CARLSBAD
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Two years ago, Carlsbad author Mary E. Pearson thought her writing days were over when her oldest daughter, Karen, was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma.
That news came after her youngest daughter, Jessica, developed the same disease in 2000.
Between the diagnoses, Pearson had started her fourth book for young adults, “The Adoration of Jenna Fox.”
“It was really hard the first time,” Pearson, 52, said of her daughters' illnesses. “Jessica had a cough and the last thing we expected to find out was that she had a tumor in her chest. Then, when Karen got sick, I was undone.
“But Karen and her husband started nagging me to finish the book. I thought, 'I can at least do that for them.' I started working like crazy.”
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Mary E. Pearson book signing
When: 6 p.m. Monday
Where: Rancho Bernardo Library, 17110 Bernardo Center Drive, San Diego
Online: marypearson.com
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The final draft for “The Adoration of Jenna Fox” was delivered to Karen at the completion of her chemotherapy treatments.
Today, both daughters, ages 25 and 28, are cancer-free.
This year, 20th Century Fox films secured movie rights to the book. Julia Pistor, producer of “The Spiderwick Chronicles” released in February, and Brad Silberling, who directed 2004's “Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events,” are expected to produce and direct “The Adoration of Jenna Fox.”
Pearson will sign copies of the book that almost didn't get done on a tour that stops Monday at the Rancho Bernardo branch library.
“Everyone asks me about my inspiration,” Pearson said. “When Jess was first diagnosed, we saw many children with worse forms of cancer. I wondered how much I would be willing to put my child through as a parent. I'm also incredibly grateful for the advances in research.”
The book, set about 50 years into the future in a place similar to Olivenhain, is about a 17-year-old who loses her memory after a life-threatening car accident. Controversial scientific technology gives Jenna, the main character, the chance to survive, but she and her family pay a price.
Writing about young adults is a natural fit for Pearson.
“I don't write for teens; I write about the teen experience,” Pearson said. “You need conflict in a story. I like explaining the teen experience because they are encountering big issues and making life-altering decisions . . . they are experiencing things as a first, whereas adults sometimes experience the same conflict over and over.”
When Pearson was a teenager, she read a lot of poetry. She went on to earn a bachelor's degree from Long Beach State University and a teaching credential from San Diego State University.
Pearson, who was a San Marcos elementary school teacher in the 1990s, found writing workshops with her students so enjoyable that she decided to pursue a career as an author.
“The Adoration of Jenna Fox” is Pearson's fourth book and includes a surprising conclusion.
“When I begin a story, I don't know how it will end,” Pearson said. “I think I know; but I'm usually wrong. The character tells the story and sometimes I feel like I'm transcribing it as I go.
“It will be interesting to see this come to life on the big screen.”
Marcia Manna covers arts, entertainment and community news for the Union-Tribune.
