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Readalong And Q&A with David Staniforth - Void
Jan wrote: "Just finished and review is up! https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...Look forward to reading some of this thread now that I don't have to worry about spoilers.
David-hats off to you! I..."
Thanks, Jan. Any questions or comments you'd like to add, please feel free to do so.
Betsy wrote: "I will be recommending VOID to my retired teachers' book group this Friday; I know that they will find it as interesting as I!Before I bow out, I would like to say that the MODS did a great job ..."
Betsy, nothing can beat reader recommendation, and as a self-published author it really does make a big difference.
You've made a great contribution to this group read, so thank you.
Karen B. wrote: "David, sometimes it is both that something resonates with me personally and sometimes I have come to love the character like a friend. In Void one of my first emotional reactions was how hard it ..."I don't know if I've already mentioned or not, but Void started life as a short story that I wrote about ten years ago. It was only 2,000 words and began with Tom's mother opening the door to him, and then went into flashback as his memories came flooding to mind. For a short story it was a powerful beginning, but I didn't think it would have worked over the length of a novel.
Paula wrote: "David wrote: "What lovely comments :~) I'm running out of ways to say thank you.I'm flattered that it brought you tears, Paula. One always aims to touch a reader's emotions, so it's gratifying to..."
Hopefully it was cathartic, Paula.
David wrote: "Paula wrote: "David wrote: "What lovely comments :~) I'm running out of ways to say thank you.I'm flattered that it brought you tears, Paula. One always aims to touch a reader's emotions, so it's..."
It kind of was. I'm having some issues with my son. Nothing like this. I wish he would let me hold him in my arms and we could cry together and talk out about what's wrong and let it go. It's not me. I'd be there in a minute.
Caught up on the thread this morning and I was most intrigued by your response on what drove you to make this story your next book. You alluded to a more expanded answer towards the end of the month, which I look forward to, but I did get a pretty good idea just based on the answer you provided. I think one of the things that I like about your writing style is that it reads realistically. The characters are believable as well as their responses and actions and you descriptively place so many elements for the reader to relate to. (hence my review line about not just reading this, but 'experiencing it') But there was one scene were you stepped outside the lines this time and was curious as to how this came to be? (view spoiler)
Paula wrote: "David wrote: "Paula wrote: "David wrote: "What lovely comments :~) I'm running out of ways to say thank you.I'm flattered that it brought you tears, Paula. One always aims to touch a reader's emo..."
Maybe when the time is right, Paula, that will occur naturally. Hope it works out for you, whatever it is.
Thank you David. I always have hope. He does talk to me some but it's not like it was before. His wife doesn't like me and I don't know why and neither one will say.
Jan wrote: "Caught up on the thread this morning and I was most intrigued by your response on what drove you to make this story your next book. You alluded to a more expanded answer towards the end of the mont..."I think I might have already expanded on the element you referring to in my answer to Dave Ellund's question. It was hidden in a spoiler alert so may have been easily missed.
As for your other point (view spoiler)
Paula wrote: "Thank you David. I always have hope. He does talk to me some but it's not like it was before. His wife doesn't like me and I don't know why and neither one will say."I think I mentioned in here somewhere, that a similar situation I was told about partly prompted the inclusion of Pauline's estrangement from her son. You have my sympathy. The not knowing, I imagine, is the hardest thing to bear.
:~) We are obviously like minded in this area, Jan. I don't know if you caught it in the final chapter, but Tom alludes to feeling the same way.The post where I replied to Dave Ellund is 216.
David wrote: ":~) We are obviously like minded in this area, Jan. I don't know if you caught it in the final chapter, but Tom alludes to feeling the same way.The post where I replied to Dave Ellund is 216."
Thanks David. Going to go back to find that segment in the last chapter tonight as I can't recall it right now. Great info on post 216 as well
It's only a casual reflection to that effect, Jan: last chapter, 3rd paragraph.
Have we all done?No more questions?
I know some are still reading, so I'll keep this ticking along with some background information that really interested me.
The Brookwood train station in Surrey that is mentioned in the book, where Tom travels to when leaving London really was once the end of the line; quite literally. It was built to supply what in 1854 was the biggest cemetery in the world. London's cemeteries were filling up and so Brookwood cemetery was created and the deceased taken there by train. I've walked around the place and it really is quite amazing and nothing at all like a traditional cemetery; more like a country park.
I was intending to use this information in the book, but there just didn't seem a suitable reason for using it at the time of writing.
Some more info on it here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brookwo... and http://www.brookwoodcemetery.com/
Oh!! this is really beautiful!!!Thanks for the links David, i hope i can visit it sometime soon :)
You're welcome. It is amazing, isnt it?
Fascinating. Isn't it amazing what research turns up? And sometimes it can be difficult to stop when all you want to do is find out where it'll take you.
It is, Andy. I could easily have shoehorned lots of stuff in and ended up with a non fiction book.
David wrote: "You're welcome. It is amazing, isnt it?"yes, it is :)
Christine asked me the following question in my book promotion thread, and thinking she was referring to Void, I thought I'd post my reply in here:Christine wrote: "David, I was very interested in your song choices. Are they individual song favorites or are they all from your favorite artists? Can you give us a list of your all time top 5 or 10 musicians or gr..."
All the songs I mentioned in Void are favourites of mine, some old favourites, some recent. They are not necessarily favourite songs by those artists though, more that they fitted the context in which i placed them. As for all time, I doubt I could even narrow it down to 10. I have so many, and it all depends on my mood at the time, as well as what I am doing.
