tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post8968451279708020670..comments2024-03-29T01:17:04.775-04:00Comments on Jungle Red Writers: Deborah Coonts--Lucky BreakJungle Red Writershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16646429819267618412noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-22783749832140205602016-05-18T01:59:46.887-04:002016-05-18T01:59:46.887-04:00As a reader, I can handle a certain amount of stat...As a reader, I can handle a certain amount of static with series characters. It is always engaging to transport one’s self into the quality of life; to see how a crafty person has thought before us, and to what noble crown we have at last.<br /><a href="https://www.geniushomeworkhelp.com" rel="nofollow">Assignments Writing Service</a>Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18245713633961090351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-80552029143660964222016-03-22T09:08:51.845-04:002016-03-22T09:08:51.845-04:00Characters that grow and change are more preferabl...Characters that grow and change are more preferable to me. This would explain why I'd rather have a book written by Deborah Combie than one by Evanovich. I like how put across your points. That was a post worth my time.<br /><a href="https://www.customwritingbay.com/9-cheap-writing-services/645-custom-book-report-writers" rel="nofollow">Book Report Writing Service</a>Curtishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03576662660413223531noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-677887696418304972016-01-30T04:04:49.516-05:002016-01-30T04:04:49.516-05:00Characters need to grow. That's why I lost int...Characters need to grow. That's why I lost interest in Stephanie Plum around book 12 or 13. I read ALOT, and the majority are series & definitely mysteries.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11529976683401551587noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-42632347634975444372015-11-20T19:50:59.109-05:002015-11-20T19:50:59.109-05:00Libby--same me, same voice:0 I really do like to ...Libby--same me, same voice:0 I really do like to laugh, and I have a snark streak a mile wide:)<br /><br />Pat d--Yes! Growth without becoming unrecognizable!Deb Coontshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17806657924971312913noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-85089748749923345302015-11-20T19:43:20.131-05:002015-11-20T19:43:20.131-05:00The characters have to grow and develop or it just...The characters have to grow and develop or it just doesn't work for me. After all, we're still changing and hopefully maturing (in a good way!) aren't we?<br />Pat Dnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-4983712907047313232015-11-20T18:26:08.992-05:002015-11-20T18:26:08.992-05:00If yoru novels are anything like your writing here...If yoru novels are anything like your writing here, I am SO in!Libby Doddhttp://www.libbydoddart.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-8618987674651687952015-11-20T18:15:11.048-05:002015-11-20T18:15:11.048-05:00Thanks to Deborah Crombie for hosting me today and...Thanks to Deborah Crombie for hosting me today and to all of you who joined us!! Happy Holidays one and all. I'll check back later if I can, but I'm meeting a writer friend for dinner in Sausalito....I know! Am I lucky or what?<br /><br />Hugs to all!Deb Coontshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17806657924971312913noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-49361316088715574282015-11-20T17:51:19.471-05:002015-11-20T17:51:19.471-05:00Bonnie--HEA= Happy Ever After:) I sure hope you ...Bonnie--HEA= Happy Ever After:) I sure hope you enjoy the series. And I hope Lucky and her crew make you giggle:)<br /><br />Deborah--the trick seems to be to keep the characters true to themselves so they feel like old friends, but then let them grow as hopefully our friends do. Gosh, hope your eye surgery went well and heals quickly! No fun at all!<br /><br />I tend to get really bored by characters who don't learn. I want to be taken on the journey with them; I want to learn, too:)<br /><br />Hallie--great first line. I'm behind on my Alexander McCall Smith! So many books, so little quiet in my head to enjoy characters I didn't create. But, as a writer and a human, reading is necessary for sanity.<br /><br />Everyone has left such great comments and been so very nice today! Thank you! I appreciate everything you've said!!Deb Coontshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17806657924971312913noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-1604329833223570652015-11-20T16:56:58.599-05:002015-11-20T16:56:58.599-05:00Hi Deb! Apologies for checking in so late. I'm...Hi Deb! Apologies for checking in so late. I'm still a little computer challenged after yesterday's eye surgery.