tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post5599121353959367584..comments2024-03-28T11:25:39.068-04:00Comments on Jungle Red Writers: Stretching by Triss Stein #mystery #giveawayJungle Red Writershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16646429819267618412noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-49577785864817557602015-11-16T12:50:13.107-05:002015-11-16T12:50:13.107-05:00I am interested in reading your series. It sounds...I am interested in reading your series. It sounds similar to Linda Fairstein and Cara Black's approach to pick a different section of a city to explore.<br /><br />My biggest stretch was going away to college. It was the 70s and very turbulent in California, but I survived and made life long friends.<br /><br />All the best.KarenMnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-15517470721991043502015-11-13T14:45:28.020-05:002015-11-13T14:45:28.020-05:00This sounds like an incredibly intriguing mystery!...This sounds like an incredibly intriguing mystery! I have not yet read any of your novels. A family member lived in Brooklyn for a number of years, and I always loved visiting her! I don't know what her neighborhood would have been considered...I think that seeing an author stretch a bit, especially in an existing series, is a good thing! The primary character(s) might gain a new depth, and the author will have new confidence as she sees it's success. I would love to read this series - see a part of Brooklyn that I have not seen prior. All the best to you in the success of this release! jeaniedannheim (at) ymail (dot) comMama Cathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06223566907992426009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-15665671899456116632015-11-13T14:38:08.369-05:002015-11-13T14:38:08.369-05:00This is a wonderful post!! As a writer who's ...This is a wonderful post!! As a writer who's had a few short stories published, I've never really thought about stretching in this manner ... but now I will!!<br /><br />My two biggest stretches so far have been (1) writing from a woman's POV (I'm a man), and (2) expanding the traditional concept of "mystery" to include elements of other genres. It's hard to do, and even harder to do well!!<br /><br />And now that Triss (and the rest of you) have opened my eyes to this and made me more aware of authors trying new things, I see it in other places too. For example, I just read a short story collection by a woman who's been a mystery writer but who's now writing stories that are a bit creepy and edgy (but still very interesting) ... Her name is Chris Rogers, and her latest collection is called "Death Edge 4".<br /><br />Thanks Triss!!!<br /><br />Rick Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09723394976199308452noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-51711996174450511012015-11-13T14:03:58.714-05:002015-11-13T14:03:58.714-05:00Triss, I loved your comments today, as I have alwa...Triss, I loved your comments today, as I have always tried to stretch in my crime novels. I have two protagonists and alternate between the two - the woman I find has more of moi than I'd like, but the biggest stretch is in getting my male protag right! I'd love to read your new book... tstraw2@verizon.netAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-33245702453901573812015-11-13T12:57:58.084-05:002015-11-13T12:57:58.084-05:00Corection: I meant this: here is a long history o...Corection: I meant this: here is a long history of AUTHORS BELIEVING THEY know about "them" and reading a very different story from the people who lived it, isn't there? <br /><br /><br />Not this: here is a long history of believing you know about"them" and reading a very different story from the people who lived it, isn't there? Trisshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08058396345946250313noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-77519890464447144672015-11-13T12:56:27.910-05:002015-11-13T12:56:27.910-05:00Mary Sutton and Ramona and some others sure got wh...Mary Sutton and Ramona and some others sure got what I was saying about writing as an outsider. There is a long history of believing you know about"them" and reading a very different story from the people who lived it, isn't there? <br /><br />I wasn't thinking of the late Bruce Alexander when I wrote Brooklyn Secrets but I learned from his writing. Remember him? An excellent writer of historical fiction set in 18th century London. I love historical fiction but only theoretically. Too often the writers tell too much for my taste - I don't need to be taught the basics. And yet, the author must explain some things or the story cannot make any sense. So he introduces a bright but naive country boy into the London household of Sir John Fielding, (real person, fascinating) and he is the narrator, learning, figuring it out, being taught. Works brilliantly and adds charm, humor, warmth. Hmm, I believe I've just inspired myself to go find and reread some of those books this weekend. ;-) Happy reading to all of you too!Trisshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08058396345946250313noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-60981974755121184022015-11-13T12:45:31.724-05:002015-11-13T12:45:31.724-05:00Sounds like a series I would really enjoy. Thanks...Sounds like a series I would really enjoy. Thanks for a chance to win a copy. elainehroberson@gmail.comElaine Robbersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07242116656578291713noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-22870224307541382722015-11-13T12:37:39.636-05:002015-11-13T12:37:39.636-05:00My biggest stretch so far was writing from a male ...My biggest stretch so far was writing from a male point of view. I'm planning to stretch myself again by writing a historical mystery. I love mysteries that deal with historical events and their connection to the present. Looking forward to reading Brooklyn Secrets. Maya Corriganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08353162256268887619noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-42503010961980144002015-11-13T12:36:52.176-05:002015-11-13T12:36:52.176-05:00Hi, Reds and readers: Apologies for not being more...Hi, Reds and readers: Apologies for not being more responsive yesterday. The plans was I would be at an out-of-town conference with my husband, with a quiet hotel morning while he went to classes. Instead I had a couple of medical days - I am not sick or injured just needed a medicine correction - that wrecked the whole thing. So here I am now, a day late, and will try to reply to some of your interesting thoughts.<br /><br />the overall message seems to be that stretching is good, even if it does not turn out a expected, and that seems to be true for me too. Certainly we learn from what doesn't work as much as what does. Maybe more.