tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post2809261596329005703..comments2024-03-29T10:25:17.813-04:00Comments on Jungle Red Writers: Where Should I Come From? A Heroine’s QuandaryJungle Red Writershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16646429819267618412noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-45618888418697330982014-01-11T12:20:48.860-05:002014-01-11T12:20:48.860-05:00Sharon and Kathy Reel had their names drawn to rec...Sharon and Kathy Reel had their names drawn to receive copies of THE SLEEPING DICTIONARY. Please send an email to Sujata with your mailing addresses.<br /><br />sujatamassey at mac dot comLucy Burdette aka Roberta Isleibhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04660402177299546055noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-50501121669166319712014-01-10T18:22:18.556-05:002014-01-10T18:22:18.556-05:00Your book sounds wonderful, Sujata! Imagine if eve...Your book sounds wonderful, Sujata! Imagine if everyone followed the advice of write what you know. I don't think we'd have much in the way of historical fiction to read.Pat Dnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-34944425669285975812014-01-10T18:02:42.851-05:002014-01-10T18:02:42.851-05:00Julia, I'm thrilled and humbled you would use ...Julia, I'm thrilled and humbled you would use my book in teaching!<br /><br />TFJ, so glad you are reading the blog and are along for this ride to India, as well as the ones to Japan.<br /><br />Japan is NOT over! I just have a problem getting multiple books written at the same time.<br />sujata masseyhttp://www.sujatamassey.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-5612220921260192852014-01-10T17:35:38.212-05:002014-01-10T17:35:38.212-05:00I love this attitude. I am a 67 year old white wo...I love this attitude. I am a 67 year old white woman who is trying to write a story set in Black DC. I am even using a first person narrator who is a young Black social worker. <br />I am more determined than ever, having read this post, to go with my intuition and my passion. Thank you!Denise Annhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02790883493798517829noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-56749789839041114932014-01-10T17:10:07.625-05:002014-01-10T17:10:07.625-05:00I thoroughly enjoyed watching Rei over the years a...I thoroughly enjoyed watching Rei over the years and have purchased The Sleeping Dictionary; it's next up on my TBR mountain range.<br /><br />It's the writing and character development that captures me, not the genre; it doesn't hurt, Sujata, that you so both so well that I eagerly followed your progress on The Sleeping Dictionary via your blog. Congratulations on this new front.<br /><br />But, I also would love to see more of Rei!<br /><br />TFJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01145220939173150233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-21928556295932371482014-01-10T14:52:30.169-05:002014-01-10T14:52:30.169-05:00"The past is a foreign country; they do thing..."The past is a foreign country; they do things differently there." - L.P. Hartley<br /><br />I am a great believer in the idea that a place should sing to the writer in order to come alive. I also suspect that an outsider/insider perspective is very useful for the novelist, whether it's writing about where you came from while living in a different place (as Rhys and I do) or exploring the place in which you are an alien, like Deb and Sujata. Of course, we're all outsiders looking in when we write history. <br /><br />Sujata, this may age both of us, but when I was teaching myself to write mysteries prior to beginning IN THE BLEAK MIDWINTER, THE SALARYMAN'S WIFE was one of the books that influenced my approach to location. I still cite it when teaching! How's that for coming full circle?Juliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09553268569509053159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-84367271247189351792014-01-10T13:30:06.335-05:002014-01-10T13:30:06.335-05:00Lucy and Hank and Hallie and Deb--fantastic red la...Lucy and Hank and Hallie and Deb--fantastic red ladies-- thanks for the invitation. Checking in on this conversation has been a nice break in a slushy day here. <br /><br />And to answer the Rei Shimura question, yes, I'm working on another Rei book as well as the India fiction, but I don't have quite enough hours in the day to finish either. This could be a problem!sujata masseyhttp://www.sujatamassey.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-26275821742751323732014-01-10T13:21:30.049-05:002014-01-10T13:21:30.049-05:00Susan Elia McNeal--When I read Mr CHurchill's ...Susan Elia McNeal--When I read Mr CHurchill's Secretary, I though it really seemed like a companion book to mine. We both have heroines involved in world war ii espionage stories, just one happens to be in London and the other in Calcutta. Nice to hear from you.<br />Sujatasujatamasseyhttp://www.sujatamassey.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-36617485180297664902014-01-10T13:13:13.917-05:002014-01-10T13:13:13.917-05:00I'm a big fan of Rei, and I miss her!
