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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 Tenderness that came from the news and his adolescence. He shares that Wickburg is a fictionalized version of Worcester, MA and encourages the…
Robert Cormier's letter to Ashley Hardiman
In this brief letter, Cormier points to Tenderness as a reflection of rampant violence in the real world and expresses hope that even monsters like Eric Poole can be saved.
Robert Cormier's letter to Mike Gubbins 6 March 1999
In this letter to a student, Robert Cormier describes how his own emotions fuel his writing and how he must be emotionally invested in his characters. He also discusses World War II and his fictional town of Monument.
Robert Cormier's letter to Dana 15 March 1989
In this letter to Dana, presumably a young reader, Cormier writes about finding inspiration for his novels in the lives of his children. He also speaks to the timeless nature of emotions, especially those of adolescence.
Robert Cormier's letter to Julie 2 January 1996
Cormier writes to Julie in response to her four interview questions for a class project. It appears he enjoyed a friendship with her teacher, Ms. Hawks. Cormier discusses his childhood during the depression, his interests, and his motives for…
The Toybreakers draft material
Ten stray pages of Toybreakers draft material show Cormier's handwritten edits. The content includes one sexually explicit conversation between Mr. Caller and Susan, a scene of Harriette home alone contemplating torturing Mr. Caller, Mr. Caller…
The Toybreakers outline
This single page, typed, and marked outline of Toybreakers shows Cormier's customary global overview of a work in progress. This artifact shows Part 1, the only section of the book that exists in the archive. Cormier's handwritten notes indicate that…
"Dear Dad"
This magazine article tells the story of several fathers whose daughters have left home for college. Interviews with sets of fathers and daughters echo themes of tension between fathers and daughters particularly regarding emotional intimacy and…
"Not Banned in Boston"
In this magazine feature for The Sign, a Catholic periodical, Cormier praises the efforts of priest Monsignor Russell Novello to bolster sex education in the Boston archdiocese. The sex education program he has developed with regional gynecologists…
"The SOS Signals Not Always Noticed" John Fitch IV Column
Robert Cormier's adopted persona, John Fitch IV, articulates in this bi-weekly column, how closely related specific positive or neutral qualities are to those that are destructive. He claims that we misunderstand distress signals that reveal…
"The Days of Sweet Innocence" John Fitch IV Column
In this bi-weekly column written under the name "John Fitch IV", Cormier blends verse and prose to poke fun at our naïve innocence of the world as viewed through the lens of movie clichés. Amongst the roughly three dozen clichés are some on female…
"Meet The Bully" John Fitch IV Column
In this bi-weekly column written under the name "John Fitch IV", Cormier recounts his childhood encounters with an unnamed bully after hearing Jonathan Winters share his experience with bullies on a talk show. Cormier wonders whether or not bullies…
"The Last Party" John Fitch IV Column
In this John Fitch IV column, Cormier explores the growth trajectory of his daughter from childhood to adolescence, this time through the lens of her last Christmas party and her evolving views about Santa Claus. Ironically, the writer seems to be…
"And So On -- Words and Style" John Fitch IV Column
In this somewhat playful John Fitch IV column Cormier reviews the latest edition of the stylebook coauthored by the AP and UPI. In his review he revisits the question of gender, praising the guide's approach as common sense even if not…
"Writer and Feminist" John Fitch IV Column
In this John Fitch IV column Cormier profiles Norma Klein, a writer for both children and adults and a self-avowed feminist. Cormier praises her character, sums up her writing career, and shares a bit about her personal background, which he notes…