<br /><br />What great comments from everyone. I had to really think about this. Maybe there are a few static characters in books I would read for the comfort factor, or for setting and atmosphere, but I think I'm 99% on the side of evolving characters. I certainly don't think I'd enjoy writing static main characters. <br /><br />I think I need to read some Lucky right now!<br /><br />Oh, and Hallie, thanks for the great opening line from Alexander McCall Smith. I haven't read that series. On my list...Deborah Crombiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16988750789088153601noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-75717128111402789832015-11-20T16:47:07.131-05:002015-11-20T16:47:07.131-05:00Hi-I have just jumped into the blog-I absolutely l...Hi-I have just jumped into the blog-I absolutely love Julia Spenser-Flemings series, and came here from her site. Your LUCKY series looks very intriguing! I am making efforts to obtain the first couple books.<br />Regarding your question: I like to see characters grow, main as well as secondary characters. I look forward to the quirky towns people evolving as well, also getting their back stories.<br />and I am looking forward to reading your series!<br />Do I have to wait til I've read the books to find out what HEA mean???<br />take care, Happy Thanksgiving, and thanks!!!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11529976683401551587noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-64799172426454303382015-11-20T13:18:58.196-05:002015-11-20T13:18:58.196-05:00You guys are bringing up and interesting dichotomy...You guys are bringing up and interesting dichotomy--learning vs. core values. Lucky, at the core, will always be Lucky. One time I received a scathing email from someone who took great umbrage with a sentence in my bio. It reads (yes, I did not change it) "I am proof positive that sex sells." Of course, you guys would've known that was a joke. Lucky is probably the only person in Vegas looking for a relationship that lasts more than an hour or so:) and she'll always be that person--the big-hearted, non-judgemental champion of the underdog who wants to give everyone the benefit of the doubt, sometimes to her peril. That part won't change. But, as Lucky makes mistakes, picks lovers who disappoint, etc. she learns about herself, what she wants, why she does what she does, and why others perhaps do what they do. This is the change part I like. Through life, I hope we all do that. At an age now that is older than dirt, I am fundamentally the person I was when I was younger, but I sincerely hope I've learned a lot and don't make the same mistakes....although, nobody's perfect. Deb Coontshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17806657924971312913noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-16999046386920865392015-11-20T13:09:23.430-05:002015-11-20T13:09:23.430-05:00What a fun, witty post, Deborah! I think people o...What a fun, witty post, Deborah! I think people only need to read this post to be hooked on your writing, and that first line of your book has to be one of the best opening lines I've come across. Book #6? I definitely need to do some catching up. Thanks for visiting the Reds today and sharing such interesting info about your character-driven writing.<br /><br />Static characters? Well, my quick answer is that I definitely want the characters I read in a series to develop more and learn from their experiences. And then, there are certain characters that come to mind, like the Agatha Christie ones Hallie mentioned, that give stories a comfortable continuity. Although, there is a series that comes to mind from a fairly well-known author that I've read for years and I think is about to book 26 or 27, and I became disgruntled some time ago because the main character and all others are just too darn static. I keep thinking, when will this man ever do something about his personal life that isn't so predictable? However, I am a loyal reader, and I suppose I will continue to read this series due to that. Oh, and it isn't anyone here, of course.Kathy Reelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17004247271452356577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-78354629910680105972015-11-20T12:20:34.461-05:002015-11-20T12:20:34.461-05:00Book 6 already?? How do I stay so far behind? I ne...Book 6 already?? How do I stay so far behind? I need a "Lucky" break! ;-)<br /><br />I like Hallie's comment--change is a process--so, characters evolve over time, from book to book--and I like it when we see this more in bits and pieces--maybe something from their past revealed--maybe an epiphany, maybe something major--a loss, an injury,or a recommitting to values, goals, etc. Life isn't a series of connect-the-dot moments and it's more interesting to me when a character arc mimics this process.