tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post7214085062188784805..comments2024-03-28T21:31:13.672-04:00Comments on Jungle Red Writers: Brenda Buchanan: There are Places I Remember...Jungle Red Writershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16646429819267618412noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-10637086603987062932015-05-06T02:04:20.165-04:002015-05-06T02:04:20.165-04:00I'd like to add my congratulations to Brenda o...I'd like to add my congratulations to Brenda on Quick Pivot - and thank Hallie for her piece today. BTW, please join us May 17 - when Brenda will grace our blog Crime Writer's Chronicle ( www.crimewriters.blogspot.com) with her visit too! Thelma Straw in Manhattan<br /><br />P.S. And huge hugs to Hank for all the current fame she is getting - she is like the 8th Wonder of the Planet! Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-42962003236327627092015-05-05T21:28:34.000-04:002015-05-05T21:28:34.000-04:00Congratulations, Hank . . . so excited to hear abo...Congratulations, Hank . . . so excited to hear about your Anthony Award nominations!Joan Emersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06810313925049108163noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-37487406127768741722015-05-05T20:45:34.868-04:002015-05-05T20:45:34.868-04:00Thank you to all who commented today (or those who...Thank you to all who commented today (or those who still might drop a line.) <br /><br />And thank you, Reds, for inviting me to share my book on your wonderful blog.<br /><br />It's been a delight!Brenda Buchananhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14161539130987122737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-19517130090643123132015-05-05T20:42:46.226-04:002015-05-05T20:42:46.226-04:00FChurch, I so agree. Reading an inaccurate or even...FChurch, I so agree. Reading an inaccurate or even ham-handed description of a real place can pull me right out of a story. Setting really is a 'write what you know' thing, for me at least.<br /><br />Ellen, that is interesting what your former agent says about real places helping a book's sales. I will have to see if that proves true in my case. Hope so!Brenda Buchananhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14161539130987122737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-69424382487270508162015-05-05T17:02:09.365-04:002015-05-05T17:02:09.365-04:00I get very uptight about using real places-- trade...I get very uptight about using real places-- trademarks and all that-- unless they are publicly owned and have been there forever (i.e., Washington Monument.) But there are places I've been that are engraved in my mind (sometimes in my heart.) I have been known to move them to another city and rename them.<br /><br />My former agent says a book sells better if it names a place. In other words, if I set a book in Milwaukee and had someone ride his bike up Downer Avenue, people who live on Downer Avenue would buy the book. Not sure that's the case. I'd rather set the book in a place that looks just like Downer Avenue, but in an unnamed city in an unnamed midwestern state. (Paranoia strikes deep.) <br />Ellen Knoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-4636037894849370912015-05-05T13:27:16.856-04:002015-05-05T13:27:16.856-04:00Brenda, congratulations on publishing your story--...Brenda, congratulations on publishing your story--and congrats to Hank on her Anthony nominations! Another red-letter day for the Reds' community!<br /><br />What you describe is a careful, reasoned approach to your story. As Deborah notes, even when the setting is real, you have to fictionalize part of it in order to ground your fictional characters. What I dislike intensely is reading something--say, set in Maine, or Boston, or New York--where the author is clearly clueless about the reality of place and simply bases their story on a cliched version of that reality. <br /><br />Looking forward to reading Quick Pivot!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-9671693808820302742015-05-05T13:14:18.307-04:002015-05-05T13:14:18.307-04:00Kathy Reel, you are one dedicated reader, and I ho...Kathy Reel, you are one dedicated reader, and I hope your travels bring you to Maine where you can check out some of the lovely spots in my book. I think changing the names to protect the innocent is a good middle-ground approach, but did not want to fictionalize everything.<br /><br />Deb, thank you for your good wishes. It is an honor to be a guest here on JRW.Brenda Buchananhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14161539130987122737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-53044986636317372012015-05-05T13:12:00.242-04:002015-05-05T13:12:00.242-04:00Michele, I'm glad to know you are so drawn to ...Michele, I'm glad to know you are so drawn to Maine. It is a pretty special place, I agree, and hope you enjoy my description of these special places.<br /><br />storytellermary, I know what you mean. It's like the twilight zone between reality and make-believe, no? Kind of fun. Brenda Buchananhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14161539130987122737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-81831902110339479652015-05-05T12:19:53.656-04:002015-05-05T12:19:53.656-04:00Hank, congrats!!!
