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Readalong And Q&A with David Staniforth - Void
Great book David. I loved the way you incorporated the music. I am not sure if any other writer has done something so creative. The story kept me wondering who this man Tom was. He could have been many things and in the end he was just what I think we wanted him to be. Great job and I look forward to reading all of your other novels.
Darkslyric wrote: "Great book David. I loved the way you incorporated the music. I am not sure if any other writer has done something so creative. The story kept me wondering who this man Tom was. He could have bee..."
Thank you, I'm really pleased you enjoyed the read. They do say there's no such thing as a fresh idea in literature, but maybe I had one. Probably not, but I've not come across a book using music in quite the same way either.
I hope you like my other books too. You do realise all but one of them are fantasy? I have to say they they are just as thrilling as the thrillers, if not more so, and many members on here have enjoyed them, despite never having read a fantasy and never having intended to.
Any questions on Void, DL, please feel free to ask. Are any aspect you'd like to discuss, especially when we go spoiler free :~)
In Chapter 1, there's an excellent statement that really made me think about myself in such a situation as Tom finds himself:"The sense of being in the wrong place, with absolutely no idea where the right place might be, is an unnerving feeling that destroys rational thought."
I closed my eyes and pictured myself in a car I'm not sure is mine wondering why I slept in this car and having NO clue who I am or where I am. HOW would I feel/ what would I do? Fear, anxiety panic come to mind.
My 1st reaction would be to run to the police.
WHY might this not be the smartest thing to do?
WHAT would you do?
WOW! David, what a way to start a book! Such tension already !
Thank you, Betsy. I'm pleased that opening worked for you. I certainly put a lot of effort into it, rewriting and altering perhaps twenty versions before finding an opening sentence that I was happy with.With that thought in mind, I'd like to throw a question back to the group. How important is the opening sentence or paragraph of any book to you?
VERY !! I can only answer for myself, but it is that opening which gets my attention and sets the tone for the rest of the book. I guess that you would say that I am "hooked" on what comes first!
Very important!! A good opening makes you want more. I can relate to some of what he is going through. I went through a short period of time that I can't remember anything. I also was put into an induced coma after surgery for 3 days. It's so weird. The world went on without out me but I was still there but not.
As I find my memory slipping, whether due to normal aging, or something more I can relate to the not knowing and mostly the frustration Tom felt. Mine of course is at much lower level but when I find myself stumped for something that I knew I used to know I pull and shake trying to loosen the memory and bring it to mind. Between the lines, in the very opening of the book I picture Tom hitting his head and crying out "Why can't I remember?" And it's not just being unable to remember some one thing but not being able to remember anything about his past
Yes failing memory in even a small way is a scary and frustrating thing. I once had a few missing hours, around ten. It was alcohol induced, I recalled walking up the steps of a bar, but had no recollection of exiting the building. I woke around ten hours later in a cell at the police station at the other side of town. A full year passed by in which I had no knowledge, at all, until I saw someone who had seen me that day. It bugged me for ages that I had travelled around three miles on foot, along busy roads, but couldn't remember having done so.
OMG, Paula, an induced coma ! Was it when you came out of the coma that you couldn't remember? And, did your memory of that short period of time come back, eventurally ??
No appendix ruptured when I was 17. I went to surgery on a Tuesday and didn't wake up until Friday. I was surrounded by cards, flowers, stuffed animals and had no clue where they came from. Finally a nurse came in and the first thing I asked her was what day it was. I have no memory of those three days. My parents were there a lot, lots of my friends visited as this happened shortly after graduation from high school and my co-workers visited. I was told I ripped out the IV and everthing I was hooked up to and the man visiting his wife in the other bed was trying to stop me but I have no memory of that happening.
I can see, Paula, why this particular book struck a responsive chord with you. Glad all is well !Sitting having lunch and wondering.... IF you "disappeared" every year at the same time, always a week in January, what might come to your mind about your annual disappearance?
Did your mind immediately go to "bad" things ??
David, I loved how this same time/next year played such a significant role in the final resolution !!
Thank you Betsy. I'm glad they caught it in time.
Thank-you David. I actually read pretty much anything as long as it is a good story. I am a dedicated fan to a few authors so it is always nice to find someone new and exciting to read. Once again Great job!!
Darkslyric wrote: "Thank-you David. I actually read pretty much anything as long as it is a good story. I am a dedicated fan to a few authors so it is always nice to find someone new and exciting to read. Once again ..."That is great to know, and thank you. I certainly hope you enjoy my other books too.
Paula wrote: "Thank you Betsy. I'm glad they caught it in time."Good they got you sorted, Paula.
I know well from my scenario what that waking without knowing where you are or how you got there feels like, as I guess you do. I was 18 at the time, 33 years ago, and the feeling it generated is still strong enough that I was able to draw from it.
Betsy wrote: "I can see, Paula, why this particular book struck a responsive chord with you. Glad all is well !David, I loved how this same time/next year played such a significant role in the final resolution !! "
From my research, I discovered that anniversaries can play a significant role in recovering memories. Glad you enjoyed that aspect, Betsy.
