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Readalong and Q&A with Susan May - Deadly Messengers
Kirsten *Dogs Welcome - People Tolerated" wrote: "Susan - I just started the book. It really starts from the get-go, doesn't it? I just wondered after reading the first chapter if you were inspired by an X-Files episode: "Blood" ?http://www.imdb..."
Hi Kirsten, There's four messages that are the same. I feel like you are reading my other book Back Again, lol.
I loved the X-Files. Saw every episode. But I don't recall that particular episode. However, I will look up that episode and get back to you. I try really hard not to write anything I've seen or heard about.
My mother gave me the best advice ever when I was 14 and I had to write a fiction essay called "An Anatomy of Murder" for an English assignment. When I was trying to think what to write, she said to me: "Think about what everyone else would write and write something completely different."
It was 1974, and I wrote a story about a computer that killed people. Cliche now, but for then it was very new. Shame I didn't write the novel then. Might have done very well. That was the best advice I've ever been given about writing. So if I did see Blood and remembered it, I wouldn't use it. I might use an idea or a similar question, but I would find a different way to spin it.
Will get back to you fully once I check the synopsis for the episode. But no, I wasn't inspired by it.
By the way, I'm sorry Kirsten, there's a dog bit further in the book. Not explicit. I'm presuming you're a dog person.
I'm very much a dog person! Dogs are better than people. After reading the first chapter, I immediately thought of that episode. You may not have been inspired, but it just jumped out at me.
BTW, I have a t-shirt that says "I don't care who dies as long as the dog lives"
I was reminded a bit of the Pusher episode in Xfiles. where the guy has a lighter and lighter fluid and says for God's sake somebody stop me.
Almost finished with the book and boy does it make you think. As someone on meds and who has side effects on many, it makes you really think that if meds affect body parts...why cant it affect the brain ....Mmmm food for thought....now back to my book, still cant guess what will happen.....
The problem with meds affecting the brain is well proven. Every medication OTC and prescription affects us all differently. Basically we're a bag of chemicals and then we add more and wonder why it turns us crazy. For instance, when my brother was a teenager, if he had artificial food coloring, he changed. It was like Jekyll & Hyde.
Sean wrote: "Susan, my first question if made into a film.What is your cast list ...
I am as you know a film buff..."
Oh, that's tricky. Of course, I suggested O'Grady looks like Mark Ruffalo, but Mark Ruffalo would be too old. Hmmm...
On Kendall, I'd love Alicia Vikander. She's so talented, but I've just seen Room with Brie Larson and I did like her in that, and she's just won the Golden Globe. Of course, if you want a hit you need Jennifer Lawrence, who I just adored in JOY. This is Brie Larson.
Now back to O'Grady. I do like Jermaine Clement, who is a New Zealand actor. He played Boris in Men in Black 3.
But I think the winner would have to be Scott Eastwood, Clint Eastwood's son, purely because he's so darn good looking. We'd have to unpretty him, though. I never saw O'Grady being that good looking.
And for Trip, I'll have Tom Hardy, who I adore. He's an acting God. See him in The Revenant, my fave film last year, alongside Joy.
Of course, it will probably never get made, but that is fun dream casting, for sure. Thanks for the question, Sean. Anyone else have any casting ideas?
Kirsten *Dogs Welcome - People Tolerated" wrote: "I'm very much a dog person! Dogs are better than people. After reading the first chapter, I immediately thought of that episode. You may not have been inspired, but it just jumped out at me.
BTW..."
Kirstin, I just read up about that episode: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blood_(... Yes, it does have similarities in the opening scene. Not the same plot, though, but you are totally spot on. Maybe that was embedded in my mind from twenty years ago, since I've seen every episode.
Perri wrote: "I was reminded a bit of the Pusher episode in Xfiles. where the guy has a lighter and lighter fluid and says for God's sake somebody stop me."I can't remember hardly any of the X-files episodes. I see so many films and TV shows that I struggle to remember a film I've seen several months before. I get the plots mixed up.
Last year, we were watching the opening scenes of Maze Runner 2 and I couldn't remember what the story had been from the first one because they're all similar to Divergent, Hunger Games, The Giver. Teenagers running around fighting the establishment.
