tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post2653996713966199909..comments2024-03-28T17:39:34.611-04:00Comments on Jungle Red Writers: Death with all the Trimmings @LucyBurdetteJungle Red Writershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16646429819267618412noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-87496186370777628882014-04-03T21:14:28.900-04:002014-04-03T21:14:28.900-04:00thanks Kathy--you are so right that poor Hayley...thanks Kathy--you are so right that poor Hayley's life is chaotic:)<br /><br />Mar, that is exactly why I love series--if I get to know and love the characters, I'm always eager to see how life is changing...Lucy Burdette aka Roberta Isleibhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04660402177299546055noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-84849481508295185312014-04-03T21:10:34.975-04:002014-04-03T21:10:34.975-04:00I definitely think characters in a series should g...I definitely think characters in a series should grow - time goes by from book to book so characters lives grow in one way or another <br /><br />I like to "feel I know the characters" in a series and watching them grown makes the book more real to meRosie123https://www.blogger.com/profile/11528374618939863598noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-50644248949143367312014-04-03T19:03:37.080-04:002014-04-03T19:03:37.080-04:00I'm coming in late again today, but it's i...I'm coming in late again today, but it's interesting to read all the comments already posted. Lucy/Roberta, I just love Lorenzo as Haley's therapist substitute. I look forward to seeing him in each book, and I am happy that he is evolving and becoming even more that an "act" on Mallory Square. Of course, he was never just that to Haley. As Haley mentioned that she felt calmer just being in his presence, his calmness is one of the traits that I feel is such a necessary balance to Haley's somewhat chaotic life.<br /><br />Congratulations on finishing Death with All the Trimmings! I am excitedly awaiting its publication.<br />Kathy Reelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17004247271452356577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-88007287129268329362014-04-03T16:58:42.281-04:002014-04-03T16:58:42.281-04:00Thanks you guys, for all the congrats!
FChurch, t...Thanks you guys, for all the congrats!<br /><br />FChurch, totally agree about Kevin in Julia's last book. Can't wait to see how that evolves...<br /><br />Debs, hmmm, yes Lorenzo may very well need a bigger role next time around...Lucy Burdette aka Roberta Isleibhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04660402177299546055noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-7905437786530930012014-04-03T15:23:39.744-04:002014-04-03T15:23:39.744-04:00Cool scene and backstory--and since I'm a Taro...Cool scene and backstory--and since I'm a Tarot fan, I sppreciated it even more!Clare2ehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06105229820107294986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-52425572258956810082014-04-03T13:03:36.174-04:002014-04-03T13:03:36.174-04:00Amen, FChurch! Characters absolutely should change...Amen, FChurch! Characters absolutely should change and adapt, particularly when they are dealing with new acquaintances like Hayley. Lucy, I read An Appetite for Murder a couple of days ago and really enjoyed it. I'm looking forward to getting book #2 to see what Hayley does next.Pat Dnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-63793547272212334402014-04-03T12:43:34.239-04:002014-04-03T12:43:34.239-04:00Congratulations on getting the newest manuscript o...Congratulations on getting the newest manuscript off! The excerpt was wonderful. I think the books I pick up and discard after a page or two or turn to the end immediately, is because not much is happening to engage me with the characters. And I can see from the beginning where the book will end up. That might be okay if you are a lazy reader, but I want characters and plots that engage and challenge me-- and that doesn't mean I have to like what the characters are doing. Louise Penny--at the end of The Beautiful Mystery, one of the major characters rides off with the bad guys! But my heart ached for him and those left behind. At the end of Julia's latest, I wanted to kick Kevin in the seat of the pants and tell him to grow up! But you better believe I am anxiously awaiting the next book in line, because I'm eager to see what is up with these characters! Those are the kinds of books (and authors) I cherish!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-72886479419498748862014-04-03T12:02:23.661-04:002014-04-03T12:02:23.661-04:00Woot! Go Lucy! Congrats on the latest release (it ...Woot! Go Lucy! Congrats on the latest release (it sounds fabulous) and good luck with the pending edits.Terri Herman-Poncehttp://terriponce.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-19754211372522897062014-04-03T11:59:26.091-04:002014-04-03T11:59:26.091-04:00Melody T: I picked your comment yesterday to recei...Melody T: I picked your comment yesterday to receive the copy of City of Darkness and Light. Contact me at authorrhysbowen.com and I'll send it to you.Rhysnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-88818430508105580082014-04-03T11:49:08.218-04:002014-04-03T11:49:08.218-04:00Excellent advice for us allExcellent advice for us allLibby Doddhttp://www.libbydoddart.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-6679922874618467612014-04-03T11:14:54.258-04:002014-04-03T11:14:54.258-04:00Huge congrats on sending off the book, Lucy!!
And...Huge congrats on sending off the book, Lucy!!<br /><br />And while in the first book I thought Haley's desire to have her cards read was interesting, NOW I think Lorenzo is interesting and I want to know more about him. Seeing you characters evolve as you write them is one of the most fun things about writing a series.<br /><br />I think writers can get away with static characters in a mystery if all the reader wants is a puzzle. But I think most readers these days expect much more than that.Debhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11519514786198185277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-32508584528094834722014-04-03T10:31:33.728-04:002014-04-03T10:31:33.728-04:00When you are writing about people who are constant...When you are writing about people who are constantly facing life and death and mystery and romance, they had better be affected by what happens! Otherwise they are cardboard. <br /><br />I try to live in love, except when I am enjoying the FEAR reading mysteries!!<br />Denise Annhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02790883493798517829noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-87821366159504751182014-04-03T10:00:49.539-04:002014-04-03T10:00:49.539-04:00Hallie, no, the first version was in the first boo...Hallie, no, the first version was in the first book. I suppose you could call that one big OUT file LOL. And you get full credit for Lorenzo's name!<br /><br />Thanks Jim, it is a very good feeling...<br /><br />And Hank, perfect reminder. Don't need to hit readers over the head with hints of changes to come.Lucy Burdette aka Roberta Isleibhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04660402177299546055noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-26706868271679268782014-04-03T09:58:43.900-04:002014-04-03T09:58:43.900-04:00Mmm, key lime pie. Oops, sorry.
