Comments on: Characters are People Too http://www.murdershewrites.com/2008/10/30/characters-are-people-too-2/ Ten Authors. Five Genres. One Blog. Because the only thing scarier than a loaded gun pointed at your head....is writing about it. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 07:39:22 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Terry Odell http://www.murdershewrites.com/2008/10/30/characters-are-people-too-2/#comment-224339 Terry Odell Fri, 31 Oct 2008 10:52:19 +0000 http://www.murdershewrites.com/?p=1151#comment-224339 Kenra -- I found The Watchman to be ever so much more compelling because I'd read all the rest of the books (in order, anal me!) and it was knowing Joe from book 1 that made everything resonate so strongly in The Watchman. If your father hadn't read the others, perhaps he didn't pick up on that aspect of Joe Pike. And, S.J. -- I have to write my own back cover blurbs. I hate doing those, too! Kenra — I found The Watchman to be ever so much more compelling because I’d read all the rest of the books (in order, anal me!) and it was knowing Joe from book 1 that made everything resonate so strongly in The Watchman. If your father hadn’t read the others, perhaps he didn’t pick up on that aspect of Joe Pike.

And, S.J. — I have to write my own back cover blurbs. I hate doing those, too!

]]> By: S.J. Day http://www.murdershewrites.com/2008/10/30/characters-are-people-too-2/#comment-224337 S.J. Day Fri, 31 Oct 2008 04:13:08 +0000 http://www.murdershewrites.com/?p=1151#comment-224337 I hate writing a synopsis. Thankfully, my editors only ask for a couple paragraphs when the copy dept. needs to write the back cover blurb and even then they only need the setup and not the resolution. Honestly, I'd rather write an entire book than write a synop. I hate writing a synopsis. Thankfully, my editors only ask for a couple paragraphs when the copy dept. needs to write the back cover blurb and even then they only need the setup and not the resolution. Honestly, I’d rather write an entire book than write a synop.

]]> By: Kendra http://www.murdershewrites.com/2008/10/30/characters-are-people-too-2/#comment-224335 Kendra Fri, 31 Oct 2008 02:31:30 +0000 http://www.murdershewrites.com/?p=1151#comment-224335 I'm with Holly. I'd love to run into Elvis Cole or Joe Pike. Especially Joe. LOVED THE WATCHMAN. I loaned it to my dad and said, "This is one of my absolute favorite books. Don't lose it." He read it, gave it back, and didn't comment. Maybe he doesn't <strong>get</strong> Joe. He's one of those characters where you get upset when you finish the book because he's not real. I’m with Holly. I’d love to run into Elvis Cole or Joe Pike. Especially Joe. LOVED THE WATCHMAN. I loaned it to my dad and said, “This is one of my absolute favorite books. Don’t lose it.” He read it, gave it back, and didn’t comment. Maybe he doesn’t get Joe. He’s one of those characters where you get upset when you finish the book because he’s not real.

]]> By: Karin Tabke http://www.murdershewrites.com/2008/10/30/characters-are-people-too-2/#comment-224334 Karin Tabke Thu, 30 Oct 2008 23:01:03 +0000 http://www.murdershewrites.com/?p=1151#comment-224334 Holly, if I saw Bobbie Faye coming my way, I'd drop everything, turn and run for my life! I actually don't mind writing a synopsis. But as of yet I haven't had to. I did write an outline for a series we're going out with (hopefully in the next week) and it was a great feeling doing it. It gave me the mood and structure of exactly what I want to write. As far as the characters I've written? I'd probably melt into a pile of mush if I came face to face with any of my heroes. Holly, if I saw Bobbie Faye coming my way, I’d drop everything, turn and run for my life!

I actually don’t mind writing a synopsis. But as of yet I haven’t had to. I did write an outline for a series we’re going out with (hopefully in the next week) and it was a great feeling doing it. It gave me the mood and structure of exactly what I want to write.

As far as the characters I’ve written? I’d probably melt into a pile of mush if I came face to face with any of my heroes.

]]> By: Jen Apodaca http://www.murdershewrites.com/2008/10/30/characters-are-people-too-2/#comment-224333 Jen Apodaca Thu, 30 Oct 2008 19:28:12 +0000 http://www.murdershewrites.com/?p=1151#comment-224333 Allison, it's always interesting to hear you describe your process. And now I know why--your characters are so real to you. I love it. I've actually seen people that I think resemble characters in books I read...I was worried that maybe I wasn't getting out enough :???: Allison, it’s always interesting to hear you describe your process. And now I know why–your characters are so real to you. I love it.

