tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post3286422628824168784..comments2024-03-18T21:16:14.441-04:00Comments on Jungle Red Writers: What Sara SaysJungle Red Writershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16646429819267618412noreply@blogger.comBlogger56125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-88502401611649652812014-04-21T00:06:33.168-04:002014-04-21T00:06:33.168-04:00Women don't read...blah, blah, blah. That'...Women don't read...blah, blah, blah. That's a bunch of hooey. I cut my teeth on John D. McDonald's Travis McGee books and I really loved Dell Shannons books about Luis Mendoza as well as her police procedurals under her other name Elizabeth Linnington. James, you sound like a mash-up of authors I love so now I'll give your books a whirl. About advice? While I am always grateful for advice from experienced authors I do also rely on my gut voice. It's never let me down!Diane Russom Harrisonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-16847355243149980882014-04-20T07:10:53.808-04:002014-04-20T07:10:53.808-04:00Polly -- Did your mother want to be a nurse or was...Polly -- Did your mother want to be a nurse or was it one of the things a woman was "allowed" to do at the time?<br /><br />Pam -- Thanks for the positive comments. It was great talking to you earlier this week.<br /><br />LynDee -- Gosh I received lots of misguided advice, but not writing the sequel until the first sold was fortunately not part of it.<br /><br />Oh, and it shouldn't surprise anyone that I'll be using a random number generator to pick the winner. Check back later and Hank will have it posted.<br /><br />~ JimJim Jacksonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15090252530437277145noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-46748915315459401242014-04-19T23:24:39.222-04:002014-04-19T23:24:39.222-04:00What a great post! I suppose the advice I thought ...What a great post! I suppose the advice I thought was wrong (or that I didn't take, anyway) was the "don't start a sequel until you sell the first book" line. <br /><br />While I see the merit in it, I figured I wrote the first one for fun, and it looked like selling a book was pretty difficult. Since I loved the characters and was still having fun, I started another book. :) <br /><br />Lucky for me, it worked out. <br /><br />Looking forward to reading your work--if you can get numbers to make sense to me, you have some sort of secret magic. LynDeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14399945394854595567noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-6451891647948074332014-04-19T23:00:49.479-04:002014-04-19T23:00:49.479-04:00Jim, you are marvelous...thank you so much for bei...Jim, you are marvelous...thank you so much for being here today!<br /><br />Pick a winner-and we will announce tomorrow!<br /><br />See you at Malice, I hope!<br />xoxoHank Phillippi Ryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17420701704169428286noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-26484098067631744752014-04-19T22:46:29.142-04:002014-04-19T22:46:29.142-04:00Your advice about staying the course--if you belie...Your advice about staying the course--if you believe in it, is much appreciated. And, as we all know & you say as much, staying the course doesn't mean being rigid and not improving. <br /><br />Good advice. Thanks. <br /><br />PS Don't enter me in the drawing--I've had the great pleasure of reading Cabin Fever & it's a memorable read!Pam De Voehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01352755063960715280noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-18737838849651620662014-04-19T22:35:18.125-04:002014-04-19T22:35:18.125-04:00I'm not surprised you're good at math beca...I'm not surprised you're good at math because you're good at bridge. The two go hand in hand--excuse the pun. Seamus sounds complicated, and that's the best protagonist for me. Looking forward to reading both your books, Jim. <br /><br />Worst advice I got was my mother thought I should be a nurse. Horrors. I'm a firm believer in writing what you want. It's even better if no one else is writing what you're writing. See you in Bethesda.Polly Iyerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05729656119287702191noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-9745252626697148032014-04-19T20:31:10.227-04:002014-04-19T20:31:10.227-04:00Christine -- That simmering thing works well as do...Christine -- That simmering thing works well as does recognizing that if multiple people are saying the same thing about a manuscript we at least need to think hard about whether they are right.<br /><br />I have your <i>Tip of a Bone</i> in my TBR box of books I have waiting to take north with me for summer's reading.<br /><br />Linda -- You are right as one of the comments on my early report cards that appeared frequently was does not follow directions well.<br /><br />Ellen -- it's good to find those who believe in us and leave behind the "psychic bleeders" who want to suck the life out of everyone so all of us will feel as bad as they do.<br /><br />~ JimJim Jacksonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15090252530437277145noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-32018101145988808062014-04-19T20:03:46.401-04:002014-04-19T20:03:46.401-04:00Thinking about the prof in the ONLY creative writi...Thinking about the prof in the ONLY creative writing course offered at my college when I was there. I wrote a horror story. Classmates liked it (as much as they liked anything-- people at my college were not known for their enthusiasm). Then I wrote another one for the second project.