Love that line - ...Mmm, key lime pie. Oops, sorry.<br /><br />Love that line - so true.<br /><br />Some characters can remain static. But in terms of <i>main</i> characters, I prefer some change - and usually growth. When I see a character doing the same stupid things over and over, well, I just want to slap them.<br /><br />But yes, the change is not always positive. And sometimes it has to get worse before it gets better.Liz Millironhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04919409969263609919noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-73052284270582767142014-04-03T09:47:57.588-04:002014-04-03T09:47:57.588-04:00Hurray! And I think one key to changing characte...Hurray! And I think one key to changing characters is that you don't trumpet the change-to-come in chapter one... "She had never liked children, somehow ...". You know what's coming !Hank Phillippi Ryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17420701704169428286noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-13928077432493562382014-04-03T09:29:22.926-04:002014-04-03T09:29:22.926-04:00Lucy,
Congrats on getting the next book to your e...Lucy,<br /><br />Congrats on getting the next book to your editor, always an accomplishment worth celebrating.<br /><br />I like to see series characters evolve. If they stay exactly the same, I get bored and turn to something else to read.<br /><br />~ JimJim Jacksonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15090252530437277145noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-85753894780272247842014-04-03T08:59:21.622-04:002014-04-03T08:59:21.622-04:00So you're telling us you didn't put that f...So you're telling us you didn't put that first version in an OUT file!<br /><br />What a transformation! I try to explain research to people -- this kind of research -- something you don't know you need to find out until you reach that point in the manuscript where it's not singing, and you need those details, the nuance. It's the difference between character and caricature.<br /><br />Brava! <br /><br />And I like Lorenzo much better as Harry Potter than as an oompa loompa. Now, about his name...Hallie Ephronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04759439029582054503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-49223475853751167522014-04-03T08:55:33.818-04:002014-04-03T08:55:33.818-04:00Thanks DebR! That's a very good point--not eve...Thanks DebR! That's a very good point--not everyone "improves" (as my mother-in-law would say.)<br /><br />And Susan, exactly right. How could war not change a person?Lucy Burdette aka Roberta Isleibhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04660402177299546055noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-63269406566148004772014-04-03T08:41:09.422-04:002014-04-03T08:41:09.422-04:00Now I want key lime pie....
Wait, what are we ta...Now I want key lime pie.... <br /><br />Wait, what are we talking about? <br /><br />Oh, characters changing — yes, I like to see characters change and evolve. It's what I'm doing with Maggie Hope and my other characters — war is changing everyone. How could it not?Susan Elia MacNealhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00349842866995778987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-14733385381135537312014-04-03T08:35:29.110-04:002014-04-03T08:35:29.110-04:00I am Anonymous above. My finger slipped as I began...I am Anonymous above. My finger slipped as I began to type my name!Deb Romanonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-56447372249246338712014-04-03T08:34:46.722-04:002014-04-03T08:34:46.722-04:00It's interesting (and fun!)to watch a characte...It's interesting (and fun!)to watch a character mature over the course of a series. It does happen in real life, after all. And of course there are people/characters who are NOT going to change for the better. It does bother me when reading a series if the protagonist never, ever learns from his or her mistakes.<br /><br />I've read all of your Key West books so far, Lucy/Roberta, and I recently decided to begin rereading them. Was I ever disappointed when I realized that I don't own the second one in the series! I thought I owned all of them. I must have borrowed that one from the library. As soon as I can get to the bookstore, I'll purchase book #2!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-2045933212732927052014-04-03T08:15:07.505-04:002014-04-03T08:15:07.505-04:00I agree Joan--the change has to fit the character ...I agree Joan--the change has to fit the character or it jars the reader out of the book.<br /><br />Mark, it's hard for me to even think how to write a static character. I think you'd have to focus much more on the mystery and the plot, right?<br /><br />Edith--thanks! I loved that line too. That's why it's great to have lunch with Ron--he tells me amazing things:)Lucy Burdette aka Roberta Isleibhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04660402177299546055noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-69784170412029755512014-04-03T08:13:46.198-04:002014-04-03T08:13:46.198-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.Jack Getzehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09516237388744739669noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-13123085111511867592014-04-03T06:53:00.497-04:002014-04-03T06:53:00.497-04:00I love that quote, that we chose which world we wa...I love that quote, that we chose which world we want to live in. And can't wait to read the new book, Lucy!Edith Maxwellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01388006370860482509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-79867563108717007392014-04-03T02:10:56.946-04:002014-04-03T02:10:56.946-04:00Congrats on finishing the book!!!
I'm torn on...Congrats on finishing the book!!!<br /><br />I'm torn on characters changing. Sometimes an author can pull it off and keep the characters static and I don't mind. But most of the series I read do feature evolving characters, and I enjoy that. In makes the series much deeper as the books go by.Mark Bakerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11567392254011373198noreply@blogger.com