It'...I'm a big fan of Rei, and I miss her!<br /><br />It's interesting to read about how you decided to write the books about Rei and what led you to your new protagonist. I enjoy reading about other cultures, and have read very few books about India or Indian culture. I look forward to reading your new book.Deb Romanonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-68130854445899969562014-01-10T12:58:55.729-05:002014-01-10T12:58:55.729-05:00What an interesting writing journey, Sujata! Than...What an interesting writing journey, Sujata! Thank you for sharing with us your author evolution. Rei Shimura sounds like a fascinating character, and, once again, I must expand my to-be-read list. I have no connections with India, but I've always been fascinated with the country and people, and I've enjoyed novels with that setting. I just know that The Sleeping Dictionary is going to be a book I read and recommend to my friends. I love historical fiction, especially when, as you have done, the author explores an area of history that is not so well known. And, as Hank mentioned, the cover for The Sleeping Dictionary is gorgeous. A signed copy would be a treasure indeed. <br /><br />Sujata, your article has me thinking about my own roots. My great-great-great-great uncle is Daniel Boone, directly descended from his brother Edward, who was killed when mistaken for Daniel. I have long wanted to, and plan to, visit the ancestral home in Stoke Canon, England. Then, in an interesting twist, I go from having Edward killed by American Indians to my father's grandmother secretly having an affair with an Algonquin Indian and bearing a child, my father's mother, my grandmother. My father never would talk about it, which has always made me want to explore it more. I'm a great fan of breaking taboos and examining them. Everyone keeps telling me to write a book. Maybe I'm working my way toward a subject. Thanks for starting my wheels to turn.Kathy Reelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17004247271452356577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-56332643244905064122014-01-10T12:16:29.423-05:002014-01-10T12:16:29.423-05:00A fascinating post, and now I can't wait to st...A fascinating post, and now I can't wait to start the Rei Shimura books. Deb, I am a big, big fan, and feel very connected to your books - and I am a Brit living in the USA.<br /><br />I'm sure Sujata is right that the outsider's eye is a help. If novels are populated with characters the writer has observed, why not settings? Plus the research angle you guys discussed in a previous blog.Carolenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-8681567453787679732014-01-10T12:07:11.231-05:002014-01-10T12:07:11.231-05:00What a wonderful, evocative title! I look forward...What a wonderful, evocative title! I look forward to reading The Sleeping Dictionary - both the setting and the time period are foreign for me, and I always enjoyed the cultural details when reading Rei Shimura's adventures (add me to the list of those wondering how she's doing, and if she'll put in any future appearances ...).Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14431306874256373252noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-56477456724782760472014-01-10T12:02:04.859-05:002014-01-10T12:02:04.859-05:00What a beautiful cover! Thanks, Sujata and Reds, f...What a beautiful cover! Thanks, Sujata and Reds, for sharing this book with us. So pleased, impressed, inspired by writers who push a little, then a little more, and even more against those walls, visible and invisible, that our society creates to give us stories, paintings, and songs that transport us!Leslie Budewitzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11942314846112875042noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-79835210951936114982014-01-10T11:53:38.912-05:002014-01-10T11:53:38.912-05:00I'm so happy to hear that you've a new boo...I'm so happy to hear that you've a new book!<br /><br />My husband and I both read and enjoyed the Rei Shimura books, so we'll be on the lookout for the new one. The title is certainly one that draws attention even without knowledge of the meaning.<br /><br />SharonSharonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-10861852898982978472014-01-10T11:42:18.296-05:002014-01-10T11:42:18.296-05:00Wow, just went to your web site and read all about...Wow, just went to your web site and read all about THE SLEEPING DICTIONARY. It looks so fabulous. I can't wait to get it and dive in.... Always been fascinated with the 1930s, Bengali culture, and Calcutta in particular. Susan Elia MacNealhttp://www.susaneliamacneal.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-51125416302112123762014-01-10T11:36:27.111-05:002014-01-10T11:36:27.111-05:00Hi Sujata, thank you for being on Jungle Reds. You...Hi Sujata, thank you for being on Jungle Reds. Your journey is fascinating — and A LITTLE PRINCESS is one of my all-time favorite books, too! I look forward to reading _your_ book now.Susan Elia MacNealhttp://www.susaneliamacneal.