Susan Mallery & the meaning of life (err… fiction)
July 31, 2007
A certain level of insanity is required to be a writer. I wish that weren’t true, but it is and anyone who denies that truth is probably not to be trusted.
When you think about it, the whole writing process is really strange. We sit in a room (or on a patio, or in a Starbucks) and create an entire world populated by people who don’t exist, who live a life that isn’t real, for the sole purpose of making readers we’ve never met feel something. Fiction is about creating emotion in a total stranger. Doesn’t that strike you as the least bit odd?
And it gets more twisted when there are multiple books of a series involved because when the books are finished we, the writers, actually *miss* the fictitious people. What’s up with that?
Case in point…Tempting is the last book in a four book series about a family that owns restaurants. I picked restaurants on purpose because I wanted to enjoy my research. Anyway, my series is over now and it makes me sad. I miss everybody. Especially Dani, my heroine, who seriously had to work for her happy ending. Plus Katherine, the hero’s mother, is wonderful and I want her to be if not my mom then at least a really close aunt. I actually miss them. Like friends who have moved away.
I figured all this out over the weekend because I’m supposed to be starting a new book today and thus far, I’m not doing much on the work front. Part of that is starting a book is never especially easy and part of that is it’s the final book in the trilogy and once I’m done with this book, it’s all over there, too.
So that’s our topic for today… In fiction, who do you love and miss? Yes, talking about characters from my book would be lovely, but the subject is actually an open one. Any book…who do you still think about and want to hang out with in a crazy fiction world?
Well I just finished Delicious, I wanted to have all four books in my possession before I started so I could read them all the way through one right after the next. I can't wait to start Book 2 and oh how I wish I could try Penny's fish and chips or see for myself what the fuss is about good ole Reid.
I know what you mean about Delicious. I got hungry every time I wrote that book. All the yummy food!! I wish the fish and chips recipe was real, but I made it up. I will say Claim Jumper has nice fish and chips, though!
Ok sooo I have a question. In fact I brought the book with me to work so I could look up his name *g*
And I am prolly the only reader who even CARES. But I really liked the Gary.
WHAT? Think of all the problems getting to a HEA that would have... sooo think you would ever write it?
Poor Gary--You're not the only one. I'm getting lots of reader mail about him. I had no idea so many people would worry about his HEA!!
The thing is Gary isn't a hero. He's too...nice. Heros are difficult and have issues and conflict. Gary wants to meet a nice woman, fall in love and have a family. Excellent in real life, but not so good for fiction.
I may have to make him a secondary character in another book and give him a subplot that gets him the girl!
hmmm so do you think of all your heroes as alpha's...
I am blanking do you have any 'beta' heroes? Hell does Harlequin do beta heroes?
I am thinking the whole sex thing would be an issue in and of itself. Of course I don't recall if there was a reason he joined or really if you gave the reason he decided to leave.
I think you could make it work *g*. But would at least shut up if he got a secondary HEA :).
I don't think it's a beta thing, although that's an issue, too. Alpha heros, however much we complain about them, sell.
But Gary was just so...normal. Except for not having sex, he didn't have any conflict. No dark, emotional issues in his past. No angry ex-whatever, no broken heart, no loss, no pain.
But he certainly hooked in plenty of people, which is find amazing. I never realized how much he would be universally loved!! If he knew, it would make him very happy!!
You know, Sybil. Ever since having become addict to Romantic Advances and seeing Tempting as one of the staff picks there (every day *g*), I am in conflict with my purse
Very apt for your slogan! Love the covers, btw. Otherwise I am new to Ms. Mallory's work (except for one category novel) and therefore don't yet have any questions.
I do believe they are all in ebook and can be purchased at fictionwise. I think... not sure if Tempting is there yet or not.
I completely agree, great covers!
Questions are not required, but I can tell you Tempting is fabulous!! And yes, all the Buchanan books are available as an e-book, so that works. Also on audio, which is fun, although I can't listen to someone reading my sex scenes. Very funny. I have to fast forward until that part is done.
Since I'm new to your books, I can't talk about them. I'm exceedingly fond of Roarke by J. D. Robb and lucky for me the series is still continuing.
I totally agree on Roarke!! And on the Stephanie Plum front, I confess I fall into the Ranger camp!!
LOL I have never read JD Robb or a Plum novel... hmmm I haven't read anything at all by Janet but have read a few by Nora. I should get points for that.
Of course I am a sucker for old harlequins.