Darkslyric wrote: "Great book David. I loved the way you incorporated the music. I am not sure if any other writer has done something so creative. The story kept me wondering who this man Tom was. He could have bee..."
I totally agree about what you said Darkslyric, i was thinking the same all through the book!! I was thinking about Tom and his real story and afraid that i wouldn't like what i would discover, but i was more than satisfied at the end :)
Good to know I gave you both a satisfying ending. Thank you.
Somewhere around ~6%, we're told that Tom and Penny are "good together". Would you agree with that? Why?
David, How did you want us to feel about Penny?
Betsy wrote: "Somewhere around ~6%, we're told that Tom and Penny are "good together". Would you agree with that? Why?
David, How did you want us to feel about Penny?"
I would agree that Tom and penny are good together, which isn't to say they are necessarily good for each other. I'll leave that as ambiguous for now, out of respect for those people that are still reading the book.
By "good together", at that point in the narrative. I mean they get along well, life between them is generally good.
As for how I want you to feel about Penny, again cautiously avoiding spoilers at this stage, I want you to feel protective towards her, to have empathy for her in the situation she finds herself, and a little nervous in regard to how things might pan out.
I noticed immediately that Penny's friend was protective of her but I didn't like how she was trying to discourage Penny from staying with Tom when he came back. She seemed to have all kinds of negative reasons why he might have disappeared and I can understand that but if I were Penny's friend, I would trust in my friend more and her feelings about the relationship in general.What about everyone else? If you were Penny's friend what would you be telling her?
Interesting question, Karen, re. Kaitlyn. Perhaps we all need a "devil's advocate, someone to help make us see all sides of a situation. She certainly did plant many doubts into Penny's head but all were valid and even though Penny listened, I don't believe that Penny ever believed Kaitlyn's doubts; Penny seemed to trust Tom, even though she didn't understand his strange behavior. Last night for "Downton Abbey" :( ; I will be glued!
I'm thoroughly enjoying Void. For me, it harks back to David's Imperfect Strangers where he's able to draw incredibly realistic characters in a frightening situation.My memory isn't as good as it once was, and I find myself wondering if people are having a laugh when they say they already told me something, and I'm damned sure they didn't. But when I find out that they had, I go 'hollow' inside, wondering what the hell's happening! It must be dreadful to experience this void (ahem!) that lasts for a whole week - or longer.
Forgive me for not getting too indepth here, I'm still only a quarter of the way through; waiting for Tom to discover more about himself is wrecking my nerves.
I must say though, that your way of dealing with first person stories, David, is excellent, and I have no problem jumping from character to character, in one layer of their past, or several layers down. You've handled it superbly.
Right, I'm off to read :)
Thank you, Andrew.I felt first person fitted the psychological genre better than third person, but I had never been a big fan of first person myself. I find there can be way to much "I did, I went, I was, etc". Adding a different POV and a past section obviously added a layer of difficulty, and called for much rewriting, so it's pleasing to know you think I handle first person well. Makes the hard work worth while.
Andrew's comment has got me thinking. I've come across readers who say they don't like First person narratives. As I indicated above, I often don't; my fantasy titles, for example, are all told in third person.Do you have a preference between first and third? And do you think they suit different situations or genres?
I usually prefer third person in all my writing and reading too. But just occasionally I read something (or indeed, write something), and I find it very refreshing. Void is a perfect example.It's so immediate that it can take your breath away. And don't worry about the "I's", they fade into the distance.
David wrote: "Andrew's comment has got me thinking. I've come across readers who say they don't like First person narratives. As I indicated above, I often don't; my fantasy titles, for example, are all told in ..."For me, as a reader, it depends on the story.
In Void, i can't see the story in third person. The way it was written was perfect to really understand the feeling of being lost!! It was the same for Imperfect strangers David ;)
Thanks both. Glad it worked for you. Yes, immediacy is the thing that first person really brings across.
My two cents: I've never quite understood the 1st / 3rd person "problem" in the hands of a good writer. I do understand that some feel that it depends on the genre, in the story being told and how best to tell it but.... not to worry....You nailed it, David!
I've often encouraged the use of journals/notebooks and wonder .... Readers: Would you agree that the journal and notebook were good things, helpful to Tom ? What purpose did they serve for him? Have you ever kept a journal and was it helpful to you ?
Personally, David, I thought that they were a great idea for Tom !
Oh absolutely the journal is central to this story. I have always encouraged journal writing and used to keep one myself. It's a little harder now with my handwriting and just haven't gotten to the point of believing a typed journal is the same. I remember reading in Psychology Today a while back that after being a surveyed a group of psychologists and psychiatrists ended up choosing keeping a journal as one of the best therapy tools.
Why did Tom think that he might be (view spoiler) Were you surprised later how this scene played out? Did you have any doubts?David, How clever to make this (view spoiler)
I am almost done with Void. An excellent book David. I am usually not a fan of first person but it works so very well in this book. It had to be. The beginning scene of waking in the car was an excellent "hook" into the novel.
