Smokin' Seventeen question

"The Burg" as a place setting is almost a character in itself. In general, parts of Newark, Orange City, Jersey City, Trenton, and so on, are portrayed far less lovingly in the news media. Yet it is the intermingling of the families who've grown up in the 'Burg' and call it home that make Stephanie's stories so loving dramatic, and even, real. The Burg is like a small town with more traffic. So, I wonder is it real? Are places like 'The Burg' falling to gang violence, mob influence, absentee landlords, and regentrification by consortiums? or is the media portrayal out to sell papers at the cost of neighborhoods? I love Stephanie and her world of relationships, and I don't think this world would be nearly as much fun anywhere else.

I was wondering if it is challenging to be writing two novels set in the same universe, both with women main characters. Was it difficult to write WA without dropping into Steph's voice, or did you have a clear idea of Lizzie's character when you started?

I love Lula and her relationship with Stephanie, will she ever develop a love interest? I vote for Stephanie to end up with Morelli just to see how Bella will react.

How many more books are you going to write in the Stephanie Plum series? It seems like the titles would be weird with numbers over 20 (except for 21, of course!)

I love, love, love the Stephanie Plum books. How many more of this series are you going to bless us with?

I love the Stephanie Plum series and all the characters you've created. This is a long running series as well so I'm curious how you continue to make each character as entertaining as they are each time. Where do you get your material for them? Also, do you plan on ending the series with Stephanie picking a guy? Or can we look forward to a choice with the continuing of the series?

I've read all the Plum books and all of the between the numbers books. They are very entertaining, and many times, I have actually laughed out loud. Comedy is very rare in mystery books! But, I can't envision where Stepanie can go from here. As much as I love the characters, they are becoming "same old, same old," for me, at least. Will you end this series, do a spin-off, or start something entirely new?

Do you have a release date or a time frame for the next Diesel book?

So I love Ranger because he is mysterious and Joe Morelli is sexy and stable but does Stephanie really love either of them? Seems to me she would be ready to have a steady relationship--not necessarily mariage--with one of them. Have you considered a new man with whom she could fall madly in love with? Might be interesting to integrate a new man into the burg--a real contender this time. Maybe Ranger and Morelli would step up their game then.

I was wondering when Stephanie is going to finally start to learn something. In the beginning she was the newbie and was learning things from Ranger, but we are on book 17 and still she plays a role of dependency. I get tired of her depending on the "men." Are you going to have her finally become a strong independent woman who can handle herself?

Heard there was a movie deal being discussed....wonder which actors you envision as the main characters?! I have them all picked out. :)

Will you ever introduce a female character to compete with Stephanie for Ranger???!!!

I often come accross something in the news (usually humorous) that makes me think it would be a great storyline for one of your books. What is your inspiration for the cases Stephanie works in each book? Newspapers, your real life, imagination?

I enjoy the hell out of your books, I've read most of them several times, laughing out loud all the way. Madly in love with Diesel, Morelli and Ranger, of course. I do agree with some of the comments about Stephanie actually making a decision, or there being some other dramatic twist to the series that kicks it off in a new direction, or something.

Thanks for years of laughter!

I would like to see more about how Grandma Mazur came to live with the Plums. How did that transpire? How did she and Mr. Plum come to terms with their hysterical relationship in which she virtually ignores him and he tolerates her and just groans inwardly? And Mrs. Plum's liquor cabinet! How did that come to be? Tell more!

First let me say the books are magnificent.....funny and exciting.

In honor of the new book, my friends and I got together and tried the peanut butter, potato chips and olive sandwiches. How did you come up with this; did someone you know actually ate these? lol Very Yummy by the way.

We would love to see Stephanie's Mom and Dad involved in some caper at some point.

I would like to know when you will add Delaware to your book tours...you have alot of fans here in the First State who would LOVE to see you!!!

I love all of your books, not just the Stephanie Plum series, but I have gotten so many of my friends hooked on your work because of those books and the hilarity that ensues within each one. My question (and it may have already been asked, sorry I haven't read every question yet) is did you know when you wrote "One For the Money", that you had something that was going to be successful; and if you so, did you expect it to become the phenomenon that it has?

I always saw the Stephanie Plum series as the normal girl's sex in the city. Was there any talks about doing the series as a TV show instead of a movie?

I have been working through your earlier romance works, and love them especially 'Foul Play'. My question is, do you have any special way of sparking your muse to come up with new and unexpected situations for your characters?

And, one more thing. 200lbs is really not "big" today. I think you underestimated Lulu.....hahahahaha

I love the quirky FTAs that Stephanie has to pick up. Where do you get ideas for their crimes and reasons they didn't show up for court?

I've read all of the Stephanie Plum books, except for the new one.

My question is this: why has there been so much of Lula in the last few books? Has that changed for the 17th?

Lula is a funny character, but she's only good in small doses, IMO.

And is Stephanie ever going to move out of the Burg? How many scenes can involve a wake before that particular plot point runs its course? Oh wait, it has. The Burg must have a million old people, since there seems to be a wake about every other day in these books!

Okay, I've asked two questions. I'll stop while I'm ahead. The books are fun, enjoyable reads, but the plots seemed to be getting tired.

How on earth did you ever come up with the idea for exploding taxidermy in "Lean Mean Thirteen"? Four books later and I still crack up every time I remember it!