<br /><br />The prof, an essayist who apparently didn't get genre fiction, told me that once you'd read one of my stories, you'd know what was coming in the other. (Luckily Steven King didn't have an instructor like him). <br /><br />Fast forward 20 years, and (thanks to an agent who believed in me) I had a multi-book contract for a science fiction series. Guess what-- NOBODY complained about the fact that each book involved the same main characters stopping at different planets. <br /><br />By the way, Mr. Essayist never taught us how to write and sell an essay. I picked that up without any help from him. He is one of the people-- along with the 1964 college dean of studies and the chairman of my high school English department who didn't think anyone could handle the amount of reading involved in taking two English classes at once (I graduated early)-- whose grave I'd like to dance on. <br /><br />So often, the old saw is true: those who can't, teach-- and some of them have no idea what the are talking about, but when one is young and vulnerable, one doesn't know that. <br /><br />(For the record, decades later, after I managed to shake off the criticism: nine traditionally published books, one of which was named best in the state for the year it was published, and over a thousand published essays, articles and stories. And writing is my secondary career. What dance is appropriate to do on a grave? Flamenco, perhaps?)Ellen Kozaknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-45047174662392751222014-04-19T19:57:49.927-04:002014-04-19T19:57:49.927-04:00Well, Jim, it's a good thing you took Sara'...Well, Jim, it's a good thing you took Sara's advice, isn't it? I've certainly come to value your unique voice and good editorial skills in our days on Writers Who Kill.Linda Rodriguezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11913741596693442469noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-60717935529572454852014-04-19T19:54:37.587-04:002014-04-19T19:54:37.587-04:00James, as long as the violence fits the story, I t...James, as long as the violence fits the story, I think I'll be fine with it. I really am anxious to give it a try.<br /><br />And we don't have a race per say. Joan almost always posts the first comment. I just happened to be doing my web surfing at the same time this post showed up last night.Mark Bakerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11567392254011373198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-81521907072846803192014-04-19T19:12:10.562-04:002014-04-19T19:12:10.562-04:00When I started my first novel, I received OODLES o...When I started my first novel, I received OODLES of advice, some helpful and some not. Over time, I've learned to listen to the advisors, let their ideas simmer, and then follow my gut. (I especially chafe at the phrase, "Nobody wants to read books about X" -- can anyone really say what "nobody" wants?!?) <br /><br />I love that Sara Paretsky said not to lose your unique author voice. That is stellar advice! <br /><br />Thanks for sharing the story behind Seamus McCree. Can't wait to read Cabin Fever!Christine Finlaysonhttp://www.christinefinlayson.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-25758372983275370612014-04-19T18:27:46.938-04:002014-04-19T18:27:46.938-04:00Kaye - Don't you hate it when someone provides...Kaye - Don't you hate it when someone provides excellent advice and you don't take it? That might be reason enough to kill them in your next book. :)<br /><br />~ JimJim Jacksonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15090252530437277145noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-88401489859642264052014-04-19T17:49:44.299-04:002014-04-19T17:49:44.299-04:00This isn't bad advice, but good advice I didn&...This isn't bad advice, but good advice I didn't heed. My English Composition teacher in college told me to keep writing and in 20 years I would be very good. I didn't! I took it up again, seriously, years later and wished I had those 20 years under my belt.<br /><br />I also have read the book, so don't use my name in the drawing.<br /><br />Great post--enjoyed it!Kaye Georgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05596677617002735674noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-41907179986162578962014-04-19T17:26:01.024-04:002014-04-19T17:26:01.024-04:00Hi Mary -- so wonderful that many of the REDS are ...Hi Mary -- so wonderful that many of the REDS are familiar with Fish Tales (the SinC Guppies first anthology). It seems so long ago -- I hope the story is okay (he gulps with a bit of worry).<br /><br />I am wholeheartedly with you about what men or women do and don't read. There are 100 million males (give or take) who can read in the U.S. If only 1% of them read my kind of book <b>and did</b>, I think I might be, oh say, ecstatic?<br /><br />The question indeed is finding those who like what you write.<br /><br />~ Jim<br />Jim Jacksonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15090252530437277145noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-9520513966081893912014-04-19T17:17:43.671-04:002014-04-19T17:17:43.671-04:00Storytellingmary -- yep, choosing your battle is a...Storytellingmary -- yep, choosing your battle is a great piece of advice that I have ignored to my regret more than once (well, that would be considered the understatement of this blog).<br /><br />Tracy -- so nice to see you here. I frequently see Jan (my much better half for those who have not met her) using her Downward Dog Mysteries cup for her morning coffee. After you read one of Seamus's books, let me know if you agree with the mash-up description.<br /><br />~ JimJim Jacksonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15090252530437277145noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-53294031966655173592014-04-19T17:16:42.546-04:002014-04-19T17:16:42.546-04:00I hate it when people say, "Oh women don'...I hate it when people say, "Oh women don't read…" or "Men don't read…" I read all sorts of stuff. Don't tell me what I do or do not read.<br /><br />Humor under stress? Talk to any EMT, soldier, police officer, etc. I read a book about coroners and the black humor was mind boggling. But sometimes that's the only way you can deal with death day in and out.<br /><br />People have criticized me for writing a male protagonist - as a woman. But I have plenty of men in my life to ask, "Would a guy actually say/do this?" so I don't feel hampered.