Read Along And Q & A with David Staniforth - Imperfect Strangers - From September 1st

[Jan]

Oh, and I do have a question regarding the ending once we know the majority have finished reading :)

[Gopal]

Imperfect Strangers for me is a story of common people. More often than not people around us are Keith, Sally, Steve and Kerry. Keith is a victim of his circumstance - an product of his upbringing if you may say so.

Steve is a bully. Those who he sees weaker than him he exploits and dominates. Sally is the perfect foil for him. She is weak and allows herself to be influenced by everybody around her.

[Melissa]

I think I actually struggled to find a character I liked. That's not a bad thing!! They were all so selfish! But that was the point. I liked the cat!! :-)

[Jan]

Melissa wrote: "I think I actually struggled to find a character I liked. That's not a bad thing!! They were all so selfish! But that was the point. I liked the cat!! :-)"

Haha!

[Jean]

I liked the cat too. And I liked that Keith liked the cat - at least, he didn't mind the cat and took care of her.

[David]

Melissa wrote: "I think I actually struggled to find a character I liked. That's not a bad thing!! They were all so selfish! But that was the point. I liked the cat!! :-)"

That was, the point, hence the title.

I am really enjoying the interaction here. In some ways it makes me realise that I did not quite write the book that I thought I had, which backs up the Iser theory mentioned above.

[David]

I intentionally didn't include Steve to a large extent. Partially because I wanted the focus to be on Keith and Sally, and partially because I wanted opinion of him to be garnered from third hand reports.

My thinking there was that people form opinions of others without really knowing them, or questioning the reliability of the information. So, did I include too much of him? Was his reaction to certain situations sufficient to support the opinion others had of him?

[Cameron]

David wrote: "Still good to know. Strong reaction either way has to be a good thing, right?"

David:

Quite ironically, I think that you are spot on there. As characters in a book, I do not care for Steve or Sally in the least bit. However, Sally does go to lengths to be a good person, in spite of what she may actually think. I feel very badly for Keith, also. I wish that I could help him turn himself around, but, alas I believe him to be a lost soul. And, I think that many others that read the book may not care for Keith. But, one still can like the book.

[David]

Thanks, Cameron.

For likeable characters, see my fantasy titles ;-)

[Stefanie]

Jan wrote: "Oh gosh, just catching up on all the posts and I'm laughing at the strong reactions to both Keith AND Sally!!
My interpretation was that Keith was a product of his own environment...bound to snap o..."

I completely agree with that assessment Jan! Couldn't have said it better myself.

[Melissa]

David wrote: "I intentionally didn't include Steve to a large extent. Partially because I wanted the focus to be on Keith and Sally, and partially because I wanted opinion of him to be garnered from third hand r..."

No I don't think there was too much of him. He certainly sealed my dislike of Sally. Why she would keep going back there I have no idea! But that's what the majority of people do don't they? You are treated badly yet they still go back there...

Yes most of your knowledge about him is from others, but the interaction on the street was the point where I REALLY disliked him :-)

[Stefanie]

David wrote: "I intentionally didn't include Steve to a large extent. Partially because I wanted the focus to be on Keith and Sally, and partially because I wanted opinion of him to be garnered from third hand r..."

I felt that I had enough information about Steve to form an opinion about him. I actually liked the fact that I didn't "know" him all that well. We had Sally's take on him, Of course she was furious because of the incident that took place at the wedding but the fact that she kept having these "fond" memories of him said to me that he wasn't all bad (like most people). She regularly would remember something funny he said and laugh out loud. Or, at the end (view spoiler)[ she felt confident that Steve would spend all night trying to break down that door if he thought she was in danger. (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)]
Overall I think I had just enough information about Steve. I would be interested to hear others' thoughts on this (hide spoiler)]

[David]

Any thoughts on when the spoiler questions/discussions are going to roll, anyone?

Assuming, members want to go there, that is.

[Stefanie]

Quick question David. How old are Sally and Keith? At first, based mostly on the "adolescent" type friendship between Sally and her work girlfriends I put them in their mid twenties at the oldest. But then when Sally and Kerry were "rocking out" to 80's music I thought they would have to be at least in their early to mid thirties to know the music so well.
Not that it made a difference in my enjoyment of the book but I was just curious. Thanks

[David]

In my mind they were mid to late twenties. I did have an exact age in mind at the time of writing, but my back story notes were lost when my old computer died. The era of the music didn't even occur to me as an issue. On reflection, this is likely because my daughters who are 20 and 23 love music from every decade going back to the 50s.

