HALLIE EPHRON: Speaking of writing in the voice of a narrator who's different from the author, Michael Connelly has successfully managed that transformation.
After 24 Harry Bosch series novels and 8 Mickey Haller (Lincoln Lawyer) series novels and 3 Jack McEvoy series novels, he started writing a series featuring a woman: Renée Ballard. She's an LAPD police officer.
Last weekend I had the great good fortune of being on the faculty for the Book Passage bookstore's annual mystery writing conference. Michael Connelly was a featured speaker and he talked about creating Ballard after his hardboiled male detectives. (And also about his newest novel, Nightshade (set not on the mean streets of Los Angeles but on the tiny bucolic Catalina Island).
He spoke quite a bit about writing a female protagonist for his Renee Ballard novels, especially after so many novels featuring hardbitten male police detectives and attorneys.
That got me curious to see how Connelly introduced Renee in her first series novel, The Late Show.
Here are the opening lines. Sure enough, Connelly starts right out by writing Ballard in contrast to her male colleagues:
Ballard and Jenkins rolled up on the house on El Centro shortly before midnight. It was the first call of the shift. There was already a patrol cruiser at the curb out front and Ballard recognized the two blue suiters standing on the front porch of the bungalow with a gray-haired woman in a bathrobe. John Stanley was the shift’s senior lead officer — the street boss — and his partner was Jacob Ross.
“I think this one’s yours,” Jenkins said.
They had found in their two-year partnership that Ballard was the better of the two at working with female victims. It wasn’t that Jenkins was an ogre but Ballard was more understanding of the emotions of female victims. The opposite was true when they rolled up on a case with a male victim.
I was fascinated listening to him talk about how he writes his books and works with the folks adapting his books for film.
He had three pieces of advice for aspiring mystery writers:
- "Don't try to be like something else. It has to come from here (heart)."
- "Keep your head down!"
- "Make sure on every page, everybody wants something. Even if it's a glass of water." (Quoting Kurt Vonnegut)
Following this he offered this revelation: "I haven't written a perfect book yet."
Great advice.
Finally, here's a link to the official trailer for the Ballard series: https://www.michaelconnelly.com/ballard-tv/ .
What mystery series are you watching or possibly bingeing these days?
Finally, here's a link to the official trailer for the Ballard series: https://www.michaelconnelly.com/ballard-tv/ .
What mystery series are you watching or possibly bingeing these days?
With the grandchildren here we haven't done much television-watching lately; we did catch an episode or two of "Only Murders in the Building," though . . . .
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed Only Murders... though the plots are more than a little preposterous and rely heavily on the charm of the actors.
DeleteI don't watch much TV but I have binged Slow Horses & OMITB.
ReplyDeleteAnd I usually binge these 2 shows since I have gotten a free week's trial on the streaming channel each year and then cancel.
But I do have have an annual Prime membership so I can dole out watching BALLARD.
Grace do you watch Murdock Murders (we watch on Brit Box) which takes place in the late 1880's in Toronto?
DeleteWe really love the characters, Det. Murdock, George Crabtree and the Chief Brackenreid (sp?).
I think you'll like Ballard. Though I've only watched the first episode. Totally hooked.
DeleteI've seen all episodes of Ballard. I also watched Poker Face, Only Murders in the Building, The Better Sister, and The Residence to name a few.
ReplyDeleteWondering what you thought of the way Poker Face is structured - with us knowing whodunnit from the get-go. I confess, I foud it jarring, much as I adore Narasha Lyonne.
DeleteI'm watching series #1 of The Missing. We found the videos in a used bookstore, and it's mesmerizing. 8 episodes, and we're watching two a day. I know I will hate when it ends. I've read the second series is a different story.
ReplyDeleteThat was me, Elizabeth Varadan. I keep forgetting to post under my name.
ReplyDeleteThe Missing. Writing it down.
DeleteThanks for the recommendation, Hallie. Netflix is one of the two streamers we have, and I'll put Ballard on the list. We've been meaning to get to The Residence, and just finished watching Patience. Otherwise I'm enjoying the current season of Grantchester.
ReplyDeleteEdith, just a clarification, 'Ballard' is on Prime not Netflix.
DeleteBut...but...Hallie said Netflix! "Finally, here's a link to the official trailer for the Netflix Ballard series: https://www.michaelconnelly.com/ballard-tv/." Damn. We will not have Prime in the house.
DeleteAt the beginning she says Amazon Prime.
DeleteEDITH: We do not have Prime either and never will. Wish it was on Netflix though.