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-6384083848042112602015-11-20T12:14:27.427-05:002015-11-20T12:14:27.427-05:00An interesting topic, Deborah! IRL, how much do pe...An interesting topic, Deborah! IRL, how much do people change and grow? A man who is born stubborn is going to die stubborn, as my grandma used to say. Maybe some traits in our characters remain static, but if they do the same things over and over and make the same mistakes over and over, that's more than stubborn, that's stupid. I can tolerate stubborn but have no patience for stupid. This is why assigning traits and quirks to characters are a decision, instead of happenstance. A stubborn character may not change, but if s/he recognizes this weakness or strength, that in and of itself is growth. <br /><br />I know you are a fan of the "what does this character want" question. I like it too, but even that changes. That's what keeps stories interesting. And I love the first sentence, too. What's not to love??Ramonahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00627775403015684868noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-72738728612859619332015-11-20T10:43:54.262-05:002015-11-20T10:43:54.262-05:00This post was as funny as the Lucky series. Thank...This post was as funny as the Lucky series. Thanks for some laughs with my morning coffee. And thanks for solving the mystery of why I stopped caring what happened to Stephanie Plum many books ago.<br /><br />I like the characters to stay true at the core so they are still the characters I grew to love, but as things change around them I want them to change or grow or react too, just like in real life. I have enjoyed Lucky's journey. Sometimes I wish her (current) HEA could stay that way because I am happy for her, but life happens and she adapts. And I love it.<br /><br />Duncan and Gemma also come to mind. Think what a different series that would be and what we would have missed if instead of the arc of their life together they just continued to be partners and solve interesting cases.<br /><br />Congrats, Deb on release day. Can't wait to read this one.Grandma Cootiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10709540756822695170noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-59406767759490610212015-11-20T09:54:14.841-05:002015-11-20T09:54:14.841-05:00Good morning, everyone!! Gosh, here on the west c...Good morning, everyone!! Gosh, here on the west coast (Im visiting my son and DIL in San Francisco--seems like a good thing to do on launch day, right?) the sun is barely lighting the sky. It seems I am among me tribe--folks who like growth and change....but not too much:) I agree. When someone tells me they enjoyed a Lucky book because it felt like visiting with old friends, that makes my heart sing.<br /><br />For me, the choice came down to this: I'm a character person, not a plot person. Now, of course, a good book needs both, but, though I love the entire puzzle of storytelling, the people in my stories intrigue me just a tetch more than the who-done-it. So, they grow, they learn, but they still screw-up....sorta like me:)Deb Coontshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17806657924971312913noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-48081481216434949242015-11-20T09:47:33.078-05:002015-11-20T09:47:33.078-05:00For me, part of the fun of a series is seeing the ...For me, part of the fun of a series is seeing the way my favorite characters change over time. <br /><br />I adore Lucky and can't wait to read about what she's gotten into this time!Alyssanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-32452413139893109792015-11-20T09:42:15.253-05:002015-11-20T09:42:15.253-05:00Welcome, Deborah! What a thoughtful piece. I defin...Welcome, Deborah! What a thoughtful piece. I definitely like to write characters that change -- but I will read really just about anything that I like. There is something comforting about picking up a book in the series and knowing the character's going to be the same, sometimes.... It's interesting in the mystery/crime genre that more authors don't comment on PTSD. Or is that just me? We put our poor protagonists through so much....Susan Elia MacNealhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00349842866995778987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-78298863427968639862015-11-20T09:00:15.656-05:002015-11-20T09:00:15.656-05:00Great first sentence! It makes me want to know wha...Great first sentence! It makes me want to know what happens next, tout suite. And I can't believe there are already six Lucky books! I need to read faster, clearly. <br /><br />I refer to myself as an omnivorous reader--characters who change, characters who don't change, mysteries, "literary" fiction--I don't care, as long as it's good writing. And the Lucky books contain my favorite reading lagniappe: humor. <br /><br />We met in Cleveland, over a great lunch with Nancy Martin, and I've been a fan ever since. <br /><br />Karen in Ohionoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-12862650283683601992015-11-20T08:29:19.747-05:002015-11-20T08:29:19.747-05:00Hey darling Deb! SO great to see you!