[Gopal]

I think humans in general tend to obsess more about the negatives in a person than positive. Sally is no different.

I like David's book because the characters in them are human. This is how we react the situations in our daily life. Keith excluded.

We think the best of ourselves and the worst of others. Is it any wonder that the book is receiving rave reviews because of the mirror it shows to the readers. Such strong emotion can only come forth when the reader feels the connection with the characters.

[David]

Thank you, Gopal. Really appreciate that observation.

[Jan]

David wrote: "Any thoughts on when the spoiler questions/discussions are going to roll, anyone?

Assuming, members want to go there, that is."
Yep-there are some who want to go there. Maybe next week we can start more of an open discussion!

[David]

Sounds good, Jan. Looking forward to it.

[Stefanie]

Gopal (The Minion) wrote: "I think humans in general tend to obsess more about the negatives in a person than positive. Sally is no different.

I like David's book because the characters in them are human. This is how we re..."

I really agree with your statement about the characters being "human" or realistic. I tend to enjoy books so much more when the characters are relatable and have faults. When they are "like that guy from work" or "remind me of my college housemate" ect. Real people usually aren't tall, dark, handsome, uber intelligent, giving, caring, determined...faultless.
I appreciate a book with "real characters" Kudos to you David you're making your characters come alive for us!

[Cameron]

Gopal brings up an interesting point about focusing on the negatives of a personality of a particular character rather than the positive traits. And, I believe that in most instances he is correct. However, in this case, I believe that David waves the negative characteristics like a flag and the reader unwittingly falls into this trend. The fish is on the hook, so to speak. That is, the trend of focusing on the negative traits so frequently. Let's face it, we even get down to the point where we think things like "Sally couldn't read a character's real personal feelings if they were much deeper than a Hallmark card." That's quite a stretch, but I actually had that thought.

[David]

Interesting that you should mention fish, Cam. Did you read the interview I did with Kath. She posted a link a ways back in this thread.

I'm thinking maybe I should have read my book myself. Some of the nuances are a little vague, having written other books since and getting into the heads of different characters.

[Cameron]

David wrote: "Interesting that you should mention fish, Cam. Did you read the interview I did with Kath. She posted a link a ways back in this thread.

I'm thinking maybe I should have read my book myself. Some ..."

Why, no David, I have not read the interview with Kath. I will have to check it out.

[Kath]

Here it is -

http://www.kathmiddletonbooks.com/blo...

[David]

Thanks, Kath. Helpful as ever :~)

[Kath]

I'm trying... I'm told!

[Christine]

David, what do you think of opening up the discussion without need for spoilers? It's at the two week mark now.

[David]

Fine by me, Chris. If members wish to exchange views or ask questions that contain spoilers, I say go for it.

Perhaps mark a post "SPOILERS FROM HERE ON IN" in bold

[IShita]

I am so lost around here. I posted something in a thread with David's name on it thinking it was this one but looks like I was wrong!

Anyway, David, this book just shows how impressionable you are with your words. Every episode Keith has leaves me with chills. And as I read along, I have come to dread this onset of episodes just as much as he does. I couldn't get through a few chapters without having to shut my eyes and face away from the book. Sometimes squeaking, sometimes a little misty. I'm almost done and I am having a great time reading it.

I'll ask my questions when I'm done though :)

[David]

I don't think any author could ask for a bigger compliment than that, Ishita. Sorry to give you chills, but pleased you're having a great time too.

Perhaps I should post a link offering counselling. "If anyone has been affected by issues in this book, please contact…"

Any volunteers?

[Christine]

Hey, I took a 3 month rotation during my residency in the locked ward. Does that qualify me???

[David]

If you're up for the position, Chris, it's yours. I think Ishita may be your first client.

[Christine]

LOL! LOL! LOL! I may have to advise Ishita to consult her solicitor/attorney regarding a potential mental anguish case.

[David]

Christine wrote: "LOL! LOL! LOL! I may have to advise Ishita to consult her solicitor/attorney regarding a potential mental anguish case."

Who exactly opened this can of worms? Oh, t'was I…

[Christine]

I can't hear you, David. Whose fault did you say these worms are?