I’ve actually seen people that I think resemble characters in books I read…I was worried that maybe I wasn’t getting out enough :???:

]]> By: Amanda http://www.murdershewrites.com/2008/10/30/characters-are-people-too-2/#comment-224332 Amanda Thu, 30 Oct 2008 18:36:04 +0000 http://www.murdershewrites.com/?p=1151#comment-224332 Allison, I knew the minute you said Sam Callahan was good, kind, sweet, and nice he was a goner! LOL I love hearing about your thought processes for writing. I go down a tangent that has my husband shaking his head. "I can see you got from A to D, but what happened to B and C?" hahahaha Allison, I knew the minute you said Sam Callahan was good, kind, sweet, and nice he was a goner! LOL I love hearing about your thought processes for writing. I go down a tangent that has my husband shaking his head. “I can see you got from A to D, but what happened to B and C?” hahahaha

]]> By: Allison Brennan http://www.murdershewrites.com/2008/10/30/characters-are-people-too-2/#comment-224330 Allison Brennan Thu, 30 Oct 2008 17:33:11 +0000 http://www.murdershewrites.com/?p=1151#comment-224330 Holly, I love Robert Crais. I love Elvis and Joe. Especially Joe. THE WATCHMAN is one of my favorite books of last year. I read it on a plane and then finished it in baggage claim . . . I couldn't leave the airport without getting to THE END. Crais is one of the best of the genre. Am I the only one who loves Joe Morelli? I mean, sure, Ranger is sexy and hunky and all that, but Joe is my guy :) . . . I'm behind in the series, though. I think I'm up to 11. Or 10. Stephanie had been irritating me, so I think I had my fill for awhile, but I love Evanovich's voice and her brilliant secondary characters, so I'll probably have a binge read one weekend and catch up. Hi Jen! I'm so glad you know my characters too! Though I had a fan letter once that asked me if I personally KNEW the Kincaids. I mean, they feel real to me, but I know they're made up . . . Hans Vigo really developed in SUDDEN DEATH. He has more depth and a subplot related to the main storyline that gives insight into his past. To think that he was supposed to die in the prison break trilogy . . . yeah, I really thought he was going to. But he didn't. Whew. (BTW, I don't kill my characters. The villains do. It's not my fault when someone dies, I didn't do it!) Wait until SUDDEN DEATH, Toni. We get to see him in action. I don't want to give anything away, but I have three very alpha men working together . . . and I've never had so much fun writing the climax. JT is going to have a book, but it's most likely going to be the last book of the next trilogy, which isn't sold, though the other night a couple possible ideas came to mind . . . it's the Rogan-Caruso Trilogy, but I want to do four books--Matt, Kane, Sean and J.T. Is that a quad-ilogy? Holly, I love Robert Crais. I love Elvis and Joe. Especially Joe. THE WATCHMAN is one of my favorite books of last year. I read it on a plane and then finished it in baggage claim . . . I couldn’t leave the airport without getting to THE END. Crais is one of the best of the genre.

Am I the only one who loves Joe Morelli? I mean, sure, Ranger is sexy and hunky and all that, but Joe is my guy :) . . . I’m behind in the series, though. I think I’m up to 11. Or 10. Stephanie had been irritating me, so I think I had my fill for awhile, but I love Evanovich’s voice and her brilliant secondary characters, so I’ll probably have a binge read one weekend and catch up.

Hi Jen! I’m so glad you know my characters too! Though I had a fan letter once that asked me if I personally KNEW the Kincaids. I mean, they feel real to me, but I know they’re made up . . . Hans Vigo really developed in SUDDEN DEATH. He has more depth and a subplot related to the main storyline that gives insight into his past. To think that he was supposed to die in the prison break trilogy . . . yeah, I really thought he was going to. But he didn’t. Whew. (BTW, I don’t kill my characters. The villains do. It’s not my fault when someone dies, I didn’t do it!)

Wait until SUDDEN DEATH, Toni. We get to see him in action. I don’t want to give anything away, but I have three very alpha men working together . . . and I’ve never had so much fun writing the climax. JT is going to have a book, but it’s most likely going to be the last book of the next trilogy, which isn’t sold, though the other night a couple possible ideas came to mind . . . it’s the Rogan-Caruso Trilogy, but I want to do four books–Matt, Kane, Sean and J.T. Is that a quad-ilogy?

