Just Whistle
At one point in time, Charley Lane ran barefoot in the orchards surrounding her grandfather’s old farmhouse. She picked berries that stained her fingertips purple and lay on her back among the hops, marveling at the vines reaching heavenward and wondering about the giant who might live in the clouds. Many afternoons had been spent tending the hops with Gramps and brewing beer in the barn. Now, ten years later, 519 Copper Drive looks nearly identical to that image she carries with her from childhood, but one thing is missing as she returns as an adult: Gramps.
Her intent is to sell the farmhouse, but as Charley spends time in the home, surrounding herself with memories, she finds herself unable to part with the magical structure… for the farmhouse is magical. Its floor plan, unlike other architecture, isn’t static. Rooms come and go; its layout is constantly changing.
It doesn’t take long for the farmhouse to charm Charley and change her plans. She realizes she wants to honor both her grandfather and the memories of her childhood by turning the farmhouse into a brewery. Charley recruits the help of Juli Singer, Lake Caywood’s musical handyman, and Addy Birch, a troubled teen, to manifest her vision for the farmhouse. As she grows closer to Juli and restores her relationship with Addy, her old fears start creeping back. Although Charley doesn’t want to hurt anyone again, such an outcome is inevitable.
The Story Behind the Story: 7.20.2015
The original version of Just Whistle was actually written almost a decade ago. It starred Charley and Juli, just as it still does, but Addy hadn't introduced himself to me yet. Neither had the idea to write about an old farmhouse with a floor plan that just doesn't make sense. My mom used to frequently have this recurring dream, though, in which she was exploring a house that kept showing her more and more rooms. I decided to take that concept and run with it.
Before I write anything, I need to know how it's going to end. I need to have that X that marks the spot. With Just Whistle, I knew the ending... but I didn't know everything about the ending. So I wrote the first chapter and then I forgot about it for a couple of months.
Until one day when I got stuck at a red light.
I was listening to The Lumineers singing "Stubborn Love" and thinking about Charley and Juli and then, just like that, it clicked. I already had the beginning, now I knew exactly where the story was going, and so I went home and revisited that old Word document.
It took about six months to write the whole thing. Parts of it were emotionally draining and other parts were a lot of fun, but once I really got started... the story fell right into place.
Book Discussion
Questions
The setting of the novel is unique and distinctive. How does the setting of the farmhouse, with its changing floor plan, add to the novel?
Should Charley have advocated for Addy and fought to maintain her relationship with him instead of running away when June Birch threatened her?
There are so many instances in the novel of secrets being kept from loved ones. How do these secrets fuel the plot and muddy the relationships between characters?
How does Charley redeem herself and show Addy she is capable of being trusted after so much time has passed?
Charley viewed Gramp’s and Noni’s relationship as a perfect one and idolized them as individuals. When Gramp’s infidelity was revealed, did that change how you perceived him and Noni?
What do you think would have happened to Addy if Charley never returned?
Throughout the novel, Charlie is mentioned several times, but the reader learns little about his personality or relationship with Charley. His appearance at the end of the book says a lot about who he is as a person. Do you feel that his appearance adds to the story? Why or why not?
Should Charley have been honest with Juli and Addy about her illness?
Obviously, the Brewhaha’s ever-changing floor plan is a magical element in the novel, but Addy’s ability to view a person’s vibrancy also lends itself to the plot. How does this gift affect the plot of the novel?
How does the opening line of the novel tie to the ending of the book?
Just Whistle Playlist
"I've Just Seen A Face" - Dawn & Hawkes
"Stubborn Love" - The Lumineers
"You Got Growin' Up To Do" - Joshua Radin
"Where Apples Grow" - Preston Hull
"Empire" - Trampled by Turtles
"Ways of Man" - Old Crow Medicine Show
"Home" - Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes
"Laundry Room" - The Avett Brothers
"Jump Rope" - Blue Öctober
"Let Her Go" - Passenger
"I'll Be Fine" - Erick Macek
"Gone, Gone, Gone" - Phillip Phillips
"Carry On" - fun.
"Train In Vain" - The Clash
"I Will Wait" - Mumford & Sons
"Hey Brother" - Avicii
"On the Other Side of the Road" - Erick Macek
"I've Just Seen A Face" - The Beatles
This is the song I listened to the most while writing JUST WHISTLE.