[Gopal]

The worms are nobody's fault. The cans though are a different question....

[Cameron]

Christine wrote: "Hey, I took a 3 month rotation during my residency in the locked ward. Does that qualify me???"

It depends. What end of the stick were you on?

[Cameron]

Hey all. I am done now - have scratched my head raw and posted my review.

[Sean, Moderator]

Good idea David, maybe by the end of this week will add a Spoiler Alert on the thread, as most should have read the book

[IShita]

It indeed was David. Haha, maybe I will be Chris's first client. Although what she might suggest me will be kept between us. Um, on a totally unrelated note- Mind telling me where I can reach you if I ever wanna 'congratulate' you in person? :P

[David]

If you click on anyone's name, Ishita, it will take you to their personal profile page. From there you get the option to send them a personal message.

To make life easy for you though, I'll message you, and then you can just reply.

[Jan]

Hi David,
I have been wanting to follow up to something you said earlier but held off as I wasn't sure if it would get into any spoilers. You responded to someone saying:
I am really enjoying the interaction here. In some ways it makes me realise that I did not quite write the book that I thought
What did you mean by this? I'm curious how some of our views are different from what you thought! :)

[David]

What I was meaning, Jan, was in relation to the theory of Iser that I posted, wherein every reader brings an element of themselves to the text. How some people respond to the characters is, I believe, and many reviews and PMs back it up, reflective of the kind of person you are and the personal experiences you have had.

Not to go into too much depth, I was probably less judgemental of certain choices that were made. Having said that, I wrote the book, and had to enter the head-space of every character. I know some readers felt 100% empathy for Sally, whereas some felt she got all she deserved. I probably sat bang in the middle.

Not sure that answers your question or not Jan. I'd pick some examples, but I'm at work right now.

[Jan]

David wrote: "What I was meaning, Jan, was in relation to the theory of Iser that I posted, wherein every reader brings an element of themselves to the text. How some people respond to the characters is, I belie..."
This is a great answer-I was just curious as to how your views of what you wrote were different that what some have perceived.

[Jan]

WARNING-SPOILER QUESTION AHEAD!!!!
I have a question about the ending David....again it's more curiosity on why you chose to end it like you did.
My initial reaction was 'that's it? Why isn't anyone calling the police? Why doesn't Sally want him punished?'
I ended up resolving the Sally issue thinking that she felt a certain amount of responsibility for how big his obsession became, maybe she could have stopped it, etc. Was I even close to the truth?

[David]

Some time since I wrote the book, Jan, so my recollection is a little foggy. I'm also keen for my interpretation to not be taken as absolute, one of the reasons that I left the ending open. Those that fully sided with Sally want Keith strung up. Those that feel full empathy for Keith think otherwise. I know some readers would have liked an epilogue, but those same readers have said that the characters lived on their minds long after finishing the book, which is a winning situation from my perspective that likely would not have occurred had the ending been wrapped up.

Still at work, and haven't a copy to refer to, but I seem to recall writing that Sally was all for not calling the police (my thought being as you have highlighted - my intention was that the closing line illustrated her feelings, as well as an overarching theme of the book), but I also thought I'd written that Pete insisted the police should be called. Maybe I intended to write that but didn't; perhaps someone could confirm either way.

[Cameron]

Jan wrote: "Hi David,
I have been wanting to follow up to something you said earlier but held off as I wasn't sure if it would get into any spoilers. You responded to someone saying:
I am really enjoying the i..."

Questions, oh, yeah, Jan has questions.

[Cameron]

David said,

[Cameron]

Try this again, David said, "I know some readers felt 100% empathy for Sally, whereas some felt she got all she deserved. I probably sat bang in the middle."

I love this type of writing and the ability to do this and pull the reader into it without them really knowing it. I sat in the camp that I had no empathy whatsoever for Sally and realized that she would get her just rewards in the end - Steve. They belong together. I don't mean to sound like a hard ass but this is where the book took me from an early stage. Others felt badly for Sally and hoped that Steve would not end up with her. Others rode the fence. We did this unwittingly as David led us like a flock of sheep with a herder and a sheepdog and a book for the BOTM. WOW. I love that stuff.

[David]

Thanks, Cameron. I too love that kind of a read. I don't want an author telling me what to think when I read a book. I want text that allows my mind to go in it's own direction. I do try to put that into my own writing by removing authorial voice as much as possible.