Even my poor twelve year old leaned over and said to me in the opening, "Hey, mum, that guy is in Maze Runner."
"That's because we're watching Maze Runner," I replied.
My kids get dragged along to loads of movies, too, and sometimes we forget what we are seeing. The plight of the film reviewer. lol.
Agnes (BeaderBubbe) wrote: "Almost finished with the book and boy does it make you think. As someone on meds and who has side effects on many, it makes you really think that if meds affect body parts...why can't it affect the ..."I was actually very surprised, Agnes, by the research I found. However, I am not anti-drugs. They do a lot of good. You just have to be careful and be aware that they can affect everyone differently. We are, after all, just a bag of chemicals.
I do remember years ago being give a testosterone cream mixed by a chemist to help with a hormone imbalance after I had my 2nd child. It wasn't post natal depression but more like I would lose energy for a few days every month. It was quite awful.
Well, the testosterone made me crazy. I felt like I was climbing the walls and really miserable. So I threw it away. That's when I understood how powerful chemicals are when it comes to your mind. I literally felt crazy with the stuff and not myself.
By the way, the problem I had, in case anyone else has it was something that an OBGYN sorted out very easily. Just ovaries that had turned back on after my previous pregnancy but were misfiring hormones. Turned 'em off with the pill and then turned them on again six months later by stopping the pill and the problem was solved.
However, prior to solving it, I went to my local doctor for over and over for nearly three years complaining that I would lose three or four days of my life lying on the couch (cause thats all I had the energy to do) every month, and they couldn't work it out. It was terrible. So if you have that problem go see a OBYGYN.
Kirsten *Dogs Welcome - People Tolerated" wrote: "The problem with meds affecting the brain is well proven. Every medication OTC and prescription affects us all differently. Basically we're a bag of chemicals and then we add more and wonder why it..."Yep, Kirsten, as I said in my previous reply, we have to realise different chemicals affect different people. At the back of the book are links to some very interesting discussions.
Susan wrote: "Agnes (BeaderBubbe) wrote: "Almost finished with the book and boy does it make you think. As someone on meds and who has side effects on many, it makes you really think that if meds affect body par..."Sometimes you have to be your own doctor. You know how you feel and if it is not right then you have to do something about it. Drugs affect everyone differently...I took meds for awhile that made me gain weight and when it didnt work, doc just kept increasing it...up to 4 pills 4x a day....stopped it, lost weight and now am dealing with problem another way...
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Sean wrote: "Just watched The Revenant yesterday !"Is it as good as they say?
Agnes (BeaderBubbe) wrote: "Susan wrote: "Agnes (BeaderBubbe) wrote: "Almost finished with the book and boy does it make you think. As someone on meds and who has side effects on many, it makes you really think that if meds a..."Yes, I agree. You have to trust your own instinct. My doctor kept telling me I might be depressed, but I kept saying the only time I feel depressed is the thought that I'm going to lose days of my life from this weird thing every month. I kept asking my best friends: Do I seem depressed? They all said, "No way."
As I always say, trust your gut. O'Grady's thoughts on trusting your gut in the book are definitely mine or we both agree. lol.
Perri wrote: "Sean wrote: "Just watched The Revenant yesterday !"Is it as good as they say?"
I've seen The Revenant twice already, but I took my teenage kids (13 & 15 ... they're very sophisticated film goers since they've been attending previews since they were babies), and they thought it was boring. My husband liked it, but didn't love it.
I just marvel at Leo's performance and the beauty of it, plus I just found the story engrossing. My husband said it was too long and repetitive. There is a lot of snow. lol.
I've also just seen The H8teful Eight and I loved that, too. But Quentin Tarantino isn't for everyone.
A bit of Deadly Messengers' news ... I've just begun auditions for the audible book for Deadly. Heck, it is so exciting to hear your words spoken by a professional voice actor. The characters really come alive, too.It was only 7 minutes of different parts of the book and different characters, but, gosh, I kept thinking: Did I really write this? It's pretty good.
