What We're Writing: Rhys on writing about war.

RHYS BOWEN: I am currently finishing my Venice novel, doing the final polish but I decided that  instead, like Hallie, I'd share a little of my essay in the anthology

Since I didn't have a dreadful family secret or even a mystery to share I decided to write about how World War Two has influenced my writing, even though it took me so many years before I actually dared to set a story in it.

This is how I sum up at the end of the article:

I believe that one of the reasons so many people seem to be attracted to reading about that war is that it was the last time we had a clear sense of good versus evil. Every war, every confrontation we’ve had since then has been colored in shades of gray: Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan. During each conflict we have questioned whether we were doing the right thing by getting involved and sending young people into battle. Battles that were once between armies have turned into ugly skirmishes, rooftop snipers, civilian casualties. With World War II, everybody knew we must stop evil before it swallowed the world. Everybody was prepared to do his or her part, however small it was, and everybody had that great sense of purpose and togetherness. And of course, it is full of so many good stories because it was a time of heightened emotions, of heart-wrenching goodbyes, of ever-present danger. No corner of Europe was quite safe.

In times like ours, where there is division, uncertainty, terrorism, it is comforting to read about a period when we fought and the right side won. After 9/11, everything changed. We were no longer safe, even at home. These new conflicts that we call war are so different. Perhaps that’s why we turn to books. When war comes to small English villages, disrupting peaceful lifestyles, and even quiet and simple people do great and noble deeds, take great risks, make great sacrifices, we can relate. We like to be reassured that, in the end, good will triumph again.

This is all the more meaningful for us at this moment, isn't it? The reassurance that in the end ordinary humans will triumph and everything will be good and normal and safe again.

Stay safe. I love you all

Rhys

To Finish or Not To Finish (the Book You're Reading)

INGRID THOFT

My mom and I have an ongoing debate, and I’m sure all of you fall clearly on side or the other.  If I start reading a book, and it doesn’t capture my attention, I stop reading.  My mom, on the other hand, feels obligated to finish.  This is generally true even if she’s reading the book for her own pleasure, not for her book group.  Perhaps it’s her Yankee stick-to-it-ness (which I thought I shared, but maybe not?) that compels her to finish what she started.  More likely, she’s always hopeful that the book will improve, and it will all pay off in the end.

I used to be more patient with my reading materials, but once I experienced the trials and tribulations of trying to get published, I became more demanding.  When I first submitted my work to agents, I was rejected many times.  Rejection is part of the deal if you want to get published, but rejection is often based on a query letter—just a few short paragraphs.  If I were lucky, an agent might request five pages or even a chapter, but I learned that the decision to accept or reject was swift and unequivocal.  Eventually, I landed an agent and a publishing contract and a new attitude when reading other writers’ books.  Hook me right away or I throw you back into the sea of words.

Does this seem harsh?  Impatient?  Perhaps, but I’ve decided that my time is too precious to spend it reading books that don’t delight me or engage me from page one.  My decision to stop reading isn’t necessarily an indictment of the book.  There are prize-winning, critically acclaimed books that didn’t strike my fancy, and I chalk that up to personal preference.  For example, I think I may be the only person on planet Earth who didn’t love “Memoirs of a Geisha.”

A couple of years ago, when I was visiting a book club, one of the members shared her formula for deciding when to keep reading and when to stop.  She suggested you subtract your age from 100, and the answer is the number of pages you should read a book before calling it quits.  This makes sense to me; the older we get, the less time we have to spend on books that are unsatisfying.

What do you think?  Do you feel obligated to keep reading?  Do you have a formula for determining how many pages you’ll read before putting down a book for good?  Does it depend on what type of book it is?

Karen B. you won Friday's giveaway from Chevy Stevens!  Leave your email address in the comments so we can get a book to you!