Lois Metzger |
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An interview* with LOIS METZGER
Ellen's Case is Lois Metzger's second novel. In it, readers experience the drama of a
medical malpractice trial through the eyes of Ellen, a sensitive 16-year-old, whose brother Barry's
Cerebral Palsy is the focus of the case.
What made you decide to write a courtroom drama for young adults?
I happened to see the end of a malpractice trial, and realized that a whole drama had just taken
place and that I had seen just the tail end of that drama. I learned that children sometimes testify
in these trials, and I began thinking about what it must feel like to be a kid testifying. I was
fascinated by the idea that both sides are trying to get at the truth of the case. As a family
member, a child would know that there is so much more "truth" than what comes out in the
trial.
How did you research your subjects?
I knew nothing about medical malpractice, so I had to do a great deal of research. It took three
years. I read through transcripts of old trials. I also sat in on trials. I found out that most cases
have the same structure, that they follow the same procedures.
Do you know people with Cerebral Palsy?
No. I saw a show on a cable channel about children with special needs and their families. I called
the show's producer and told him I'd like to speak to several of the children I had seen. He called
back and said that everyone on the show wanted to speak with me.
One of the boys I spoke with was Amy character? Sam. He had Cerebral Palsy and he was very
angry about it. But every once in a while he would smile or do something and I knew he was
going to be OK. Barry was based on a little boy I saw in a trial I attended. Everything that Barry
does in court, like hugging the defense attorney, are things that little boy said and did.
Ellen comes across as someone you know very well. Is she based on you as a teenager?
Ellen's more together than I ever was as a teenager. She has had so much more responsibility. I
have a good friend I've known for years who has a disabled brother. She has many of the qualities
that Ellen has. When you have a disabled sibling, you have to think about the future in a way that
other kids don't because you know that your sibling may be your responsibility someday.
Do you plan to continue Ellen and Barry's story?
At first I didn't. I was just glad to have finished it. But now some time has passed and I've
changed my mind. I would like to write more about them.
About Lois Metzger:
"I began writing when I was nine. My very first story was "Let Me Tell You a Little Bit About
Myself." It was an experiment in writing about myself as my best friend would see me.
I published my first story when I was 19, a science fiction story. I still like writing science fiction,
but I feel that writing for young adults suits me better. The concerns of young adult fiction are
closer to the things I obsess about myself.
I think that to become a writer you have to read and write as much as possible. Imitating other
writers is an excellent way to start out. I used to rewrite the endings of books—it's a way to try
out different voices, to try on different ways of seeing the world."
Lois Metzger lives in New York City and has a 5-year-old son Jacob (an aspiring author
himself).
* This interview originally appeared in the Troll Book Clubs April edition.
copyright © 2000 by Penguin Putnam Books for Young Readers. All rights reserved.
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