tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post1742034715526232319..comments2024-03-28T21:31:13.672-04:00Comments on Jungle Red Writers: To See? Or not to See?Jungle Red Writershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16646429819267618412noreply@blogger.comBlogger54125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-18843327810636785132015-07-17T02:54:36.506-04:002015-07-17T02:54:36.506-04:00Me, too.Me, too.Matt Coylehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14476145985331607037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-58045337865754116062015-07-09T19:13:13.428-04:002015-07-09T19:13:13.428-04:00Matt, I can handle Brenda Blethyn as any character...Matt, I can handle Brenda Blethyn as any character, even Rick.<br />Maureen Harringtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03499876353651763590noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-30003078949526553572015-07-09T19:08:23.501-04:002015-07-09T19:08:23.501-04:00Hank, I think it feels dangerous to mention divers...Hank, I think it feels dangerous to mention diversity as a concept for fear that its bringing up will verify what we are concerned about. There is no way to mention to mention diversity without inviting tension.<br /><br />Reading Linda Rodriguez' as well as Robert B Parker's novels with do not present these same issues, because race is clear and part of the story.<br /><br />This may be truer of Linda’s characters, especially Skeet Bannion, since culture and ethnicity are welcome and important pieces to her storylines.<br /><br />Culturally, I’m not sure about Parker’s Hawk, as he seems a bit of a foil with culture not a real part of the story, but I’m definitely glad he’s in there. I haven’t read any of the books with Cholla so don’t want to comment there.<br /><br />Again I am late and sorry, because this was an excellent and fun discussion.<br />Maureen Harringtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03499876353651763590noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-20930704918784056442015-07-09T15:17:38.158-04:002015-07-09T15:17:38.158-04:00Thank you, Hank, for the words about your cover/ch...Thank you, Hank, for the words about your cover/character illustrations. Now, I need to start reading...yes, I confess, I've not read any of your books and I'm sure that I am missing something.<br />Elisabethnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-59582609732977927182015-07-08T22:33:27.928-04:002015-07-08T22:33:27.928-04:00Thanks to all the contributors and commenters for ...Thanks to all the contributors and commenters for welcoming me into Jungle Red! What a great community! Matt Coylehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14476145985331607037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-57335756353945206852015-07-08T22:28:48.050-04:002015-07-08T22:28:48.050-04:00I kind of liked Cruise as Reacher. Made me feel ta...I kind of liked Cruise as Reacher. Made me feel tall for once.Matt Coylehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14476145985331607037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-42596906038392158992015-07-08T22:27:11.215-04:002015-07-08T22:27:11.215-04:00I agree, Sherry. I'm not sure I'd want som...I agree, Sherry. I'm not sure I'd want someone else's idea of Rick imprinted on my brain...but I'd cash the check!<br />Matt Coylehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14476145985331607037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-49423579366386613942015-07-08T22:23:54.752-04:002015-07-08T22:23:54.752-04:00Thanks, Kim! Can't wait to see you at Vroman&#...Thanks, Kim! Can't wait to see you at Vroman's!<br />Matt Coylehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14476145985331607037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-24863558033060074132015-07-08T22:20:35.565-04:002015-07-08T22:20:35.565-04:00Mary-give Rick a call. He needs some new friends.Mary-give Rick a call. He needs some new friends.Matt Coylehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14476145985331607037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-58083487974272182202015-07-08T22:19:47.986-04:002015-07-08T22:19:47.986-04:00Thanks, Jack and Julia!Thanks, Jack and Julia!Matt Coylehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14476145985331607037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-88360174076521283452015-07-08T22:13:32.990-04:002015-07-08T22:13:32.990-04:00Thanks, Susan! Sadly, Rick's eyes are often su...Thanks, Susan! Sadly, Rick's eyes are often surrounded by black and blue, but gray sounds like a good possibility to me. Can't see through the steam...Matt Coylehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14476145985331607037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-22051612569365875752015-07-08T22:09:55.012-04:002015-07-08T22:09:55.012-04:00Finally back from LA!
Thanks, Hallie, Kristopher, ...Finally back from LA!<br />Thanks, Hallie, Kristopher, and Brenda!Matt Coylehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14476145985331607037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-82880071692629704362015-07-08T17:26:33.161-04:002015-07-08T17:26:33.161-04:00WORST EVER.
Like, actively, determinedly bad.WORST EVER.<br /><br />Like, actively, determinedly bad.Hank Phillippi Ryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17420701704169428286noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-71992423534879611922015-07-08T17:23:31.477-04:002015-07-08T17:23:31.477-04:00Oh yes, Hank! Reacher is a hunk. As long as I ca...Oh yes, Hank! Reacher is a hunk. As long as I can keep Tom Cruise out of my head. (Worst casting ever.)Marianne in Mainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-22970492397533307102015-07-08T17:10:10.599-04:002015-07-08T17:10:10.599-04:00And Reacher,too, right? RIght? Handsome.