The balance...Hey darling Deb! SO great to see you!<br /><br />The balance, as I've been thinking, is that a character needs to be imperfect, but not stupid. That may include a few wrong or unwise decisions, but as long as they are understandable--and then later realized--that's good. <br /><br />And the other difficulty in a series, I think, is that there can;t be a cataclysmic change in every book--they can't recover from addiction, get over a divorce (completely) or whatever. A character can have only so many major flaws, right? So sometimes the change has to be a process.<br /><br />HOpe you sell piles of books! (Deb and I had a wonderful book tour together a few years ago. We can now give each other's speeches!)Hank Phillippi Ryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17420701704169428286noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-50734243111448980142015-11-20T08:17:54.655-05:002015-11-20T08:17:54.655-05:00Hello and Welcome to Deborah from Deb(orah)!
I LO...Hello and Welcome to Deborah from Deb(orah)!<br /><br />I LOVE your books! They are just what I need to lift my spirits on a bad day.<br /><br />I like to see characters grow, but not so much that I don't recognize them. Becoming mature doesn't change a person's overall personality, after all.<br /><br />Looking forward to continuing to read about Lucky! Deb Romanonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-33114653951264302182015-11-20T08:16:36.402-05:002015-11-20T08:16:36.402-05:00What a great opening line.
I like my series chara...What a great opening line.<br /><br />I like my series characters to exhibit some growth, while maintaining their core values. Or at least give me a really good reason why they change - either redemptive or destructive. As Hallie said, it can work, or be groan worthy.<br /><br />But yes, I'm one of those people who will say, "Isn't she every going to learn?" And eventually, I stop reading (or watching, in the case of some TV shows).Liz Millironhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04919409969263609919noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-20379883341235426442015-11-20T08:16:19.498-05:002015-11-20T08:16:19.498-05:00Welcome Deborah! It's a great first sentence, ...Welcome Deborah! It's a great first sentence, as is the one by Alexander McCall Smith--thanks for that Hallie!<br /><br />I much prefer growth and change, both to read and to write. (As a psychologist, it comes with the territory.) But I'm finally realizing that not all readers feel the same way. some people love the familiarity of characters who DON'T change. And they get more pleasure out of solving the puzzle.<br />Lucy Burdette aka Roberta Isleibhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04660402177299546055noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-80199524744302690752015-11-20T08:08:50.285-05:002015-11-20T08:08:50.285-05:00Nice stuff! I like the way you write it. Actually ...Nice stuff! I like the way you write it. Actually I like reading various reviews like this and <a href="http://www.topwritersreview.com/reviews/evolutionwriters/" rel="nofollow">Evolution Writers ratings</a>. Keep doing what you do, you have great results. The text is really worth reading.DevidAAhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07099747218506668941noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-40151552635178109822015-11-20T07:11:38.055-05:002015-11-20T07:11:38.055-05:00And meant to say, I LOVE that opening sentence! It...And meant to say, I LOVE that opening sentence! It reminded me of one of my favorite book openings (Alexander McCall Smith THE SUNDAY PHILOSOPHY CLUB)... so different and like your opening, right away tells the reader so much about the book they're about to read: <br />Isabel Dalhousie saw the young man fall from the edge of the upper circle, from the gods. His flight was so sudden and short, and it was for less than a second that she saw him, hair tousled, upside down, his shirt and jacket up around his chest so that his midriff was exposed. And then, striking the edge of the grand circle, he disappeared headfirst towards the stalls below.Hallie Ephronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04759439029582054503noreply@blogger.com