Q&A with Josh Lanyon discussion
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What Are you Reading?
Jordan wrote: "Johanna wrote: "Alison wrote: "Hey, I just read As Meat Loves Salt, which fits that description perfectly! Beautifully written and absolutely engrossing, but so dark and unsettling. It sounds a bit..."No, it's not an easy read, but it's totally worthwhile. I think it's one of those that stays with you. And someone should get the travelling book version from Anne.
Jordan wrote: "Judy wrote: "Josh wrote: "Loretta wrote: "Josh wrote: "Ame wrote: "Even with Con (view spoiler) he managed to redeem himself so that I was cheering for him most of the story but Wes? Hell no!..."
..."
Any particular breed? :-)
Judy wrote: "Thanks. If I was at all reasonable about Catch 22, I'd probably read it again. But I'm not, and my TBR and/or reread pile is taller than I am. ~1K books from Amazon (duds culled quarterly) and that doesn't count third-party ebooks or special keeper print books. Holy smokes! TMI. OCD poster girl. "I know, Judy, I've also got too many other books I want to read! :)
My high school nemesis book were Jane Eyre, Ethan Frome, and Great Expectations. I remember liking pretty much everything else I read in school.
Josh wrote: "I'm reading for research again. ESQUIRE'S EUROPE IN STYLE."Uh huh...
Susinok wrote: "Josh wrote: "I'm reading for research again. ESQUIRE'S EUROPE IN STYLE."Uh huh..."
Research? Or looking at pictures of hot mens? :)
Um ... Ame lost me with the 'Josh usually writes complete bastards who then redeem themselves' comments. I can't recall any character being a complete bastard.
Steve wrote: "Um ... Ame lost me with the 'Josh usually writes complete bastards who then redeem themselves' comments. I can't recall any character being a complete bastard."One of the things I love the most with Josh's stories, is that he writes so very real people. And real people rarely are complete bastards, there usually is some redeeming quality, or at least the possibility of being redeemed.
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Jordan wrote: "I would love a retired racing greyhound, Idamus. Not looking forward to fur on everything, but I think they have a personality that's a lot like mine. Have you considered a whippet, Jordan? They have a similar personality to greyhounds but are smaller so maybe better for an apartment. Very affectionate, sleep a lot (good when you're out at work) and then love a good run.
Steve wrote: "Um ... Ame lost me with the 'Josh usually writes complete bastards who then redeem themselves' comments. I can't recall any character being a complete bastard."Figure of speech. Noone is complete bastard. Wes wasn't even close to it. He still didn't redeem himself to me ;)
No? Why is that, Ame? I never thought Rob in Winter Kill fully redeems himself for his asshattery, but then ... he DID save the day! Lol
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Uh huh..."
Research? Or looking at pictures of hot mens? :)"
No hot mens in this! But it's really a window into the past and both elegant and informative.
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By "complete" I think readers mean "jerk-about-stuff-that-would-matter-greatly-to-me." ;-)
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I think Rob is uncomfortably too much like many of us in both our day jobs and our relationships. He's good, but he occasionally cuts corners and he isn't always giving 100%.
And that's real life. That's 99.9% of every employee I ever managed.
Myself included.
:-D
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But anyway, my point is that for a writer, you have to dismiss any thought of the readers for whom there really is no atonement possible. No book is right for every reader, and so it's possible to have loyal readers who just cannot follow you into certain territory. The book is not right for them.
As a writer, you must ignore this and forge ahead -- and these readers will generally be the first to agree and encourage you with those explorations!
It's only a very small percentage of readers who truly believe that a writer should not write a book that they (the individual reader) won't like.
Josh wrote: "From a writing standpoint...there will always be some readers for whom there is no fixing whatever terrible mistake a character has made. For whatever reason, these are "unforgivable" flaws."And there are a lot of writers for whom writing these "unforgivable" characters is anathema. They don't have the ability to "pull it off," and can't or won't take the chance of offending any segment of their readership with a character they cannot fully "redeem."
And that's where you shine, Josh. You are willing to take a character right up to the edge of forgivability (probably not a word) within a given situation and make your reader take that ride with you. I love when you do this. :)
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Thank you, Susan! :-)
But all I really am trying to say is that I don't mind Ame and Steve speaking up about what they don't like because I know they usually enjoy my work and I know they aren't saying don't explore those themes again! These stories didn't work for them, and that's okay.
Even with my very favorite writers I have my least favorite of their stories.
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I thought that was kind of fascinating because it's not something I hear a lot. I *think* I know what they mean, but I'm still contemplating it. :-D
But, a book can be good/enjoyed despite a character like that, one you can't forgive.As some of you might have noticed ... I feel that way about Jake, but I still love the Adrien English books for the awesome plots (and a few of the other characters), and I read or listen to them all once a year.
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Yes! :-)
I'm rereading Winter Kill and Rob is really a fascinating study. He knows evil is out there and finds himself shocked that he doesn't see it in his everyday interactions. I think he is frustrated about that, but also relieved that he doesn't see his neighbors through such dark lenses. He gets upset at and short with Adam, but is it because he is frustrated that Adam would make those connections and see those things, or is he mad at himself for not seeing in for himself and letting his mind go there. I'm actively looking at the two of them this way while I'm reading and it's an amazing experience.
Idamus - Yes! Some characters can rub me the wrong way. Funny, Jake never did. From the instant I met him I connected. I'm midway through my Winter Kill reread and I'm seeing a different side to Rob. Maybe it helps that I'm back in my small hometown and seeing how life there can get so comfortable.
Started MEMORIES OF THE HEART by Felice Stevens. I'm loving it!
