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Read Along And Q & A with David Staniforth - Imperfect Strangers - From September 1st
Oh! Shortening! Gotcha! Totally unhealthy ("Crisco" is one brand). Sort of an non-animal lard product.
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Every once in a while, you have to forego healthy living for something totally decadent.
Hi everyone! I have 'Imperfect Strangers' on my Kindle and would love to take part in the group read. Very much looking forward to it!
Voracious wrote: "Hi everyone! I have 'Imperfect Strangers' on my Kindle and would love to take part in the group read. Very much looking forward to it!"So glad you are in the group Voracious, if this is anything like the last group read, it will be a blast!
To link with this group read of Imperfect Strangers, my intention was to reduce the cost of the book in September. I have decided to reduce the cost a few days earlier, on the assumption that some members might want to begin reading earlier. This reduced cost will now be across all Amazon market places too, not just the US and UK. It will still be at the reduced price for at least a week into September too.The book is also available as a free loan to members of Amazon Prime or Kindle Unlimited.
I just ordered it and will be able to get it onto my kindle on Wednesday. I am one of those rare people who gets charged for all her time on the internet so I have to wait to do any downloads on my stepdaughter's wifi.Looking forward to joining in this group read and discussion.
Thanks, Lisa. Looking forward to your input.
David wrote: "Thanks, Lisa. Looking forward to your input."You say that now….kidding.:)
It will be fun.
Lisa wrote: "I just ordered it and will be able to get it onto my kindle on Wednesday. I am one of those rare people who gets charged for all her time on the internet so I have to wait to do any downloads on m..."Hi Lisa, I know this pain. I found a time slot at out local Starbucks the WiFi is working fine enough you can download books. If I need only one. I'm not even going in I'm just doing it on the go. I'm there often enough to cover the costs for such moments too :-)
Just picked up my copy and cannot wait to read and join the discussion! I loved all the excellent reviews it has online and one person said they loved "the high creep factor." Sounds like my kind of read!
Autumn wrote: "Just picked up my copy and cannot wait to read and join the discussion! I loved all the excellent reviews it has online and one person said they loved "the high creep factor." Sounds like my kind o..."It does sound very good. I just hope it isn't high creep like You was.
Thank you ladies. I hope it meets your expectations :~)
Count me in. I read the book and thought it was very good.
Thanks Dana. I look forward to your input.
Ok so we just log in on Sept 1st and he will answer our questions about this book?
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A question for when things get rolling: When you were writing 'Imperfect Strangers' David, did you find characterisation, plot construction or adding descriptive colour the most satisfying part of the process?
Yay…it is know on my Kindle. Tomorrow I will be driving to Florida so I have to wait until Wednesday to start it:)
David I would like to ask is this your first book? Or have you written others? I throughly enjoyed your book. How do you develop your characters? Are they similar to people you have known? They are so realistic!
Lisa wrote: "Autumn wrote: "Just picked up my copy and cannot wait to read and join the discussion! I loved all the excellent reviews it has online and one person said they loved "the high creep factor." Sounds..."I feel that book had a sleaze factor more than a creep factor!
Hi everyone, tomorrow Tuesday is the big day this discussion gets going. I recently spoke with David and he is looking for this to be more of a discussion thread and read-a-long like we had with John Nicoll and White is the Coldest Colour, rather than a straight Q&A like we had with Angela Marsons. David will be in and out a lot he tells me so this should be a lot of fun!!
I "loved" Keith. As a character, I mean. As I wrote in my review, he's the kind of guy I might cross the street to avoid! I read the book some time ago, but as I think about Keith now, I sort of picture him like Billy Bob Thornton's character in the movie "Sling Blade." Uh huh.
I see the thread is rolling already. I don't mind starting early though. Tomorrow may be a bit sporadic, as I'm working 9-7. I'll pop on when I can during that time though. Thanks Chris, discussion would be great. I'm really interested to discover the thoughts of you readers, but I'm equally happy to give my thoughts too. Hope it will be fun.I know some people have only just started reading, too, so, in their interest I'm going to try and avoid spoilers. Until the point when someone says it's OK to stop avoiding.
I'd just like to take a moment to thank everyone who played a part in setting this up. It is very much appreciated. This group has fantastic moderators and members, all of whom make it a brilliant place to hang out.
Ok, big breath, here goes.
Paul wrote: "A question for when things get rolling: When you were writing 'Imperfect Strangers' David, did you find characterisation, plot construction or adding descriptive colour the most satisfying part of ..."Thanks for your question, Paul.
I find it difficult to put any one of those above the other. But I think probably the adding of descriptive colour is the most satisfying aspect for me. The vast majority of it I add during the second draft, almost like the first draft is the sketch for a painting to which layers and layers of detail are added.
Lisa wrote: "Yay…it is know on my Kindle. Tomorrow I will be driving to Florida so I have to wait until Wednesday to start it:)"Can I join you in Florida, Lisa? It's cold and wet in Yorkshire at the moment.
Paige wrote: "David I would like to ask is this your first book? Or have you written others? I throughly enjoyed your book. How do you develop your characters? Are they similar to people you have known? They are..."Imperfect Strangers was the fifth book I wrote, Paige, but the first thriller. The earlier books are all fantasy (I don't mean I imagined them, they are of that genre). Sorry, rubbish joke.
Thank you, it's pleasing to know you found the characters realistic. I have encountered people with traits similar to Keith and Sally, and I used them as a foundation. As the plot developed, I would ask myself how would that person react in the situation I was writing at the time. Eventually, and it's been the same with every book I've written, I become immersed in the story and the characters begin to take on a life of their own. They resist and take me in directions I'd not consciously thought of. I guess I'm kind of imagining them as real people in the real world, having genuine encounters.
