tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6404036170106001374.post4317269512404830744..comments2024-03-18T04:40:38.214-05:00Comments on Murderous Musings: WHAT IS THE STORY HERE?Chester Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07155257451021065218noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6404036170106001374.post-78384622884986962342012-07-20T08:08:10.119-05:002012-07-20T08:08:10.119-05:00Thanks Shelly, Earl. Enjoyed the post.Thanks Shelly, Earl. Enjoyed the post.Mark W. Danielsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05127689413680147200noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6404036170106001374.post-24633151583281876712012-07-19T21:16:17.221-05:002012-07-19T21:16:17.221-05:00I think part of it depends on why you choose the e...I think part of it depends on why you choose the elements you choose. Is it because Abraham Lincoln's Doctor's Dog is selling right now, or is it because you have a passion for Abraham Lincoln and doctors and dogs? My detective's best friend is a gay man with AIDS because when I began the series, I had just lost a close friend to AIDS. He has horses and dogs because I do--and because I love them. He has a son with Down syndrome because I taught special ed for twelve years and knew that Jared's relationship with his son would give him a depth of compassion he might not otherwise acquire.<br /><br />The hardened detective battling alcoholism is so common as to be a stereotype, but Lawrence Block's Matthew Scudder and James Lee Burke's Dave Robicheaux are anything but stereotypes. (I guess one might say the success of those characters led to a lot of Block/Burke wannabes writing about alcoholic detectives.)<br /><br />Shelly, thanks for the insights and for the ideas about getting off the promotion carousel and back to writing.Jaden Terrellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11113218513166921429noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6404036170106001374.post-83798317470449675322012-07-14T13:45:33.308-05:002012-07-14T13:45:33.308-05:00To answer Christine, I have no interest in setting...To answer Christine, I have no interest in setting anyone straight. In truth, I'm just saddened by the apparent loss of dedication and integrity as so many seek to crank out sequels and prequels just for their own sake.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01701185614411167799noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6404036170106001374.post-22708586768224743332012-07-14T13:30:45.771-05:002012-07-14T13:30:45.771-05:00If only writing were a one-suits-all endeavor. Or ...If only writing were a one-suits-all endeavor. Or marketing a book as simple as following the bouncing ball. There are endless variables, all of which are meaningless if an unpredictable Lady named Luck happens to smile on you rather than one of so many others. If we were smart, we’d give up this crazy writing thing and take up something safe and reliable. Knitting, worm farming, robbing banks. Yeah, give it up. If only we could.Earl Staggshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13349667172813175960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6404036170106001374.post-29010885216558224052012-07-14T09:47:58.359-05:002012-07-14T09:47:58.359-05:00Thanks for the thought-provoking blog. However, th...Thanks for the thought-provoking blog. However, there is an air of condescension about this piece. How foolish these silly writers are to run about chasing the market with their how-to formula fiction, right? Thank goodness there are bright fellows like you around to set the minions right.<br /><br />In fact, the one thing I have come to realize in this new era of digital fiction and marketing is just how vast and diverse the potential readership is. Writers often talk about "what readers want" as though readers were a singular entity with similar tastes and desires. There are folks who want stories that leave out all the characterization like the DaVinci Code and give them pure plot. Others want lovely prose and organic stories or all character and little plot. One group is not more noble than the other - simply different. And there are readers who will buy all these different books because now, for the first time, the book shelf from which they buy is not limited in size and it can offer all these different books. Readers who formerly rarely found books of interest to them in their own little corner bookshop, now can find books they love in virtual bookstores with limitless shelf space. <br /><br />To me, this is the virtue of this new digital era. <br /><br />ChristineChristineklinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12222756129930225646noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6404036170106001374.post-86664386553990118872012-07-14T09:27:13.024-05:002012-07-14T09:27:13.024-05:00There are a lot of great books out to read, but I ...There are a lot of great books out to read, but I also see many books that are cookie-cutter. If they don't have a gay friend, a dog/cat/horse/goat (some of which must be magical)with a very handsome detective named Derek, it can't be good or sell well. I'm not sure what readers want, but a don't want a cookie-cutter read. Thanks for your market insight.E. B. Davishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16746747050278597888noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6404036170106001374.post-59938340869113915192012-07-13T19:58:53.952-05:002012-07-13T19:58:53.952-05:00So, you're saying I can quit standing on the s...So, you're saying I can quit standing on the street corner passing out bookmarks? Seriously, if anyone knew how to sell books--or how to write consistent blockbusters--wouldn't we just need one advice giver? Some stuff works for some people, I think. Other stuff for others. Most of us muddle through. OK, enough muddling, back to my first draft. Thanks for the thoughts!Kaye Georgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05596677617002735674noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6404036170106001374.post-47230252893200216722012-07-13T18:09:17.192-05:002012-07-13T18:09:17.192-05:00As a fellow writer, I'm always interested in w...As a fellow writer, I'm always interested in what works for readers and what doesn't. I very much enjoyed reading this intelligent essay.Jacqueline Seewaldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09177500620940251009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6404036170106001374.post-18687885926185845292012-07-13T15:08:42.484-05:002012-07-13T15:08:42.484-05:00It's mindboggling how much promotion is requir...It's mindboggling how much promotion is required these days. It seems everyone's an author out there. Hard to know what works and what doesn't.<br /><br />Hard to find time to even write books.<br /><br />Morgan Mandel<br />http://morgansbooklinks.blogspot.comMorgan Mandelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00885472833094930724noreply@blogger.com