I forgot to add, the journal is another way to help Tom find his way. And yes, I do believe in keeping a running journal even if it is only mundane things that happened that day. You never know what memory or feeling re-reading a journal will spark.
I'm at the 50% mark and enjoying the book. For some reason it feels like the book is set in the 1940's so I'm glad for the music that jogs me to present day such as Beiber and Aerosmith. Maybe because it is in England? The bitter cold? Not sure why my mind goes to this time period but relishing the story and mystery.
I finished Void today, but haven't had time to write my review yet.... but I really, really enjoyed this book!!David - congrats on a fantastic suspense novel!
I've also enjoyed reading the posts here. Great observations! Like the others, I thought the first person POV was spot-on. I don't think the story would have been as powerful any other way. Great characters, great story, great writing, David!
Sean wrote: "Great success David.Ps
Fleetwood Mac, one of my favourite groups
Tusk, Seven Wonders, Little Lies, Mystify"
Agree!! Great taste in music - one of my fav groups too!
Hello David. I finished Void yesterday and I thought it was remarkable. I not only loved the story but also the writing style. Hope you will write more books in this genre. Thank you.
Sorry for the delayed response, I'm currently at work, but will try and pop on from time to time.
Betsy wrote: "Why did Tom think that he might be [spoilers removed] Were you surprised later how this scene played out? Did you have any doubts?David, How clever to make this [spoilers removed]"
To my mind Betsy (view spoiler)
Pat wrote: "I am almost done with Void. An excellent book David. I am usually not a fan of first person but it works so very well in this book. It had to be. The beginning scene of waking in the car was an exc..."Thanks, Pat. I pleased that the 1st person narration is working for readers. Pleased to that the opening scene is a good hook. Plenty changed during planning and drafting in terms of plot, but the opening scene has been in place from the off.
Pat wrote: "I forgot to add, the journal is another way to help Tom find his way. And yes, I do believe in keeping a running journal even if it is only mundane things that happened that day. You never know wha..."The journal wasn't originally part of the plan. It was going to be Tom exploring and occasionally having flashbacks. The more I tried to plan it though, it just wasn't working. The journal allowed me to bring Penny into the picture and it all came together.
Lori wrote: "I'm at the 50% mark and enjoying the book. For some reason it feels like the book is set in the 1940's so I'm glad for the music that jogs me to present day such as Beiber and Aerosmith. Maybe beca..."Thanks, Lori. Glad you're enjoying the story. I wonder, are you a one off, being transported to the 1940's? Maybe it's my lyrical sentence structure.
Linda wrote: "I finished Void today, but haven't had time to write my review yet.... but I really, really enjoyed this book!!David - congrats on a fantastic suspense novel!
I've also enjoyed reading the posts ..."
Thank you, Linda. really pleased you enjoyed it. I look forward to hearing more of your thoughts when you have time. Another thumbs up for the first person narration, and thanks too for the compliment on my writing.
Liz wrote: "Hello David. I finished Void yesterday and I thought it was remarkable. I not only loved the story but also the writing style. Hope you will write more books in this genre. Thank you."Thank you, Liz; I find that a real compliment as writing style is of importance to me. If you love my writing style, you may enjoy my fantasy titles, particularly Alloria. A few committed thriller readers that swore off of fantasy have enjoyed it. I do plan to write more thrillers in the future, but for now you have read me dry in that genre with VOID and Imperfect Strangers.
Hope to hear more from you as the discussion progresses.
I'm glad , David, that you are getting such positive comments b/c IMO , you deserve them. And, I'm glad that so many more members are jumping into the discussion and posting their thoughts !Already at 18%, we know that Tom is afraid of tunnels.
"Black tunnels fill me with dread." The tunnel image is repeated often. I found this repetition effective because I too started to feel chills when the tunnel was mentioned.
Did you all develop any feelings about "THE" tunnel ?
Thank you, Betsy. Very nice of you to say so.The tunnel of the story features in my own childhood, Betsy. (view spoiler)
David wrote: "Thank you, Betsy. I'm pleased that opening worked for you. I certainly put a lot of effort into it, rewriting and altering perhaps twenty versions before finding an opening sentence that I was happ..."I think the opening of a book is important. It might not need to be the first sentence. I've read some books where the last sentence of the first chapter was the knock-out punch.
David wrote: "Andrew's comment has got me thinking. I've come across readers who say they don't like First person narratives. As I indicated above, I often don't; my fantasy titles, for example, are all told in ..."I think first person gives an intimacy that third person can't. I can just crawl into the first person narrator's skin and live what that character is living. I love the empathy.
A Good Thriller
Books mentioned in this topic
Imperfect Strangers (other topics)Void (other topics)
Imperfect Strangers (other topics)
Void (other topics)
The Self Illusion: How the Social Brain Creates Identity (other topics)
More...
As you probably gathered, they are among my favourites too.