I assume everyone must have encountered people with similar traits.
Jean wrote: "I "loved" Keith. As a character, I mean. As I wrote in my review, he's the kind of guy I might cross the street to avoid! I read the book some time ago, but as I think about Keith now, I sort of pi..."I had to watch a you tube trailer, Jean. And yes, I see where you're coming from.
Just started this yesterday in anticipation of this group read and your participation David. I can tell already I am going to enjoy this- Keith and Sally are such strong characters and I've barely begun to peel back the layers! I do already have a question for you though...how did the concept of this storyline come to you? Do you know a Keith or Sally that was your inspiration?
Jan wrote: "Just started this yesterday in anticipation of this group read and your participation David. I can tell already I am going to enjoy this- Keith and Sally are such strong characters and I've barely ..."Thanks, Jan. I hope those deeper layers prove just as interesting for you. The concept of the storyline came to me while studying at university as a mature student. It amazed me how readily the young people there let unknown people into their lives. One particular person, slightly older, was very Keith-like.
Hi David, I didn't attend the previous author discussion so I'm not sure how the format works, and whether questions should be about this book only. However, I'm interested in how you found the transition from writing fantasy to writing a thriller. It was excellently done, BTW. Did you find it easy to switch to a different genre and how did it compare e.g. was it easier, more satisfying etc.?
I'd like to say - and it's not really a question, more of an observation - that I was impressed with the way you managed to make a very creepy character attractive in his own way. I liked Keith and felt for him even as I was shuddering at his social ineptitude. That's a bit of decent writing!
Started 'Imperfect Strangers' yesterday and I'm enjoying it so far. Is it weird that I kind of feel sorry for Keith??
Heather wrote: "Hi David, I didn't attend the previous author discussion so I'm not sure how the format works, and whether questions should be about this book only. However, I'm interested in how you found the tra..."Thanks for the compliment, Heather. I actually found the transition quite easy. Reading both genres though, I truly don't believe there is a massive difference between the two. In some ways writing the thriller was easier, as the restraint of having to adhere to invented world rules no longer applies. However, in its place is the necessity of not stretching the bounds of credibility in the real world.
This is the first time i participate in this thread and i'm really excited about it.I read "Imperfect strangers" a couple of months ago and i really loved it!
The character of Keith is amazing in a creepy way, i actually felt sorry for him in the beginning! And i felt a kind of connection with Sally, cause i think i would've acted like she did, crazy isn't it??!!
No questions yet Mr David, i want to avoid spoiler, but i have a lot to ask about :)
Voracious wrote: "Started 'Imperfect Strangers' yesterday and I'm enjoying it so far. Is it weird that I kind of feel sorry for Keith??"For me, it's not weird at all. I felt sorry for him too when i first read the book :)
Faouzia wrote: "This is the first time i participate in this thread and i'm really excited about it.I read "Imperfect strangers" a couple of months ago and i really loved it!
The character of Keith is amazing in..."
Can't be that crazy, I would of acted like Sally too!! Im nice like that.
I'm pleased you all find Keith both weird and feel sorry for him. One of my objectives when writing this book was to turn the readers emotions back and forth.Bit busy at work, and finding it hard to get on right now, so it's pleasing to see you discussing it among yourselves. Better service promised for later and tomorrow :~)
David I have a question, since your other writing is mainly fantasy...what made you write a book like this out of your comfy genre?? Did it just come to mind or have you been thinking about it for awhile??? I loved your book!!!!
Dana wrote: "Faouzia wrote: "This is the first time i participate in this thread and i'm really excited about it.I read "Imperfect strangers" a couple of months ago and i really loved it!
The character of Kei..."
It's good to see that it's not only me Dana :)
I actually found myself many times in weird situations because i feel embarassed to be a bit mean to people, LOL :)
Faouzia wrote: "Dana wrote: "Faouzia wrote: "This is the first time i participate in this thread and i'm really excited about it.I read "Imperfect strangers" a couple of months ago and i really loved it!
The cha..."
Im not sure if I would of let him walk my dog though...lol.
Dana wrote: "Faouzia wrote: "Dana wrote: "Faouzia wrote: "This is the first time i participate in this thread and i'm really excited about it.I read "Imperfect strangers" a couple of months ago and i really lo..."
Yeah!! That was really really weird!! I mean she didn't truely know him after all!
Dana wrote: "David I have a question, since your other writing is mainly fantasy...what made you write a book like this out of your comfy genre?? Did it just come to mind or have you been thinking about it for ..."The idea for the story came to mind after I wrote the first fantasy book, Dana, but as it was a trilogy, I wanted to complete it before moving on. It began life, like my trilogy, when I was at university, and was originally a ten minute screenplay script. I actually enjoy writing in both genres equally, and am in the throws of writing a second thriller.
And thank you, a book can't have too much love.
David wrote: "Dana wrote: "David I have a question, since your other writing is mainly fantasy...what made you write a book like this out of your comfy genre?? Did it just come to mind or have you been thinking ..."David this question might not be directly related to this discussion, but this new thriller you're writing, does it have anything to do with the story of "Imperfect stranger" or it's a completely new thing??
I'm just curious that's all LOL :)
David wrote: "It's a completely new story, Faouzia."Thanks David :)
A Good Thriller
Books mentioned in this topic
Imperfect Strangers (other topics)Alloria (other topics)
The Shadow of the Wind (other topics)
Eye of Dominion (other topics)
Alloria (other topics)
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Apparently, An American term for fat or butter is shortening, so it's a pastry made with shortening.