(Copyright © 2008 Working Partners)
Why is Jaypaw blind?
This is a question I get asked a lot and sometimes I'm tempted to reply, Because he was born that way! But I know what people really mean is, why did I choose to take away the sight of one of my central characters, when it might seem easier to keep all five senses intact for each hero?
Well, why not? :) Being a hero doesn't depend on being able to see, or hear, or run extra fast; heroism comes from inside, from what sort of person (or cat) you are. I always knew Jaypaw would be one of the most important cats from Power of Three, so he needed to have the right sort of character even if he didn't have functioning eyes! He didn't need to be able to see in order to be bold, curious, and willing to fight for what he believes in, which are all vital qualities for a hero.
I also liked the challenge of writing from a blind cat's viewpoint. Jaypaw can't describe how a scene looks, but he four other senses-scent, touch, taste, and hearing-to fill in the gaps. I deliberately started Power of Three Book One: The Sight from his perspective because I wanted to fill the opening chapters with details that would trick the reader into not realizing the narrator was blind. We see busy scenes of Clan life and share the thrilling and perilous fox hunt with the three kits, and only learn that Jaypaw can't see when he complains to Leafpool because she's fussing over him too much. I wanted the readers to get to know Jaypaw, to share his sense of adventure and loyalty to his Clanmates, before they knew he was blind, because that might have made him an object of pity. Jaypaw wants to be treated the same as all apprentices-and that means not being judged by readers, too!
Thanks for reading this special production of Why is Jaypaw blind?, brought to you by Erin Hunter and Shadows in The Light. Part two will continue tomorrow, right here.
Until next time,
Ember
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