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

[David]

Is there really only one more day?

Where did September go?

[Jan]

David wrote: "Sean wrote: "David,

a great success, some great comments and I hope this continues with this thread each month."

Indeed, Sean, I wholeheartedly agree. Thank you both to you and Janet for allowing..."
Thanks for letting us pick your brain David, and I know we haven't heard the last from you yet...archives or not!! ;)

[Janet , Moderator]

Indeed, last day tomorrow before David gets thrown in the dungeon.... I mean archived.... Whoops! :-)

Been a great Q&A read along session. And I'm sure we're all looking forward to your next book. Crack on.... ;-)

[David]

Thanks for picking, Jan. And, no you have not heard the last from me. I will be the distant voice echoing from the depths of Janet's dungeon.

[David]

Janet wrote: "Indeed, last day tomorrow before David gets thrown in the dungeon.... I mean archived.... Whoops! :-)

Been a great Q&A read along session. And I'm sure we're all looking forward to your next bo..."

Thanks, Janet, I've really enjoyed it. I shall do some cracking on the new book today. In the meantime, there's always the odd fantasy title ;-)

[Sean, Moderator]

Did someone mention that word... Fantasy !

Oh no...

On with the next thriller !

[David]

Sean wrote: "Did someone mention that word... Fantasy !

Oh no...

On with the next thriller !"

Oops! Did I set off the "good thriller" alarm and flashing red lights.

I'm writing the next thriller right now Sean :~)

[E.]

I avoided this thread because I'm still reading. I'm about to finish right now and am looking forward to reading all the posts.
I can hardly wait for the next one, David.

[David]

That is very good to know, E. Thank you. I look forward to hearing your thoughts on it.

Perhaps you could visit me in the archive dungeon and post them on this thread :~)

[Janet , Moderator]

Ok, ok I won't put you in the dungeon.... just yet! ;-)

[David]

Clemency :~)

[E.]

I caught up on this thread as soon as I finished the book, and I really enjoyed all of the questions, observations and answers. Very insightful.
What impressed me was the conversation regarding writing style/plot/characters. I think that with authors that I read a lot of, what attracts me to them is writing style and characters. I really enjoy a well written sentence. Sometimes they just jump out at me and need to be re-read and pondered, dissected and appreciated before moving on. Sometimes the overall writing style is so impressive they could be describing a blade of grass and I'm sucked into it.
On the same level is character development. I don't actually have to like the character, but it's important to me that I can "see" the character. They're vivid. Even if I despise them or think they're foolish, they are realistic enough to me that it creates some kind of emotion when they are in a certain circumstance.
Plot, while usually it's what makes me select a book, it's not always what makes me like the book overall. A gripping plot will fall flat if the story is not well written, or the characters are cliché, shallowly developed or just boring. I've liked several books that the story line wasn't as exciting as promised or the ending went south, but the characters were fun or endearing or evil, and the way the words were strung together made it a joy to read.

Also, at first, when I ended the book I was left wanting to know more. What happened to Keith? Did the police come? Was Steve really an ass or were we just lead to believe that from the pictures and other people's point of view? Did it all go back to as it was before? Sally, Steve, Kerry, Keith all doing what they've been doing.
The more I thought about it the more I realized that just wasn't part of the story being told. It was left up to my imagination, or my own point of view of these people. To some, Keith was a monster and the police took him in to custody. To some he was a sad mentally ill man-boy that got professional attention. To some, Steve was a lo-ooo-ser that Sal eventually separated from, or he was actually an ok guy and made a commitment to the relationship. Did Sal deserve what happened by leading Keith on, knowing he wasn't quite as bright as the next guy, or did she have a reasonable expectation to just remain friends because she did make attempts at drawing boundaries.
Personally I think all of the above!

Well done David, well done.

I'm still fence-sitting about picking up the fantasy books, but I'm finding that I am leaning towards them.
I'll definitely buy the next thriller!

[David]

Thanks, E, for your lovely comments. I'm especially pleased that you like my writing style; as you've no doubt gathered it is important to me. I will often tweak one sentence several times before I am happy with the cadence. It's gratifying too that the open end left you pondering all of the possible outcomes, as that was my intention.

As for the fantasy titles; some lovely blades of grass in Alloria… Just saying ;~)

[Jean]

How did it get to be October already? David, thank you so much for be so generous with your time and for writing a wonderful book. I've enjoyed the discussion and all of the comments.

[Cameron]

Thanks for the great fun and participation David and all that tagged along. It made it all great. And a big atta boy to Sean and any other moderators that I may have missed for helping to pull this off.

[David]

It has been a tremendous pleasure. Thank you all for making this as good as it has been.

[IShita]

I might be a little late but thanks a lot for doing this David. Although this is my (and I think the group's) second read-along, it is still new to me. Reading along with the author gives you insights and views that no one person could've thought of. It's such a great way to actually understand the book for what it is and often helps put your mind straight! It's been a pleasure, David. Thank you :)

[David]

Thank you, Ishita. The opportunity to interact directly with readers is equally rewarding.

[David]

It's dark and cold down here, and slightly damp. Any chance of a portable heater and a few candles? :~)

[Janet , Moderator]

Now, now! You knew this day would come.... Christine has a heart. I'm sure she'll send down suitable provisions! ;-)

[David]

I think John Nichol is still down here; there's a scratching noise at the other side of the wall. . .

[Jan]

David wrote: "I think John Nichol is still down here; there's a scratching noise at the other side of the wall. . ."

LOL!

[Janet , Moderator]

:-D

[David]

Here's your chance, if you haven't already taken it, to read SpaSpa award 2014 psychological fiction runner up Imperfect Strangers for a bargain price:



Worldwide Amazon link: http://smarturl.it/imperfect-strangers

Also available for FREE via Kindle unlimited or Amazon Prime.