When designing on the computer, I tend to listen to something that doesn't break my concentration: The Carpenters, Lighthouse family, Cat Stevens. When drawing or painting, something loud: Led Zepplin, ACDC, Meatloaf, Fleetwood Mac. When lounging: Sam Smith, Eric Clapton, Gregory Porter. I could go on. Love music.
Gets me wondering. How many listened to the music in the book? Did it enhance the mood, tone meaning of the text? Does music serve you in any way?
David wrote: "Gets me wondering. How many listened to the music in the book? Did it enhance the mood, tone meaning of the text? Does music serve you in any way?"David, I did listen to the music and enjoyed that additional element to the story. I do think it enhanced the mood and added another dimension to those scenes. I can relate because music has a strong connection to memory for me. Recently I came across the theme song to Welcome Back Kotter on my iPod (I forgot that I had it on there). As soon as it started, I was transported back to my parents den in front of the TV and could remember everything about the room and how it felt to be that kid - my younger self.
And you and I have similar tastes in music :)
Then I have to say you have good taste in music, Linda ;-) For me, its almost as if music opens little doors in the mind. I have many albums that I listen to regularly. If I were asked to list the order of the songs on one of them I would not be able to do so. Yet, play that album, and the last few notes of the current track puts the next track into my head.
It was with this idea in mind that I imagined Tom realing in his memory via the journal and ongoing events; the one triggering the next with a domino effect.
It had a great effect in the story! I do the same thing with several albums or playlists that I've listened to a lot. I couldn't give you the list, but as each song ends, I know exactly what notes are about to be played - even if its an album I haven't listened to in a while - my mind will fill it in for me, sometimes surprising me if it's been a long time.
Exectly, it really does point to memory working like links in a chain.
I'm reading my first bought and downloaded digital book. #firsttimer here. I am buying yours next, David. I'm intrigued with all the love for this one and Imperfect Stranger. I don't know which one to buy first! I just went to iTunes but only your Fuel to the Fire is available there. :(What app do you use to read when you download from Amazon? I'm such a newb because I love the actual feel of a book in hand. Surprisingly though I am enjoying reading on my iPad.
It's surprising, Amy, how many people come to enjoy reading digital books. I still prefer a paper copy, but I do think digital is more useful on many occasions.If you navigate to the book page on Amazon, somewhere on that page (beneath the cover art, i think) you will see a link that you can click on to download an app suitable for your own device. I think ipad kindle app might be through Apple Store.
Imperfect or Void? Both are stand alone. Most readers seam to rate Void the better book, but naturally I love them both. Perhaps flip a coin :-)
Mod
Both very different.
Void slightly better, but not much in it David !
Thanks, Sean. Nice to know you think so.
BTW David I want to let you know that I've recommended VOID to some other friends who are not in this group.
Karen B. wrote: "BTW David I want to let you know that I've recommended VOID to some other friends who are not in this group."Thank you, Karen, I really appreciate that. Reader recommendation is so important for a self published book.
Should I prepare myself for a last minute rush? :~)
Mod
Love music, have two 160 Gig I pods full.
See my list of chill out music in the music threads..
Love Fleetwood Mac and Lighthouse Family
Seen your list, Sean, some good stuff on there as well as some I don't yet know.
Just finished the book yesterday. IMHO it wasn't nearly as good as Imperfect Strangers. In fact, though I REALLY liked the last 1/4, the first 3/4 wasn't nearly as good. Also, the ending felt a little forced. I liked how the book was resolved. However, it felt a little disconnected.
That's fine, Kirsten; your opinion is just as valid as anyone's and I'm pleased to note it came good for you in the last quarter. Most do seem to be liking VOID more than Imperfect Strangers, but that's the beauty of books: they each say something different to each and every one of us. I know a couple of readers have read Imperfect after reading Void, and found they couldn't continue with it, as they found the subject matter too disturbing.
Mod
LOL....
Can always join.....
It's the BEST group! Some of the best people and recommendations!
David, Congratulations on another excellent readalong, and well deserved. I've read both of your thrillers and really enjoyed them. :)
Amy wrote: "It's the BEST group! Some of the best people and recommendations!"You forgot friendliest!
Thank you so much David for your input and answering our questions or just listening to our experiences of reading VOID. You are the best!
Thank you, Heather and Paula, and everyone who's taken part. It really has been a pleasure, and would not have been anything without all of you lovely readers.Without readers a book is just a stack of undiscovered words.
Mod
A great success.
Thank you, Sean, for having me. It's been great fun.I've just launched my own website, if anyone would like to check it out: http://www.davidstaniforth.co.uk/
I'm following you on twitter @qnofdnile I'm not really into fantasy novels but I do have Imperfect Strangers on my Kindle to read.
Paula wrote: "I'm following you on twitter @qnofdnile I'm not really into fantasy novels but I do have Imperfect Strangers on my Kindle to read."Do read it, Paula! I enjoyed it much more than VOID (Sorry, David!)
Paula wrote: "I'm following you on twitter @qnofdnile I'm not really into fantasy novels but I do have Imperfect Strangers on my Kindle to read."Thanks, Paula. I'll follow you back.
Ah! Christine didn't think she liked fantasy, but check out her review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
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)
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I'm flattered that it brought you tears, Paula. One always aims to touch a reader's emotions, so it's gratifying to know.
I won..."
David, for me it was finding out his mom was still alive and that he went to her every year. The hell she had to go through every year reliving her daughter's death and having to console her son. Her telling him that it wasn't his fault. I was crying along with them.