And Brenda, congrats on your fi...Hank, congrats!!!<br /><br />And Brenda, congrats on your first book! So lovely to see you here as a guest on JRW. Quick Pivot sounds like a great read and I loved your descriptions of the settings.<br /><br />I usually use real towns and/or neighborhoods, but will fictionalize specific locations. There is no Otto's Cafe on Elgin Crescent in Notting Hill, but every time I walk down that street I expect to see it:-)<br /><br />Deborah Crombiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16988750789088153601noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-10244953764501369522015-05-05T11:38:55.631-04:002015-05-05T11:38:55.631-04:00Brenda, how exciting it must be to have your book ...Brenda, how exciting it must be to have your book out and people reading it. Congratulations! It sounds like a great read, and I am adding it to my TBR list. For some reason, abandoned factories and lost industries really interest me, and I love to read about people's characters being restored from unfair demise. <br /><br />I'm a bit torn on real places and fictionalized places for settings. I probably prefer real places, as I love reading the book and imagining walking the actual streets. If I've visited the area, it's even better, like Lucy's Key West. And, I like being inspired to visit a real place setting from my reading, like Julia's Adirondacks, which I made a detour on a trip just to be in the same surroundings as Russ and Clare.<br /><br />Having said the above, I certainly enjoy made-up settings, too. I'm thinking that Hallie has a great approach of using a fictionalized place name, but using real place details. Of course, it's easier if I haven't visited an area to accept and enjoy a made-up setting, with care having been taken to ensure authenticity. It sounds like your Maine setting is true to that area of Maine, so I know that I will love it. Of course, never having been to Maine, it's nice to know that you took such care with it. Kathy Reelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17004247271452356577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-64845170559640634782015-05-05T09:51:03.259-04:002015-05-05T09:51:03.259-04:00Deb and Mary, JRW back blog sisters, thank you for...Deb and Mary, JRW back blog sisters, thank you for your kind words. <br /><br />I agree that it is fun to mix it up - use some real places for inspiration but put your own stamp on them, especially when killing someone off.Brenda Buchananhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14161539130987122737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-73336925069549968772015-05-05T09:49:07.756-04:002015-05-05T09:49:07.756-04:00Susan, when you come to Maine (a place where so ma...Susan, when you come to Maine (a place where so many murder tales are set, but, in fact, one of the lowest crime states in the nation) we will keep you safe.<br /><br />Thank you for your good wishes.Brenda Buchananhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14161539130987122737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-37508562196483100572015-05-05T09:47:36.669-04:002015-05-05T09:47:36.669-04:00Thank you, Hank, for your enthusiasm about Quick P...Thank you, Hank, for your enthusiasm about Quick Pivot and congratulations on your two (count 'em) nominations for Anthony Awards, announced this morning!Brenda Buchananhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14161539130987122737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-7067134006924845952015-05-05T09:28:38.059-04:002015-05-05T09:28:38.059-04:00I love reading stories set in places I know and vi...I love reading stories set in places I know and visiting places I've read . . . even with fictional details added there's a feeling of reality in the place.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-33403171140609864702015-05-05T09:06:14.360-04:002015-05-05T09:06:14.360-04:00One of the reasons I will pick up a book is to vis...One of the reasons I will pick up a book is to visit the place where it is set. Maine is magnetic for me. I'll be there in Quick Pivot before long and looking forward to it! As for me, it is really hard to disguise St. John in the Virgin Islands so I haven't even tried, although I do fictionalize the villas where murders take place. Don't want to freak out the tourists now, do I?Michele Dorseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04121333580268107053noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-41453762077139923662015-05-05T09:05:29.149-04:002015-05-05T09:05:29.149-04:00Brenda, I forgot to say that it is so great to hea...Brenda, I forgot to say that it is so great to hear that you have gone from reader of this blog to published writer!Deb Romanonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-898224951760100802015-05-05T08:47:07.258-04:002015-05-05T08:47:07.258-04:00Congrats, Brenda! This sounds like a winner.
