Easter Eggs Part Two
I’ve always loved the hidden meaning of things, especially when it’s in a book. Some of my favorite authors do that – add in those little touches and meanings. When I sat down to write The Deep Space Between, I made sure I did the same.
I knew flowers would be mentioned in the book, especially since it was set in summer. As I wrote more, however, flowers weren’t just part of the setting, but also were part of the story itself, as gifts to show love and affection.
Because of their significance, I also wanted to make sure I picked flowers that had the meaning that mirrored the intent of the giver. I needed them to be indigenous to the setting in the book, New Hampshire, so that they remained realistic as something that could grow there and not just convenient for their message.
After much research, I found the flowers I wanted in the book. Here are the meanings and what I wanted to convey with them (no spoilers!).
- Snapdragon: grace under pressure, inner strength in trying circumstances.
Peter, the unstable Shifter who lives in the woods behind her house, created a necklace out of snapdragons when Seraphina was younger and left it for her in her favorite space in the woods, the clearing. Seraphina definitely goes through some trying circumstances and this was his little nod that she could survive them.
- Calendula: the giver’s thoughts were with the recipient, they help those who have a hard time communicating to do so with warmth.
This one is a bit more hidden than the others because the first mention of them appear in a backstory (Part 1 and Part 2) not included in the book. My MC’s aunt, Tristana, was given a jewelry box carved by Patrick (MC’s uncle) with these flowers on them when they were dating. In Chapter 13, when Seraphina and Tristana finally find time to have a meal together, Tristana comes to the table wearing jewelry Patrick gave her that she stored in the jewelry box. Because this chapter is all about communication and being vulnerable and warm, the jewelry is a subtle indication that Tristana is attempting to be open while also reminding us (well, me, since no one else would get this reference) of the love they both had for Patrick. Later in Chapter 18, Tristana is moving the flower from one spot in the garden to another, which is also symbolic. But no spoilers! - Daisy: new beginnings, hope, affection.
My MC, Seraphina, gives a daisy to Peter, the unstable Shifter, in the same place he always left flowers for her – the clearing in the woods. It means exactly what it sounds like – new beginnings, affection, and hope.
Each of these flowers were intentionally chosen to convey more than one meaning to the reader, even if the reader doesn’t see it. I know these are a lot more subtle than music references or references to setting, which is coming up in Part 3 of this Easter Egg series, but they are important to me because it was part of how I constructed the book.
Stay tuned for Part 3 where we discuss setting choices!