<br /><br />Hallie, I sure what have liked to see what you did on the red light district. :-) Talk about out of comfort zone. Hank,great quote from Lee Child, though I'm not sure,as a reader, if I agree. It sure is working for him, though! Denise, I am in awe of the project you are starting.That is a huge leap and I certainly would love to read it someday.Libby, thanks for the encouraging compliment on the research - so encouraging- but true confession: I love doing research and could easily, easily, spend so much time I never write the actual book. It is one of the reasons I have not tried a true historical- I might not live long enough to finish it! Oh, Katy, proficient on the computer? Still struggling. That could be a whole separate blog. Or more. But congrats on going back to school and finishing. You might like Erica's stories as she is a back to school adult too...and having trouble finishing.<br /><br />Writing as an outsider needs its own comment. Thanks to all of you for participating! TrissTrisshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08058396345946250313noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-76864462095201034562015-11-13T01:09:54.177-05:002015-11-13T01:09:54.177-05:00This is an excellent series and I look forward to ...This is an excellent series and I look forward to reading "Brooklyn Secrets". prentissg@gmail.comPrentiss Garnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07843306525782167667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-41859642870066404662015-11-12T18:45:05.901-05:002015-11-12T18:45:05.901-05:00I would say my biggest stretch was going from writ...I would say my biggest stretch was going from writing short stories to a full size book. I loved writing the short, getting in and out of a world quick so my first full length book was a challenge. <br /><br />Interesting discussion. <br /><br />lcahoon7 at gmail dot netLynn Cahoonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12075459480706211807noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-20923227874303852002015-11-12T15:06:51.339-05:002015-11-12T15:06:51.339-05:00libbydodd at comcast dot netlibbydodd at comcast dot netLibby Doddhttp://www.libbydoddart.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-42139860345464436012015-11-12T15:05:48.419-05:002015-11-12T15:05:48.419-05:00I'm always intrigued and impressed by how writ...I'm always intrigued and impressed by how writers are "directed" by their books and characters. They think they are heading in this direction and find that they are, in fact, heading in that direction.<br />Marvelous.<br />And the research?! Quite impressive.Libby Doddhttp://www.libbydoddart.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-52353187982372947002015-11-12T13:57:12.591-05:002015-11-12T13:57:12.591-05:00What a delightful sounding series. It's been w...What a delightful sounding series. It's been wonderful to watch Brooklyn change and grow over the years, albeit vicariously. Thank you for offering me a new neighborhood to enjoy. <br /><br />I try to stretch myself as often as I can. Seems I'm most comfortable out of my comfort zone.<br /><br />Kaithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07758348842858993203noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-13325612208679100122015-11-12T12:45:43.567-05:002015-11-12T12:45:43.567-05:00Wow! You have grabbed my attention, Triss! I'...Wow! You have grabbed my attention, Triss! I'm intrigued, fascinated, curious, excited about your series. The cover for Brooklyn Secrets is outstanding, and it's sure to go in my Goodreads category of "great covers" when I read it. Before I started typing a comment, I raced to Amazon to look up your Erica Donato series and add them to my wishlist. I have to say that I'm glad Brooklyn Secrets is just #3, as I have several mystery series on which to catch up this winter. I just love it when a new author comes along for me to look forward to. Maybe I should do a post on my blog sometime about all the amazing authors that I've found on the Jungle Reds.<br /><br />One of my best stretches in life was to go back to school in my late forties and earn my Masters in Library Science. It was something I'd wanted to do earlier, but it didn't come together. As it was all online, my main stretch, because school for me was not, was to become proficient at the computer. I'm certainly not a computer whiz by any means, but doing my masters online did force me to learn a whole new way of educational pursuit and gave me a confidence that I needed.<br /><br />Email is Kathy502@aol.comKathy Reelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17004247271452356577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-13421851183042132672015-11-12T12:14:44.987-05:002015-11-12T12:14:44.987-05:00terry.df@gmail.com
My family has had a very long ...terry.df@gmail.com<br /><br />My family has had a very long history in Brooklyn - from the mid-19th Century until today. My youngest daughter lives in Carroll Gardens and teaches at a public high school in Bay Ridge (serving students from Canarsie, Coney Island, Sunset Park -- all over Brooklyn). I am going to get these books for her! Thanks for the introduction.<br /><br />I am about to jump into a tough writing assignment -- helping a Chinese woman, whom we helped to sponsor into the US, with her memoir. Her story is quite complicated and tough -- she was born in 1969, in the midst of the cultural revolution -- her father was sent to the countryside for two years . . . and now she is a department head at the International Monetary Fund!<br /><br />Stretch!!!Denise Annhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02790883493798517829noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-11083201809959216432015-11-12T11:09:17.515-05:002015-11-12T11:09:17.515-05:00Fascinating blog, Triss, and BROOKLYN SECRETS soun...Fascinating blog, Triss, and BROOKLYN SECRETS sounds like a great read. I think sometimes the best stretching is exactly what you did - starting with one toe in the water, then a step in, and eventually you're swimming in the deep end. <br /><br />For me, my biggest stretch was becoming a mystery writer. I started writing as a hobby with a science fiction group...then decided I'd try my hand at a novel...then started all over again with a mystery novel...then decided I had to get it published. So even though today I make my living as an author, I never, ever had it in mind the day I joined that SF discussion group.<br /><br />PS Your mention of it made me get up from my keyboard and stretch!Juliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09553268569509053159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-13872760413851165242015-11-12T11:06:22.607-05:002015-11-12T11:06:22.607-05:00Triss, Good Morning! Good to see you here!