And yes,...And Reacher,too, right? RIght? Handsome.<br /><br />And yes, Sherry, I always hesitate to name an actor in interviews or events. It narrows it too much. <br />Every time I've tried it, someone groans. Oh NO, they cry. ALL WRONG! <br />Hank Phillippi Ryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17420701704169428286noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-3196957798850769272015-07-08T16:36:43.692-04:002015-07-08T16:36:43.692-04:00Hi Matt.
I refer not to have complete description...Hi Matt.<br /><br />I refer not to have complete descriptions of the character. Generalities are fine - height, hair color, but I can live without that. I never really get a picture of any characters in my head as I read. And I never refer to the cover illustration as a basis for the character description. Very often they are so far off.<br /><br />But I know Gabriel Allon, Darcy O'Mara, Duncan Kincaid, etc. are all stunningly handsome.<br /><br />(I haven't read all the preceding posts so I apologize if I'm reiterating what others have said.)Marianne in Mainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-46602723536950930802015-07-08T16:05:53.804-04:002015-07-08T16:05:53.804-04:00Reine, I actually think of Brenda Blethyn when I w...Reine, I actually think of Brenda Blethyn when I write Rick. Matt Coylehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14476145985331607037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-69498361594292733712015-07-08T16:04:41.819-04:002015-07-08T16:04:41.819-04:00Thanks, Joan!Thanks, Joan!Matt Coylehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14476145985331607037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-89325416857371071652015-07-08T14:07:09.301-04:002015-07-08T14:07:09.301-04:00Oh, great question, Elisabeth! I'd love to hea...Oh, great question, Elisabeth! I'd love to hear from Susan about her experience, bt I think each author has a different relationship with each cover!<br /><br />In THE OTHER WOMAN, the woman in red on the cover is not identifiable--on purpose. I think its perfect.<br /><br />In THE WRONG GIRL, the woman is not Jane. But it feels like "reporter." Which is great.<br /><br />In TRUTH BE TOLD-- It might be Jane, but it isn't. (I asked them to make her outfit a bit different than the first design--they did.)<br /><br />And on WHAT YOU SEE, it's definitely not Jane. But I do know who it is! And you will, too, when you read the book.<br /><br />So each time, the person on the cover is a major player int he story--but not Jane.Hank Phillippi Ryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17420701704169428286noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-4862821407499718302015-07-08T13:36:36.522-04:002015-07-08T13:36:36.522-04:00With all this excellent conversation about describ...With all this excellent conversation about describing the characters, how much influence does the author have over the cover illustration of the characters? Susan Elia McNeil's comment on the sparseness of her description of Maggie Hope gave me this question. The cover illustration is a good deal more than "red hair" and age. And, although she is not a Jungle Red, Carola Dunn's Daisy Dalrymple's description is so very different from the cover illustrations! Such interesting thoughts.<br />Elisabethnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-33398333442971934982015-07-08T13:36:03.505-04:002015-07-08T13:36:03.505-04:00Love this particular insight, Matt: "I don’t ...Love this particular insight, Matt: "I don’t have to know what Rick looks like. I just have to know who he is." I feel that if a writer knows who a character is, then the reader will be able to visualize him or her without needing all of the physical details - in this way, the character belongs to the reader as much as the writer, which is always a satisfying experience. Can't wait for your upcoming reading at Vroman's!! Kimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15354719566758459929noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-90742427971074453792015-07-08T13:31:53.858-04:002015-07-08T13:31:53.858-04:00As a reader I like an "outline" of what ...As a reader I like an "outline" of what a character looks like: height maybe, hair color, gender. Maybe age. Just a general picture I can fill in if I want to. I do want details on the things that make the character stand out. Scars, for example. Or a limp. There is always a story to go with those characteristics. Pat Dnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-38960130663599017312015-07-08T13:22:54.804-04:002015-07-08T13:22:54.804-04:00I like a bit of description but not too much. A fe...I like a bit of description but not too much. A few people have asked what actors would I want to portray characters -- that is always a tough one too since I'm not exactly sure what they look like. I love that Rick looked in the mirror but couldn't see himself! Sherry Harrishttp://sherryharrisauthor.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-10284935320600123052015-07-08T13:16:44.480-04:002015-07-08T13:16:44.480-04:00I don't need much description of characters an...I don't need much description of characters and will often skim over details of wardrobe and such unless integral to the plot. In storytelling most tellers leave much of that out of the tale so the listeners can see their own versions. I don't mind it, and feel sure others must want those details. I love description of place, making a book like a mini-vacation.<br />Intrigued by the Hilary Tamar reference, and reminded of "Survival Ship" by Judith Merril in which reference to officers and men and a complete avoidance of personal pronouns created mystery. My students had much to say after reading it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-34991202893323121882015-07-08T12:36:04.164-04:002015-07-08T12:36:04.164-04:00I want some hints and a general description, but I...I want some hints and a general description, but I don't like so much detail about how the character looks that that is all I think about. Based on how the character acts I will get my own mental image and I prefer that.Grandma Cootiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10709540756822695170noreply@blogger.com