<br /><br />I love the advice to stick with it and don't let someone change you (while listening to criticism at the same time). Someone once told me, "There is a reader for every book, you just have to find him" and I believe that to be true.<br /><br />Best of luck, Jim. I'll have to go back to Fish Tales to find your story. Like many other here, my math skills are sketchy - so anyone who can make it make sense is a genius to me. =)Liz Millironhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04919409969263609919noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-3118403769916594122014-04-19T17:06:20.005-04:002014-04-19T17:06:20.005-04:00I have no bad advice to share, but I had to say I ...I have no bad advice to share, but I had to say I am intrigued by your character description. "I now think of him as a mash-up of Robert B. Parker’s Spenser, John Sandford’s Lucas Davenport and Winnie the Pooh" That alone makes me want to read the book!Tracy Weberhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01122159650896535331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-60258121123385948732014-04-19T16:37:46.346-04:002014-04-19T16:37:46.346-04:00Mark — yes, apparently there was no black humor in...Mark — yes, apparently there was no black humor in the early- to mid-20th century…. ; )<br /><br />In all seriousness, in the early to mid-90s, I did get a lot of: "we really like this but don't know how to market this."<br /><br />Now, post-Maisy Dobbs and Downton Abbey, it seems like a no-brainer…. <br /><br />Reine, Noel DOES have two books — 10 MINUTE PUPPETS and BOX! (all about cardboard creations….)<br />Susan Elia MacNealhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00349842866995778987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-82371773942657178152014-04-19T16:37:41.362-04:002014-04-19T16:37:41.362-04:00Best advice from an assistant principal, "Cho...<br />Best advice from an assistant principal, "Choose your battles." She was referring to my attempts to reach an unreachable child . . . and pointing me toward the 179 other students in my six-classes-a-day schedule. <br />Worst . . . just about everything ever said by the principal who inspired "The NCLB Murder." I mean, DIDN'T . . because "any resemblance to any person living or dead . . ." ;-)<br />I will be checking this out . . . Bad Policy has me thinking about my Prudential days . . .<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-15594487718410959392014-04-19T16:11:07.325-04:002014-04-19T16:11:07.325-04:00Susan, I love reading your books! But now I'm ...Susan, I love reading your books! But now I'm sad, because I was just about to look up Noel's author bio... damn.Maureen Harringtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03499876353651763590noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-25382610956380422002014-04-19T15:32:56.077-04:002014-04-19T15:32:56.077-04:00Susan, that is fascinating! YOUr writing seems so ...Susan, that is fascinating! YOUr writing seems so effottless--:-)-- and it's such a pleasure to read, I can't imagine anyone not instantly falling in love.<br /><br />Hank Phillippi Ryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17420701704169428286noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-20098827935985429682014-04-19T14:23:39.796-04:002014-04-19T14:23:39.796-04:00Susan -- don't all professions that deal with ...Susan -- don't all professions that deal with traumatic events use humor, often dark humor, to dispel the stress? And during wartime whole populations adopt the same survival tactic.<br /><br />(gosh just looked at the Captcha below and dang is stressed isn't the first "word" - synchronicity in action)<br /><br />It seems to me the advice you received is so 20th century and here we are well into the second decade of the 21st century.<br /><br />~ JimJim Jacksonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15090252530437277145noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-38502594140962452322014-04-19T13:47:57.684-04:002014-04-19T13:47:57.684-04:00Let's try this again….
Hi Mark -- Welcome!
I...Let's try this again….<br /><br />Hi Mark -- Welcome!<br /><br />I was told two things when getting rejected —<br /><br />1) Women (ostensibly my audience) didn't want to read about war, especially war in the 20th century. Women only read historical fiction in Regency, Victorian, or Tudor periods.<br /><br />2) My voice was "odd" — was my writing funny or serious? Was I trying to be camp? Why did my characters make so many jokes? Historical fiction isn't supposed to be funny! How can we possibly market this?<br /><br />(Nerves from enduring the Blitz, I say — I'm always cracking jokes during horrible times. I'm a laugh-riot in the ER. It's how I deal with stress and fear.)Susan Elia MacNealhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00349842866995778987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-35023379442860035202014-04-19T13:47:14.178-04:002014-04-19T13:47:14.178-04:00Oops, that was me, Susan -- forgot to sign Noel ou...Oops, that was me, Susan -- forgot to sign Noel out!Susan Elia MacNealhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00349842866995778987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-37255052171351180802014-04-19T13:45:35.658-04:002014-04-19T13:45:35.658-04:00Hi Mark -- Welcome!
I was told two things when ge...Hi Mark -- Welcome!<br /><br />I was told two things when getting rejected —<br /><br />1) Women (ostensibly my audience) didn't want to read about war, especially war in the 20th century. Women only read historical fiction in Regency, Victorian, or Tudor periods.<br /><br />2) My voice was "odd" — was my writing funny or serious? Was I trying to be camp? Why did my characters make so many jokes? Historical fiction isn't supposed to be funny! How can we possibly market this?<br /><br />(Nerves from enduring the Blitz, I say — I'm always cracking jokes during horrible times. I'm a laugh-riot in the ER. It's how I deal with stress and fear.)NoelMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05236732697906215852noreply@blogger.com