What or who did you base Lula on - she's great

After skimming through the questions already posted, I see that many people have versions of the same question that first popped into my head: what do you think of the casting of Ranger in the movie to be made of “One for the Money”? I’m actually fine with Katherine Heigl in the role of Stephanie, but in my mind, Ranger should be played by someone who looks like a young Johnny Depp. I’d also like to ask if you would be interested in adding another quirky but lovable character to the series: for example, a middle-aged divorced school teacher who somehow ends up with Ranger, thereby freeing Stephanie to get married to Joe. Your thoughts?

I'm a loyal fan....I love all the Plum novels. I always wonder what Ranger thinks when Stephanie blows up one of his cars. Would you ever consider writing a book about Ranger, Stephanie, and Morelli's point of view all at one time?

How did Janet think of her brilliant charcater, Stephanie, a broke young lady???

Are you waiting for Stephanie to make a decision on which guy she chooses until you end the series? I hope she chooses soon but that you don't end the series there. I love that this series combines adventure, mystery, humor, and a little bit of sexy. I'd be ok with a little MORE sexy tho.

Do you have a new direction planned for existing characters or are you planning on introducing any new characters? The plots of your books are great but characters need to move in new directions.

Do you use family members as the characters in your books

Age progression in charactors...Any thoughts as to how/when Stephanie will age? I ask because of Ruth Rendell's Reg Wexford (a sort of father figure for me) has aged to the extent that I am already grieving the future loss of him. Whether we are fictional or real people, aging is a natural part of life and so I've become curious about your future for Stephanie.

I vaguely remember that you eventually planned on ending the series. Is this still a possibility or will Stephanie and the gang live on in limbo forever? If you do end the series will anyone besides Deisel have a spin-off? I would love to see Ranger and his merry men have a series of their very own.

Thank you for hosting this discussion. My question is this, many authors have a clear defined vision for how a series will end. Do you have a definate end game in mind for Stephanie?

I enjoyed Wicked Appetite immensely. Are you planning to add titles to create a series? My entire family reads and enjoys the Stephanie Plum series. Thanks for the fun characters and wacky situations.

New Jersey has become a very important to pop culture with Jersey Shore, the Real Housewives of New Jersey etc. etc. Do you think your writing about the ultimate Jersey girl with her crazy Jersey friends, family and acquitances has changed throughout the years? How so?

My other question (that you might not want to answer) is who do you always imagine Stephanie Plum to end up with? Joe? Ranger? Diesel?

Like some of the others, I'm curious about your writing process. Some writers plan it all out, while others say they let their characters lead them. Some schedule specific times each day to devote to writing. Some partner with other writers to produce multiple series. Some get an idea for a book's main theme from current events, while others avoid real-life scenarios so there is no comparison. How do you write so you produce such fun characters that so many people can relate to while laughing out loud at the situations they find themselves in on a regular basis?

Ashley wrote: "Is there really going to be a Stephanie Plum movie? I heard a lot of buzz about it early last year and now you do not hear anything. If yes, do you know when we can expect it?!"
Yes, "1 for the Money" will be released in Jan.2012
You are a wonderful writer. The characters you have put in your Plum series are fabulous! Not sure why everyone so far keeps wanting Stephanie to be with Ranger or Morelli -- why not have a great new guy sweep her off her feet!!!

You usually have at least one zany addition to the characters, which is what keeps me reading the series.

Would you give us a hint of a new character in upcoming book?

What's the scoop on a movie?

In some of your between the plum's books you introduced the character Diesel. Then you wrote a book featuring him. My question is why haven't you given us an explanation of just who Diesel is and what he is all about.

I love Ranger and Joe, but I could totally see a new man showing up and sweeping Stephanie off her feet while Ranger and Joe are dumb-founded. What do you think?

There have been many comments about Stephanie not "maturing" but it isn't only the humans! Rex is immortal. Rex has lived well past the normal 2 year lifespan of a hamster. This is amazing since his diet is not a healthy hamster diet. If you want pet hamster advice from a hamster veterinarian, please let me know! I'd be glad to help.

Do you have an exact ending in mind for this series?

And you plan on writing how many books in the Stephanie Plum universe?

I was wondering if you have an end to the series in mind? A lot of authors say that they know how the series will end. Just wondering how many more Plum novels we can look forward to....

Janet, thanks for many hours of entertainment. What will your next series be after you complete the Stephanie Plum series?

Have you ever thought of doing a spin-off series based on Grandma Mazer and Lula? I would love to see them move in together and have some crazy escapades!

I have found that most people who write or read "a ton" had someone influential in their childhood education that really lit the fire for reading. Do you have a specific librarian or teacher from gradeschool that did that for you?

I always look forward to the next in the series if for nothing else the HUMOR. I have never read any books that make me laugh out loud! Keep them coming! Are you concerned about putting out material so quickly now that you have another in the series coming out by the end of this year?

Hi Janet, thanks so much for taking our questions! Mine is: The first three books in the SP series were really intense and had bit more depth (violence/language) than the ones to follow. Was that decision made by you or did your publishers ask you to lighten it up?
Gail

This may have already been asked but I just didn't have a chance to read the entire thread yet but how long does Janet plan to continue writing Stephanie Plum? I don't want it to ever end but I also don't want it to go on so long that Stephanie becomes a chore to read rather than a joy.

I love the Stephanie Plum series just the way it is - it is a quick, fun read with lots of humor and sexual tension. My question though is: Are you planning to develop Wicked Appetite into a series?