Why did you include the swan in the story? And what are your thoughts about it?

For starters, Noah needed to have his own story because I didn’t want his presence in the novel to feel forced. Yet, if that was my intent, Noah’s story had to parallel the story in The Notebook; i.e. Allie had to find a way to come back to him again. I chose a swan because of a scene I’d written in The Notebook, in the chapter entitled, “Swans and Storms.”

As to what I was thinking, I suppose Wilson’s thoughts were my own. No, it didn’t make sense, but Noah needed to believe it, so Wilson was willing to go along with Noah. In a way, it’s a metaphor for faith. Did I think it was Allie? I think that’s for every reader to decide for himself (or herself, as the case may be.) Giving my thoughts would sort of ruin it.