tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18499463.post6970596097655171998..comments2023-10-31T11:37:50.028-04:00Comments on on life & other inconveniences: Growth & ExpectationsSandra Ruttanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06109584805469336742noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18499463.post-87247928378792847062007-04-23T19:09:00.000-04:002007-04-23T19:09:00.000-04:00And talking of finding a voice and trying out idea...And talking of finding a voice and trying out ideas, all crime writers (and other writers, for that matter) must admire and envy Donald Westlake because he is so full of ideas.<BR/><BR/>Not all of them work, but I am impressed by how often he turns a "what if ... " into a novel.<BR/>===================<BR/>Detectives Beyond Borders<BR/>"Because Murder Is More Fun Away From Home"<BR/>http://detectivesbeyondborders.blogspot.com/Peter Rozovskyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09977933481463759162noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18499463.post-88011889682566053302007-04-22T22:07:00.000-04:002007-04-22T22:07:00.000-04:00I have my first Billingham in the good old to-read...I have my first Billingham in the good old to-read pile, but I have been thinking along some of the same lines as the folks posting here. I recently posted a comment about authors who spring a surprise or make a change in mid-series. <B>http://detectivesbeyondborders.blogspot.com/2007/04/when-authors-change-course-mid-series.html</B><BR/><BR/>I cited Michael Dibdin's basing a novel on a Mozart opera, Karin Fossum easing her "protagonist" in to the background and making the perps, victims and suspects the protagonists in one book, and Peter Lovesey killing off a wife who had been a source of domestic bliss for Inspector Peter Diamond. <BR/><BR/>I asked readers to suggest other examples, and I'll ask you all as well.<BR/><BR/>And I must have more series patience than sand storm. I've read twenty-two of Westlake/Stark's Parker novels, thirteen of his Dortmunders, twenty-two of Bill James' Harpus and Iles novels and Janwillem van de Wetering's thirteen Amsterdam Cops novels.<BR/>===================<BR/> Detectives Beyond Borders<BR/>"Because Murder Is More Fun Away From Home"<BR/> http://detectivesbeyondborders.blogspot.com/Peter Rozovskyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09977933481463759162noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18499463.post-30563685229667914742007-03-06T08:11:00.000-05:002007-03-06T08:11:00.000-05:00Sand Storm, we'll see... It may also blow up in m...Sand Storm, we'll see... It may also blow up in my face.<BR/><BR/>Daniel, if people walk away from this deciding to read more of Mark's work, I won't complain!Sandra Ruttanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06109584805469336742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18499463.post-35499800596721796882007-03-06T05:47:00.000-05:002007-03-06T05:47:00.000-05:00The very best artists are those that constantly st...The very best artists are those that constantly strive to reinvent themselves or to push their limits. Some people like more of the same but I think that can lead to an artistic 'death'.<BR/><BR/>And now I must read more Billingham. As soon as I finish this and this and this ...Daniel Hatadihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00453583064175651509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18499463.post-53659629954273609582007-03-05T21:55:00.000-05:002007-03-05T21:55:00.000-05:00Sandra I think you've made a good choice and it wi...Sandra I think you've made a good choice and it will allow you to branch off with these characters. With regards to Rankin and Lippman we will have to agree to disagree, I never made it that far with either and haven't read 10 of any series since the Hardy Boys 30 years ago. But I know how popular a series can be it's just not for me to read or to write at least right now.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18499463.post-76021340146412933712007-03-05T20:08:00.000-05:002007-03-05T20:08:00.000-05:00Gabriele, that's exactly the kind of distinction I...Gabriele, that's exactly the kind of distinction I'm talking about. In Mark's case it was just a different type of crime.<BR/><BR/>Sand Storm, I think there are some series where you might be selling yourself short. Basically, I give up on a series when it starts to get repetitive and I feel like I'm reading the same basic story with new villains inserted. But there are some series that move from strength to strength. My favourite three Billingham books are the last three published. My favourite Rankin is probably still A Question of Blood, which is #14 of the 16 in the Rebus series. <BR/><BR/>I think authors like Laura Lippman have been able to breathe life into their series by alternating standalones.<BR/><BR/>That said, one of the things I deliberately did with WBW was give it three focal characters. I'd like to be able to follow all of them to differing degrees, depending on the book. There could be a book where it's all Tain, but it would still tie to the series, or a book where it's all Ashlyn. Or a book where it's just two of them instead of three. It gives a lot of range. <BR/><BR/>I don't mind starting with a series at all. I just don't want to do one thing for 20 years.Sandra Ruttanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06109584805469336742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18499463.post-50810608128938226002007-03-05T19:52:00.000-05:002007-03-05T19:52:00.000-05:00I read a max of three in any series then move on. ...I read a max of three in any series then move on. I prefer the Robert Ludlum "new every time" approach, oh sure he had been pressured into multiple Borne's but most of his are stand alone. I even got into a spat with a publisher (I'm still unpublished that's dedication for you) because I said my next book would be different and they wanted a series, works for some and I may do it at some point when I'm ready or have more for the characters to do. Nothing against those who write a series but it doesn't suit all of us of course it suits the publishers just fine.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18499463.post-4502522960462443622007-03-05T15:44:00.000-05:002007-03-05T15:44:00.000-05:00I have a distinct voice, too, and while it may get...I have a distinct voice, too, and while it may get different shades, it won't change completely. But I wonder how that Mediaeval Historical Fantasy will stand out among the Roman Empire Historical Fiction books.Gabriele Campbellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17205770868139083575noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18499463.post-69193019971995511912007-03-05T10:09:00.000-05:002007-03-05T10:09:00.000-05:00Jack, it happened for Mark writing the same charac...Jack, it happened for Mark writing the same character. The reason, as simple as the nature of the crime. The first three books are more serial killer books, the fourth clearly isn't. <BR/><BR/>Trace, yeah, some of those issues can be a real challenge. Sometimes writing is quite painful.Sandra Ruttanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06109584805469336742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18499463.post-15751338387979291262007-03-05T09:33:00.000-05:002007-03-05T09:33:00.000-05:00I try something different with every book as well....I try something different with every book as well. I need the challenge, otherwise I get bored. This time it has to do with dealing with an issue that hits a raw nerve with me.Tracy Sharp - Author of the Leah Ryan Serieshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12239533451929739327noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18499463.post-42845802063214545532007-03-05T08:43:00.000-05:002007-03-05T08:43:00.000-05:00I have a different take on stagnation and growth, ...I have a different take on stagnation and growth, but it comes from a strange place: I'm the guy who tried 10 different things, couldn't get published, and finally found a voice. I am so happy writing from this guy's POV, I can't imagine wanting to try anything else. For now anyway, I am thrilled to stick with him and see where he takes me.<BR/>Jersey JackAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com