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The physical aspects of The Revenant are incredible, but yes some very slow parts, and shocking bits, and an hour too long
I know this might not be the place to ask you both but since you're talking about it...What are your favourite Tarantino films, Sean and Susan?
Susan wrote: "A bit of Deadly Messengers' news ... I've just begun auditions for the audible book for Deadly. Heck, it is so exciting to hear your words spoken by a professional voice actor. The characters reall..."That's terrific news and what a fun job! You have every reason to be proud. Except for your love of Tarantino. JK, congrats!
Susan I've just finished all your books and was wondering when you think your next books will be released...am also excited for you on the audible with DEADLY MESSENGERS congratulations my friend
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Reserviour Dogs
Kill Bill
Pulp Fiction
Django Unchained
I am also,waiting for Susan's next book :)
i like british and scandinavian police procedurals -anyone read those?
Perri wrote: "Susan wrote: "A bit of Deadly Messengers' news ... I've just begun auditions for the audible book for Deadly. Heck, it is so exciting to hear your words spoken by a professional voice actor. The ch..."Thanks, Perri, I'm really thrilled. I'm about to announce the narrator. She's amazing and really so excited about the project. I can't believe I manage to snaffle her for Deadly. It will be a whole new experience listening to the book pretty much acted out. She does great voices and I love the tone of her voice.
Sean wrote: "I enjoy Quentin Tarantino.The physical aspects of The Revenant are incredible, but yes some very slow parts, and shocking bits, and an hour too long"
I've seen it twice, actually. I did love every minute and after reading the production notes, I found it incredible how they made it. Apparently, they would only film in natural light. So they rehearsed all day and then had only an hour and a half at the end of the day to film to get that gray light. The bear was CGI. It's my favorite film of the year.
Now my fave Tarantino has got to be Django Unchained. I've seen it 3 times. However, I just love all of his. The Hateful Eight is great as well. He's a dark man that Tarantino.
Sandycurtis wrote: "i like british and scandinavian police procedurals -anyone read those?"
I love them, too, Sandy. I did like The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo. However, I found the follow up really repetitive, so I didn't read the third.
One of the best Scandinavian books I've read recently is a first book by Joakim Sander
A little slow at the beginning, but once it gets going, it's a wild ride. Reminiscent of Frederick Forsythe. Give it a try if you haven't read it. Apparently it didn't sell that well, which shows you that good books sometimes don't find their mark first time out.
Janeandjerry wrote: "Susan I've just finished all your books and was wondering when you think your next books will be released...am also excited for you on the audible with DEADLY MESSENGERS congratulations my friend"Hi Jane,
You are too, too kind to me and my books. I so appreciate it.
My next book The Troubles Keeper has been delayed, only because I've been busy getting the Behind Dark Doors collections up. When I saw that
was selling well back in October, I thought I'd be mad not to gather up more of my stories that were just sitting on my hard drive and share them with my wonderful readers.It's quite involved putting a book together. Even though a majority of the stories had already been professionally edited, I went back and edited a few again. Then I had to put them together, add some bits and pieces in, write a few Imagination Vaults I'd missed, (everyone tells me they love the behind the scenes information). I get all my books professionally formatted so they appear beautifully on e-readers without any funny little symbols and there is a lot of back and forthing to get that right..
Then I decided to do this Audible for Deadly Messengers and the audition part is quite involved.
Now I have a fantastic narrator to record the book, I have to go through the entire book, pull out little snapshots of dialogue of each character, even the minor characters and describe how I want the characters to sound and supply a kind of test manuscript of samples.
Then my narrator will prepare a 15 minute audio and I will give her further direction on what needs to be changed when she sends it back. Then once we nail the voices down, she will go ahead and make the audible. The recording will take about four to six weeks. Then I have to listen to the entire audible for any errors or drop outs or things needing improvement and we work on those. When that's all done, then the book will be ready to go around late March.
So all of this has taken me away from my third round of edits for The Troubles Keeper. Plus, it's summer holidays here, so my kids and husband have been around a bit, and I like to prioritise family. The kids are back at school on the 1st February. So that's my date for getting stuck back into edits of The Troubles Keeper.
