter to Karen 9 April 1996</a><br /><a href="https://robertcormiertwistedintimacy.omeka.net/items/show/17" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tenderness draft with editor's comment</a>
JPG, 8.5x11
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 letter to Karen 9 April 1996
This one-page letter from Cormier accompanied his revised <em>Tenderness</em> draft. He addresses the character shifts he made with Lori and Eric and expresses his gratitude for her comments and his contentment with the revised version of the novel.
<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 E. Cormier Collection at Fitchburg State University's Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library
9 April 1996
Annamary L. Consalvo
Katharine Covino
Elise Takehana
<a href="https://robertcormiertwistedintimacy.omeka.net/items/show/22" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Karen Wojtyla's letter to Robert Cormier 9 April 1996</a><br /><a href="https://robertcormiertwistedintimacy.omeka.net/items/show/20" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Robert Cormier's letter to Karen 20 May 1996</a>
JPG, 8.5x11
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 letter to Karen 20 May 1996
This two-page letter to Karen Wojtyla details his response to the copy editor's comments on <em>Tenderness</em>. The changes frequently address word choice, names, ages, and quote attributions.
<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 E. Cormier Collection at Fitchburg State University's Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library
20 May 1996
Annamary L. Consalvo
Katharine Covino
Elise Takehana
<a href="https://robertcormiertwistedintimacy.omeka.net/items/show/22" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Karen Wojtyla's letter to Robert Cormier 9 April 1996</a><br /><a href="https://robertcormiertwistedintimacy.omeka.net/items/show/19" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Robert Cormier's letter to Karen 9 April 1996</a>
JPG, 8.5x11
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 letter to Craig 28 February 1996
In this four-page letter to his editor, Craig Virden, Robert Cormier defends his decision to label <em>Tenderness</em> a YA novel even though it features some departures from the genre, including an older protagonist and a morally ambiguous main character in Lori. He also discusses the removal of non-essential scenes, the development of the novel's central characters, racial and detective novel stereotypes, and politically correct language.
<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 E. Cormier Collection at Fitchburg State University's Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library
28 February 1996
Annamary L. Consalvo
Katharine Covino
Elise Takehana
<a href="https://robertcormiertwistedintimacy.omeka.net/items/show/18" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Karen Wojtyla's letter to Robert Cormier 12 March 1996</a>
JPG, 8.5x11
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>
Karen Wojtyla's letter to Robert Cormier 9 April 1996
In this one page typed, Cormier's Bantam editor Karen Wojtyla confirms receipt of his revisions to <em>Tenderness.</em> She encourages Cormier on his progress with the novel and informs him of the timeline for bound and unbound galleys.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Karen+Wojtyla">Karen Wojtyla</a>
Robert E. Cormier Collection at Fitchburg State University's Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library
9 April 1996
Annamary L. Consalvo
Katharine Covino
Elise Takehana
<a href="https://robertcormiertwistedintimacy.omeka.net/items/show/20" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Robert Cormier's letter to Karen 20 May 1996</a><br /><a href="https://robertcormiertwistedintimacy.omeka.net/items/show/19" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Robert Cormier's letter to Karen 9 April 1996</a><br /><a href="https://robertcormiertwistedintimacy.omeka.net/items/show/18" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Karen Wojtyla's letter to Robert Cormier 12 March 1996</a>
JPG, 8.5x11
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>
Craig letter to Robert Cormier 16 February 1996
In this four-page letter from Cormier's editor, Craig Virden, it is apparent that Craig consulted with his colleague, Karen Wojtyla, and other editors at Bantam Doubleday Dell regarding the <em>Tenderness </em>manuscript. Craig explicitly mentions Karen's comments on the manuscript, though he opts for making macro-level suggestions on the draft. He shares his concerns that the novel makes huge departures from young adult literature. While Craig finds the novel and its characters gripping, he does offer some suggestions on Lori's troubling range of moral understanding and Eric's seeming self-awareness of his own monstrosity. Also of concern is the prominence of the police officer and his stereotypical treatment (as well as that of Maria). He briefly discusses mixed concerns about the use of first-person narration from Lori's perspective, Cormier has put notes in the margins indicating what suggestions he will attend to and how as well as which of his writing choices he plans to defend and preserve.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Craig+">Craig </a>
Robert E. Cormier Collection at Fitchburg State University's Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library
16 February 1996
Annamary L. Consalvo
Katharine Covino
Elise Takehana
<a href="https://robertcormiertwistedintimacy.omeka.net/items/show/21" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Robert Cormier's letter to Craig 28 February 1996</a><br /><a href="https://robertcormiertwistedintimacy.omeka.net/items/show/18" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Karen Wojtyla's letter to Robert Cormier 12 March 1996</a>
JPG, 8.5x11
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>
Judy's letter to Robert Cormier 13 May 1997
This one-page typed letter is from a friend of "Bob and Connie". Judy confesses her fascination with serial killers, especially Ted Bundy, and praises the powerful characterization in Cormier's <em>Tenderness</em>. She speaks about her uncomfortable empathy with Eric and how believable, real, and tragic Lori is.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Judy">Judy</a>
Robert E. Cormier Collection at Fitchburg State University's Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library
13 May 1997
AnnaMary L. Consalvo
Katharine Covino
Elise Takehana
<a href="https://robertcormiertwistedintimacy.omeka.net/items/show/26" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Robert Cormier's letter to Judy 28 May 1997</a>
JPG, 8.5x11
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 letter to Judy 28 May 1997
In this one-page typed reply to Judy's letter, Robert Cormier confirms that the quick pacing of <em>Tenderness</em> was deliberate. He mentions that he created the character of Lori well before beginning the actual novel. He concludes by praising Judy's enclosed poem and asking to see more of her verse.
<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 E. Cormier Collection at Fitchburg State University's Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library
28 May 1997
AnnaMary L. Consalvo
Katharine Covino
Elise Takehana
<a href="https://robertcormiertwistedintimacy.omeka.net/items/show/25" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Judy's letter to Robert Cormier 13 May 1997</a>
JPG, 8.5x11
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>
Beverly Horowitz's letter to Robert Cormier 26 March 1998
This one-page typed letter, with <em>Tenderness</em> handwritten and underlined near the top, is from the vice president of Bantam Doubleday Dell congratulating Cormier on his inclusion on the New York Public Library's "Books for the Teen Age" reading list.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Beverly+Horowitz">Beverly Horowitz</a>
Robert E. Cormier Collection at Fitchburg State University's Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library
26 March 1998
AnnaMary L. Consalvo
Katharine Covino
Elise Takehana
JPG, 8.5x11
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>
J Lattre's letter to Connie and Robert Cormier 6 January 1998
In this two-page typed letter, a friend of the Cormiers praises Robert's latest novel, <em>Tenderness</em>, and promises to float it as a possible topic at reading groups. Lattre praises Cormier's ability to write from the perspective of a teenage girl and concludes by praising Cormier's work as a reflection of real life for young readers.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=J+Lattre">J Lattre</a>
Robert E. Cormier Collection at Fitchburg State University's Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library
6 January 1998
AnnaMary L. Consalvo
Katharine Covino
Elise Takehana
JPG, 7 13/16 x 5 13/16
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>