DeleteAs usual I got it wrong after I got it right. Sorry. It's on AMAZON PRIME (not Netflix)
DeleteHallie, I would have loved to hear Connelly speak about his writing. I have read almost all of his books and love the characters he has created. Interestingly, the first Facebook group I joined was for fans of Harry Bosch. The members of that group were strongly divided on the introduction of Renée Ballard. Many female fans disliked her as much as the male fans did, and some of the comments were nasty. (It reminded me of people's dislike for a former presidential candidate. Just feelings, not facts.)
ReplyDeleteI love hearing about your thoughts on Michael Connelly, and especially his advice. He was starting to really take off when I was a newborn in crime fiction. Fascinating that he hasn't written a perfect book yet! I wonder what writer would say they had??
ReplyDeleteI remember the first book of his that I read when I was reviewing crime fiction for the Boston Globe. I was blown away. His characters are so three dimensional.
DeleteInteresting! I'm enjoying "Ballard" and just finished "The Art Detectives" and "Patience."
ReplyDeleteThe Art Detectives??? Going to have to look that one up.
DeleteOh I love these “what are you watching/reading” posts. I get so many great ideas. My TBR and TBW lists have grown so much from these posts! I recently enjoyed “The Agency” (with Michael Fassbender) and “Saving the Manor” (a DIY/renovation show set near Birmingham, England). But doing much more reading this summer than television watching. There are so many great books out right now.
ReplyDeleteHope you'll share your favorite reads, too, Stacia.
DeleteJust finished watching Department Q. Now watching Mr Robot - I missed it when it was first out.
ReplyDeleteI think he is so brilliant—his book THE POET was astonishing. We are watching Ballard, which to me has a network look rather than a streaming look—did he say anything about that?
ReplyDeleteJonathan pointed out to me how many shows are similar to Dept Q and Patience—and one more that I forget—quirky cold case cops relegated to undesirable offices. And Patience is similar to High Potential.
Hank, yes Michael Connelly is brilliant! And THE POET is an amazing book as well. For me, the truest testament of how good a writer Michael Connelly is comes from the time I lent a friend of mine a copy of BLOOD WORK. Said friend was a notoriously slow reader. But the next week he returned the book because he couldn't put it down and had finished in a just a few days.
DeleteYes, that is the perfect proof! And what a wonderful moment for you both.
DeleteOf course Jonathon is absolutely right... also the theme of corruption within the police force and elected politicians leaning on inestigators... we've seen it before because it works!
DeleteOur recent streaming has included The Art Detectives, Van der Valk (which we had somehow missed until now!), and Ludwig and the new season of Harry Wild before that. We were disappointed with BritBox's Death Valley and bailed after a few episodes. Oh, and we are still slowly finishing the season of the CBS show Tracker, which we absolutely LOVE and have watched slowly to savor.
ReplyDeletePat D: Having wrapped up several recently, I'm watching Untamed, Good Ship Murder, and Madame Blanc. Heading out this morning to Ohio to visit friends for a few days, so I doubt we'll be watching any TV.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you brought up Michael Connelly, Hallie, because I think I've read everything he's written, including Void Moon and Chasing the Dime, his standalones. I consider him the best police procedural writer there is, and since that's the type of mystery I write, I read a lot of them. When it comes to advice, however, he has me stumped--what does he mean when he recommends that new writers should "keep their heads down?" That they should keep writing? That they should stay out of trouble? What trouble? That they shouldn't approach other writers? This is a serious question to all of you out there--I'd like to understand what he's trying to tell us.
ReplyDeleteI'm also glad you brought up "Ballard" on TV (I've enjoyed all the books she's in very much!). My husband and I have three more episodes to go, and we think the season is excellent. I read a criticism on one of the mystery blogs that Ballard "doesn't have a sense of humor." Considering what her life has been like so far, why should she? I find her a fascinating character, and I like the different personalities of the people on her team. The cases are well-explained and thoroughly investigated. Hope we get another season!
I saw a comment somewhere in my Internet travels that said while Amazon hasn't officially renewed 'Ballard' for a 2nd season, they did recently open the writer's room to start on breaking stories for said 2nd season.
DeleteThat should be WRITERS room, not WRITER'S room.
DeleteConnelly seemed to indicate that the next season was green lighted. I hope that's true. Kim,, I so agree with you. I think Connelly is one of the *greats* of this generation of fiction writers, ever mind crime fiction writers.
DeleteKim, I took it as a "just keep going" statement. Don't let the business stop you.
DeleteHALLIE: I have been binge watching MIDSOMMER MURDERS on Acorn TV. Just finished watching MADAME BLANCHE on Acorn TV. Now they are showing new Madame Blanche episodes weekly. Just finished watching CANDICE RENOIR on Acorn TV several weeks ago. Planning to watch CODE OF SILENCE with the British Deaf actress Rose Ayling-Ellis on BritBox TV.