This is a long winded explanation to say probably The Troubles Keeper (which I know you are going to love ... I love it) will be ready for early reader/reviewers by late March. So it's about 8 weeks behind schedule.
I promise it will be worth the wait.
Also, I've now caught up on reformatting all my back catalogue and making sure every book of mine on Amazon is as good as I can make it, so going forward I'm more organised. So I'm pretty sure I will be releasing two more books this year after The Troubles Keeper to keep all my wonderful readers happy.
Lynn wrote: "I am also,waiting for Susan's next book :)"Lynn, so kind of you, too. And I know you are waiting on the paperback for Deadly. I still don't have them!!! I won't even get into all the problems I've had with the paperbacks. My husband is sorting it out for me, because it's making me pull my hair out.
And anybody who has come late to the party here at the Read-A-Long, please still message me for your FREE copy of Deadly Messengers. I'm very happy to supply you right up until mid-February. It's selling so well, I am feeling very generous. lol
Susan wrote: "Sandycurtis wrote: "i like british and scandinavian police procedurals -anyone read those?"
I love them, too, Sandy. I did like The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo. However, I found the follow up rea..."
Hi Susan-
I haven't read that one yet - I'll add to my list
Currently ploughing through Val McDermid- finished A Grave Tattoo- after some of these I need a break and will head for YA- one rule - no kissing in books I choose - murder- mayhem- that's great - love affairs are pretty yucky to me-
will you be my friend?
Suggest a book you'd like to read and I'll read it too
Thank you SUSAN I will keep both eyes opened and ready for when you have your next books out. I know you've had a full plate lately so I don't want to keep you from your work and family so will catch up again soon...JANE
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Sandycurtis wrote: "Susan wrote: "Sandycurtis wrote: "i like british and scandinavian police procedurals -anyone read those?"
I love them, too, Sandy. I did like The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo. However, I found the..."
Well, Sandy, I'm reading Hidden Bodies at the moment. But you need to have read the first book
. I won't be a very good buddy for the next few months. My reading has really slowed down to like a book every 10 days to two weeks. I've got so much going on with writing and my Audible for Deadly Messengers. But, hey, touch base with me in a month or so and, sure, we can be buddies. :)Oh, and I don't like romance either. These darn characters of mine throw a little romance in, and I keep trying to pull it out, but they insist, but romance doesn't play a big part in my books.
Although the new book The Troubles Keeper kind of centres on a romance, but trust me it's a thriller, and my characters don't have time to get kissy kissy. They're too busy trying to save their lives and stop the most grisly serial killer you will read in a long time. In fact, he makes Deadly Messengers look very mild.
And no, I don't know what's wrong with me that I think of these things. I'm very sweet and gentle.
Janeandjerry wrote: "Thank you SUSAN I will keep both eyes opened and ready for when you have your next books out. I know you've had a full plate lately so I don't want to keep you from your work and family so will cat..."Jane, you are just wonderful. Lovely to know you and a few of my readers are waiting for the next book. Thank you. I'm humbled.
Susan wrote: "Sandycurtis wrote: "Susan wrote: "Sandycurtis wrote: "i like british and scandinavian police procedurals -anyone read those?"
I love them, too, Sandy. I did like The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo. ..."
I'll start with" You" - Thanks so much
I loved this book. Rarely does a book impact me emotionally but this one did.As the book went on I understood the whole thing. Great angle. I'm a new fan. Love the U Tube inspiration. (view spoiler)
Susan wrote: "Janeandjerry wrote: "Thank you SUSAN I will keep both eyes opened and ready for when you have your next books out. I know you've had a full plate lately so I don't want to keep you from your work a..."As always you're welcome
Diane Lynch wrote: "I loved this book. Rarely does a book impact me emotionally but this one did.As the book went on I understood the whole thing. Great angle. I'm a new fan. Love the U Tube inspiration. [spoilers rem..."Thanks so much, Diane. Yes, my son sure saved the day. I'm always amazed how the plot snags are solved in such ingenious ways. I really thought I was in trouble until he mentioned the Youtube video. Just shows you to trust as a writer that if you persist your muse will find a way to get the message through.