]]> By: Allison Brennan http://www.murdershewrites.com/2008/10/30/characters-are-people-too-2/#comment-224329 Allison Brennan Thu, 30 Oct 2008 17:23:37 +0000 http://www.murdershewrites.com/?p=1151#comment-224329 Terry, the IN DEATH series is one of the best series out there. I never get tired of the books, even after reading 25+ . . . the mysteries are good, the characters fantastic, and I feel like I'm there in 2059 New York City. With most series I've read, I've usually stopped after a few books. I lose interest because the characters don't change or evolve. I don't have this problem with the IN DEATH series; in fact, they are getting BETTER . . . You're right, Lee. And I can write a synopsis if I'm forced to . . . I don't have a problem with the unemotional narrative. What I DO have a problem with is what happens in the story. I don't know. And when I write out the synopsis, I don't want to write the book. That's one reason I keep it vague . . . and usually half my synopsis is backstory, which I KNOW because I know my characters even when I haven't really thought about them . . . in fact, with the failed FATAL SECRETS synopsis there was NO backstory. I didn't know it. Maybe that's why I had a problem with the story--it was all plot and no real people. But CUTTING EDGE was half backstory, i already know Duke and Nora, and I can't wait to see what happens when they get this case together. And the new FATAL SECRETS story came to me primarily through the heroine's backstory, which was just there as soon as her name popped into my head. Sonia Knight walked right in, fully formed, opinionated, stubborn, brave, and intensely compassionate. She's going to be one of those characters that you either love or hate. There's no in-between with her. Terry, the IN DEATH series is one of the best series out there. I never get tired of the books, even after reading 25+ . . . the mysteries are good, the characters fantastic, and I feel like I’m there in 2059 New York City. With most series I’ve read, I’ve usually stopped after a few books. I lose interest because the characters don’t change or evolve. I don’t have this problem with the IN DEATH series; in fact, they are getting BETTER . . .

You’re right, Lee. And I can write a synopsis if I’m forced to . . . I don’t have a problem with the unemotional narrative. What I DO have a problem with is what happens in the story. I don’t know. And when I write out the synopsis, I don’t want to write the book. That’s one reason I keep it vague . . . and usually half my synopsis is backstory, which I KNOW because I know my characters even when I haven’t really thought about them . . . in fact, with the failed FATAL SECRETS synopsis there was NO backstory. I didn’t know it. Maybe that’s why I had a problem with the story–it was all plot and no real people. But CUTTING EDGE was half backstory, i already know Duke and Nora, and I can’t wait to see what happens when they get this case together. And the new FATAL SECRETS story came to me primarily through the heroine’s backstory, which was just there as soon as her name popped into my head. Sonia Knight walked right in, fully formed, opinionated, stubborn, brave, and intensely compassionate. She’s going to be one of those characters that you either love or hate. There’s no in-between with her.

]]> By: toni mcgee causey http://www.murdershewrites.com/2008/10/30/characters-are-people-too-2/#comment-224328 toni mcgee causey Thu, 30 Oct 2008 17:07:32 +0000 http://www.murdershewrites.com/?p=1151#comment-224328 Holly, I'm cracking up here. Yep, she'd probably run into you... or run into the shelving which would tip over some boxes which would knock down a display, which would upend the cooking oil section, whereupon one would burst and sixteen people would be sliding around without traction, though two are singles who'd kinda been wanting to ask each other out. Allison, love your process--I'm like that, once the character has shown up, he or she is a person and I could no more change them than I could change my kids. And I am very much eager to see more of JT Caruso. That guy *sizzled*. Holly, I’m cracking up here. Yep, she’d probably run into you… or run into the shelving which would tip over some boxes which would knock down a display, which would upend the cooking oil section, whereupon one would burst and sixteen people would be sliding around without traction, though two are singles who’d kinda been wanting to ask each other out.

Allison, love your process–I’m like that, once the character has shown up, he or she is a person and I could no more change them than I could change my kids. And I am very much eager to see more of JT Caruso. That guy *sizzled*.

]]> By: Jen http://www.murdershewrites.com/2008/10/30/characters-are-people-too-2/#comment-224327 Jen Thu, 30 Oct 2008 16:59:21 +0000 http://www.murdershewrites.com/?p=1151#comment-224327 Loved this (esp. since being familiar with your books, I "know" Will, Hans, Patrick, etc.) I'm considering dumping my own favorite character of all time, so this post spoke to me -- thank you! Loved this (esp. since being familiar with your books, I “know” Will, Hans, Patrick, etc.)

I’m considering dumping my own favorite character of all time, so this post spoke to me — thank you!

]]>