I wr...Congrats, Brenda! This sounds like a winner.<br /><br />I write a mix of real places and made-up. The cities and streets are real, as are public buildings, but I make up house numbers and some businesses. If I'm going to kill someone, I try to use public space or make up a location. Same for if an employee is up to no good.Liz Millironhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04919409969263609919noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-31758766757245218952015-05-05T08:46:01.830-04:002015-05-05T08:46:01.830-04:00Congratulations, Brenda!
I do enjoy reading books...Congratulations, Brenda!<br /><br />I do enjoy reading books set in places I'm familiar with. I can be happy reading about a "real" place being disguised with a different name.<br /><br />Your mystery sounds exciting, and I look forward to reading it. And thanks, JRW, for introducing me to so many new authors over the years!Deb Romanonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-26528678853748114932015-05-05T08:42:47.372-04:002015-05-05T08:42:47.372-04:00Thank you, Kaye and Margaret, for your good wishes...Thank you, Kaye and Margaret, for your good wishes!Brenda Buchananhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14161539130987122737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-12804529343586314182015-05-05T08:41:20.739-04:002015-05-05T08:41:20.739-04:00Hallie, living on Peaks Island year-round could be...Hallie, living on Peaks Island year-round could be a book in itself (and perhaps I will write it one day). <br /><br />Aside from the natural beauty, which takes on a whole new dimension in the off season, there is a special intensity to relationships. <br /><br />There are a lot of quirky people, which is mostly seen as a good thing. People know pretty much everything that is happening in your life. It's a fishbowl. But for the most part, that deep knowledge manifests itself in a positive, supportive way.<br /><br />We have lived on the mainland for seven-plus years now, but I still think of Peaks as my home.Brenda Buchananhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14161539130987122737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-8964081393956169952015-05-05T08:36:55.755-04:002015-05-05T08:36:55.755-04:00Welcome Brenda and hearty congratulations! I'm...Welcome Brenda and hearty congratulations! I'm all in favor of fictional places and absolutely understand your decision not to use your own home town.... Now between Brenda and Julia, I'm keen to plan a Maine summer vacation — but without the murder, please.Susan Elia MacNealhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00349842866995778987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-30486012471176978862015-05-05T08:28:50.250-04:002015-05-05T08:28:50.250-04:00Lucy/Roberta, I did not know you had in-laws livin...Lucy/Roberta, I did not know you had in-laws living in Cape Elizabeth. I hope you (and perhaps they) especially enjoy the scene at Crescent Beach.<br /><br />In my second book my reporter travels downeast to Machias to cover a murder trial, so even imaginary Riverside won't become the murder capital of Maine. Brenda Buchananhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14161539130987122737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-48448694702418238282015-05-05T08:26:48.556-04:002015-05-05T08:26:48.556-04:00Thank you, Joan, for your good wishes. When I'...Thank you, Joan, for your good wishes. When I've read a book with a strong setting based on a real place, I also look for the inspirational spots.<br /><br />Edith, it was wonderful to see you at Malice - thank you for your good wishes. Your Irene's is like my Riverside Rambler, a place I'd love to be able to stop in for a bite to eat.Brenda Buchananhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14161539130987122737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-62933766624044219102015-05-05T07:58:24.279-04:002015-05-05T07:58:24.279-04:00SO fabulous! I am bursting with happiness for you....SO fabulous! I am bursting with happiness for you..this only happens once in a lifetime!<br /><br /><br />Hmmm…I like real places, with imaginary bits. So my books are in Boston, clearly, but in the acknowledgments I say--savvy readers will see I have toyed a bit with the geography… Because I don't want to kill people at the Copley Plaza, you know?<br /><br />Still I see why you did it--and "realistic MAine town" is so evocative, it works beautifully!<br /><br />YAY !!!Hank Phillippi Ryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17420701704169428286noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-3724288257977353832015-05-05T07:44:38.486-04:002015-05-05T07:44:38.486-04:00congratulations, looking forward to reading your b...congratulations, looking forward to reading your book. The fictional Ohio town of my books is based on a real town where we lived twenty years ago, but I changed all the place names. Margaret S. Hamiltonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07979191318652199350noreply@blogger.com