Questions for Readers (and My Personal Answers)Question ...

 

Questions for Readers (and My Personal Answers)

Question 1: Do you prefer stand-alone books or series?

My answer: Both. I like a good standalone for new,interesting characters and a great plot. Some stories have to be one-offs,because it wouldn’t make sense to continue them. (A reader claimed I shouldwrite a sequel to one of my books in which all the major characters were deadat the end!)

Series are great for going back to familiar places andpeople. While for authors it often becomes difficult to find new directions ina series, readers seem okay with repetition. Just ask James Patterson and JanetEvanovich.

Although series are fun (and generally easier to write), Ieventually get tired of them. My publisher was eager for me to continue theLoser Mysteries (Peg Herring), and fans asked for more of the Kidnap Capers(Peg) and the Sleuth Sisters (Maggie Pill), but I felt like I was done withthose people. I didn’t want to force myself to write about them to the pointthat I didn’t like them anymore.

 Question 2:  If youread series, are you a read-’em-in-order type, or are you fine with jumpingaround?

I prefer to read in order, but sometimes I don’t realize I’mpicking up Book #4 of a series until I’m into it and think, “These people haveworked together before.” Most authors are good about catching readers up, and it helps to know whichcharacters are part of the ensemble and a little about how that cameto be.

In Michael Connelly’s Lincoln Lawyer series, for example,the lead character’s ex-wife is part of the district attorney’s office, sothey’re often at odds professionally as well as personally. His second ex-wifeis his secretary, who’s dating his investigator, an ex-client, ex-biker gangmember. Other former clients serve as drivers in the Lincoln, so Mickey can do lawyerwork in the back seat. It sounds complicated, but Connelly makes it worknicely, and he gently refreshes my memory in each new installment.

 Question 3: Do you feel like you “follow the crowd” inyour reading, or do you have your own standards for choosing a book?

I do both. (I know! I ask questions of you and then cop outon my own answers, but I’m trying to tell the complete truth.)

Writers need to know what’s happening in their genres, so itpays to read what’s hot. I don’t follow the “must reads” from NYT, USA Today,Oprah’s Book Club, etc. The story-lines in these books run in trends: vampirebooks were all the rage a while back. There was a run of suspense books with“Girl” in the title. Right now we have thegroup-of-friends-who-have-horrible-secrets-in-their-past stories. I’ve read a couple and had trouble finding even one character I really liked. Idon’t need friends that dysfunctional, even inside the pages of a book.

So how do I choose? I love to wander the shelves of abookstore and pick titles, covers, authors, and blurbs that appeal to me. Inindependent stores, I’ll ask the booksellers, “What should I be reading?” Theylove it, because they get to present their favorites and give a little salestalk for each. I choose from their descriptions, setting aside those I know I don’twant. (For me, a turnoff is any book that has the word dark or grislyor sensuous in the description. Not my taste.)

I also follow the recommendations of friends whose readingtastes align with mine. Recommending a book is a delicate thing, because you’reessentially saying, “Here’s part of my psyche. See if you like it.” When it works, it's great, because you have someone to talk to about the book. When it doesn't, admit that reading is highly personal and subject to mood, time of life, and the last book before this one.