tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8056815460076050228.post7627917584437477489..comments2023-11-22T06:35:25.251-05:00Comments on POE'S DEADLY DAUGHTERS: Give me a character-driven mystery!Julia Buckleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10270211923343731659noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8056815460076050228.post-55637308716069284722013-08-02T15:49:39.867-04:002013-08-02T15:49:39.867-04:00Hi Elizabeth,
I'll be half a Devil's Advoc...Hi Elizabeth,<br />I'll be half a Devil's Advocate here and say that a book without BOTH interesting characters and an interesting plot turn me off. I can tolerate a one-sided approach better in a short story, but in progressing from short to novella to novel, I want it all! On the other hand, a book heavy on background and setting and light on plot and characterization are even worse.Steven M. Moorehttp://stevenmmoore.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8056815460076050228.post-78044535565271750592013-08-01T21:21:30.146-04:002013-08-01T21:21:30.146-04:00I'm ecstatic to see this mentioned by someone ...I'm ecstatic to see this mentioned by someone who has a lot of credibility in publishing (as well as in blogging!) Many, MANY reviewers (not ALL of them male) have reacted to my books by saying that my heroine(s) should always be Alpha and aggressive and never think before they act or have any self-doubt.<br /><br />I disagree with those reviewers. I can't stand the sort of action/Shalannahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05503978745207805622noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8056815460076050228.post-43522494054621290242013-08-01T15:21:43.925-04:002013-08-01T15:21:43.925-04:00Thanks so much, Patty. Polly, the three-legged sto...Thanks so much, Patty. Polly, the three-legged stool on which a great book stands is excellent in plot, character, and writing. We don't see more of it because not every author can pull it off. :)Elizabeth Zelvinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13944424094949207841noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8056815460076050228.post-354868096389442042013-08-01T13:40:39.613-04:002013-08-01T13:40:39.613-04:00I agree, Liz. I can't sustain interest in a bo...I agree, Liz. I can't sustain interest in a book if I don't care about the characters. I like them complex, warts and all, in addition to being fully engaged in the plot. I've never understood why a book can't be both character-driven and plot driven. It seems to me they go together. Yet the question keeps coming up to both readers and writers.Polly Iyerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05729656119287702191noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8056815460076050228.post-49806097327068766962013-08-01T09:08:02.800-04:002013-08-01T09:08:02.800-04:00I also don't finish books if I can't engag...I also don't finish books if I can't engage with the characters. For example, I didn't finish Gone Girl because I hated both of the main characters. I think I got about 20 pages in and just quit.<br /><br />You, on the other hand, write wonderful characters and I look forward to reading more of them.Pattyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07677772238389810821noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8056815460076050228.post-88687681148459001812013-08-01T08:52:10.045-04:002013-08-01T08:52:10.045-04:00And don't forget DC Endeavor Morse. The new &q...And don't forget DC Endeavor Morse. The new "Endeavor" series is following along behind "Inspector Morse" and "Inspector Lewis" with great success. The first season had one weak episode, "Rocket", but overall, it is a winner. Russell Davis is really bringing out the evolution of Inspector Morse's character, particularly in the last episode of the Bob Tinsleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12925965417241048148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8056815460076050228.post-85426144090307927342013-08-01T08:06:58.292-04:002013-08-01T08:06:58.292-04:00Yes about Midsomer Magna and the county in general...Yes about Midsomer Magna and the county in general. Barnaby may be the true successor to Miss Marple--what don't they get up to in a village!<br />Elizabeth Zelvinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13944424094949207841noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8056815460076050228.post-59836539666096162922013-08-01T07:55:27.749-04:002013-08-01T07:55:27.749-04:00All excellent points, Liz. It's very hard to ...All excellent points, Liz. It's very hard to care about what happens in a book if you don't feel any connection with the protagonist.<br /><br />I might add: vulnerability. People are complex and inconsistent (I'm sure I'm not telling you anything you don't already know!), and I think they're more believable to a reader if you show their moments of self-doubt.<br /><br Sheila Connollyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05165644581595919711noreply@blogger.com