ReplyDeleteBallard is played by an actress Maggie Q. I've been watching the trailer on social media. Did Michael Connelly pick the actors and actress to play his book characters for the screen adaptation?
While not claiming to be anything even close to an expert in these matters, I've heard plenty of authors say that they have little to no say who gets cast in movies or shows based on their books.
DeleteJay, thank you for sharing.
DeleteAs I recall, he indicated taht he didn't have a role in casting.
DeleteThe funny thing about Renee Ballard in the books is I didn't really like THE LATE SHOW all that much. In trying to introduce her, I thought there was way too much going on in the plot and that the five different individual story strands got a bit of a short shrift in order to eventually tie them all together. It's the one Connelly book I don't absolutely love. But starting with the 2nd book to feature Ballard and continuing onward, I have loved the character and the books.
ReplyDeleteAs for the TV series, I binged it over the course of two days and I loved it! Really can't wait to see a 2nd season.
Other mystery shows I've been watching include Grantchester, Patience and Department Q. Plus various older shows that I'm in the midst of re-watching.
Which Michael Connelly novel is the 2nd book to feature Ballard, Jay?
Delete#2 is Dark Sacred Night and #3 is The Night Fire
DeleteBrenda, thank you.
DeleteMy hat off to you as a reader, Jay, that you persisted and read the next book when you weren't wild about the last one.
DeleteWill have to check out Patience & Dept Q. We've enjoyed Madame LeBlanc, Ludwig, Art Detective, Death Valley (not for everyone but it grows on you!). I think Father Brown, Sister Boniface, Death In Paradise aren't coming back unfortunately.
ReplyDeleteApparently 'Death in Paradise' was renewed for a 15th season. From what I read online, filming began in April.
DeleteWe are almost done with the first season of Ballard and are enjoying it. I have read a couple of the books and think Maggie Q is doing a great job. She’s professional and stoic at times but shows her vulnerability, too. I also like how the supporting characters are slowly being fleshed out.
ReplyDeleteWe’ve been watching most of the same shows mentioned above along with old episodes of MI-5 and Vera on BritBox. We’re also finishing the (few) network shows we watch like Tracker, Will Trent and High Potential. Still need to watch the second season of Wolf Hall. — Pat S
Somehow I missed Wolf Hall. Thanks for the reminder, Pat.
DeleteWe are about half way through watching Doc Martin. The others that we watch on the Ovation channel are stand alone mysteries which are all Canadian or British based. I love that the storylines do not duplicate those that keep repeating on American broadcasters.
ReplyDeleteI was glued to Doc Martin early on but I confess, ever since he and Louisa tied the knot and had a baby I haven't been as riveted.
DeleteOh, this is fabulous, Hallie. Very motivational. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteJust received an email from BritBox that CODE OF SILENCE is streaming now.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Diana - Writing i tdown!
DeleteWe got a hankering to revisit Poirot, so we re-subscribed to Britbox. But I'll put the Ballard series on the list.
ReplyDeleteI assumed that what Connelly meant by "keep your head down" was just to concentrate on writing and not pay too much attention to everyone telling you how you should do it. What was your take on that, Hallie?
ReplyDeleteWe haven't tried Ballard but now we will start it tonight! I haven't read any of the Ballard books--I'm ashamed to admit I haven't really read much Connelly, just because "not British" which is where I like to keep my head. But I'm going to give the first Ballard book a try.
We've been looking for something really good to watch since Dept Q and The Offer. We did love Patience, although the first couple of episodes are a bit clunky. Ella Maisy Purvis, who plays Patience, is absolutely amazing. And I've read that she is also autistic.
We gave up on The Art Detectives after a couple of episodes.
Have you watched The Diplomat?
DeleteI haven't been watching much TV lately, but I do have some series I want to catch up on--Only Murders in the Building, Poker Face, Patience, Slow Horses, and Agatha Raisin. I'm so glad that so many of you here loved Ludwig, as it convinced me to watch it, and I loved it. I plan on watching We Were Liars, since I read the book. Husband and I have just started watching Dept. Q, first episode. I think it looks promising. Not sure what he thinks yet. Oh, and I like the Agatha Christie newer versions of her books, too.
ReplyDeleteWe are really enjoying MURDOCK MURDERS (BritBox and Acorn and some others). It is a Canadian series and is fascinating. The main characters are all extremely likable as well!!
ReplyDeleteMy sisters and I were concerned Renee Ballard was recklessly putting herself in danger sleeping on the beach after surfing. I felt somewhat vindicated when her car was broken into in a later book (forgive the spoiler).
ReplyDeleteWhile I wait for you ladies to write more books, I have been reading Susan Hill's Simon Serrailler series, Jane Casey's most recent Maeve Kerrigan book, and Death at the White Hart by the creator of Broadchurch.