I really appreciate your kind words and support. I am humbled. :)
If anybody has any questions about my writing life or writing journey or anything I haven't already answered, don't be shy. I am really happy to share.
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Janet wrote: "Susan, you've been great here. I hope you've been happy with the amount of interest, interaction and questioning here. Your answers have been full and informative and I think this read along has be..."Thank you so much Janet for inviting me. It's been a wonderful experience and I've really enjoyed my time answering questions. I feel as though I've made some new friends, which is always great.
Again, I always say what a great group A Good Thriller is. I'll check in on the thread in case anybody else would like to ask questions. Anyone still wanting a free copy of
please still get in touch via private message here and I will be happy until the end of February to send you a copy. :)
Do you know when your next book will be out and the title of it?
Diane Lynch wrote: "Do you know when your next book will be out and the title of it?"Hi Diane,
Thanks for asking. The next book is entitled The Troubles Keeper. I'm up to the 3rd draft of it and I'm hoping to get it to my editor in about five weeks.
I'd finished the 3rd draft back in November, but I decided to publish two more collections of short stories after
started selling so well. So in mid December I published
and
. I had to go back and re-edit some of the shorts and then there was a lot of work with the formatting and putting the books together. So poor The Troubles Keeper was delayed. However, I'm just about to get stuck into it again.
I really love this story. It's a supernatural thriller. This is the very rough synopsis below. They are so hard to write. I usually write them once I've nearly finished all the edits. It's just to give you an idea.
And it should be in early reader's hands sometime in late March/early April, I hope. If anyone wants to receive an early copy and I haven't already sent you a copy of Deadly Messengers or included you in my special early readers' group, then message me your email and I'll include you in my early readers' group for a FREE copy.
The Troubles Keeper Synopsis
Rory Fine is an amiable bus driver who spares people from their troubles, one touch at a time. Small worries, heavy hearts, broken souls, all benefit from his magic touch. He spends his time trouble keeping and hoping one day he’ll gain the courage to talk to Mariana, a beautiful passenger on his bus route.
The Trepan Killer doesn’t kill for fun. He doesn’t kill out of need. He’s a serial killer of a whole other kind, searching for a doorway to another world. He’s finally found the victim who might free him from this world, but capturing her is not as easy as the others.
It’s a game of cat and mouse between good and evil, with an enemy who, if he succeeds, just might destroy the balance of the world.
Even with his special powers, Rory Fine is ill prepared to be the hero of the day. How can he save even one person, let alone the world? If he can’t find and stop the most frightening killer the city has ever seen, the girl he loves might be the price he pays.
A supernatural thriller, The Troubles Keeper will keep you turning the pages. Anyone can die. Anyone could be the killer. Anything can happen.
Diane Lynch wrote: "Looking forward to that one!"Thanks, Diane. I'm nervously awaiting its finish as well. You always wonder, as an author, if the next book will be as good as the one before. Poor The Troubles Keeper has big shoes to fill. I love this one even more, but readers will decide for themselves, I'm sure. Thanks for your interest.
Thank you to everyone who joined in with the read on Deadly Messengers and thank you for the wonderful questions. Thanks so much to Sean for inviting me here. I'm now head down on the edits for my next book THE TROUBLES KEEPER and excitedly awaiting getting back the AUDIBLES version of DEADLY MESSENGERS from the voice talent. That should be out later in March. Happy reading everyone. :)
Can't wait for your next book sounds like a thriller I'm ready to get involved with...
Janeandjerry wrote: "Can't wait for your next book sounds like a thriller I'm ready to get involved with..."Thanks, Jane. You'll be one of the first to read it, I promise.
A Good Thriller
Books mentioned in this topic
Tastes of Love and Evil (other topics)Behind Dark Doors (one): Six Suspenseful Short Stories (other topics)
Behind Dark Doors (two): Six Suspenseful Short Stories (other topics)
Behind Dark Doors (three): Six Suspenseful Short Stories (other topics)
Deadly Messengers (other topics)
More...
What is your cast list ...
I am as you know a film buff...