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-45570480585821189782014-01-10T11:10:16.982-05:002014-01-10T11:10:16.982-05:00Hi Sujata!!!! So great to see you on Jungle Red. ...Hi Sujata!!!! So great to see you on Jungle Red. And I'm so excited about the new book--just going to order it, and I think this one I must have in hardcover, as it's so beautiful.<br /><br />We published our first novels about the same time, didn't we? And I struggled with the same thing for years--being told that I had to write what I knew, i.e. I lived in Texas, grew up in Texas, and should write about Texas--but that setting just didn't speak to me at all. So I finally took the plunge--to much derision, I might add--and wrote what I really wanted to write, a book set in England with English characters. And half the fun of it has been learning things I didn't know!<br /><br />Huge congrats on the new book--I can't wait to read it!Debhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11519514786198185277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-42881712678135148572014-01-10T11:01:06.940-05:002014-01-10T11:01:06.940-05:00Dear Sujata,
What a thought-provoking essay. I'...Dear Sujata,<br />What a thought-provoking essay. I'm an American of Scandinavian descent from the Pacific Northwest who has always had a fascination with Asia. For many years I wrote about the world I grew up in, but there was never any spark. Then I started writing about Asia (I also lived and traveled extensively there). The result was my debut novel and the development of my belief that writing what you know is good and fine, but writing about what you are passionate about is the real path to follow --- or as Kalyani says here, write about what you feel truly connected to. And as adibud34 noted, the voice must be authentic. I'm very eager to read your new novel as well as delve into your mystery series!Kimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15354719566758459929noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-85147847992872604232014-01-10T10:59:21.429-05:002014-01-10T10:59:21.429-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-341672686151440122014-01-10T10:14:36.612-05:002014-01-10T10:14:36.612-05:00Interesting. A close friend (and former major pub...Interesting. A close friend (and former major publishing house editor as well as an agent) keeps telling me to set novels in my home town in order to sell them. I have resisted for two reasons, one of which is that I live here and I'm too close to the place, and the other is that OTHER cities are more interesting to me. <br /><br />I applaud Sujata's strength in fighting this "sales strategy" in order to write the story that she wants to tell. Ellen Knoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-48565502369481647442014-01-10T10:07:25.285-05:002014-01-10T10:07:25.285-05:00I have loved the Rei Shimura books and look forwar...I have loved the Rei Shimura books and look forward to reading the new book and many more of Sujata Massey's in the future!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-26530773688040690602014-01-10T10:05:00.693-05:002014-01-10T10:05:00.693-05:00Hmm…this is the third time I've tried posting ...Hmm…this is the third time I've tried posting a comment today- somehow, it didn't get through when I tried on my phone! :)<br /><br />So, this is a very insightful blog post, Sujata! I quite agree with you that as long as the voice of the protagonist/character sounds authentic, it doesn't matter whether or not the author and the character share any sort of demographic similarity. It just needs to be authentic! <br /><br />Adityaadibud34https://www.blogger.com/profile/09785567705223972819noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-59801474247121550872014-01-10T09:53:46.509-05:002014-01-10T09:53:46.509-05:00So wise, Sujata -- Your new book sounds absolutely...So wise, Sujata -- Your new book sounds absolutely wonderful. And courageous to take off in a new direction. I'm looking forward to reading the new book.Hallie Ephronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04759439029582054503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-59158348199521570742014-01-10T09:43:13.427-05:002014-01-10T09:43:13.427-05:00When I started painting a few years ago, my first ...When I started painting a few years ago, my first paintings were photo-realism style. After a while, I decided that I wanted/needed to try other styles. The art teacher I had was confused. He had decided I was a "photo-realist" painter. Period. I had to find my own "voice" and try other things, regardless of what he thought. It's been great fun. www.libbydoddart.comLibby Doddhttp://www.libbydoddart.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-50773251852786899672014-01-10T09:39:15.494-05:002014-01-10T09:39:15.494-05:00OH, what a gorgeous cover! Fabulous, Sujata!
And ...OH, what a gorgeous cover! Fabulous, Sujata!<br /><br />And you know, "connected" is such an interesting concept--it can happen over years, or in an instant. I think that's the magic.<br /><br />And just as Kalyani says, it shows in the writing. Hank Phillippi Ryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17420701704169428286noreply@blogger.com