I am a...Triss, Good Morning! Good to see you here!<br />I am all for a writer stretching, good for you!<br />I, personally, am totally behind someone who wants to push themselves a bit by trying something new. Chances are very good that if I've enjoyed someone's writing that I'm going to still enjoy their writing when they moved on from what they've done and gotten comfortable with to something different. Kaye Wilkinson Barley - Meanderings and Museshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07486129009717476920noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-85358616430504405862015-11-12T09:43:44.627-05:002015-11-12T09:43:44.627-05:00This book has me totally intrigued. I can't w...This book has me totally intrigued. I can't wait to read it!! chettysmom@yahoo.commligonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10140330179123125487noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-16951197707232259822015-11-12T09:31:31.626-05:002015-11-12T09:31:31.626-05:00Hello and welcome, Triss! What a great post.... I ...Hello and welcome, Triss! What a great post.... I love your books and always learn so much about Brooklyn from them (as well as have an amazing read....) Mary Sutton, you said it best -- "let your narrator be an outsider too. That way you learn together." Yes!Susan Elia MacNealhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00349842866995778987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-56949206668653520202015-11-12T09:12:43.738-05:002015-11-12T09:12:43.738-05:00I think you hit on a great way to avoid sounding l...I think you hit on a great way to avoid sounding like the "arrogant outsider" - let your narrator be an outsider, too. That way, you learn together. And I love the fact that the story is one that is Brownsville's past and present. Those are sometimes the best kind.<br /><br />I think I "stretched" accidentally, too. When I started writing, I was thinking cozy or traditional. Not procedural because I was too afraid of getting the details wrong. But then I accidentally wrote a story that was more procedural than I thought (I'd glossed over some details I needed, but essentially it was procedural). Turns out those were the stories I wanted to write. Fortunately, I've met some good resources along the way.Liz Millironhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04919409969263609919noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-71231980124975565762015-11-12T08:39:34.362-05:002015-11-12T08:39:34.362-05:00So great Lee Child always says --actually, he'...So great Lee Child always says --actually, he's quoting his father--"Give them the same thing, only different." Which is an interesting thought. Your readers love you because you are you. But what's to stop a better you? A richer story? A new idea?.<br /><br />And I wonder if, like you Triss, one step at a time is the way to go. Just do a little, then a little, and then you realize you;re somewhere you never dreamed you could be!<br /><br />Hallie, I'd love to hear about that research. I agree--that'd be tough. Also intriguing to wonder which of your readers would know if you were on the money.Hank Phillippi Ryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17420701704169428286noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-9214609058957523942015-11-12T08:35:51.814-05:002015-11-12T08:35:51.814-05:00Triss, thank you for the reminder of the hourly st...Triss, thank you for the reminder of the hourly stretch. <br /><br />I admire writers who try something new. No matter the motivation--your own desire to stretch, a need to reinvent or restart your career, or an accident--it takes courage to take on any new artistic venture. Kudos to you for deciding to do it, and then to do it. How great that this turned out to be a happy accident for you. <br /><br />I find your comment about "arrogant outsiders" to be intriguing. I have a similar knee jerk reaction to non-Southerners who try to write about the South, though it has been done, and well...Best of luck with Brooklyn Secrets!Ramonahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00627775403015684868noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-54361037837777527792015-11-12T08:35:09.757-05:002015-11-12T08:35:09.757-05:00Fascinating stuff. This series has been on my list...Fascinating stuff. This series has been on my list for a while now, and I really do need to make time to give it a try. I tell you, I could fill a year with reading non-stop easily. <br /><br />My biggest stretch writing when when I had an idea to combine an interview with a review. I called it an Inter(Re)view. I've done two of them on the blog. They are much more difficult to organize and really requires the right book and author for it to work. I hope to do some more in the future. Kristopherhttp://www.bolobooks.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-63235426002933642132015-11-12T08:21:26.229-05:002015-11-12T08:21:26.229-05:00Good morning. I am excited to be spending the day-...Good morning. I am excited to be spending the day-and first guest blog for Brooklyn Secrets!- with the Reds. I look forward to all your comments. I am away from home now but will look in whenever I can. I expect to be at home and at desk in the afternoon.Trisshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08058396345946250313noreply@blogger.com