Josh wrote: "Susan wrote: "Josh wrote: "From a writing standpoint...there will always be some readers for whom there is no fixing whatever terrible mistake a character has made. For whatever reason, these are "..."Like I tell my kids: "I don't love you any less when you do something you shouldn't and I have to scold you for it."
;)
And I do like Rob. And Winter Kill. As I said on the thread, the Nordic Noir influence I found completely won me over, characters and all.
Ame - I loved your thread on how Winter Kill is Nordic Noir. So perfect.
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That's an interesting thought!
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LOL
Jordan wrote: "Oh Great Expectations and Ethsn Frome were horrible! But I actually liked Jane Eyre for some reason. *shrugs*"Noooo!!! I LOVED Great Expectations!!! I read an abridged version (I had no idea it was abridged) in 7th grade and loved it. Then later on in college when I had it in English Lit I was delighted that I got to read a full version.
Fantastic article on one of the best science fiction novels I've read. Dune by Frank Herbert.http://www.theguardian.com/books/2015...
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Have you considered a whippet..."
I've had a few people recommend a whippet, but I prefer a large dog, and I've heard Greyhounds are good with apartments, even though they are large, they tend to curl up into small spaces anyway.*shrugs* It'll be awhile before I get one anyway, so things could change. We'll see.
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I thought th..."
:-) I'm one of those readers. The characters seemed like people I know, people like me, not just hot shot cops who are both hot, sexy, go to the gym 12 hours a day and can out shoot a sub machine gun or something. If you know what I mean? And yes, I obviously love reading about those characters too. A lot. But sometimes a change up is nice.
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Noooo!!! I LOVED Great Expectations!!! I read an abridged version (I h..."
That's one of the greatest things about being human. Life would be so boring if we all liked/disliked the same things. :-)
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This morning I started Last Line and by the middle of my lunch break this afternoon I found myself wishing I was anywhere but at work so I could just read this book all day. OMG. This book. No words. Just. yeah. lol...
Jordan wrote: "HJ wrote: "Jordan wrote: "I would love a retired racing greyhound, Idamus. Not looking forward to fur on everything, but I think they have a personality that's a lot like mine. Have you considere..."
I recommend... cats! ;)
Most fantastic pets ever. Of course you'll be their slave but they are nice slave owners.
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Hav..."
I like cats... when they're not mine. lol. I wouldn't want cats. No thanks. Not unless you can find a natural kitten that never grows up. :-) I do really like cute kittens.
Just finished MEMORIES OF THE HEART by Felice Stevens. Big, big smile! Mature adult MCs with No manufactured BS to pull them apart. Great secondary characters. Starting ONE STEP FURTHER today. Happy camper! Ya'll have a safe and happy holiday and/or weekend surrounded by friends and loved ones.
Jordan wrote: "This morning I started Last Line and by the middle of my lunch ..."Starting Last Line today, or that's the plan anyway.
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KC wrote: "Jordan wrote: "This morning I started Last Line and by the middle of my lunch ..."Starting Last Line today, or that's the plan anyway."
I really need to read that book. I've had it for ages. I've been keeping it in case of emergency... hoarding it.
There's also a new Tyack book coming out at the beginning of August!
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Thank you for the recommendation, Judy!
I've been in a Jack Reacher mood lately, I decided to try an audio version this time, I've finished Persuader 3 stars for the plot and 3.5 to the Narrator.Now I'm listening to A Wanted Man
Finished ONE STEP FURTHER by Felice Stevens. Sad to finish it, and I'm chomping at the bit for the next book in the series. Started reading LITTLE WILD ANIMAL https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...This is so much fun.
Took advantage of All Romance eBooks 50% discount on selected books today only. Sadly, spent a bundle.
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Susinok wrote: "KC wrote: "Jordan wrote: "This morning I started Last Line and by the middle of my lunch ..."Starting Last Line today, or that's the plan anyway."
I really need to read that book..."
Yes, that's very cool :-) well, any Harper book is very cool to have. I just finished Last Line and it's...wow...difficult yet mesmerizing; i'm on to the second one. She's such an excellent, amazing writer.
Jordan wrote: "HJ wrote: "Jordan wrote: "I would love a retired racing greyhound, Idamus. Not looking forward to fur on everything, but I think they have a personality that's a lot like mine. Have you considere..."
We have a whippet that comes into our practice and it's high energy. All of the greyhounds that come in are very laid back. They do make good apartment dogs as long as you supply them with a couch. ;-)
The only problem with greyhounds is they seem to be like potato chips, you can't stop at one.
KC wrote: "Susinok wrote: "KC wrote: "Jordan wrote: "This morning I started Last Line and by the middle of my lunch ..."Starting Last Line today, or that's the plan anyway."
I really need t..."
Just started Kitto last night so I will be all caught up when the new book comes out.
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Reading DANCING DAYS by Clare London, NIGHT SHIFT by Kim Fielding, and MAGIC FOR LEE by Hollis Shiloh. I get distracted easily, but I was in the mood for something a bit different. These books are certainly not PWPs with misunderstood, smokin' hot billionaire MCs. Believable characters with strengths and weaknesses. I'm lovin' each of these books.
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Q&A with Josh Lanyon
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That's the reason I want to get a dog. So I can go home to a furbaby that will love me no matter what. I need that. And I'm soooooooooo excited that my new apartment building will let me have the dog I want. Now, I just have to ensure I can afford one and will have the time for one.
Jordan, I'd love to have a fur baby, but I don't have the space and/or the funds to keep a goldfish alive right now. It's too blasted hot in my room and with two naughty tomcats having the run of the house, it wouldn't survive a week.